France has many horticultural treasures, from Mimosas filling the Cote d'Azur air with their fantastic February fragrance, through aromatic acres of lavender basking in the Provençal sunshine to the beautiful blowsy hydrangeas so prolific in Brittany. There is also an abundance of fascinating gardens to visit in France.


Some of our holiday properties in France have their own lovely gardens, and some are close to gardens that are a joy to visit. The following holiday homes have plenty of horticultural pleasures to offer the plant lover. Read on.....

B760A, Quimper, S. Brittany

Sleeps: 2

EUR 500 - 700 per week

Stylish apartment in the centre of Old Quimper.

· Ideally situated for a holiday without a car.
· Short walk to shops and restaurants.
· Just behind the apartment, alongside the River Odet, is the Priory garden (Jardin du Prieuré), full of medieval aromatic and medicinal plants, and the symbolism popular in monastery gardens of the Middle Ages (for example, roses signify youth and the fleur de Lys denotes purity).

C390A, Antibes, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 2

EUR 550-850 per week

Stylish apartment in 17th century town house in Old Antibes.

· Easy walk to shops, restaurants and market.
· 300m beach.
· Rich in scientific interest, the Jardin Botanique de la Villa Thuret, Antibes, is a botanical garden and arboretum first created in 1857, providing a foundation for modern Mediterranean horticulture. Designed as a 19th century romantic garden, but at the same time devoted to the experimental cultivation of species in open ground, and plant trials. 1600 species of Mediterranean / hot climate species.

P266B, Lourmarin, Provence

Sleeps: 2

EUR 750 - 800 per week

Delightful little 1920's cottage set in 15000m² of parkland where the owner's sculptures are on display.

· Visit the fields of aromatic Provençal herbs at Ferme de Gerbaud
· Short walk to Lourmarin – one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”
· Lots of outdoor and cultural activities in the region

P349A, St Remy de Provence, Provence

Sleeps: 2

EUR 450 - 900 per week

Attractive holiday bungalow, 500m from the centre of Saint Remy.

· Small private garden and terrace, shared pool.
· Easy walk to shops , market and restaurants.
· 10km exciting and magical ‘Alchemist’ garden.

B727A, Kerleo, S. Brittany

Sleeps: 4

EUR 500 - 1000 per week

Comfortable peaceful holiday home , 20 minute walk to sandy beach.

· Sunny terrace for outdoor dining, secluded garden.
· 8km fascinating Jardins de Rospico, near Nevez, with colourful displays based on the palettes of the Pont Aven school of artists .
· Great base for exploring southern Brittany.

P294B, Villelaure, Provence

Sleeps: 4

EUR 300 - 950 per week

Pretty little detached house, renovated with quality local materials.

· Private terrace, pool shared with owner.
· Great position for exploring villages of the Lubéron.
· Visit the gardens of Chateau Val Joanis at nearby Pertuis – attractive fruit and vegetable gardens in a 19th century style formal framework of box and lavender hedging laid out on three terraces. There is also a vineyard.

C115A, Nice, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 5

EUR 700-1800 per week

Unique 1950s property in spectacular position with views across Nice to the sea.

· Private fenced pool and rooftop terrace.
· Attractive garden with boules pitch, swing and slide.
· Short drive to the stunning Villa and gardens Ephrussi de Rothschild, overlooking the Mediterranean – nine gardens including Provençal, Spanish and Florentine gardens and a French garden where musical fountains spring into action every 10 minutes!

C174A, Grasse, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 5

EUR 650 - 1200 per week

19th century Provençal farmhouse in residential area of Grasse.

· Lovely secluded garden, 3500m², exotic hot colours of cannas, lantana and mirabilis; vibrant blues of agapanthus and plumbago; scents of lavender, rosemary and thyme... a plant lover's dream!
· Large private pool.
· See fascinating water features at Villa de Noailles in the hills above Grasse, or a little further afield, the formal gardens at the Chateau de Gourdon in its breathtakingly precarious clifftop position.

B739A, Benodet, S. Brittany

Sleeps: 6

EUR 900 - 1500 per week

Elegant villa with large secluded garden and sea view.

· Quiet situation, short stroll to tidal lagoon.
· 3km chic resort of Bénodet.
· 5km Parc Botanique de Cornouaille at Combrit. Gentle walks around English-style garden, some unusual plants on view and for sale.

B764A, Gouesnach, S. Brittany

Sleeps: 8

EUR 850 - 1300 per week

Converted barn in peaceful position near to the River Odet, between Bénodet and Quimper.

· Newly renovated property in large grounds shared with the owner.
· See the spectacular spring display of Rhododendrons and Azaleas and interesting collection of trees at the Parc de Boutiguery on the bank of the River Odet at Pors Meillou.
· Discover numerous species of wild flowers on the Sentier botanique at Pors Garo.
· Wander in the peaceful Jardin botanique de Cornouaille at nearby Combrit.

C393A, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 8

EUR 2000 - 4000 per week

Superb holiday villa, short walk to sandy beach.

· Private pool and enclosed garden.
· Good public transport in area.
· The property is situated near to the Parc Départmental de San Peyre, a park of 82 hectares on a hill formed by lava flow from the ancient volcano Maure-Vielle . Wild cistus, heather, cork oaks, pines, mimosas and strawberry trees cover the slopes, as well as naturally growing cacti. The plant and bird life is fascinating, and the view from the summit is magnificent!

P108AB, St Michel L'Observatoire, Provence

Sleeps: 9

EUR 1500-3000 per week

Two prettily restored cottages in beautiful peaceful rural situation.

· Each property has its own private pool, terrace and garden.
· Relatively undiscovered area of Provence with much to explore.
· The gardens at the Priory of Salagon near Forcalquier demonstrate the relationship between people and plants over time, from Medieval times until the present day. 6 hectares of gardens including a scented garden and a bucket waterwheel, as well as the historical monuments of Salagon.

C102A, Le Rayol, Cote d'Azur

Sleeps: 10

EUR 2000 - 3800 per week

Superb villa in sensational coastal position, 200m sea, with beautiful views.

· About 200m from the fascinating Domaine du Rayol gardens.
· Wonderful cascading pool.
· Local shops and restaurants within about 300m.

P342A, Maillane, Provence

Sleeps: 12

EUR 1700 - 3000 per week

Beautifully restored 19th century Provence farmhouse in peaceful countryside.

· Child friendly - private fenced pool, enclosed garden.
· Delightful vine-covered terrace for outdoor meals.
· Exceptional water garden and organic aromatic garden to visit at nearby Graveson.

P324ABCD, La Rochegiron, Provence

Sleeps: 15

EUR 2000 - 3600 per week

Farmhouse made up of two apartments, restored pigeonnier and windmill – to rent together or separately.

· Superb rural position amongst lavender fields with mountain backdrop.
. · Swimming pool shared between properties.
· The wonderful garden of the Abbaye de Valsaintes at the stunning perched village of Simian la Rotonde has paths lined with various species of trees and ornamental plants to lead you around beds with over 600 species of old and modern roses. There is a tree nursery, roses for sale and a shop with rose-related products.