South West France – unspoilt beauty at its finest!!

This green and fertile corner of France is well known for its hilltop bastides and fortified villages. There are incredibly beautiful and unspoilt places with tumbling flowers, painted shutters and carved stonework dotted across the rolling landscape, intermingling with stone built farms, gaggles of foie gras producing geese, the occasional chateau, vineyards, sunflowers and fruit orchards. This is my home in South West France – unspoilt beauty at its finest. It is here where we have family farmhouses with pools to rent, converted stone barns and Manoirs.

These houses stand dazzling white against green, ochre and sunflower-yellow fields, and the deep red of an occasional poppy. It is peaceful, tame countryside, the idyllic by product of centuries of rich farming.
Quercy Blanc, takes its name from the white limestone which colours the soil. Many villages are built of Quercy Blanc, the beautiful local white stone.

Famous for its sunflowers, peaches, kiwi, asparagus, cherries, nectarines, melons, vines and prunes, the local countryside changes weekly from the lush greens and delicate blossoms of early spring through to the fields of ripening wheat and barley edged with poppies, to the vivid yellow of the summer sunflowers. Can you not think of anything more lovely to have your France villa holiday in one of properties?

We have a former Presbytery built of Quercy Blanc stone to rent in this gorgeous region with full summer availability. This house sleeps 8, has a large garden, a sparkling pool and its on special offer too! To read more click http://www.qualityvillas.com/refPR670.php

Amongst the many places local to the property are markets, night markets, leisure lake, local tennis court, horse riding centre, golf courses, parachute school and vineyards. Book now for your family farmhouse in France now!

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your holiday in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

The Rain in Spain........

We are now on our second week here in Spain and it has been very interesting weather wise. From warm sunny days, to snow on the mountains and the past couple of days to rain!! However, we are fortunate as France has had more snow and the UK even more!!

To get you out of the doldrums - start planning your summer holiday now and forget the long winter and dream of a Quality Villas holiday from rural family farmhouses to luxury family villas.

A particular favourite of mine is Prieure de Lagrasse which is in the Corbiere Valley. I just love this area and when I am there I am truly in paradise. Tall Cypress trees dominate the landscape, rows of vines and all with a mountainous backdrop.

Prieure de Lagrasse was formally a 12th century priory to the celebrated Abbey of Lagrasse with the 12th century chapel that still remains today. In the early 18th century the house was remodelled as a “Chartreuse” when its vineyards, that now completely surround the estate, were further developed. The present owners have renovated this property to provide a country home that is reflected in the attention to detail and quality of decoration. This comfortable and elegant family home is furnished with high quality antiques yet exudes comfort and a welcoming atmosphere. Spacious living rooms and bedrooms this house is perfect for two families or a large group holidaying together.
The walled park comprises of 2 acres of box hedging and alleys, cedar, cypress, lime and other various specimen trees. A rose garden and sunken garden add to the interesting flavour of these grounds. The park has been restocked with camellias, azaleas, cistus, oleanders, mimosas, French hibiscus and others that give this property a wonderful Mediterranean feel. There is a private 10m x 6m swimming pool with sun loungers and umbrellas. For more information about this property which still has high season weeks available then go to http://www.qualityvillas.com/refPR489.php

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Spanish Haciendas versus French Country Domaines!!!

I am on holiday in Spain and it has been an interesting drive from France to the Spanish border and beyond. The long drive saw many interesting buildings, countryside and landscape. Spain is pretty diverse and that’s what makes it interesting and if you venture inland to what I call the old and interesting “Real Spain” you can marvel at the amazing haciendas that are here. A hacienda is a large estate, often covering a huge amount of land. The term is also used to refer to the house of the owner, which is often built on a large scale designed to impress and awe visitors. The foundation of most haciendas was livestock and agriculture. A hacienda could generate immense amounts of wealth for the owner, especially if there was a mine on the premises.

However, despite the countryside in Spain, old haciendas and culture my heart is in France with its old domaines that have been handed down through generations of families and one in particular is Domaine Rouge in South West France, near Toulouse. http://www.qualityvillas.com/refPR322.php
This impressive property, built in 1810 using the typical red brick of Toulouse is situated just outside a small village and flanked by two towers, a dovecote, and surrounded by a hectare of grounds with distant view of the Pyrenees.
It has been restored in keeping with its original style which is complemented by comfortable furnishings and decor. A terrace which overlooks the pool spans the south side of the house, shaded by some splendid mature trees. The countryside surrounding this Toulouse domaine villa has earned the nickname "Little Tuscany" due to its rolling hills.

We, at Quality Villas have many properties that were former domains so if you fancy being a temporary estate owner for your summer holiday then look no further!! We have villa rental in Dordogne and villa rental in South West France that will allow you a peep into their historical background.

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

If you would like a copy of our 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

A land where time has almost forgot !!

The Aveyron is in the rugged Midi- Pyrénées region in the south where the natural landscape is so extraordinarily rich and the scenery so spectacular that it takes your breath away. Wild moorland, vast blue lakes, rolling hills,tumbling rivers and waterfalls, fertile valleys and the most dramatic gorges this side of Arizona. Forests and woodland that shelter deer and wild boar; grasslands strewn with poppies, narcissi and wild orchids; skies where kestrels, eagles and even vultures fly free this is really is the land that time forgot.

Here are a thousand castles, more than a thousand megalithic tombs, innumerable Gallo-Roman ruins, and some of the most remarkable Romanesque architecture in Europe, as well as Norman Foster's architectural marvel, the Millau Viaduct—the world's tallest bridge and an unmatched feat of engineering and green planning.

Peaceful lakeside resorts are an hour's drive from vertiginous peaks, waterfalls, and mind-blowing chasms, under which flow subterranean rivers. Deep valleys alternate with eerie and vast limestone plateaus, or segue into undulating meadows, peat bogs, and hot springs. Some of Aveyron's caves are big enough to shelter the Rodez cathedral. Does that not sound wonderful and almost pre-historic? Well, our French Holiday Villas are not pre-historic at all – in fact they may be built in local stone but have all be renovated and furnished to a very high standard such as Ferme la Salvetat which is in this amazing region. A large stone French farmhouse that is child friendly nestles in a rural setting offering complete peace and total privacy.

The best time to visit this area is from June to September but for me the absolute perfect times are June and September themselves. June is warm without being to hot and the skies are a wonderful bright blue. September sees a different view with the leaves slowly turning to their Autumn colours of deep reds and oranges.

Our French farmhouse in the Aveyron still has plenty of June and September dates and at reduced prices!! Hurry and book this family farmhouse in South West France now before its too late!!

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

France – voted best place to live in the world – again!!!

A new report shows that, for the fifth year in succession, France is rated as the country with the highest quality of life in the world. This startingly impressive result is out of the 194 countries included in the survey, in which the US came third and the UK came about 20th.

I have lived in France for 16 years and whilst food has almost doubled in price, eating out is still very cheap and public transport is efficient and cheap too!! Not only this but it is a relaxed and beautiful country whereby the French have a philosophy – you work to live and not live to work. The sheer fact of the lifestyle, beauty and most of all an unhurried way of life is exactly why it’s the number one place to live.
Whilst many people cannot just "up sticks" and move here – you can come on holiday here and stay in one of our family villas in France from Brittany to the Cote d’ Azur.

The classic image of Brittany's coastline is that of massive Atlantic breakers bursting over defiant granite rocks, Brittany's coastline actually offers a wide range of seashores, from small sandy or pebbly coves to sand dunes and broad sandy beaches; it also offers a wealth of inlets and harbours, making this region the most popular in France with sailing enthusiasts. The south-facing coast of the Morbihan benefits from a particularly mild climate. One of most popular villa rental in Brittany is Cottage on the Beach and its sister property House on the Beach.

The Dordogne with its 101 chateaux steeped in history to the lush green countryside and famous Dordogne River. Hire a kayak and pack a picnic for a glorious day out before having dinner in one of many fine restaurants or Auberges that are plentiful in this area. A typical chateau property to rent is Chateau de la Riviere which sits on the banks of the River Dordogne with stunning views. This chateau is steeped in history yet offers modern day comforts with fully air conditioned bedrooms and a chef on hand to cook you delightful meals. View our villa rentals in Dordogne to sample other delights in this region.

Provence is a region of contrasts and colours. This delightful region of the French Midi (the South) is associated with warm breezes, a mild climate, and rolling hillsides covered in the gray washes of olive trees and lavender. The lavender fields are truly amazing to see with not only their beauty but the heady perfume that is in the air. View our villa rentals in Provence for your next holiday.

People in their hundreds flock to the Côte d'Azur or French Riviera for its sun and dazzling blue waters. This coastline is a constant hub of activity and excitement. The Riviera attracts an international group and jet-setters here to see and to be seen. If you want glamour and maybe spot a famous face or two then this is the place to be. So, to be one of the “in set” visit our website www.qualityvillas.com for your Cote d’Azur family villa rental now.

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

A little night music amongst the greenery!!

It is said that the history of France is written in her gardens and this is reflected in the many different styles to be found, from grand palace estates to delightful private gardens such as Monet’s at Giverny in central France. In one of the regions that I manage are the amazing Gardens of Eyrignac which are located 13 km north east of Sarlat in the Dordogne at Salignac.

This garden is filled with greenery and displays every shade of green: yews, box trees, hornbeams and cypress trees are the main species in the garden.
It is the sheer volume of topiaries which creates the essence of Eyrignac from plant sculptures, rooms of greenery, box embroideries and borders in the French style. All of these displays are in perfect harmony with the architectural lines of the Manoir and visitors, young and old marvel at this jewel in the Dordogne.


Every Monday evening from mid July to end of August from 7 pm to nightfall is a musical white picnic in the White Garden. The White Garden is filled with white roses enjoy the cooling fountains at twilight. From sunset to nightfall, visitors eat their picnic treats or enjoy a delicious slice of foie gras and a glass of wine in the restaurant. Adults tariff is just 9€.50 and free for children under 14 years old.

This civilised evening is popular and enjoyed by many and what perfect way to spend a summers evening not far from your Dordogne villa or Dordogne farmhouse.

We still have some summer availability for our Family Villas in Dordogne so why not call our office now and check out the availability.

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Winter weather makes you dream of your sunny summer holiday!!!

Last weekend saw South West France and other regions covered in a blanket of snow. Whereas the UK had its fair share of snow in the past month, in my part of the world it is relatively unheard of. Waking up to 20cm of snow, freezing temperatures during the day and minus 10°C at night was enough to make me think of last summer when it was so hot here I was dreaming of cold weather!!

Last years weather was glorious – the sun shone literally every day for nearly four months. Our French villas and French farmhouses were booked up very quickly last year and its looks like the same is happening again.

One of my favourite properties is Maison Pastorale – a beautiful house set in a rural location not far from Marmande and Bordeaux. With its large rooms, delightful bedrooms and private pool this house is always popular.

There is much to see and do in this area from vineyards to cycling and historic Bordeaux which is a must to visit. Venture further north to the Dordogne (easily accessible by car) and take the children kayaking on the River Dordogne or visit one of the many pretty villages.

We have been taking bookings for this summer for a few weeks now and some of most popular houses are getting booked up so hurry and book your French villa holiday now and look forward to long sunny days by your luxury villa or family farmhouse with exclusive pools.

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco