Hi we are wanting to rent a villa in the south of France - we were thinking of Domme or around the Dordogne region or possibly the French Basque Country around Pamplona or Pau - however open to suggestions. We have 5 couples wanting to stay in a villa and enjoy the surrounding countryside, fresh food markets, wineries and possibly have a cooking demo at the villa - we are hoping to find one with a lovely outlook and big outdoor dining area - we will be planning on the first week in April
Posted by
Los Angeles
963 posts
We have not been to the Dordogne region but spent a month in Aix-en-Provence in 2021. In touring around Provence, the villages of Lourmarin or Bonnieux would be my choice for a villa. Both had lovely shops and restaurants, churches and a center square. The views in the Luberon are amazing. It's Peter Mayle's France.
Roussillion is another village in the Luberon that was lovely! Have you discovered Join us in France? Here is a podcast about a family staying in a villa in Roussillion: https://joinusinfrance.com/episode/the-smart-way-to-visit-provence-episode-232/
People also like St. Remy.
We LOVED Aix, but I don't think you'd find the villa you have in mind. It is more of a bustling pedestrian town with lovely apartments, 4-5 squares, markets every day, a lovely museum, amazing restaurants. Easy drive up to the Luberon.
Posted by
Washington DC
27385 posts
The beginning of April is rather early for the Basque County. Be sure you know the range of weather you might experience.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
825 posts
pam.borgeaud,
Try gites de france for lodging. We rented a large, lovely home for 10 days in June. It had four bedrooms, 3 baths, was on the property of a chateau, with a swimming pool and two outdoor eating areas. Less than ten minutes from La Roque Gageac in the Dordogne, and about 15 minutes to Domme. Sarlat took about fifteen minutes also. We paid just a hair over $3000.00 for the ten days, plus $100.00 to the caretaker for cleaning afterwards. It was called "Le Petit Fort." Go to Gites-de-France and put in your filters. We have found places for shorter term stays as well with them. Check out our place on the website to give you an idea of what we found. Everything was top-notch, and well worth the cost. (There were seven of us...about $300.00 a day for seven.....pretty good!) The farthest we drove in our sight-seeing took us about an hour. Most places were less than that.
The Dordogne is a great place to spend a week. You will have plenty of things to see and do in that time, and will wish you had a second week there! See my forum entry from June 27 or 28 titled "Just Returned from Four Weeks in France...Continued".
Posted by
France Southwest
1980 posts
Nowadays the climate is not predictable but at the beginning of April it is very likely that you will rarely go to your outdoor areas in the Basque country. This time is rainy and the average daytime temperatures generally do not exceed 65F.
You will have more chances to enjoy it in Dordogne.
As you have already been advised, for a week or more see the Gîtes de France website.
(not for the Pamplona area which is in Spain)
Here is an example of accommodation for 10 people or more available at the beginning of April in the Dordogne Valley (East part):
starting from 500€/week up to more than 5000€ for a week
Click on "Menu" to select the English version
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks so much for these great responses.
Posted by
Paris
7020 posts
I would indeed steer clear of the Basque country in April. I spent waaaaaay too many Easter half-term holidays when it was pouring rain two days out of three, for two weeks at a time. Pamplona might be drier but I would not bet on it. Pau is less rainy but the Pyrenees are still snowy in early April and there is not that much to do in the city.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks so much for that advice :)