When it comes to booking a holiday in France the same golden rule as when buying a house applies – location is everything.
It’s no good being stuck three miles up a wooded, country lane if you’ve a clutch of hormonal teenagers in tow; the entire party will end up at each other’s throats by the end of the break.
Likewise, a poolside apartment in a bustling holiday complex probably wouldn’t suit the elderly in-laws.
It’s well worth bearing in mind the likes and dislikes of your group, spending some time getting to know what they each want out of their vacation, before you book. That way, you should be able to go some way towards keeping everyone happy, though it’s unlikely you’ll ever achieve 100 per cent satisfaction all round.
Many properties come with a pool nowadays, particularly those that are inland and well away from lakes, or rivers, where safe bathing areas are provided. If you are planning to book a remote, self-catering property in, say, Provence, then I would consider easy access to a swimming pool essential as summer temperatures in this arid, rocky region can soar into the high thirties.
Nearer the coast a pool, while still desirable, is a little less of a necessity though many self-catering properties have them these days and you might be prepared to pay a premium for the luxury.
Having sorted this major issue, you should look at other aspects of a property’s location. How near is it to local amenities? Are you going armed with a fortnight’s worth of reading material and seeking a hermetic existence, or do you enjoy the sights and sounds of local markets?
Property owners themselves are best-placed to discuss such details with you and this is one of the advantages of arranging your holiday in France through direct-booking companies like Chez Nous . By speaking with the owners, the majority of whom are English, you can get a detailed picture of the property before making your decision. Happy hunting.