South Of France Villas To Rent: Luxury And History

By Author: Abigail Rice
Total Articles: 3
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The South of France has one of the most famous coastlines in the world. The tall yellow stone, plunging into the crystal blue of the Mediterranean has been the epitome of sophisticated luxury for at least the past fifty years. There are villas to rent all along the coast of southern France, from eighteenth century farmhouses in the chestnut forests of the St Clement valley to villas with views of the famous historical village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

The South of France was a popular destination for some of the greatest creative talent of the first half of the twentieth century. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote most of The Great Gatsby whilst staying at Saint Raphael in Var with his wife Zelda. Even today, visitors to the area can experience the same atmosphere which would have served as inspiration to the author. There are South of France villas to rent across the area. La Chenoiserie, near St Tropez, has been recently refurbished. The result is a villa in stunning surroundings – it offers spectacular views across the bay to St Tropez – which blends the traditional design elements of the area with a contemporary aesthetic ...
... and modern facilities. Staff are on hand in a adjacent accommodation to tend to your cooking, driving and general care.

The area also played a significant part in the latter stages of the Second World War. On 15th August 1944, an assault by the American and Free French – Operation Dragoon - drove the Germans out of Southern France and back as far as the Vosges Mountains. The American forces landed at the beaches of La Croix-Valmer and today the name of one of those beaches - Plage du Débarquement (“Landing Beach”) – pay tribute to the part the area played in Operation Dragoon. Villas are available just a short distance from these historic beaches. Les Nenuphars sleeps up to seven in a wonderfully secluded part of the French countryside. All bedrooms open onto terraces overlooking the large, solar-heated infinity pool. The Gulf of St Tropeze is a short 10 mile drive away.

The town of Antibes is situated between the famous resorts of Cannes and Nice, and offers a brilliant midway point between the two – close enough to enjoy their benefits, but distant enough to escape when you want to. Antibes has played host to many a personality over the years. This was the favourite haunt of Gerald and Sara Murphy; the very Americans credited with turning the French Riviera into the place to be in the very first place. Graham Greene spent the later years of his life living there. The town was also home to Greene’s fellow novelist Nikos Kazantzakis, author of Zorba the Greek. Here too, you’ll find plenty of villas to rent. Des Roches in Cap d’Antibes is only 400 metres from the beach. There are restaurants to suit every pallet within easy walking or driving distance of the villa.

In short, wherever you choose to look for villas in the South of France, you can’t help but find history. Whether stepping in the footsteps of great authors, or looking out over a beach that changed the course of a war, your villa will offer you more than just a great night’s sleep.

Palmer & Parker Villa Holidays are specialists in offering luxury villa holidays. They have a whole host of villas to rent in the South of France, including all those mentioned above. To see their full range of villas to rent in the South of France and other popular destinations, visit their website today.
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