Self-Catering France

Specialist Reports Holiday by Accommodation Self-Catering Self-Catering France Vacances en Campagne 

	Vacances en Campagne
The Individual Travellers Company, Manor Courtyard, Bignor, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1QD			MAP
tel: (08700) 771 771; brochures (08700) 780 185

A portfolio of around 500 properties in coastal and countryside locations. A property index allows them to be chosen by size, type and facilities. The company suggests contacting the reservations team for personal advice on properties are locations.

Where

Auvergne, Ardeche/Cevennes/Gard, Alps, Languedoc/Roussillon, Provence, Cote d'Azur, Brittany, Normandy, Pas de Calais, Loire Valley, Alsace/Vosges, Burgundy, Jura, Charente/Vendee, Dordogne & Lot, Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees, and Corsica. Around 300 of the properties are in the most popular Mediterreanean regions plus the Charente/Vendee, Dordogne and Brittany.

Style

‘We prefer not to offer ‘purpose-built' holidays homes,' says the brochure, providing instead, ‘holiday properties of character away from the busy holiday resorts. Many properties are the owner's own home and concessions may have to be made for the foibles of older properties in the countryside, for personal taste and the local lifestyle.' That is, the beds may not be of the width you are used to, access road untarmacked, and electric kettles rare. Around a third of properties have or have access to a pool. Sizes range up to two chateaux and villas sleeping up to 22. Pets are welcome at close to 100 properties at a charge of £16 per pet per week. Most but not all properties provide linen.

Season

Year round, heating available at 80% of properties, charged extra.

Facilities

Cots and high chairs are available at around 80% of properties. Some properties are particularly recommended for families for example one with a swimming pool and adjoining three metre shallow water paddling pool in the Charente/Vendee. Babysitting may be available at a handful of properties.

Extras

A few pools can be heated for an extra charge. Extra maid service available on requet at a handful of properties.

Sample Price

A restored farmhouse in the Ardeche sleeping five with terrace, private pool and gardens would be from £1,236 in high season, including short sea weekend ferry crossing or car hire.