Self-catering holidays in South West France

This vast region of France includes some of the most beautiful scenery of the country. The French have an expression which signifies the ideal use of leisure time "La mer et la montagne" meaning that between the delights of the sea and the mountains you couldn't want for more. SW France is certainly representative of these delights. The Pyrenees are beautiful in winter and summer, and additionally there are ski stations for those looking for an active winter holiday- self-catering lets are the cheapest way to visit ski resorts, and the smaller resorts have the advantage of low daily prices. If you enjoy active holidays there are some of the best kayaking and rafting rivers in France. The Tour de France often climbs the steep Pyrenean hills, followed by perspiring amateurs. There are the quite different coastal areas, the Atlantic coast of Bordeaux and Biarritz, with surfing and sand dunes, the quiet flat beaches of Poitou Charente, which are ideal with young children, and the glorious blue Mediterranean between the Spanish border and Narbonne.

The South West is, arguably, the most interesting of the wine regions, ranging from the great wines of Bordeaux, to Fitou, encompassing the Corbieres, Pays de l'Aude and the sparkling Blanquette of Limoux, amongst many others.

SW France contains 2 of the 6 national parks, the Pyrenees and the Cevennes, and there are many historical sites, including the prehistoric caves of the Dordogne, the Bastide towns close to the Spanish border, and numerous sites containing Roman remains, and old, but still standing, Roman baths, bridges and fortifications. Safari and wild animal parks are there, notably Toulouse and Sigean on the Mediterranean coast. Gîtes and self-catering holiday lets are plentiful, as is the supply of sunshine. In both winter and summer the skies are predominantly azure blue, ideal for the small friendly festivals which are to be found in almost every small town.