Whether it’s an early morning swim with mist rising from the water, or a sunset dip after a day exploring, a pool adds a little magic to your holiday. Our collection of French gîtes with private pools includes countryside farmhouses and vineyard estates, all personally inspected and chosen for their character, charm and unforgettable settings. From Provence to the Pyrenees, you’ll find places to stay where you can wander local markets, discover historic towns and return to cool off by the pool with a glass of something chilled in hand.
Le Mas, Saint Croxe, Dordogne
Staying in this honey-hued farmhouse is a treat for groups and families. It’s light and spacious with a big kitchen, a table made for long conversations, toys and games for children and heaps of books. Outside is where you’ll spend most of your time relaxing. There’s a veg and herb garden, a sheltered ‘summer kitchen’ for al fresco cooking and a private pool with wonderful views and lavender and jasmine scenting the air.
Bastide Oleander, Lorgues, Var
This spacious, secluded, 18th-century house is one of our favourite gîtes in France with a pool. You’ll love the sweeping views and the fact that the water is heated to a constant 26 degrees. There’s masses of space to spread out both inside and out, including two sitting rooms and your choice of terraces. Beaches are less than an hour away, but we wouldn’t blame you if you chose to not leave this peaceful Provence haven.
La Grange du Lac, Cazals, Lot
Just outside of the lovely traditional village of Cazals, this restored stone barn is the sort of place where you can fully relax into the authentic French way of life. Wander into the village for freshly baked croissants and a baguette in the morning, before taking a stroll around the grounds (there’s 5 acres, a lake and poplar plantation) or a dip in your own private pool. If you fancy venturing further afield, owners Serge and Sam can recommend all the best places to visit, including the numerous Michelin starred restaurants within a short drive.
La Ferme de Guillandonne, Var
Full of country-hideaway chic, this special holiday home is in one of the loveliest parts of the Var, surrounded by 10 private acres. Rows of lavender run along one side of the pool while on the other a tunnel of wisteria leads down to a sun-trapping terrace. It’s the kind of villa where long, lazy days are spent dipping in and out of the pool, reading under olive trees and enjoying alfresco meals with vineyard views – a dreamy base for a holiday in the South of France.
La Joliette, Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Originally built for the Bishop of Oloron, this 19th-century house has been beautifully restored into a light-filled, elegant retreat with far-reaching views of the Pyrenees. Drive through the grand gateway and along a tree-lined avenue to find a tranquil haven with a private pool, perfect for lazy laps between morning coffee and evening apéritifs on the terrace. Just 2km away, Oloron-Sainte-Marie buzzes with bakeries, markets and restaurants – ideal for stocking up on local treats or dining out in style. It’s a dreamy base for poolside relaxation and exploring the wild beauty of the Basque foothills.
Mas des Chineurs, Vaucluse
A truly unique villa with a pool in Provence, Mas des Chineurs sits beside one of the crystal-clear canals of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, with your own canoe moored at the garden gate. This elegant 1850s house, once part of a convent, is now a haven of character, art and comfort, just a short stroll from the town’s bakeries, antique shops and restaurants.
French doors lead from the open-plan living space to a shaded patio and an outdoor dining area perfect for lingering summer suppers. There’s a charming basin-style plunge pool – ideal for cooling off – with views over the canal and ducks drifting by. A rare blend of peaceful seclusion and walkable town life, with bikes to borrow, barbecue evenings, and a cool dip waiting after every day’s adventure.
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Nicky deBouille
Sawday's Expert
Nicky has gone from roots in the mountains of New Zealand to her home in an 18th century merchant’s house on the banks of the Loire. Armed with an eccentric soundtrack from Bach to Radiohead via Beirut and Herbie Hancock, she goes on the road for weeks at a time, in search of new special places. What matters most to her is connecting with the owner, because it’s the person that creates the place. She loves that she can give them an alternative to booking.com, and they love the fact that she’s “gone native”.
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