When choosing a villa holiday, having a private pool is always top of the wish list, which is why, at Anglo French Properties, we only choose luxury villas with a lovely pool.
The majority of our villas have a heated pool and, for parents’ peace of mind, as per French law, they are all either alarmed, fenced and gated and/or have a retractable cover. The pools are all big enough for swimming laps to work off those breakfast pains aux chocolats and, of course, they are surrounded by sun loungers and parasols for snoozing in the sunshine of the South of France.
From our portfolio of luxury villas with a private pool in South West France, Provence and the Côte d’Azur, we’ve picked out 10 of our favorites.
Villa with the best pool for kids:
Le Vieux Manoir, Provence. This fabulous 7-bedroom country house is set in 20 acres of garden and grounds featuring the fenced and gated 15×6.8 metre private swimming pool with an adjoining 6.8×3.2 metre paddling pool that is perfect for toddlers at just 50cm deep.
La Bourdette, the 18×7.5 metre pool has very wide steps in one corner which are ideal for toddlers to play.
Le Bournaguet, Dordogne. The filtered, alarmed and heated swimming pool with underwater lights measures 13.5 x 6 metres, with a maximum depth of 2.1 metres, and Roman steps at its shallow end. There’s an extensive range of pool furniture, including sunbeds, a table seating 8 and 2 large sun umbrellas. The pool is very private and partly protected by a high hedge.
Villa with the best view from the pool:
Le Cygne, Provence. The Villa stands in 2 hectares (5 acres) of grounds and has magnificent views over the totally unspoilt wooded valleys and hills of the Var. The Villa has been designed so the whole frontage opens onto a stunning Terrace with sun loungers, sun umbrellas and a dining area, then a few steps lead down to an infinity Swimming Pool. The Swimming Pool is 8.60 metres long and 2.10 metres wide, with Roman steps into the shallow end which is 1.50 metres deep, sloping to 3 metres at the deep end. The Pool is filtered and alarmed.
Le Haut Refren, Côte d’Azur. Le Haut Refren is utterly private and peaceful, with spectacular views over the wooded valleys below towards the Bay of St Tropez. The town itself can be seen in the distance. The upper Terraces form an established olive grove, and the garden has a wide variety of trees – yews, holm and cork oaks, figs, almonds and pines amongst others, as well as shrubs and masses of lavender, rosemary and santolinas.
Steps descend from the Terrace in front of the Main House to a lawn, and then to the L-shaped, alarmed swimming pool which is 24ft long and 7ft wide. There are wide steps into the shallow end, which is 4ft deep, shelving to 8ft at the other end. The Pool is surrounded by 8 sunbeds, many of which are shaded by the surrounding trees.
Le Mas des Palmes, Cabris, South of France. On an impressive raised terrace of its own the perfectly sited swimming pool is located just above and to the eastern end of the house. The heated and alarmed swimming pool measures 6m x 12m with Roman steps into a shallow end 1m deep and on to a deep end of 2.1m The natural wooded hills form the natural protective boundary and shade behind the pool. Its southern side, with an infinity edge to the pool, is open to the long Mediterranean view towards Antibes and the sea. Sunloungers, deckchairs and sun umbrellas surround the pool. There is a gazebo providing additional shade and a larger terrace area forms another seating or dining area nearest to the house.
Best villa pool house:
La Bourdette, South West France. As well as being very well suited to children, also has a fantastic pool house. A fabulous 2-storey Pool House provides a large games room, comfortable sitting room and a charming double bedroom. The games room occupies the whole of the ground floor and featuring table tennis, table football and a kitchenette containing a large fridge/freezer/ice-maker. The doors open onto a terrace, 8 metres (25 ft) from the edge of the pool.
La Boupillère, South West France. Right next to the pool is a large covered terrace area with BBQ, fridge and open fireplace adjoins the pool for relaxing and eating al fresco.
Large Pools:
Domaine de Montahut, Carcassonne. The alarmed and filtered swimming pool (measuring 15m X 7m, 1.2m at the large shallow end shelving to 2.5m at the deep end) has an inviting pool house at one end equipped with a fridge, built-in barbecue, dining area and a shower. Generous stone terracing surrounds the pool with sun loungers and parasols. The pool area has a sound system that can be wirelessly connected to any smart phone. Superb views are enjoyed from the pool and gardens to the hillsides and more distant hills and plains to The Minervois region towards the Mediterranean.
Château de Gaujac, Gascony. On an impressive raised terrace of its own the perfectly sited swimming pool is located just above and to the eastern end of the house. The heated and alarmed swimming pool measures 6m x 12m with Roman steps into a shallow end 1m deep and on to a deep end of 2.1m
Chateau Roma, Aveyron, South West France. A large heated salt water heated swimming pool is sited outside on high ground within easy walking distance to the South East of the Chateau. It measures 8m x 13m accessed Roman steps into the shallow end sloping to a deep end. It is framed by a wide patio on which are placed sun loungers, parasols, tables and chairs for relaxation and sunbathing.The pool is not fenced but there are 2 pool alarms.
Adjoining the pool and enjoying a wonderful Northerly view is a covered outside dining area with table and chairs for capacity, a Weber gas barbecue and a cuisine d’été with fridge freezer, crockery, cutlery, serving dishes, glasses, cups, a microwave oven, kettle and sink.
