Renting a house in the southwest : A wild escape between land and sea

Arcachon bay : elegance in suspension

A little further north in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, just outside Bordeaux, Arcachon Bay exudes the charm of a slower pace. Its homes are secluded havens where time seems to stand still. Villa La Tosca, in Lanton, is an early 20th-century Italo-Arcachonnais villa with a bright ocean-facing façade. Guests enjoy an exotic garden, natural private pool, and multi-level views over the bay across eight bedrooms.

Mornings are spent barefoot on dew-kissed terraces; evenings, watching the tide rise with a glass in hand as light drifts over pine trees and oyster cabins. Take a short trip across the bay to Cap Ferret, home to some of the finest rental villas. This corner of the Southwest is perfect for lovers of understated luxury: the luxury of slowness, nature, and shared moments—all less than an hour from Bordeaux.

Landes : the luxury of calm

Further south, Landes shows a wilder, more secret side of the coast. Here, luxury is measured in silence rather than square meters. Vacation rentals stretch across large plots of pine-fringed land, sometimes extending to golden dunes. Holiday homes in the Landes are spacious, sunlit, and designed for togetherness: open-plan kitchens, shaded terraces, private gardens, intimate pools. From Contis to Mimizan and Moliets, some evoke chic cabins, others contemporary villas with pure lines, but all maintain natural, understated elegance. These are homes where time slows, connections are renewed, and the word “holiday” regains its full meaning.

Basque coast: magnetic and refined

Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Guéthary, and Bayonne feature vacation homes that flirt with the ocean to catch the waves. The combination of seaside elegance and relaxed chic is unique to this coast.

In Biarritz, Villa Trinidad enjoys a prime location on avenue de l’Impératrice, near the center and shops. The house exudes natural sophistication: Art Deco architecture, a palm-fringed pool, sunlit bedrooms, and a tropical garden just steps from the Grande Plage. It evokes an era when sea bathing was a ritual and every detail reflected refinement.

Further south, Guéthary and Bidart offer a more intimate version of Basque luxury. Villa Domino, with its blue shutters, captures the essence of coastal lifestyle: local markets, sunset strolls, surfing at Parlementia, and dinner on the terrace. Days unfold lazily and elegantly. Here, living artfully means slowing down, feet in salt water, eyes on the Atlantic.

Inland basque country: between hills and silence

In the Basque interior, homes cling to hillsides, surrounded by ferns, dry-stone walls, and shaded paths.

In Urrugne, Villa Iratz Alda looks toward the Pyrenees, seeming to float above time. Its organic decor blends raw linen, light wood, and soft greens in a calming atmosphere. Vine-covered terraces, views of mountain peaks, and the gentle sound of bells from a grazing herd create a sense of discreet luxury and reconnection.

This is a more private Basque Country, where holiday homes are lived as retreats. Guests recharge with the seasons, explore village markets, hike around La Rhune, and dine under the stars—far from the waves, yet close to the heart of the region.

Périgord : elegance between vineyards and honey colored stone

Further inland, the Périgord stretches its valleys, oak forests, and bastides with slate roofs. Life flows at the pace of markets and church bells, in golden light that caresses the honey-colored stone of medieval villages. Rental homes range from restored manor houses to vineyard properties and stylish contemporary villas. They strike a perfect balance between tradition and discreet refinement typical of the Southwest.

Many Périgord homes feature infinity pools or stone basins, landscaped gardens, shaded terraces, and summer kitchens where guests share local wine at sunset. Interiors combine exposed beams, weathered furniture, and natural tones with modern comfort. These are homes that smell of warm stone, homemade jam, and long summer evenings.

Along winding roads, a manor overlooks vineyards, while a renovated farmhouse offers rustic charm, ideal for families. Days are spent at colorful markets, canoeing on the Dordogne, and wine tasting in local estates. Here, luxury lies in peaceful landscapes, savored time, and generous tables.

Evenings are magical: as sunlight fades and honey-colored stone glows, the Périgord becomes a living painting. Cicadas quiet, breezes stir, and one understands why travelers return for family holidays, reunions with friends, or simply to taste the authentic art of living.

Pyrenees : a mountainside retreat 

In the Pyrenees, rentals emphasize contemporary refuge. Renovated chalets, modern hillside villas, and centuries-old stone houses transformed into design retreats are framed by nature, which sets the pace.

Vacation homes feature fitted kitchens, panoramic terraces, starry jacuzzis, and spacious glassed-in living rooms overlooking snow-capped peaks. Some blend raw materials with contemporary lines, like Chalet Melzerata, light wood, grey stone, polished concrete—for a minimalist aesthetic where every detail counts. Others preserve the authenticity of restored farmhouses with massive beams and fireplaces for post-hike gatherings.

Ideal mornings begin in silence, cradled by wind and mountain light. Days pass with high-altitude hikes, nordic baths on terraces, or lunches overlooking valleys. Winter blankets the landscape in snow; summer paints meadows with wildflowers. Here, luxury is raw, essential, almost elemental.