It’s time winter holidays were brought in out of the cold. With more amazing French properties than you’ll find anywhere else, the team at Oliver’s Travels are the real experts when it comes to finding you the very best winter holidays in France. From the highlights of the snow season to the finest food and wine, these ideas are sure to keep you cosy in the cold.

Best Family Villa:

1. Maison Malbec

Location: Midi-Pyrenees

Sleeps: 12

Prices from: £59pppn

This stunning home has a little something for everyone. While the kids enjoy cosying up in the cinema room or expelling some energy in the games room with a ping-pong table, the adults can indulge in some fabulous festive wine grown on the vines that surround the gorgeous property. What’s more, four-legged friends are also welcome, so the whole family can truly make this a home-from-home.

Best Hot Tub With a View:

2. Dans la Nature

Location: Languedoc

Sleeps: 8

Prices from: £45pppn

This stunning home is found—as the name suggests—deep in nature. It’ll be hard to resist hopping in the hot tub with a glass of bubbles in hand, against the backdrop of the Gorges du Tarn in the Grands Causses Regional Park (which looks especially pretty in the wintertime).

Best Winter Wedding Venue:

3. Chateau Des Joyaux

Location: Loire Valley

Sleeps: 30-50

Prices from: £255pppn

With space for up to 50 guests to stay, the gorgeous Chateau Des Joyaux is an excellent choice for a winter wedding. Plan to hold your ceremony in the private chapel before hosting your reception indoors, and you won’t have to worry about frosty winter temperatures outside. Plus, its opulent interior (with carved wood panelling and hand-painted ceilings) and fairy-tale-esque exterior will look fabulous in your wedding photos!

Best for a Christmas Break:

4. Manoir de Kervegat

Location: Brittany

Sleeps: 15

Prices from: £21pppn

This place was made for festive family time with space for up to 15, huge manicured grounds, a striking galleried mezzanine, a games room with table tennis, and a vast dining table. The surrounding woodland is ideal for wintery walks, and the beaches aren’t far if you plan to head to the coast.

Best for a Christmas Market:

5. Villa Sandie

Location: Dordogne

Sleeps: 11

Prices from: £35pppn

This beautiful, quintessentially French, family-friendly home near Bergerac is ideal for a winter jaunt to the Dordogne. Surrounded by pretty countryside, vineyards, and quaint villages that buzz with markets both day and night, you’re bound to pick up some unique pieces and get a taste of some mouth-watering local delicacies. Take inspiration from all the nick-nacks, antiques, and curios that adorn the walls of this fabulous and cosy home.

Best Food and Wine:

6. Chateau de Naugues

Location: Burgundy

Sleeps: 16

Prices from: £40pppn

This corner of Burgundy is ideal for keen lovers of wine and gastronomy. If you would like to explore Burgundy’s famous wine route, Chateau de Naugues is the ideal base! Restaurants like Au Fil du Zinc (with their mouth-watering taster menu) and Joseph Drouhin Oenotheque (for wine tours) are all on your doorstep! Take a look at our Burgundy Travel Guide if you’d like to know more about what the region has to offer. The food and wine aren’t the only bonuses; with breathtaking views and its grand décor and exterior, you will feel like you’re appearing in a film. It’s arguably even more idyllic in the winter months when surrounded by snow…

7. Chateau Beaucharm

Location: Champagne

Sleeps: 8

Prices from: £31pppn

Sitting directly between Champagne, Burgundy, and Chablis, three of the most famous wine regions in the world, this delightful chateau is a must-visit if wine is the reason for your winter holiday in France. The house is surrounded by unspoilt French countryside, perfect for long hikes and other outdoor activities. This historic home is also part of our sustainable villa collection, which means it actively works to be a more eco-friendly property. The town of Langres is just 35km away, too – the cheese of the same name produced here has a concave cap meant to be splashed with Champagne! We can’t think of a better place for a lover of French food and wine.

Best for a Cosy Night In:

8. Chateau Lignol

Location: Brittany

Sleeps: 10

Prices from: £36pppn

Chateau Lignol is the definition of shabby chic. It sits amid rolling farmland and has a lovely heated pool for those who can brave the dash from the house to the water! With four bedrooms with en-suites and plenty of entertainment for all, you will never want to leave this French château.

Best For Pets

9. Château des Truffles

Location: Dordogne

Sleeps: 20

Price from: £45pppn

Many of our chateaux to rent in France are suitable for pets; however, we can’t help but highlight the unmatched beauty of the fabulous Château des Truffles. Slip away into a winter wonderland during your stay as you overlook a fishing lake or take a family walk – four-legged friends included – through the surrounding woodland of this exceptional 184-acre estate. Your pets and little ones will love exploring the vast grounds while you can enjoy such much-needed R&R in the exquisite furnishings.

Best Sustainable Villa

10. Villa Taloa 

Location: Aquitaine

Sleeps: 14

Price from: £117pppn

This super modern home is perfect for a contemporary Christmas time! Imagine getting all the family to this seaside corner of Aquitaine, which is ideal for brisk winter walks and maybe a swim for those brave enough! Then, retire back to the house, get that fantastic fire roaring, hunker down, and be cosy all together. The use of wood throughout the house gives a warm feel that everyone in your party will appreciate.

Best For Walking

11. Le Lierre Cottage

Location: Loire Valley

Sleeps: 6

Price from: £27pppn

Perfect for families who want to explore the great outdoors during their winter holiday in France, Le Lierre Cottage is surrounded by forests and rivers. As well as being in the heart of the French countryside, the cottage is also a short drive from the vibrant city of Orleans, meaning you’ll experience the best of both worlds during your French escape. The family have owned the property for over 300 years, meaning much care has gone into looking after the home and gardens. In fact, the grounds are so beautiful that they have been regularly used as filming locations! Nature lovers will make use of the woods, pool and topiary garden.

Best Luxury Experience:

12. Chateau Crystal

Location: Loire Valley

Sleeps: 15-38

Prices from: £87pppn

Chateau Crystal is a magnificent 19th-century chateau set in 105 acres of a private estate. Whether you’re looking to celebrate big this winter or fancy a Christmas getaway fit for kings, this incredible chateau will treat you to the best of the best. Enjoy after-dinner walks around the beautiful lake, snuggle up by one of the open log fires or indulge in the exquisite catering during your winter holiday in France.

And we’ve got more! If you’re looking for the best accommodation for winter holidays in France, don’t look further! We offer the best luxury châteaux to rent, or if the slopes take your fancy, then check out our French ski chalets.

See all of our luxury holiday rentals on Oliver’s Travels, or if you’re too busy to browse, just contact our concierge team, and they will help you find the perfect châteaux.