When you are planning a trip to Provence for a large group – a reunion, a family gathering, a celebration, or a team-building exercise – you need to book well ahead. So here in plenty of time for next year are some ideal, large Provence rental houses with pool, for 16 people and more…
Avalon, sleeps 20, €5600-8400 per week
Avalon (see also top picture) is a beautiful country estate near Gordes with extensive grounds including its own lavender field and vineyard, and an artificial grass tennis court. This big Provence rental sleeps 20 in 10 bedrooms with 9 bathrooms. The furnishings and decor are high-end.
Avalon is an old house, with the layout following the logic of centuries of adding on, taking away, knocking through – in other words, it has bags of charm and character. Some bedrooms are accessed off the central courtyard, and there is a separate annex with two bedrooms and a large living space, which can be used by teens or a family wanting a little privacy.
The life of a house usually revolves around the kitchen and Avalon is no exception, especially as the kitchen opens out to a shaded terrace with view, overlooking the pool area. Here there is also a large outdoor dining table and barbecue space.
Avalon is in a quiet country setting 5 minutes’ drive from the spectacular village of Gordes, in the heart of the Luberon.
One other thing that sets the house apart from others is its delightful English-speaking housekeeper – she will be there to welcome you on arrival and can be called upon to help with anything you need during your stay, from breakfast croissant deliveries to full catering.
Domaine de Gordes, sleeps 24, €4480-7840 per week
Domaine de Gordes was a B&B in a previous life, before being converted into a large and stylish rental home, and so every one of its 10 bedrooms has its own bathroom. The house sleeps 24 if you include 4 youngsters sharing with their parents, or 20 otherwise. Six of the bedrooms are air conditioned, and those that are not face away from the sun.
There is a lot to love here. The first thing that grabs you and doesn’t let go is the view – it’s that classic view from Gordes: high, wide and handsome, over the Luberon valley and mountain. The house makes the most of this view from the dining terrace outside the kitchen, which is raised above garden level.
There is also a great view of Gordes itself, and another persuasive argument for the house – you can walk to all the amenities of Gordes in 10 minutes.
The kitchen is new and beautifully equipped, while there are plans afoot for a home cinema in a large space on the garden level. This could also lend itself to meetings and presentations for corporate get-togethers and team-building.
The pool is heated and has the electric sliding cover for security – as well as that view.
All of whic makes Domaine de Gordes an excellent choice for large groups in Provence.
Les Madeleines, sleeps 18, €3269-7190 per week
Les Madeleines is a characterful old Provence farmhouse renovated to make a large rental house for 18 people in 9 bedrooms. It is in the countryside 10 minutes’ drive from the great market town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France’s antiques capital.
Les Madeleines has a sheltered courtyard for outdoor meals, and beyond that in 9 acres of land there is plenty of fun to be had with a large pool, floodlit tennis court, boules court and table tennis.
This house is cosy but has plenty of space for everyone. One reception room is big enough to be used for workshops, for example in the past it has been used for yoga gatherings.
Mas des Cedres, sleeps 22, €3000-5800 per week
Mas des Cedres is an old stone farmhouse in the valley below the beautiful perched village of Menerbes, which has been renovated to make 5 separate rental units. As these were all originally one property, they can also be regrouped into one large Provence rental house with 9 bedrooms, and can sleep up to 22 with children included. Families can break up into separate units for more privacy.
Mas des Cedres has a tennis court and pool, as well as kiddie’s play area. Decor and furnishings are modern and very comfortable, and for large groups this is an affordable and well-situated option.
Les Ocres, sleeps 16, €4015-6610 per week
Les Ocres is a villa in the ochre village of Roussillon that is purpose-built for large-group vacation rentals. The living rooms and kitchen are all in one vast space opening onto the south-facing terrace and infinity pool with view. The whole house is air-conditioned, and even with 16 people staying there are enough places for everyone to find their own spot.
The house has modern comforts – beautifully equipped kitchen, good bathrooms, fast internet, big TV screen – and outside the favourite sports of Provence: boules and table tennis.
The setting is quiet and peaceful but you can walk into the centre of the stunning village of Roussillon in 2 minutes. Roussillon, like Gordes and Menerbes mentioned above, is officially part of the association ‘The Most Beautiful Villages in France’.
And if you don’t need a big Provence rental right now, we also have everything from 1-bed up, check our Provence rentals page