Holiday villas in France

• High season in France is July and August with accommodation rates highest at this time; if you can travel out of season perhaps May half term if you've got school-age children, or in June, Sept or October if you've pre-schoolers, or are not travelling with the kids.

• If you're booking direct, remember that many villa owners don't live in France, so check there's a local contact (preferably English speaking) in the event of an emergency.

• While Provence and the Côte-d'Azur are fabulous destinations, remember that rental prices reflect their popularity. One option is to go inland where prices should start to fall. Alternatively head a little out of the main areas for more manageable prices, perhaps North to the Drôme area. The Languedoc-Roussillon region with its long flat beaches is also worth considering.

• Check your flight options before you book, some of the cheaper airlines only fly to certain smaller airports during peak season.

• Apart-hotels (résidence de tourisme) are a self-catering option in many French towns and cities. These are furnished apartments with their own kitchen within a hotel.

• Some French self-catering is let without linen (bed sheets, pillowcases and towels), check when you book. It can usually be provided for an extra fee or you can bring your own.

• Rental prices increase as you go South and East, with the most expensive area around the French Riviera/Côte D'Azur.

• For family self-catering holidays consider renting in a holiday complex or on a holiday parc, these will often have additional facilities like pools, spas, tennis courts and children's play areas.

• In rural areas self-catering holiday accommodation will often be in 'gites' rather than villas. These will be distinct in that they are often old converted buildings (e.g former farmworkers cottages, farmhouses or barns), owners will often live nearby.