Three generations, cousins from far and wide, a date in the diary for months. A group holiday comes down to a few choices made early: the house, the way it is lived in, and everything you would rather not have to do yourselves.
The house before the destination
For a large party, the villa is not simply a base: it is the holiday itself. You will spend more time there than on the beach, and it is around its table that the stories will be told. Before you look at the map, look at the house.
A few things make all the difference:
- A bedroom for each couple, and beds that suit children and teenagers alike, who appreciate a corner of their own.
- Enough bathrooms. The number of beds matters less than the number of bathrooms, above all when everyone is getting ready for dinner at once.
- Places to gather, and others to retreat to: a second sitting room, a bedroom set apart, a separate wing. Being together is all the more enjoyable when you can, now and then, be apart.
- A large table, outdoors and in, and an outdoor kitchen where several people can cook without getting in each other’s way.
- Shade: a pergola, tall trees, a covered terrace. In the heat of the day, that is where everyone ends up.
Each villa’s page lists its bedrooms, bathrooms and facilities.
Our largest houses
Our collection includes several houses made for long tables.
At the gates of Pézenas, Domaine Sainte-Cécile du Parc has the space of a wine estate: a family house, a garden that stretches to the vines, and the calm of the countryside, close to Molière’s town.
In Le Grau-d’Agde, Villa Summer Wind has a Californian air: a garden of palm trees, a large pool, terraces made for long lunches, and the sea close by.
In Sérignan, Duo Villas Juxta Maré & Selva answers a different wish: two twin villas side by side, each with its own garden and pool. Two families can share their days and each keep a house of its own. In Le Grau-d’Agde, Villas Amphitrite & Thétis follow the same idea.
Near Béziers, Villa Joy and, in the hills above Agde, Villa Halo complete the choice. You will find them all among our villas.
The pool, at the heart of the holiday
It sets the rhythm of the days, from the first dive to the last swim at dusk. It also asks for attention when young children are in the party.
French law requires private in-ground pools to have an approved safety device: a barrier, an alarm, a cover or an enclosure. Every pool in our collection is secured, including those without a fence; depending on the villa, the protection is an alarm, a roller-shutter cover, a safety cover with bars or a fence. They do not all give the same peace of mind with toddlers, so tell us their ages before you book and we will point you to the right house. Once there, one simple rule works well: a designated adult keeps watch over the pool, in turns, and everyone knows whose turn it is.
Leave the organising to us
A group holiday is better for being orchestrated, and that is precisely what we do.
The price is for the whole villa, never per person, and the tourist tax is included, so sharing it between families is simple. On the day, a member of our team welcomes you in person at the villa, hands over the keys and shows you round. When the schedule allows, an early arrival is offered with our compliments.
Our concierge service takes care of what usually scatters everyone’s energy: groceries delivered before you arrive, a private chef for the big dinner, a babysitter for an evening for the grown-ups, massages at the villa, housekeeping during your stay. A boat trip, a day among the vines or an activity for the youngest can be arranged on request. Each service is quoted separately.
A birthday, a family celebration? Tell us before you book. Some of our villas lend themselves to it, with our written agreement, and we can help you organise it.
The right time of year
Large houses are often booked early. If your party depends on the school holidays, settle the dates before anything else. June and September offer another route for those who are free to choose: long days, a sea that is pleasant already, or still, and quieter villages.
The minimum stay varies by villa and season; each house’s calendar shows it live. For a reunion over a weekend, simply tell us your dates.
Days for every age
The area has something for everyone. The sporty cycle along the Canal du Midi to the nine locks of Fonseranes, in Béziers, or paddle down the Orb by canoe. Nature lovers follow the paths of Les Orpellières, a protected area of dunes and marshland at the mouth of the Orb. The youngest explore the volcanic coves of Agde. And on Saturday morning, the market in Pézenas pleases everyone.
In the evening, the whole party ends up around the same table. That moment is the reason to choose a large house.
