10 Cottages to rent in France long term in 2023
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The idea of renting a cottage in rural France for 6 months or even a year is very appealing. It gives you the time to explore all the local markets, source the best olive oil producers, learn about the different wine regions and sample amazing French cheeses (that only taste like they do when bought fresh from the producer).
2023 is an exciting time to be in France. In the Autumn, France hosts the Rugby World Cup and already preparations are in full swing for the opening match on 8 September 2023. The competition will be be played in 9 cities throughout France (including Toulouse, Marseille and Nice in the South of France) and will involve 20 countries and 48 matches. It is estimated that 1 million visitors will arrive in France during the World Cup. A special France 2023 Rugby Tour exhibition - including the famous Webb Ellis cup - will travel to 51 towns and cities throughout France during the competition. The exhibition will travel across France in a specially adapted train.
Then in 2024, Paris is the host city of the Olympics. We were in Paris a few months ago and it seemed that every historic monument was clad in scaffolding. The buildings are all being spruced up in readiness for the Olympics. So I would say if ever you want to visit Paris, then 2023 could be the time to go, as all the beautiful buildings are revealed to the World after their facelift.
If you are looking for a long term rental in the South of France during 2023, then we have a number of French Cottage properties suitable for a long term let. At Long term rentals in France we personally inspect all the Cottages that we advertise to make sure that they are properly equipped for rental over the winter periods. If you are looking to rent a Cottage long term in South France, you will see some items below that offer a good checklist on what to look out for if you are considering a long term rental for 3-12 months.
Checklist questions for long term rental cottages South France?
Is the cottage equipped for a long term rental?
Many cottages in the South of France are very simply equipped and lack decent insulation. Whilst open beamed roofs exposing the clay ceiling tiles maybe charming in the summer, you will not think so in the midst of winter. Our previous long term rental house lacked even basic insulation and was like a fridge in the winter (and an oven in the summer). Also check that the fireplace works. All landlords in France have to get a certificate proving that the chimney is useable. Another trick to be wary of is to be proudly shown the electric wall heaters in every room as proof that the cottage is suitable for a long term let. If you are renting a house long term in France over the winter don't even think of turning these heaters on! - they drain money quicker than they heat up the room. Electricity in France is ruinously expensive. Everyone down here in the winter either picks up drift wood off the beach (there is huge quantities of it after there has been a storm), burns vine wood (burns well and gives off a beautiful smell) or uses small oil or gas cylinder heaters. I am sure that you will be fine, but it is better to be warned in advance. Also, make sure to check:
- What linen and crockery is provided in the cottage and is it sufficient?
- Is there decent lighting for those longer winter evenings?
- Is there enough storage facilities?
- Is there adequate heating in the cottage for the winter months?
What is the area like in the winter?
Many French towns and villages are quite different once the tourists have left at the end of summer - especially in some of the popular holiday rental areas such as Dordogne, Provence and the Languedoc. If you are renting 'out of season' just ask the question - what is the area like during the winter? So for instance,
- do the weekly markets still take place?
- what are the average rainfall and average temperatures like in the winter months
- are there strong winds during the winter (like the Mistral in the Rhone valley or Tramontane in the Pyrenees)
- what do people do here in the winter?
A long term let is different from a holiday rental and you want to make sure that you see more than one person a day. Even our own village, Nezignan L'Eveque near Pezenas in the Languedoc, which is a lively little place, gets noticeably quieter from October through to March with about 20% of the houses closed up. So just make sure that your proposed long term rental location does offer some signs of life in the winter months. I always advise customers to be based near a large town which has life to it all year around.
So in the Languedoc I recommend that clients base themselves around
- Uzès - lovely market town and the gateway to the Cevennes region
- Sommieres - another popular market town close to Montpellier
- Pezenas - formerly the capital of the Languedoc region and one of the most beautiful towns in France
- Marseillan - a coastal town on the Etang du Thau salt water lake
- Lagrasse - a picturesque small town on the edge of the Corbieres hills
- Narbonne - a former Roman garrison town, 10 km from the coast
- Collioure - a beautiful coastal town close to the Spanish border
- Mirepoix - a colourful market town, south of Carcassonne
In Provence, you have:
Aix-en-Provence - a stunning university town with a TGV train station and close to Marseille airport- St-Remy-de-Provence - a market town with a population of 10,000 people and the birthplace of Nostradamus.
- L'Isle-sur-Sorgue - a town of 20,000 people located close to Avignon.
- Manosque - a bustling town located on the edge of the Luberon National park in Northern Provence
In Cote d'Azur, in addition to the well known places such as Nice, Cannes, Antibes and the resorts along the French Riviera, I would also recommend these locations:
- Mougins - a hilltop town close to Cannes. There is an excellent International School
- Menton - a lovely coastal town located close to the Italian border
- Vence - a medieval hilltop town
- Grimaud - a hilltop village located close to St Tropez
- Valbonne - a market town very handy for the nearby Sophia Antipolis technology park
In Dordogne, being based 15-20 mins from Sarlat, Cahors, Périgueux, Bergerac and Domme; will also ensure that you can enjoys some signs of activity.
What is included in the long term rental cost?
How and when are utilities charged ? What extras do you need to pay for: logs, linen, gas cylinders? Are local taxes included (especially the taxe d'habitation)? Ensure you are fully advised as to what exactly is included in your monthly rental and what is payable as an extra. In France there are two property taxes, (taxe d'habitacion and taxe fonciere - see French property taxes) make sure that the rental contract is clear about who pays for what. The Landlord should always pay the taxe fonciere, but the taxe d'habitation, which is a local community tax can be paid by either the tenant or landlord, depending on the duration of your stay.
What deposit is required for the long term rental and when?
Ah, this is a real moot point with us. We rented a house long term in France for 14 months. Everything was sweetness and light until we came to move out and our Landlord turned into Dr Jackal. In particular be wary of clauses in the rental contract that call for you to "return the property back to the condition in which you found it" as this makes no allowance for wear and tear and you could find, like we did, that the most unbelievable deductions are taken out of your deposit. We almost ended up in court over the matter. Again you shouldn't find too many problems and most Landlords are reasonable people, but make sure you check through your long term rental contract thoroughly before signing it.
What to look for in a long term cottage rental in South France?
From our own experience, the key items to look for when considering a property for long term rental in South France are:
- Proximity to local airports and motorway network
- Good cooking facilities - the equipment has to be more than just what you need for a 2 week holiday
- Large refrigerator/freezer
- Washing machine/dryer and/or outdoor clothes drying space
- Good Telephone & internet connection - at least 4G reception in village and +30mbps download speed
- Indoor & outdoor seating
- Close to a Supermarket
- Car parking
- Heating for winter - a decent heat source, not just electric wall radiators
Below we have selected 10 good cottages to rent in France over the winter period and for long rentals. If you have any specific requirements, please get in touch and we can suggest some alternative options for you based on our knowledge of the properties and the locations.
1. Le Fer à Cheval - Provence cottage long term rentals France (Ref: 2072)
Le Fer à Cheval is a beautiful 2 bed cottage in Provence for long term rentals. The cottage is housed in a former stable, restored with taste and charm. The cottage is set in the heart of the medieval village of Sablet in Provence, France.
The cottage has been furnished with many vintage pieces sourced by the owners at local antique markets such as the famous Isle sur la Sorgue. The cottage comes with a lovely terrace, large living room and two generous double bedrooms
A great location to visit the sites of the Provence region whether on an extended holiday or house hunting.
The property comes with:
- 2 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- Private terrace
- Central heating
- Stunning village location
This Provence cottage is available for long term rentals between October to April from €1350 per month + bills.
2. Cottage in Dordogne France for long term rentals sleeps 8 (Ref: 1502)
If you are house hunting in the Dordogne, France, then these properties for long term rentals are a great place to be based. There are two long term let properties located in a beautifully-restored old stone barn. Both barns come with 4 bedrooms and can sleep up to 8 people. The barns are comfortably furnished and benefit from UK TV, WiFi, a washing machine and plenty of outdoor space. Pets may also be accepted. The barns are situated in the small village of Fajoles, close to the Dordogne river and the beautiful villages of Domme, La Roque-Gageac and Sarlat. The property comes with:
- 4 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- Well-equipped kitchen + washing machine
- Private parking
- WiFi and flat screen TV
- Large garden
- Pet-friendly
Available for rental between October-April each year from €800 per month + bills. The Owner will accept pets through prior agreement. Minimum stay 3 months.
3. Tête à Tête - 2 bed house for rent Beziers France Ref: 2056
Tête à Tête is a lovely 2 bedroom house for rent in the centre of Beziers, South France. The house comes with its own private garage parking, a covered terrace, air conditioning, central heating and 2 bathrooms. The house is just 2 minutes walk into Beziers town centre, where you will find a wonderful array of shops, restaurants, pavement cafés and historical monuments. The house will ideally suit a couple and provides plenty of space for guests.
Beziers is conveniently located just 10 kms from the Mediterranean coast and has excellent transport connections (it has a TGV train station, international airport and 2 motorways running close-by).
The property comes with:
- 2 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- Courtyard terrace
- Large garage (parking for 2 small cars)
- Easy walking distance to shops and restaurants
This Beziers long term rental property is available to rent monthly from €900 pcm + bills. Higher prices will apply during the summer period.
4. Marseillan 2 bed house rent long term France by coast (Ref: 1799)
If you´re looking for a house to rent for 3-6 months, close to the coast and the beaches, then this house in Marseillan is an excellent choice. This 2 bed house for long term rent is located in the coastal town of Marseillan, South of France.
The house is laid out on 3 levels and has a sunny courtyard for eating al fresco. The house sleeps 4 people in 2 bedrooms and is within minutes of the shops, restaurants, harbour and bars of Marseillan. This long term rental property is conveniently located to explore the sites of the Languedoc region.
The house benefits from:
- Fitted kitchen
- Wood burner
- 2 bathrooms
- 2 double bedrooms
- Private garden
This Marseillan house for can be rented on a long term let basis from €750 pcm + bills.
5. Carcassonne cottage to rent in France long term Ref: 1117
This cottage to rent in France long term is a beautiful refurbished 2 bedroom Cottage opposite the Canal du Midi in the centre of the city. The main railway station is 5 minutes walk and there are plenty of local restaurants, shops and services nearby. Carcassonne airport is just a short taxi ride. The cottage has its own private terrace and you can also sit on the canal bank with a baguette and a bottle of wine and watch the barges and little ducks go by.
The cottage is very handy for the airport at Carcassonne (20 mins drive) which features flights to the UK (Dublin, Brussels, London Stansted, Edinburgh Manchester, Nottingham and Leeds-Bradford). Carcassonne train station, with TGV services direct to Paris, is just 10 mins away.
The cottage contains:
- 2 bedrooms
- Private terrace
- Parking
- Fully-fitted kitchen
- WiFi and TV
This Carcassonne cottage, France, is available for long term rentals from €900 per month + bills. The cottage can be rented from 3 to 6 months between October to May.
6. Payrac long term rental Lot, France near Sarlat and Rocamadour Ref: 2047
This beautifully situated 2 bedroom long term rental property in Lot, South West France, is conveniently located between the popular sites of Sarlat and Rocamadour. The house was built in 2019 and features a gorgeous master bedroom with breathtaking views over the village of Payrac. Start you day listening to the birds and enjoying a morning sunrise and cup of local French coffee from the comfort of your cosy double bed.
The property provides:
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathrooms
- Well-equipped kitchen
- Private parking
- Swimming pool
- Beautiful views
- WiFi and flat screen TV
- Countryside setting setting
- Enclosed outdoor area suitable for pets
This is a great opportunity to rent a comfortable property is a beautiful part of rural France. Located close to the popular sites of Sarlat and Rocamadour, the house is perfectly situated for exploring this stunning part of France.
Available for long term rentals between October to April from €800 per month + bills.
7. Albas long term property rentals Corbieres, France, sleeps 6 (Ref: 1797)
The house is located in the peaceful village of Albas in the Aude department. Albas is 40 mins south of Narbonne, 50 mins from Carcassonne and just 30 mins from the Mediterranean coast. The property comes with a large sun terrace and private parking for 3-4 cars (alternatively for storage). The house is laid out over 2 floors. On the ground floor there is an extensive garage (providing parking for several cars). The main living accommodation and the large terrace are all located on the first floor. Albas is a beautiful, friendly village in the centre of the Corbieres wine region. If you are looking to explore this beautiful part of Southern France, then this is an ideal base. Although Albas is a small village, it has a strong community feel, with a very bubbly and friendly atmosphere and lots of activities throughout the year. The house comes with:
- 3 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- Private pool
- Enclosed terrace (100m2)
- Well-equipped kitchen + washing machine
- Private parking for 3-4 cars
- Large storage space available
- Wifi and satellite TV
A comfortable 3 bed property in the Corbieres region of South France for long term rentals. This property is available for long term rentals between September to June from €900 pcm + bills.
8. Pepieux - cheap property to rent in Aude, France Ref: 2037
Pepieux is a very popular village in the Aude department in the South of France. This cute 1 bedroom cottage is the ideal place to stay if you are looking for cheap property to rent in France whilst you search for a house to buy or if you are refurbishing a property. Pepieux comes well-equipped with a friendly local cafe-bar, a small supermarket, pharmacy, take-away restaurant and boulangerie.
Pepieux is surrounded by vineyards and there are many active wine makers in the village. The cottage is located in the heart of the village, just a few steps from all the local facilities. The cottage also has a small courtyard garden.
This long term rental property comes with:
- 1 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
- Private courtyard garden
- A cottage style kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with oven, hob, microwave, fridge-freezer and a good supply of cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery..
- There is lovely living room on the top floor which comes with a wood burning stove.
This charming French cottage for long term rentals in the Aude, France, is available to rent on a monthly basis from €450 per month + bills.
9. Lagrasse cottage for long term rentals Southern France (Ref: 1745)
Stone cottage for long term rentals in the beautiful town of Lagrasse in Southern France. Lagrasse is located in the Aude department, in between Carcassonne and Narbonne and is surrounded by the Corbieres hills. The cottage is located on a quiet street in the village and comes with a private courtyard garden. The property is only a few steps away from the River Orbieu which is a popular swimming spot for the local villagers. . The cottage comes with:
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
- Exposed beams and stonework
- Well equipped kitchen
- Dining area with a comfortable lounge
- Private courtyard garden
- Walking distance to shops and restaurants
- WiFi and Satellite TV
The property is available for long term rentals between October to May from €800 pcm + bills. Minimum stay 3 months.
10. Murviel les Beziers cottage long term lets in South of France (Ref: 1893)
This spacious long term lets property in South France is located in a quiet rural area with stunning views of the mountain ranges of the Haut Languedoc. The area is surrounded by vineyards and countryside as far as the eye can see. The house is situated about 12 km north of Béziers and 2 km from the village Murviel-les-Béziers. This restored barn was formerly part of an active vineyard and oozes charm throughout. It sleeps up to 6 comfortably in its 3 bedrooms.
The village is situated on the edge of the Black mountains in Languedoc, 15 minutes from Beziers and the coast. The cottage is surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills, with views of the mountains in the distance.
Beziers provide all the amenities that you will need and the Mediterranean beaches are just 25mins drive away. If you are house hunting in the South of France or coming for a long stay, then this cottage for long term rentals is a good option. Convenient for a couple or a small family, the house has everything that you will need for a long term rental in France. This is a good choice if you are looking to sample rural South of France life.
Thinking of spending some time in France . . . ?
If you are thinking of planning a long stay in France during 2023, but you are hesitating about taking the plunge - don't worry! We can help you find the right property to rent, as well as introduce you to some excellent relocation experts that can help you with French bureacracy, enroling in schools and taking care of your tax liabilities. For further information please see:
Read our article on the Moving to France with your family - Check out our selection of currently available Dordogne long term rentals France
- Read about all the different options (and pitfalls) to finding the perfect Annual rental property in France
- Search for Pet-friendly long term rental properties in France
Contact Iain by Email if you have any particular questions you would like to ask about living in the South of France. If you liked the article then please share it with others using the Facebook and Pinterest buttons below.
