The hum of cicadas at noon, the scent of lavender in the air, the slow rhythm of mornings that begin with café crème and end with candlelit dinners on the terrace. This is what defines Provence. It’s one of the many reasons France remains the world’s most-visited country, drawing over 100 million travellers in 2023 alone.

While Paris and the Riviera steal the spotlight, those who know true luxury and natural beauty seek out a place where time slows, flavours deepen, and every moment feels like it is meant to last. However, to enjoy it fully, where you stay matters.

Sure, a hotel keeps you comfortable, but have you ever considered renting a luxury villa? The right one promises a private experience where the region unfolds at its finest. If that’s the kind of stay you’re after, here’s what to know before you book.

Picking the Right Villa Location

Provence is a collection of different paces and charms. This means it’s easy for you to find the right location to shape the perfect holiday. For slow afternoons and vineyard views, Luberon is the answer.

You’ll be surrounded by hilltop villages, golden-stone houses, and markets overflowing with ripe figs and truffle cheese. If you rent a villa here, you’ll wake up to rolling vineyards and sip pastis during sunset. Everything is very laid back.

Meanwhile, if energy and elegance are what you want, Aix-en-Provence delivers. You’ll find boutiques displaying the latest Parisian collections and galleries showcasing works by Cézanne and beyond. A private villa here offers seclusion when needed. But it still isn’t detached as you’ll have access to culture at every turn.

For those drawn to the sea, Cassis and Bandol is a quieter Mediterranean retreat. Private estates overlook rocky inlets and deep blue waters as the days revolve around the water. You can hire private yachts, and take long seaside lunches—the kind of quiet luxury that doesn’t need to announce itself.

What Defines a Luxury Villa?

A true luxury villa rental in Provence is about a certain refinement, with the most exceptional villas steering away from the mass trend. Instead, it should deliver history in its walls.

That’s why, when looking for a luxury villa, stone façades, wooden shutters, and grand fireplaces should be more prominent. Interiors should balance warmth with elegance, from linen-draped beds to vintage furniture, and kitchens designed for both beauty and function.

Then, there’s the service. A chef who picks up the best truffles from the morning market. A sommelier who curates the week’s wine selection. A concierge service that makes last-minute dinner reservations at the kind of place that doesn’t take reservations.

You’ll know luxury when everything falls into place effortlessly. A survey of over 5,000 luxury travellers found that those with $30 million or more in assets favour quiet luxury over extravagance, choosing remote retreats with private access and bespoke service. The finest selection of luxury villas delivers exactly that, where everything is handled before you even think to ask.

Five-Star Hotels Are Nice, but a Villa Is Better

A hotel can offer service, but it’s never truly yours. A villa, on the other hand, is shaped around your needs. You can wake when you want, eat when you feel like it, or decide how the day unfolds as you go.

One night, a private chef prepares an elaborate feast. The next, you toss together a meal from fresh market finds, enjoying it by the fire. It’s a way of living, not a place to stay.

And finally, space. A suite, no matter how grand, is still a room. A Provence villa gives you options, with its different terraces for different moods, rooms designed for conversation, and a kitchen stocked with exactly what you love. It’s a world of your own.

Plan the Right Experiences

The right experiences bring your luxury villa rental to life. A private vineyard tour is essential, but not the kind found in guidebooks. It’s the kind where the winemaker greets you personally, where bottles never meant for the public are poured.

For French food lovers, a chef-led cooking class is worth considering. Learn to prepare a Provençal feast with only the best ingredients, such as olives pressed from nearby trees, cheeses aged to perfection, or garden-fresh herbs. Then, sit down to culinary treasures that taste like the place itself.

And for something truly rare, go for a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Luberon. Drift above the vineyards and charming villages as the world wakes up below. They say some views can’t be captured in photos, and this is definitely one of them.

Booking the Best Villas on the Market

The best villas aren’t found on booking sites. They’re handled privately, through agencies that specialize in properties only a select few know about. The most sought-after estates are claimed months in advance, sometimes, a year. If a specific villa catches your eye, never hesitate.

Decide on the level of service for your lavish holiday. Some estates come fully staffed, with a private chef, housekeeping, and a concierge who arranges everything before you arrive.

Others offer complete privacy, with services available when requested. If true relaxation is the goal, full service is worth it. Remember, time spent organizing is time taken away from enjoying.

Wrapping It Up

Beyond just a place to stay, a luxury rental villa in Provence is a way of living. It’s where mornings begin with stunning views of lavender fields and nights end with a glass of wine under the stars. Choose well, and Provence won’t feel like a trip. It will feel like a chapter you never want to end.