Villas to Rent South of France
FAQ
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
1. Contracts & Booking Questions
Nature of our contracts
The rental contract is between the renter and the property owner. Only Provence holds a separate “mandat” (agreement) with the owner to ensure the high standards required for inclusion in our collection.
Change of contract jurisdiction
Renters may request to change the contract jurisdiction to the United Kingdom.
Additional guests
Any request to exceed maximum occupancy — including for dinners or events — must be approved by the property owner.
Only Provence has a no-refund cancellation policy. However, we often succeed in:
- Rescheduling cancelled reservations to spring or fall, or
- Re-booking the cancelled period and refunding the deposit.
Failure to pay the final balance (due 60 days before arrival) or provide security deposit details may be treated as a cancellation with no refund due.
We strongly recommend that clients purchase trip cancellation insurance at the time of booking.
Shorter stays / Non Saturday–Saturday bookings
Many property owners are flexible with shorter stays or non–Saturday–Saturday weeks during the shoulder months (May, June, September, October). However, due to high demand in peak season (July and August), owners generally prefer week-long bookings.
Signing the contract
Legally, only one person from the group can sign the rental contract. However, payments may be split among multiple guests.
A valid credit card must be kept on file, though no charge or authorization will be made unless damages occur or if there are any unpaid services rendered during stay..
- Payments accepted via wire transfer in USD, GBP, or EUR.
- Credit cards accepted in USD with a 4% surcharge.
- Checks are not accepted.
- Payments may be split among group members.
While Only Provence does not offer travel insurance, our guests have had excellent experiences with the following providers:
TravelGuard
Allianz:
A local tax charged per person (age 18+) per night for paid tourist accommodation. This is added to the published price.
If you find the same villa listed at a lower rate elsewhere, please notify our sales team — we offer a price-match guarantee.
Children of any age count toward the maximum occupancy allowed at a property.
2. Property Questions
- Check-in: typically 4–5 PM and will be noted on your contract.
- Check-out: 10 AM (firm)
Requests for early or late check-out:
In order to thoroughly prepare villas between groups, early check-ins and later check-outs are not normally possible unless the week before or after your stay is unbooked.
Guests can request in advance to drop luggage off early and explore nearby cafés or markets until the villa is ready.
Exact GPS coordinates and directions will be provided after the second payment is received.
Each villa is independently managed. You will receive information and contact details for your greeter or manager after your second payment is made along with your arrival details.
It will be very important for your greeter to know the approximate time of your arrival so they can arrange to meet you.
English proficiency varies by property.
Many homes in Provence (and other regions of France and Italy) share the same or similar names — Mas des Oliviers, Mas de la Fontaine, La Bergerie, etc. These are charming and traditional names, but far from unique. Giving each home a distinct rental name prevents confusion both internally and for clients searching, booking, or arriving at their booked properties. To avoid confusion with other villas, Only Provence assigns unique rental names. When necessary, a property’s actual name may appear in your arrival details.
While our villas are all owned and managed individually and there may be some level of variation, you can expect your villa to include:
- Basic cleaning supplies (dish soap, dishwasher detergent, toilet paper, garbage bags)
- Some essentials such as basics spices, salt, pepper, vinegar, and cooking oil, FF: and sugar
- Handsoaps
- Most villas will supply a starter pack of coffee and tea
- Toiletries such as shower gel/ shampoo are often found in our most prestigious villas (MD – no conditioner or lotions for my side)
FF: 200 cm – Super King bed
Requests for bed configuration changes must be made at least one month in advance.
Note: Queen-sized beds are more common than kings in Europe.
Cooling systems vary by property; please see listing details for each villa. As with pool heating, when using regular Air conditioning systems, home owners cannot promise rooms will be cooled to a particular degree. Note: Standard AC temperatures in hotels across Europe are 20-23 degree Celsius.
Types include:
- Fully Air-Conditioned: throughout the property.
- Partially Air-Conditioned: usually bedrooms and select common areas.
- Air Cooling Systems: water-evaporative cooling with fans.
- Underfloor Cooling: lowers temperature by 3–5°C, eco-friendly.
Tip: Close shutters, doors, and windows during hot hours — a classic Provençal method for keeping cool.
Each property’s pool details (heating, open season, etc.) are listed online.
Please note that while our villas feature heated swimming pools, we are unable to guarantee the pool will reach or maintain a specific temperature during your stay. The actual pool temperature can vary due to several factors beyond our control, including the outside air temperature, wind conditions, rain, and the type of pool covering used.
Many owners allow pets. Use our advanced search filter to find pet-friendly villas.
Guests bringing dogs must sign a Canine Code of Conduct (link).FF: is this document signed by renters?
Any special terms will be included in the contract addendum.
Cleaning inclusions vary by property.
Extra maid service can be arranged in advance and will be reflected in the contract addendum.
Provence is an agricultural region — expect sounds such as tractors or roosters.
Please also keep noise levels respectful, particularly at night or in village settings.
Insects are a natural part of life in Provence. While every effort is made to ensure guest comfort, encounters with bugs of many types are common.If you spot a bee or wasp nest, please inform the house manager immediately for prompt assistance.
In case you encounter any problem during your stay, we invite you to first contact your greeter or manager.
For continued support, you may also reach out to our Ground Support Team: marcelle@onlyprovence.com (Luberon) or carol@onlyprovence.com (Alpilles)
3. Questions About Only Provence
Only Provence is a U.S. company registered in Florida, with team members located in France, the U.S., the U.K., and Italy.
Only Provence was founded by John & Lydia Dean, an American and Canadian couple who moved to Provence in 2001 and transformed a neglected farmhouse into one of the region’s first successful large villa rentals. In 2007, Only Provence was incorporated in the US–with over 18 years of experience in villa rental in the region, Only Provence has become the region’s market specialist in luxury villa rentals.
We have over 600+ reviews with an average of 4.7 guest rating. In addition, 27% of our renters return to our agency to rent again. While this speaks for itself, let us know if you would like to be referred to a former renter to get the inside scoop.
Only Provence co-founder Lydia Dean writes about their experiences raising a family, building a business in Provence, and later combining the love of travel with giving back in “Jumping the Picket Fence”. In 2021, she published “Light Through the Cracks,” a continuation of her journey, much of which has been based in Provence. Books are available on Amazon.
4. Questions About the Region of Provence
While summer is iconic, the shoulder months provide an authentic, less-touristed experience of Provençal life. Read more in our season to season guide.
- Apple Pay, Visa, and Mastercard are widely accepted (even in markets).
- Notify your bank before travel and check fees for international transactions on your credit card.
- Carry small amounts of cash in euros for minor purchases.
- ATM withdrawal limits: typically €300–€500/day.
- We advise using bank branch ATMs (not standalone machines) to avoid high fees.
- Keep a backup payment method in case your card is denied.
- Withdraw cash in advance if staying in rural areas where ATMS are rare.
Major grocery chains are located in commercial centers on the outskirts of major towns and villages: Casino, Carrefour, Auchan, SuperU, Intermarché. Smaller versions are found in the more popular villages. Most towns also feature weekly markets — see your property’s web page for details as well as for details on the closest grocery store.
Smaller stores can close midday and on Sundays/Mondays, so plan accordingly. Several major grocery stores close on Sundays. Upon arrival, ask your villa greeter to suggest open stores for weekend shopping.
5. Concierge Services & Experiences Questions
Our concierge team provides essential arrival information and can assist with most special requests.
See our Concierge Services page for details.
Explore our Experiences Page and our Journal/Blog for local activities, markets, and loads of inspiration on what to do in the region.
Only Provence partners with Lori Howard of Pinch Me Provence, a bilingual tour guide and planner based in the Luberon (April–September), to design custom itineraries and events.
We collaborate with Louise Combarieu of Provence Chefs Expérience for chef-prepared meals, culinary experiences, regional day tours through vineyards and truffle forests, and bike rentals.
Note: If you are wanting to book a chef during your stay, we suggest reaching out to Louise as soon as you have confirmed your booking.
Restaurants: Tax and a 15% service charge (service compris) are usually included.
If service was exceptional, leave €2–€10 extra. (MD – €2-€20), for Michelin star restaurants, we advise to leave between 5 to 10%.
Maid Service: €50-€100/per week is typical, and of course based on satisfaction
For extensive or daily maid service: €100–€200/week for 3–4 BR villas; €200+ for larger villas for groups.
Villa Manager / Concierge: Tips appreciated for outstanding service.
Chefs & Tour Guides: Typical gratuity 10–15%.
6. Travel & Transportation Questions
- Marseille International Airport (MRS): ~45 – 1 hour min from most villas.
- Nice Airport: ~2.5 hours; best for Riviera stays.
- Avignon / Aix-en-Provence (TGV Train stations): accessible from Paris by high-speed train.
A rental car is essential for most types of stays to explore villages, wineries, and historic sites.
Even for village-based stays, we suggest renting a car so you can visit wineries and other villages nearby.
Please note that it can take up to an hour to pick up your car at the rental place on Saturday in July/August or during peak hours.
Private Transportation: Private vans and drivers can be arranged via our concierge.
Ride-share services: VERY limited outside major cities, airports, and train stations.
Airport transfers: Ubers and taxis are available; Advance booking can be made through our concierge.
Our villas are located in inland Provence.
- Cassis and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer: 1.5 hours (ideal for day trips).
- Côte d’Azur / Riviera: approximately 2–2.5 hours by car.
From late 2026, U.S. citizens must register with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) for entry into the Schengen Area.
Registration is online and valid for up to 3 years.
Apply here: https://www.etiaseu.com/
A distinct collection of luxury villa rentals and real estate for sale in the South of France
- offering all comforts and amenities - pool, housekeeping, and chef services.
© 2025 Only Provence
Only Provence co-founder Lydia Dean writes about their experiences raising a family, building a business in Provence, and later combining the love of travel with giving back in "Jumping the Picket Fence”. In 2021, she published “Light Through the Cracks,” a continuation of her journey, much of which has been based in Provence. Both books are available Amazon, Amazon.uk, and Amazon.Fr.