| So you've decided to to take a vacation in the south | | | | that you paid in advance. This money is not |
| of France, and you've been looking into renting a | | | | refunded, and can range from 20 Euros up to 45 |
| French Riviera villa rather than staying at a hotel. | | | | Euros a person. Check your contract to verify how |
| There are many advantages to renting a villa. | | | | much this fee is. |
| A villa in the French Riviera offers many advantages | | | | Reservation Deposit: To reserve your French Riviera |
| over staying in a hotel. For example, at your own | | | | villa, most individuals and agencies require a deposit of |
| private villa, you will have complete privacy and | | | | between 35 and 50% of the total amount, as long as |
| security - most villas in the French Riviera have | | | | you're reserving your villa at least 90 days in |
| security fences and many are gated and offer | | | | advance. If you're reserving a French Riviera villa with |
| security guards who monitor visitors. | | | | less than 90 days advanced notice, be prepared to |
| Having your own French Riviera rental villa also means | | | | pay the entire amount up front. Also, most of the |
| that you will have access to a full kitchen with all the | | | | time, you'll need to pay the remaining balance at least |
| dinnerware and cookware being supplied. That way, | | | | 30 days before your arrival. (Whenever possible - and |
| you can cook your own meals, and not have to eat | | | | especially during high season, it's highly recommended |
| out for every meal. For someone with a special diet, | | | | that you reserve your French Riviera villa in advance, |
| or who's traveling on a budget, this can be a major | | | | to ensure that you get the villa of your choice. |
| benefit. (And it gives you the additional advantage of | | | | Refunds: |
| being able to eat when you want to - many | | | | It's always a good idea to inquire about cancellation |
| restaurants in the French Riviera serve food only | | | | fees, before finalizing your plans. In many contracts, |
| during lunch and dinner time and are either closed or | | | | you may only receive part of your deposit back - |
| only serve drinks and ice cream or other sweets | | | | and in some cases NONE of the deposit is refundable |
| during between meal times.) | | | | - which means that if you do have to change your |
| Also, depending on your needs and the number of | | | | plans, you may be out of your money with no |
| people traveling with you, French Riviera villas provide | | | | recourse. (In fact, it's always a good idea when |
| several bedrooms and may be able to sleep up to | | | | traveling abroad to buy travel insurance, in the event |
| ten or more guests, which means you can travel | | | | that you have to change your plans unexpectedly. |
| with your family or staff and everyone will enjoy | | | | If you're thinking about a French Riviera villa rental, |
| luxurious surroundings. Chances are, whether you | | | | you may also have questions about what services |
| want to stay in St. Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, Nice or | | | | are included in your rental contract and what |
| anywhere else on the French Riviera, you can find | | | | additional services may be available to you, should |
| the perfect French Riviera villa to suit your needs and | | | | you want them. Here's a basic list, although you |
| budget. | | | | should always ask the rental agency or individual host |
| However, there are a few things you should know | | | | for specific details relating to your French Riviera villa: |
| before you sign on the dotted line. Renting any | | | | Bed linens/Towels: These are usually included with |
| property in the French Riviera can be a little | | | | your French Riviera villa rental. However, most of the |
| complicated, even if it's just for a short time. Here | | | | time - especially if you're only renting the villa for one |
| are a few things you should know: | | | | week, linens will usually not be changed during that |
| Are you going to rent from an individual or an | | | | time, unless they become soiled. If you need |
| agency? | | | | additional linens or towels, just ask. |
| If the French Riviera villa you've got your eye on is | | | | Dinnerware/Cooking Utensils/Basic Household Items: |
| being rented by an individual, there is a good chance | | | | These are also usually included in your French Riviera |
| that they won't accept credit cards. This means | | | | villa rental, and may also include items like fondue |
| you've got two choices. The first is to pay through a | | | | pots, barbecues, outdoor tables and chairs, etc. |
| bank or wire transfer - and of course, there will be | | | | Housekeeping: Most villa rentals will include basic |
| fees involved, whether you're from a country inside | | | | housecleaning services at least once or twice during a |
| the European Union or from somewhere else. | | | | weekly rental. If you want a full-time housekeeper or |
| One of your options is to talk to your hosts, and find | | | | service more often, it generally costs extra. (Fees |
| out if they would consider using PayPal. It has the | | | | for this run anywhere from 15EUR to 20EUR an |
| advantage of being instant, there are limited fees for | | | | hour.) |
| you - or for them, as long as they have an individual | | | | Gardner/Pool Service: If your French Riviera villa |
| account, not a business one, and it will save you a lot | | | | rental includes a private pool, pool cleaning services |
| of paperwork. | | | | are usually included in the contract. The notable |
| If you're renting your French Riviera villa from an | | | | exception to this is if you have a wild party and your |
| agency, pay attention to your contract however, | | | | guests leave the pool very dirty. |
| because sometimes agencies act on behalf of | | | | By the way, most swimming pools - unless they are |
| individuals, and while they may accept payment with | | | | indoor pools - are not heated. If you are renting your |
| credit cards, you may be charged additional "agency | | | | French Riviera villa during low season when the |
| fees or surcharges." (Sometimes the amounts can be | | | | weather is cooler and you'd like to have the pool |
| negotiated, sometimes not. And you should be aware | | | | heated, expect the charges to be anywhere from |
| that some smaller agencies still do not accept credit | | | | 100EUR to 150 EUR a week additional cost. And |
| cards and will also require payment through bank or | | | | during certain times of the year, there may be no |
| wire transfer - merchant fees for credit cards here | | | | guarantee that you'll be able to use the pool, because |
| are very high, and for smaller businesses, it's just not | | | | of weather/climate conditions. |
| worth it. | | | | Gardening/yard services are usually included in the |
| Checks outside the European Union are usually not | | | | contract, whether or not any yardwork or gardening |
| accepted, and even European Union checks from | | | | is done while you're there. |
| countries other than France are usually not accepted | | | | Electricity/Gas/Water: This should be included in your |
| - but it never hurts to ask. | | | | French Riviera villa rental fees. If you find an agency |
| Rental Periods: | | | | that charges an additional fee for the use of utilities, |
| Most rental property on the French Riviera - whether | | | | look for another, more reputable agency to rent your |
| you're renting a villa or one of the many beautiful | | | | French Riviera villa from, because you're being taken |
| French Riviera hotels, run from Saturday afternoon | | | | advantage of. |
| to the following Saturday morning. Prices are, of | | | | Additional Services (Available for an Additional |
| course usually determined by the season, and you | | | | Charge): |
| can expect to pay a significantly higher price during | | | | Cook: Some of the more luxurious French Riviera Villa |
| high season. Here is something else you should be | | | | Rentals may include the services of a cook, while |
| aware of - high season isn't just during the summer | | | | with others, a cook is available for an additional fee. |
| months. For most French Riviera villa rentals and | | | | (Fees vary widely and can run anywhere from 20 |
| hotels along the French Riviera, high season also | | | | EUR to 50 EUR per person, for the people in your |
| includes: School vacations, special fairs or other | | | | party, with additional charges being added for guests |
| events (such as the Cannes Film Festival, Nice's | | | | not staying with you.) Fees can be charged by the |
| Carnival or Monaco's Monte Carlo race) and certain | | | | hour, by the week or by the meal. Most of the time, |
| times of the year - summer, New Year's, etc. are | | | | this includes the shopping (although not the cost of |
| always considered high season. As a general rule, low | | | | the ingredients themselves), the preparation/cooking |
| season runs from December through May. | | | | and the serving/presentation) of the meal. |
| Which means that if you're flying over on a different | | | | Au Pair: If you're planning a stay of two weeks to a |
| day of the week, you might have to stay in a hotel | | | | month at your French Riviera Villa, and you have |
| until Saturday afternoon, unless you've made other | | | | younger children, you might want to consider the |
| arrangements with your host. (You should be aware | | | | services of an au pair. They usually speak English as |
| that it can be very difficult to find lodging during high | | | | well as French and often a third language as well. |
| season, so if you're not traveling on a Saturday, | | | | They will provide basic and advanced services, such |
| make sure that you've book all additional | | | | as taking care of your children, and tending to things |
| accommodations before confirming your reservation | | | | like baths, dressing, play time and even tutoring. |
| at your private French Riviera villa and paying the | | | | Babysitting: If you're staying less than two weeks, |
| deposit.) Many of the best French Riviera villas are | | | | hiring a babysitter is usually the best option. |
| booked up to a year in advance - and are often fully | | | | Babysitters can go with you on outings, or stay at |
| booked throughout high season, so you may need to | | | | the villa with your kids while you're going sightseeing, |
| plan your trip accordingly. | | | | out to dinner or on other occasions as needed. |
| Deposits: | | | | Masseuse or Personal Trainer: The services of a |
| Most rental villas in the French Riviera charge a | | | | masseuse or personal trainer should be made in |
| "breakage deposit" or a "breakage and cleaning | | | | advance, but they will come to your French Riviera |
| deposit" in addition to other deposits or fees that | | | | villa, so you won't have to leave the comfort of |
| might be included in the rental agreement. Provided | | | | home. Fees vary. |
| there has been no damage (above normal "wear and | | | | Chauffeur/Guide: Again, these services are usually |
| tear"), this deposit is usually refundable. However, | | | | available on request. Check your contract to see if |
| read your contract to find out if it will be refunded | | | | there is additional insurance required. The fees should |
| when you leave, or if it will be mailed to you or | | | | include all taxes, etc. so check your contract for your |
| deposited in your bank account, and how soon. | | | | French Riviera villa rental. |
| (Some contracts give the owner 15 to 45 days | | | | If you're going to need any additional services or |
| before the deposit is refunded.) The amount you are | | | | staff, it's a good idea to make arrangements before |
| required to pay for a breakage deposit is generally | | | | you arrive, and the cost will be included in your |
| about 25% of the entire rental fee. | | | | French Riviera villa rental agreement. That way you |
| Cleaning Surcharges: A cleaning surcharge may be | | | | can be assured of receiving the services you need. |
| deducted from the breakages and cleaning deposit | | | | |