Spread over an impressive 500m2 of living space, the inventory of facilities at Chênes Verts reads like a fantasy villa shopping list: a pool, hot tub, hammam and gym all vie for attention with five elegant bedrooms, and all very conveniently located close to the beaches and centre of La Tranche sur Mer.

The villa sits on a large residential plot that borders the pine forest. There are other similar homes in the vicinity, but Chênes Verts is not overlooked, so your privacy is assured, whether you’re enjoying dinner and drinks in the garden or challenging the kids to volleyball on the villa’s own sandy court. The Vendée’s famous microclimate makes it one of the sunniest places in France, but should the weather not play ball, the pool can be glassed in from the elements, and the vast living room is a bright and welcoming space even on a dull day. And after a day in the surf or cycling the myriad forest paths, you can retreat to the hammam or hot tub and emerge refreshed and fabulous: just how a holiday should make you feel.

With two master suites and three further bedrooms, the villa is a practical and luxurious option for two families or a group of friends looking for space and comfort within easy reach of what many consider France’s finest sand and surf. La Tranche sur Mer is the area hotspot for high-adrenalin watersports, but if waves are not your thing then there are plenty of gentler ways to enjoy this wonderful natural playground, from biking and hiking through forests and wetlands, to paddle boarding or canoeing on the sheltered inland waterways. A magnificent seven local beaches enjoy coveted Pavillon Bleu status, meaning they are particularly clean and managed in an environmentally respectful way, and with shops and restaurants a mere 15 to 20-minute walk away, it’s hard to imagine a better base for an indulgent week or two by the sea.

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.