Villas for rent in Aix-en-Provence France: find your perfect match

Not all villa rentals are created equal—and neither are travelers. The property that's perfect for a family with young kids might feel all wrong for a group of friends celebrating a milestone birthday. That's why we've organized this guide differently: by who you are and what you're actually looking for in an Aix-en-Provence rental.

Skip straight to your section, or read them all. Either way, you'll know exactly which of Le Pigonnet's two properties suits your trip—and why staying in Aix-en-Provence puts you at the heart of everything Provence has to offer.

Quick navigation:

• Families → Villa Jaune
• Couples → Villa Rose
• Friends → Both work (we'll help you choose)
• Executive retreats → Villa Rose

What families actually need

Let's be honest about family vacations. They're wonderful, but they're also work. You need a place where kids can run around without you worrying about disturbing neighbors. Where the pool is visible from your coffee spot. Where you can throw together lunch without a production, but also have the option to let someone else cook dinner after a long day.

Hotel rooms don't cut it—you're either crammed together or paying for multiple rooms and losing the whole point of a family trip. A private rental gives you space to actually be together, plus the freedom to operate on your own schedule. No rush to check out, no quiet hours in the hallway, no hunting for available pool loungers at 8am.

Villa Jaune: built for family life

Villa Jaune feels like the house you wish your family owned in Provence. It's a 1930s bastide set in gardens so big that kids spend entire afternoons discovering "new" spots under century-old pine trees. The pool sits in clear sight of multiple terraces, so you can read your book while they splash. Four bedrooms mean everyone gets their own space, with beds that convert from kings to twins depending on who's sleeping where.

The kitchen matters more than you might think. It's fully equipped and opens to the living areas, which means you can prep breakfast while planning the day, store snacks for constant kid grazing, and have a proper place to gather for family meals. When you don't feel like cooking—and let's face it, you're on vacation—a private chef can take over completely.

Here's what a typical day looks like:

Morning starts slow. Kids wake up and head straight to the garden while you make coffee on the terrace. Maybe you walk to a nearby bakery for croissants, or maybe you raided the market yesterday and have everything already. Breakfast stretches as long as it needs to.

By mid-morning, everyone's at the pool. The kids swim, you read, someone makes sandwiches. The afternoon either means a trip to a nearby village or just staying put—both are good options when you have this much space. Your choice.

Dinner is the part that makes private rentals worth it. Maybe you've hired a chef who's been at the market while you were at the pool, and by evening your kitchen smells incredible. Or maybe you're doing the cooking, but it's casual and easy because you're not dealing with restaurant timing or kids who are tired and hungry right now. Everyone eats together, at whatever hour makes sense, and nobody has to drive anywhere afterward.

What to do with kids:

The daily market in Aix happens a short drive away and kids usually enjoy it for about 45 minutes—plenty of time to buy fruit, cheese, and maybe a toy wooden grasshopper from one of the stalls. Saturday's bigger market is more of an event.

Pont du Gard (45 minutes) is popular because you can swim below the Roman aqueduct in summer. It's history but also a swimming hole, which is the perfect combination. The Luberon villages are scenic and mostly car-free, so kids can wander safely while you browse shops and stop for ice cream.

Back at the property, rainy days aren't a problem. The house is big enough for everyone to spread out, and honestly the kids are usually happy just having endless pool access.

How families use Villa Jaune

Families with young children particularly appreciate the expansive garden—it provides a safe space where kids can play freely while parents keep an eye on them from the shaded terraces. The visible pool setup means you're never far from supervising, which lets everyone relax properly.

Many families find that booking a private chef for several evenings transforms the experience. Coming back from afternoon adventures to dinner already in progress, with kids in swimsuits and everyone comfortable, tends to be the vacation moment people remember most fondly.

Booking tips for families

Best times: July and August offer guaranteed sunshine and full lavender bloom in early July. June and September provide similar weather with fewer tourists and better pricing. April-May means wildflowers but cooler pool temperatures.

What to request when booking: High chairs and cribs are available—just mention ages of your kids when you book. If you have specific dietary restrictions (allergies, picky eaters), flag this early so the chef can plan accordingly.

How long to stay: A week works well for families. It takes a day to settle in, a day to leave, and five real days in between feels like an actual vacation rather than a long weekend. Two weeks is even better if your schedule allows—by week two you're not tourists anymore, you're just living there.

Consider the chef service: Even if you like cooking, having someone handle a few dinners changes the whole dynamic. You stay relaxed, kids eat well, and you actually talk to your partner for more than five minutes. The welcome dinner (you arrive to a ready meal) plus 2-3 more nights during the week is a common approach.

Villa Jaune details:

• 184m² interior space
• 1,350m² landscaped garden with century-old trees
• Private pool
• 4 bedrooms with Super King-size beds (convertible to twins)
• En-suite bathrooms (shower or shower/bathtub combinations)
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Spacious living room
• Air conditioning throughout
• Free unlimited WiFi
• Sonia Godet bathroom amenities
• Courtesy tray
• Private chef and butler service available on request

Availability: Year-round | 3-night minimum (April-October) | 2-night minimum (November-March)
Capacity: 8 guests
Certified: Meublé de Tourisme (13001 004757 J7)

What couples want in a Provence rental

Couples aren't usually looking for massive space—you're looking for the right space. A place that feels special but not stuffy. Where you can have breakfast in your pajamas on a private terrace, then clean up and head out looking decent. Where dinner can be a candlelit affair one night and casual takeaway the next.

You want proximity to restaurants and villages, but you also want to be able to ignore all of that and just stay home with a good bottle of wine. Basically, you want options without obligations.

Villa Rose: your Provence escape

Villa Rose offers 300m² of space, which for two people (or two couples sharing) means you're never on top of each other. The interior is elegant without being formal—you can dress up or stay in loungewear and both feel appropriate. Soft tones and abundant natural light create an atmosphere that just feels good from the moment you walk in.

The real magic is the outdoor space. The patio opens onto a peaceful ornamental pool surrounded by Mediterranean plantings—it's beautiful and serene, perfect for morning coffee or afternoon reading. For actual swimming, there's a second pool (4x6 meters) that's more active but still maintains the intimate feel of the property. Dual water features mean you can choose your vibe: contemplative or refreshing.

Four bedrooms seems like overkill for a couple, but it means you can spread out. Use one bedroom for sleeping, another as a dressing room, a third for workout gear or work if needed. Or invite another couple and split costs while still having plenty of privacy.

A romantic day:

You wake up when you wake up. No alarm, no breakfast time to meet. Coffee on the patio while planning nothing in particular. Maybe you shower together in the spacious bathroom with its rainfall shower and premium Sonia Godet products. Maybe one of you showers while the other reads outside.

Midday means either heading into Aix for lunch and wandering, or staying at the property for pool time and sandwiches. If you're staying, you'll probably both end up with books, occasionally commenting on what you're reading, mostly just being quiet together.

Afternoon might be a wine tour, a walk through nearby villages, or absolutely nothing. The patio has good shade and you've got a new bottle to try.

Dinner is the part where the private chef option shines. It's remarkably romantic to have someone else cook a beautiful meal in your space, serve it on your terrace, then disappear while you linger over wine and dessert. Or you can walk into Aix (10 minutes) for dinner at one of the town's excellent restaurants.

Romantic activities:

Aix-en-Provence itself works well for evening dates. The Cours Mirabeau at sunset, aperitifs at a café terrace, dinner at one of the smaller bistros in the old town where tables are tiny and you sit close together.

Wine tours work well for couples if you book private ones rather than group buses. Your driver picks you up, takes you to 2-3 estates, waits while you taste, brings you home. You both get to drink, nobody navigates, and you come back with bottles for the house.

The Luberon villages are built for wandering together—Gordes for the views, Roussillon for the ochre cliffs, Lourmarin for lunch at a village restaurant. These are easy half-day trips that feel like you're discovering something.

For special occasions, hot air balloon flights over the Luberon at sunrise are available through local operators.

Creating your celebration

Anniversaries: The property can be set up specially—flowers in your room, champagne chilled, rose petals if that's your style. Everything can be arranged in advance and waiting when you arrive.

Proposals: The patio at sunset works well, or you can arrange something more elaborate (musician, photographer, dinner setup). If you're planning this, book early and communicate your vision.

Honeymoons: A week at Villa Rose makes sense for a honeymoon—you're in France which feels special, but you also have privacy and don't have to be "on" all the time like you do at a resort. Mix exploring with downtime and you've got the balance right.

Just because: You don't need a reason. Sometimes you just want a week somewhere beautiful with your person. That works too.

How couples experience Villa Rose

Couples often mention the patio as becoming their favorite spot—morning coffee and evening wine happen there naturally. The combination of sophisticated design and complete privacy seems to hit the right note—you feel like you're somewhere special without the formality that can make fancy hotels feel stiff.

The access to Le Pigonnet's hotel facilities (restaurant, spa, bar) adds flexibility—you can use them when you want a change of scene, or ignore them completely and stay in your private world.

Booking tips for couples

Best times: September and October offer beautiful weather with fewer tourists and lower rates. May and June are lovely for wildflowers and perfect temperatures. If you want lavender fields, early-to-mid July is the window.

Romantic add-ons: Private chef dinners are popular romantic extras. Consider booking at least two during your stay—maybe the first night as a welcome meal and another for your actual celebration. Fresh flowers, special wine selections, picnic baskets for day trips—all can be arranged.

Length of stay: 3-4 nights works for a long weekend escape. A full week gives you time to truly relax without feeling like you just got there and now you're leaving. Two weeks is ideal if you can swing it—by the second week you've found your rhythm and the place really feels like yours.

Consider mid-week arrivals: If your schedule allows, arriving Tuesday or Wednesday means you miss weekend changeover traffic and have attractions less crowded for your first few days.

Villa Rose details:

• 300m² interior space
• Intimate patio with ornamental pool
• Private 4x6m swimming pool
• 4 spacious bedrooms (3 King-size 200x200cm + 1 Super King-size)
• All beds convertible to twins
• En-suite bathrooms in every room
• Shower and bathtub or shower only
• Air conditioning throughout
• Free unlimited WiFi
• Sonia Godet bathroom amenities
• Courtesy tray
• Private chef and butler service available on request (72-hour notice)

Availability: Year-round | 3-night minimum (April-October) | 2-night minimum (November-March)
Capacity: 8 guests
Certified: Meublé de Tourisme (13001 004756 HH)

What friend groups need

Group trips are fantastic in theory and chaotic in reality. Someone always ends up doing too much planning, costs get awkward, and shared hotel rooms mean you're either cramped or barely seeing each other.

A private rental fixes most of this. Everyone has their own room and bathroom—privacy when you want it, group space when you don't. Costs split evenly from the start. The kitchen means you can do some meals together without the logistical nightmare of restaurant reservations for 8.

You need enough space that the early risers don't wake everyone up, and enough outdoor area that people can spread out during the day. A property in Aix-en-Provence means you're central for day trips—wine tours, village hopping, beach runs—without being stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Choosing between the properties

Both Le Pigonnet options work for friend groups, but they suit different group styles.

Villa Jaune is better if:

• Your group includes families (some couples have kids, others don't)
• You want maximum outdoor space for activities and hanging out
• Your vibe is casual and active—pool volleyball, garden games, outdoor everything
• Budget is a factor (Villa Jaune is less expensive)
• You're okay with a more rustic-chic aesthetic

Villa Rose is better if:

• Everyone in your group is adults without kids
• You care about interior space—big kitchens for cooking together, multiple living areas for different activities
• Your group likes to entertain and cook elaborate meals
• You prefer sophisticated design and curated outdoor spaces
• You're celebrating something special and want to feel fancy

Villa Jaune for active friend groups:

The 1,350m² garden becomes your private park. Groups often use the space for croquet, frisbee, pool games, and generally spreading out in ways you can't at a hotel. The pool is big enough for actual swimming and games, not just cooling off. Multiple terraces mean different sun/shade options throughout the day.

The interior is 184m²—plenty for 8 people but definitely cozy. This works great if your group spends most time outdoors and uses the house mainly for sleeping and meals. The kitchen is fully equipped and the living room is comfortable, but don't expect multiple separate lounging areas inside.

Four bedrooms with Super King beds convertible to twins means flexible sleeping arrangements. Figure out who's sharing and who needs their own space, and the setup adapts.

Villa Rose for sophisticated celebrations:

The 300m² interior makes a difference for groups who like to cook together, play board games, or just hang out inside. The kitchen is large enough for multiple people working at once (important when everyone wants to "help"). Multiple seating areas mean some people can watch movies while others play cards without everyone being in the same room.

The patio works well for long group dinners. Set the table nicely, light candles, and it feels like an event without being stuffy. The ornamental pool adds ambiance, the swimming pool adds function, and the whole setup works for groups who appreciate design.

This property suits milestone birthdays (40th, 50th), reunion trips, or groups who just have good taste and want their vacation to reflect that.

Group activities

Wine touring: Book a private driver and minivan through local services—you create the itinerary together (famous estates vs. small family properties), driver picks up the group, handles all logistics, drops you back late afternoon. Everyone can drink, nobody navigates, and you come home with way more bottles than you intended to buy.

Market shopping and group cooking: Saturday morning market in Aix works well as a group activity. Everyone wanders, buys random things, and you figure out dinner based on what you found. Someone inevitably buys too much cheese. Someone else buys strange vegetables nobody knows how to cook. It's chaos but fun chaos. Back at the house, the kitchen becomes party central while you collectively figure out what to make.

Village hopping: Rent cars and hit multiple villages in a day. Gordes for photos, Roussillon for the ochre paths, Lourmarin for lunch. Groups tend to split naturally—some people want to see everything, others want to sit at a café. Everyone meets back up eventually.

Pool time and nothing: Often the best group vacation days are the ones where you do absolutely nothing. Everyone's at the pool with books and drinks, conversation happens, naps happen, someone orders pizza for lunch, and by evening you're all pleasantly lazy and ready for a nice dinner.

Planning group getaways

Money stuff: One person books and pays the deposit, then everyone sends their share. Easiest to split the base rental evenly, then extras (chef, wine tours, groceries) can be tracked separately or just split evenly too. Most groups find that trying to track every expense precisely is more hassle than it's worth—pick a method and stick with it.

Scheduling: Getting 8 people to agree on dates is the hardest part. Start early, use a poll, and once you have dates book immediately. Summer fills up fast and good properties at fair prices go first.

What to book in advance vs. on arrival: Book your rental and any major activities (wine tours, dinner reservations at famous restaurants) before you arrive. Leave some days unplanned—you'll figure out what you feel like doing once you're there. Over-scheduling kills the vacation vibe.

Group dining: For one fancy group dinner, you can walk to Le Pigonnet's restaurant—dress up, have an excellent meal, walk back. Make the reservation when you book your stay. For other nights, either cook at the property or explore village restaurants. The private chef option is worth considering for at least one night—you stay relaxed, the food is outstanding, and nobody has to clean up.

For really big groups (12-16 people)

Rent both properties. Villa Jaune and Villa Rose are on the same estate, so everyone's together but you have double the space. This works well for large family reunions, destination celebrations, or when two friend groups want to vacation together.

Total capacity is 16 guests across 8 bedrooms. You can gather at one property for meals and activities, then retreat to separate spaces when people need privacy. The price per person becomes very reasonable when you're splitting two rentals among 12-16 people.

How friend groups experience the properties

Groups celebrating milestone birthdays often appreciate Villa Rose's elegant entertaining spaces and sophisticated outdoor areas. The multiple living areas mean people can pursue different activities without feeling disconnected from the group.

For more active groups with varied ages, Villa Jaune's expansive outdoor space tends to be the main draw. The garden provides room for everything from morning yoga to evening pétanque games.

Booking tips for friends

Best times: September is popular—still warm, fewer tourists, great for wine harvest experiences. June offers long days and beautiful weather. July-August works but is pricier and more crowded. May is surprisingly good if you can coordinate schedules.

Group services: Private chef for 1-2 dinners makes sense—you get quality meals without the restaurant hassle. Wine tours should be private (not group buses with strangers) for the best experience.

Length of stay: 5-6 nights is often the sweet spot for friend groups. Long enough to settle in and relax, not so long that you run out of things to talk about. Some groups do long weekends (3 nights) which works but feels short.

House rules: Have a quick conversation early about house norms—quiet hours, shared space cleanup, grocery splitting. Sounds formal but prevents issues later. Most groups figure this out naturally but it helps to address it upfront.

Why private rentals beat hotels for executive retreats

Hotels are fine for conferences. Private properties are better for the kind of strategic work that requires focus, privacy, and actual thinking time. No lobby chatter, no other guests, no public meeting rooms where anyone could walk by.

A retreat in a private setting lets you work intensely when needed, then properly disconnect. Morning sessions on the terrace, afternoon team building, evening networking over excellent food. The setting itself changes how people interact—more open, less guarded, better conversations.

Villa Rose: your executive headquarters

Villa Rose works particularly well for executive retreats because of its layout and location. The 300m² interior offers multiple meeting areas—formal sitting room for presentations, dining table for working sessions, outdoor terrace for brainstorming. WiFi throughout means everyone stays connected when necessary.

Four en-suite bedrooms accommodate up to 8 executives comfortably. Everyone has private space for calls and work, plus shared areas for collaboration. The property's sophisticated design feels appropriate for business settings without being corporate.

Location matters for executive retreats. Aix-en-Provence has TGV train service (direct to Paris, Marseille, Lyon) and Marseille airport is 30 minutes away. Flying in from London, Geneva, or Frankfurt is straightforward. The property is 10 minutes from Aix center if you need to meet local partners or visit client offices.

Productive retreats in Provence

A typical retreat day:

Morning session starts after breakfast (private chef can handle this). 9am-12pm work time—strategy discussions, planning sessions, difficult conversations that need focus. The terrace works well for this in good weather, interior spaces if it's hot or you need screens and presentations.

Lunch is catered and relaxed—1.5 hours to actually decompress. After-lunch sessions tend to be less productive anyway, so many groups schedule afternoon activities instead.

Afternoon team building might be wine tasting (educational, relationship-building, very Provence), cooking class with a local chef (collaborative, fun), or just pool time (people talk more openly while relaxed). The point is shifting gears from pure work to the relationship side of business.

Evening networking happens over dinner—either at the property with private chef or at Le Pigonnet's restaurant. Conversations continue naturally but the tone is different. By dessert you're usually not talking about work anymore, which means people connect as humans rather than roles.

Why this format works:

Mixing intense work sessions with genuine relaxation means people return home both productive and refreshed rather than exhausted. The private setting breaks down hierarchy a bit—the CEO is making coffee in shared space, everyone's in casual clothes, formality decreases and honesty increases.

Three days is typical for executive retreats. Day one for arriving and easing in, day two for main sessions and team building, day three for wrap-up and departures. Some groups stretch to four days if flying from far or tackling major planning.

Executive services at Le Pigonnet

Private chef for working meals: Having a chef handle breakfast, lunch, and dinner means food just happens while you focus on work. Dietary restrictions (vegan, gluten-free, allergies) are easily accommodated with advance notice. The chef adjusts timing to your schedule—if a session runs long, lunch waits.

Butler service: Available on request with advance notice, a butler can manage logistics, coordinate meals, handle deliveries, and ensure the property runs smoothly while you focus on your agenda.

Hotel facilities access: Le Pigonnet's Folie Verte Spa is available for booking—massages or spa time for the group provide good breaks. The Rose Bar works for evening drinks in a different setting. La Table du Pigonnet for client dinners if you're combining retreat with local business.

Meeting equipment: WiFi is standard and reliable throughout the property. If you need specific tech (projector, screens, conference call setup), discuss this when booking.

How executive groups use Villa Rose

Corporate groups often appreciate the combination of professional atmosphere and relaxed setting. The property provides privacy for confidential discussions that wouldn't be appropriate in hotel conference rooms.

Team dynamics tend to shift in private settings—the informal environment encourages more open dialogue during work sessions, while shared meals and downtime build relationships in ways that don't happen during typical office interactions.

Booking considerations for business

Invoicing and payment: Le Pigonnet provides proper business invoices for corporate accounting. Discuss payment terms when booking—most companies need to pay by wire transfer or corporate card rather than personal payment methods."

Seasonal availability: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) work well for business retreats—comfortable weather, fewer vacation tourists, better availability. Summer works but is premium pricing and you're competing with family vacations. Winter is very affordable but pool isn't as practical.

Combining with conferences: If attending a conference in Marseille or Aix, you can extend into a private retreat before or after. This works well for board meetings or senior team gatherings timed around larger company events.

Privacy and confidentiality: Private properties provide complete privacy for sensitive discussions. Unlike hotels where you're in shared spaces, everything at your rental is private. Staff (chef, housekeeping) are discreet professionals.

Group size: Villa Rose accommodates up to 8 comfortably for overnight retreats. For larger groups (10-15), you can rent both properties or use Villa Rose as headquarters with some attendees staying at Le Pigonnet's hotel rooms.

Comparing Le Pigonnet's properties at a glance