THE HISTORY OF THE VILLA

The first villas emerged towards the end of the Roman Republic. At first they were simply Roman country homes. There were too types. The villa rustica was actually a general term for a farm house that was typically occupied by servants who were left in charge of the estate The owners of the villa—generally the very wealthy or those from prominent families—stayed in the villa urbana or the home proper. Historians believe Pliny the Younger had four, one them being the one near Laurentium which he described often. Cicero had as many as seven villas, the oldest (which he inherited) located at Arpinum.

Villas were usually located conveniently near the city to allow owners to visit it as frequently as they wanted. Thus most villas were easily be reached from the capital. The journey would only take about a day. There were a lot of of Imperial villas near the Bay of Naples, particularly near the Isle of Capri, at Monte Circeo on the coast and at Antium (Anzio).

Since then the nature of a villa has changed. Almost anyone can rent or buy a villa, you don’t have to be wealthy, powerful or famous. The architecture has also evolved to accommodate different styles of the countries they are located in. The only thing that hasn’t changed is the villa’s popularity and image as the perfect weekend home.

THE APPEAL OF VILLAS

Since time immemorial the villa symbolized a retreat or a sanctuary. For example it was a place people could go to at the peak of summer when the heat was unbearable. Roman writers loved to boast about the self-sufficiency of their villas, where they made their wine and olive oil, a sign of the tRoman empire’s increasing economic fragmentation. When these independent villas were given to the Christian church, they evolved into the monasteries, such as the Monte Cassino.

THE STRUCTURE OF A VILLA

The villa’s independent buildings were often connected by their enclosed courtyards. You would often see “wings” which were connected to a portico, constructed in such a way that it would surround a courtyard. Others had a a main hall like a basilica, suggesting the villa owner’s magisterial role. These often had a central aisle. The important ceremonial rooms often had stone materials and were decorated with window glass and ironwork window grilles. It was common to see timbered structures with mortices and tenons and dowelled together.

TODAY’S VILLAS

At the start of the twentieth century, the term ’semi-detached villas’ had evolved. When you think of villas today, even Villas in France, they don’t have to be a ‘terrace’ of joined houses. Instead villas are a general term for a suburban house. It often just has one storey, what is called the bungalow, especially those made after World War I in post-colonial Britain, and by extension the term is used for suburban bungalows in both Australia and New Zealand. The villa concept has also become associated with statements about social position and lifestyle and lives on in Southern Europe including France.

Renting a villa can be a wonderful way to make your vacation in France truly special. However you should take care to choose a good villa or at least clarify your expectations.

Do your research. Find out if the villa you are renting has everything that you will need. For example ask how big the staff is and whether you will have cooks, gardeners, housekeepers and butlers. Not all villas are this staffed and you may be surprised to find there aren’t any available! Also find out if you will need to pay extra for these services. Don’t want surprise budget problems!

Ask about the amenities as well. Are services such as air conditioning, heating and telephones extra? If so, how much will they cost you?

Don’t forget to ask for what the villa looks like. Ask to view photos of the villa, its layout, the gardens and a floor plan. You may also find this in the websites.

Don’t assume anything. For example, you may not think much about the beds. How big are they? Are they double, queen or twin? Are twin beds pushed together to create a double bed? Are all the bedrooms in the same building? (Some villas have different rooms centered around a court yard.) This is very important if you’re taking young children along.

Are you planning to cook? If so, you will want a nice sized kitchen with all the modern conveniences. Will you be able to use laundry equipment? Is laundry dried on a clothesline, or will you have a dryer? What about housekeepers, gardeners and butlers? Will they live in the villa or on the grounds? You may want your privacy, or you may want the convenience of having them around.

Does the villa have a computer with Internet service? If so, is there an extra fee and how much is it? What about emergency services and hospitals? Be sure to check safety features especially if you are traveling with young children. For example, villas on cliffs should have fences.

Go on the Internet to look for the villa’s photos and as much information on its features as you can find. Don’t be shy about sending a query if there’s missing info. If you like the villa talk to a reputable rental agency and ask the villa for references.

Don’t forget to do this several months in advance, and then make a reservation especially if you plan to go there during peak tourist season. Popular villas are often rented as much as a year to a year and a half in advance. Ask about their cancellation policy.

Biarritz is one of France’s most popular locations for holiday residences. It is known for its long and beautiful beaches which are often packed with tourists during the summer. The sunny weather attracts attract campers, hikers and mountain climbers, as well as families eager to try the water sports or romp happily on the sand. But its well worth a visit in all the seasons. Its winters yield generous snow fall which make it a great place for those who love winter sports like skiing. The temperature is mild and pleasant, unlike winters in many other parts of Europe.

Biarritz is found nestled between the Pyrenean Mountains and the ocean. It is the natural border between France and Spain. Its location along one of two main traffic arteries between the two countries give it a position of prominence. .

You can easily reach the city by road, rail and air. Its international airport make it easy to get a flight to and from the capital, Paris. From here you can get a plane to virtually every corner of the globe, including direct flights to destinations in the UK. This means that with a home in Biarritz you have a great chance to explore the surrounding areas as well. These include cities in Spain like San Sebastian, Bilbao and Santander along the northern coast of the country. You can easily make these into weekend trips. .

This part of France is rich with history and wonderful architecture. Apart from the beaches and mountains there are many interesting towns and villages to explore in the area.

If you’re planning to make Biarritz a vacation home and stay here only some months of the year, there are very good opportunities to earn extra by renting out your home throughout the year. Or if you buy a big house with extra rooms, you could very well start a hotel, guest house or ‘bed & breakfast’. With the yearly influx of tourists this will certainly be a good source of steady income.

Buying a property in the French south west will always prove to be a good investment. Whether you are buying the home to live in it permanently or only part of the year, or are even considering reselling it in the future, you will see your investment pay off.