6 Things Provence Holiday Rental Owners Want You to Know

Are you looking for a place to stay in Provence during your holidays? We met with holiday accommodation owners and property managers in Provence for an informal discussion about the challenges and opportunities they face. This group meets regularly to share ideas about managing various accommodations, including apartments, village homes, villas, and self-catered gîtes (cottages). The gathering also helped us understand how Perfectly Provence can continue to support these independent business owners while helping readers find the right options.

Seasonal Swings

What is the hardest part of maintaining steady occupancy rates across the year?

Managing holiday accommodation in the South of France is tricky because occupancy is hard to keep steady year-round. Seasonal demand affects bookings, and quieter months make profitability harder, especially for smaller businesses. This is the central challenge for many owners and managers.

The high season coincides with summer holidays in Europe, the UK, and North America, so property owners and agents are very busy in July and August. The shoulder months – May, June, September, and October – tend to be steady, with different clientele such as couples without kids, retirees, and remote workers. November through March is the low season, with many reasons to consider booking then. These seasonal shifts explain why maintaining steady occupancy is so challenging.

Winter Activities in Provence

Accommodation Types

Accommodation type plays a critical role in occupancy rates and strongly influences customer preferences. For example, a cozy bed-and-breakfast may attract visitors seeking personalized experiences, while modern apartments might appeal to couples or business travellers. Understanding these preferences can make a big difference during off-peak seasons. This is why matching the right property to the right guest matters.

Holiday Accommodation Options

Tools of the Trade

Do booking platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Expedia, etc.) help or hurt your profitability?

Booking platforms make it easy to search for accommodation in the South of France using specific filters. A property appears on these platforms when the owner or manager provides the information, but changing algorithms affect how and when listings are displayed.

As the “buyer” (potential guest), it’s important to understand that filters greatly affect a property’s visibility on these platforms. Booking through them can provide confidence, but we recommend booking directly with the property owner whenever possible. At Perfectly Provence, we work directly with owners and managers to find accommodation that suits your needs and travel dates.

Business Expenses

Which business expenses have increased the most in the last few years?

In recent years, managing holiday accommodation has become more costly in Provence and elsewhere. Expenses have risen in utilities, maintenance and repairs, cleaning services, insurance, booking-platform commissions, concierge services, guest amenities, and pool management. Managing these higher costs while staying competitive requires strategic financial planning and efficient operations. If you are looking for accommodation, it helps to understand that these costs are reflected in the pricing.

Advertising and Social Media

In a time when we are all connected to phones, tablets, and other devices, it is impossible to ignore social media. Do you market your property via social media? Interestingly, the group was almost equally divided between those who do and those who don’t. The consensus was that a social media presence (Instagram and Facebook) complements a quality website but is not necessarily a funnel for booking requests.

Advertising must stay current and engaging. Regular updates to photos, descriptions, and special offers are essential to maintain a property’s appeal. The challenge is attracting clients willing to pay the right price while ensuring profitability.

Photo credit ©Cent Cinq Apt

The Why

What is the most satisfying thing about owning/managing holiday accommodation? Here is what we heard:

Seeing guests enjoy their stay and receiving positive feedback is the most satisfying part. It is also rewarding to build a good reputation, welcome returning guests, and see the property perform successfully. Sharing Provence with guests, hearing enthusiastic feedback, and connecting with people from different nationalities all matter, as does sharing the local knowledge gained from years of working in the area.

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Changing How We Travel

Fresh from a family holiday in Provence, Alastair Sawday graciously agreed to share his insights on the company he founded and his love for the region. To begin, discover how Sawday’s Special Places transformed the way we experience travel through this conversation.

You transformed your guiding notes from Alastair Sawday’s Tours in France into a thriving business and an iconic travel brand. When you self-published the first “Special Places to Stay: France” in 1994, the response surpassed all hopes. Today, Sawday’s stands as a mark of trust for travellers and a symbol of pride for property owners across the UK, France, Italy, and beyond. With that in mind, let’s explore questions our readers are eager to ask.

Exclusive Interview with Alistair Sawday

Full day Bandol & Cassis Discovery Wine Tour from Marseille

Begin your journey in the medieval village of Le Castellet, perched elegantly atop a wooded hill overlooking lush vineyards. Next, venture into the renowned Bandol wine region.

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).