Whether you’re celebrating Christmas in France or elsewhere, we wish you a joyful festive season and a truly happy New Year.

Looking forward to those quiet days between the two big occasions? Dreading the dull days of January? Our solution is to spend some time browsing beautiful holiday homes in France, planning the next trip and maybe making contact with some property owners.

Making French Connections is, of course, what we do - and our owners are looking forward with enthusiasm to connecting with guests this year. They enjoy welcoming both seasoned Francophiles discovering a new region and those who are first-timers in France and excitedly discovering a whole new country.

Many owners offer great deals and incentives at this time of year and these will build up as we go into January, so it’s the perfect time to grab a bargain. You’ll find these deals in our Special Offers pages. They range from wine gifts and free extra days to discounts of 10, 15 or even 20 per cent for early bird bookings or specific dates.

Remember that if you like the look of a property, you can ask the owner questions via their property page or request that they phone you for a chat. They know their property and the local area really well and most are happy to help with travel routes, facilities like cots and high chairs, local sights, days out and where to eat and shop.

Many owners offer specific activities like cycling, horse riding, tennis, massage and therapies, boating and surfing, even lessons in painting or the French language. Some can provide meals, giving you the best of both worlds - the space and privacy of your own holiday home without having to cook.

Enjoy making new connections with holiday home owners and ensure that you have a really special trip to France this year.