Find your perfect French gite with a pool

Looking for French gites with pools? Whether you’re searching for a private pool for complete privacy or a family-friendly shared pool where children can make new friends, we’ve hand-picked some of the best holiday rental gites with pools across France.

A holiday rental gîte with a pool is one of the most popular choices for families travelling to France — and for good reason. Whether you want lazy days relaxing by the water or a refreshing dip after exploring the local area, French gîtes with pools offer the ideal mix of comfort, fun and convenience.

At France for Families, we feature a wide range of self-catering gites in France with pools, from cosy countryside cottages to spacious villas and large Chateau perfect for multi‑generational holidays.

Use our accommodation search tool to browse family‑friendly holiday homes with private or shared swimming pools across France. Many of our featured gites include heated pools, enclosed gardens, children’s play areas and spacious outdoor dining areas, making them ideal for relaxing family holidays in France

Why Choose a Gîte in France With a Pool?

A gîte with a swimming pool transforms your holiday. Families love the freedom of having water on‑site — no packing up the car, no queues, no crowds. Just step outside and enjoy.

The advantages of choosing a holiday gite with a pool are: the children can play for hours while adults relax nearby; great for cooling off after sightseeing; ideal for meeting other families in shared-pool complexes; a pool adds huge value even if you are staying inland, away from the coast.

Many families tell us their children race back from day trips just to get back in the pool!

What type of Pools can you expect to find?

When choosing a family-friendly holiday rental in France, the swimming pool is often one of the most important features. Many gîtes offer a private pool, giving families exclusive use, added privacy, and the freedom to swim whenever they choose. Other holiday rentals have a shared pool, which can be a great way for children to make new friends and for families to enjoy a sociable atmosphere. You may also find heated pools, ideal for family holidays in France during spring and autumn, as well as unheated pools that are perfect for cooling off in the warmer summer months. Whether you are looking for a gîte with a private heated pool or a family holiday rental with a shared swimming pool, checking the property details will help you choose the best option for a fun and relaxing stay in France.

Where to Find Gîtes With Pools in France

You’ll find gites with pools in every corner of France. With a pool on‑site, you’re not tied to beach destinations, giving you the freedom to explore beautiful rural regions, historic towns and villages, less touristy inland areas and scenic countryside perfect for walking, cycling and wine tasting

From Brittany to Provence, Dordogne to the Loire Valley, there’s a holiday rental gîte with a pool to suit every family.

Pool Safety in France — What Families Need to Know

Family holidays to France are all about having fun near water. But we know that with water there is always risk, especially for younger children.

You’ll find outdoor pools featured across a lot of our holiday homes in France and you’ll be happy to learn that our Owners follow very strict French guidelines for how these pools can be accessed. French law ensures that all private in-ground or ground-level pools must be protected by an approved security device at all times (this doesn’t apply to indoor, inflatable or above-ground pools).

Security devices include: a pool shelter; a barrier/ fence around the pool; a reinforced pool cover/ shutter cover; a pool/ drowning alarm.

Fun Pool Games for Family Holidays

While many gîte pools aren’t designed for serious lane swimming, they’re perfect for family games. Here are some of our favourites:

Pool Rugby – pass the ball and score at either end – split into two teams (can be played with just four players) and pass the ball to each other in the water to shoot through a goal at either end. Players can run with the ball!

Piggy in the Middle – simple, energetic fun for three players – – a game for three players. Stand in a line, the two outside players throw the ball to each other, the person in the middle has to try and catch the ball. When they catch it, they swap out with the person that threw the ball.

The Invisible Bottle – surprisingly challenging and great for groups – take a clean, clear plastic bottle, remove the wrapper and fill it with pool water. Divide everyone into two teams and line them up, in the water, on opposite ends of the pool — facing away from the water. One person stands outside the pool and tosses the bottle in the water. When they hear the splash, the players turn around and try to find the bottle. The challenge is finding the clear bottle as it blends in and becomes almost invisible on the bottom of the pool!

Whirlpool – as many people as possible get in the pool and form a single file along the edge. Everyone walks for a couple of minutes, then jogs another couple of minutes, then try to run around the edge another couple of minutes. If done right the water will “carry” them around the pool. Finally, tell them to turn around and go the other way. It is almost impossible to go against the current!

Hours of fun for all the family to enjoy!

Start Your Search for Gîtes in France With Pools

Ready to find your ideal French gîte with a pool? Use our accommodation search to browse holiday homes with private pools, shared pools, heated pools and more — all perfect for family holidays in France.

FAQs about French Gites with pools

Are French gite pools open all year?

Most outdoor pools are available from late spring (April/May) until early autumn (September), although many heated pools extend the swimming season.

Are pools heated?

Many pools are heated, but not all. Each property listing clearly states whether the swimming pool is heated or not.

Are swimming pools safe for children?

France has strict pool safety regulations, and many featured family properties include fenced pools, alarms or secure access. Always supervise children around water and do not leave them unattended near a swimming pool.

Saltwater vs traditional chlorinated pools

A saltwater swimming pool and a traditional chlorinated pool both use chlorine to keep the water clean, but they produce it in different ways. A saltwater pool uses a salt chlorinator to generate chlorine from dissolved salt, creating softer-feeling water with less noticeable chlorine smell. A traditional chlorinated pool has chlorine added directly to the water. Neither option is necessarily better—it comes down to personal preference. Saltwater pools are often gentler on sensitive skin and eyes, while chlorinated pools can be simpler and less expensive to maintain. Whichever you choose, a well-maintained pool is safe, clean and perfect for enjoying a family holiday in France.

Can I book directly with owners?

Yes absolutely, that’s one of the best things about booking through the France for Families website, you book directly with the property owners or our selected partners.

Looking for a particular region?

Browse our family-friendly gites in: Dordogne; Brittany; Vendée; Provence and Nouvelle Aquitaine