A villa all to yourself, with its own pool: the dream, as long as the water is heated. Heating is sometimes extra, and I say so on each listing. In Auvergne and the Rhône Valley, warm water ranges from the thermal baths of Vichy to the spas of the Alpine lakes and heated gîtes in the south. Here are the 11 villas and holiday homes I've selected in Auvergne and the Rhône Valley, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend Gîte au calme, piscine privée chauffée au sel, Mas ardéchois avec piscine chauffée and Gîte de charme en sud Ardèche.
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
11 places shown
The pool. Heated private saltwater pool, according to the listing title.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get the heating period confirmed before you book.
The pool. Heated outdoor private saltwater pool, open from 1 May to 30 September according to the listing.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. The pool comes up in 22 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. Outside May to September the pool is closed: check your dates.
The pool. Secure outdoor private pool, heated and available year-round according to the listing, with a cover.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. The pool comes up in 12 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. If you're coming out of season, get the actual water temperature confirmed.
The pool. Heated private pool, according to the listing description.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the heating period and whether it's included in the price.
The pool. Heated private pool and spa, according to the listing title and description.
The hot tub. Spa (whirlpool bath) advertised in the title.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get the heating period confirmed before you book.
The pool. Heated private pool included from May to September; outside that period, heating is a paid extra, according to the listing.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. The pool comes up in 5 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. Out-of-season heating costs extra: ask for it when you book.
The pool. Heated, self-cleaning outdoor private pool, available in season according to the listing.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. The pool comes up in 13 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. The opening months aren't given: ask the host.
The pool. 8 x 4 m outdoor private pool, heated from 15 May to 15 September, with a cover, according to the listing.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. For a large group, book early: the house sleeps up to 16.
The pool. 6 x 3 m private pool heated to 28 °C from April to the All Saints' holidays, according to the listing.
Several guests talk of a well-heated pool; one measured 27 °C. Another mentions a pump breakdown lasting a day.
Guide's tip. The gîte only sleeps 4: book early for spring and autumn.
The pool. 200 m² villa with a heated private pool, available from May to September according to the listing.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. The rating is based on only a few reviews.
Guide's tip. Outside May to September the pool isn't available: plan your dates accordingly.
The pool. Stone house dating from 1872 with a heated pool shared between two houses, according to the listing.
Guests appreciate the pool and its setting during the heatwaves, without mentioning its temperature. One regrets that it isn't private and that the noise carries in the evening.
Guide's tip. The pool is shared with another house: ask who will be staying there on your dates.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Gîte au calme, piscine privée chauffée au sel (House for rent · Airbnb), with 4.98/5 (61 reviews · Airbnb). Next come Mas ardéchois avec piscine chauffée (4.93/5) and Gîte de charme en sud Ardèche (4.93/5).
Yes at Gîte de charme en sud Ardèche: the pool is advertised as heated all year round. At Mas ardéchois avec piscine chauffée, Maison à Nyons, piscine privée et bien-être and Grande maison provençale, piscine et climatisation, heating is seasonal (1 may to 30 september). Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
Advertised temperatures: 28 °C at Un Brin d'été. For the other places the temperature isn't published: ask the property.
Yes: Mas au cœur des lavandes, piscine chauffée et spa also has a hot tub in addition to the heated pool.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| L'Intemporelle · Ardèche | Pool from May to the end of September | 5/5 | Pool not heated, according to the listing |
| Sublime gîte sud Ardèche · Ardèche | Private pool open in summer | 4,92/5 | Heating not confirmed |
| Gîtes LydiL Le Figuier · Drôme | Pool from May to the end of September | 5,0/5 | Water only warmed by the sun |
Sources: Kayak (liste), Expedia (liste), Expedia (liste), Gîtes de France, Orbitz, Kayak, Airbnb, Expedia, Staycation, Accor (liste), Airbnb.
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