Renting a whole villa or house means having the heated pool to yourself, with family or friends. In northern France and Picardy, you swim in warm water in the indoor pools of hotels in Le Touquet, Lille and Reims or in rentals with heated pools. Here are the 10 villas and holiday homes I've selected in northern France and Picardy, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend Villa La Piscine, Gîte Étable avec piscine intérieure and L'Intermède – grand gîte, jardin et piscine.
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.
10 places shown
The pool. According to the photo descriptions, the villa has an indoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. This information comes from the listing's photos: get the host to confirm that the pool is covered and heated.
The pool. Gîte with an indoor pool; heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is indoors but its temperature isn't stated: ask before you book.
The pool. House with a pool and spa; a photo in the listing describes a heated indoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. This comes from the listing photos: get the host to confirm that the pool is covered and heated.
The pool. Large holiday cottage with an indoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is indoors but its temperature isn't stated: ask before you book.
The pool. House with a pool; one photo in the listing describes it as heated.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. This information comes from the listing's photos: get the host to confirm that the pool is covered and heated.
The pool. According to the photo descriptions, the house has an indoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. This information comes from the listing's photos: get the host to confirm that the pool is covered and heated.
The pool. Indoor and outdoor pools, according to Expedia.
One guest rates the pool as excellent, without mentioning the temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether access to the aquatic centre is included in your rental.
The pool. Outdoor pool heated to 28 °C.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. The rating is based on only a few reviews.
Guide's tip. Ask the host about the heating period and target temperature before you book.
The pool. Heated private pool (20 °C advertised) and jacuzzi.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. 20 °C is still on the cool side for a long swim: ask the host whether the temperature can be raised.
The pool. Shared indoor pool, open from 7 pm to 10 am, and a hammam.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is shared on a timetable: check that the hours suit you.
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.
The hot tub. Spa with sauna and jacuzzi; pool and natural pond, with no details on heating.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The whirlpool bath is the highlight here: check whether it's private and included in the price.
The hot tub. A traveller's review mentions a jacuzzi. No pool advertised.
One guest mentions the jacuzzi. The rating is based on few reviews.
Guide's tip. The hot tub is the highlight here: check whether it's private and included in the price.
The hot tub. Hot tub. No pool advertised.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The hot tub is the highlight here: check whether it's private and included in the price.
The hot tub. Whirlpool bath and spa area. No pool advertised.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The whirlpool bath is the highlight here: check whether it's private and included in the price.
The hot tub. Hot tub. No pool advertised.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The hot tub is the highlight here: check whether it's private and included in the price.
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 Villa La Piscine (Villa for rent · Airbnb), with 4.97/5 (64 reviews · Airbnb). Next come Gîte Étable avec piscine intérieure (4.97/5) and L'Intermède – grand gîte, jardin et piscine (4.93/5).
None of the places selected in northern France and Picardy clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. Villa La Piscine, Gîte Étable avec piscine intérieure and L'Intermède – grand gîte, jardin et piscine have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
Advertised temperatures: 28 °C at Grande maison avec piscine and 20 °C at Villa spa, piscine et vue sur lac. For the other places the temperature isn't published: ask the property.
Yes: Villa spa, piscine et vue sur lac also has a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: Domaine Caloin – Spa, Les Suites and Les Secrets de la Baie – La Jimbaran.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center Parcs Le Lac d'Ailette (Aisne) · Champagne | Indoor and outdoor pools, Aqua Mundo at extra cost | 6,4/10 | Rating too low (42 Trip.com reviews); one traveller describes worn pools |
| Gîte 6 personnes, Maisons de la Plage (Fort-Mahon) · Somme Bay | Outdoor pool open in July and August | 7,2/10 | Rating too low (15 Gites.fr reviews) and heating not confirmed |
Sources: Expedia (liste), Gites.fr (liste), Staycation (liste), Trip.com, Avygeo, Routard Hôtels / Booking (liste).
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