Rachel Southwood

28 January 2026

Outdoor & Leisure

Why the South of France is Perfect for Outdoor Living

One of the first things you notice in the south of France is how much life happens outdoors. From morning coffee in a café to evening meals on a terrace, the climate and the lifestyle are perfectly suited to spending time outside. It’s not just the sunshine that makes it possible, it’s the way homes, villages and landscapes are designed to embrace the open air.

Here are some of the reasons why the south of France is perfect for outdoor living.

A climate made for al fresco life

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year in some areas, the south of France offers a climate that invites you outside. Summers are long and warm, spring and autumn bring gentle weather, and even in winter you’ll often find bright days that are ideal for a walk or a café stop on a sunny square.

The mild climate shapes the way people live, and makes outdoor spaces as important as indoor ones.

Dining outside all year round

Outdoor dining is a daily ritual. In villages and towns you’ll see cafés and restaurants spilling into squares and pavements, while at home terraces, courtyards and balconies become natural extensions of the kitchen and dining room.

Barbecues in summer, apéritifs in the evening and long Sunday lunches under the shade of a tree all capture the relaxed rhythm of the south of France.

Activities for every season

Outdoor living isn’t just about dining, it’s about making the most of the landscapes. In summer you can swim in the Mediterranean, canoe on rivers like the Orb or hike through the vineyards. Autumn brings walks among vineyards glowing with colour, and winter offers skiing in the Pyrénées within a couple of hours’ drive.

Cycling, horse riding, tennis and golf are all popular, and with so much open space it’s easy to find an activity that suits your pace of life.

Homes designed for outdoor spaces

Properties in the south of France are built with outdoor living in mind. Many have terraces, gardens or courtyards where you can enjoy meals, entertain friends or simply relax with a book. Swimming pools are common, particularly in rural or village houses, while shaded patios and summer kitchens make it easy to use outdoor space throughout the year.

Buying a home here isn’t just about the house itself, it’s about the lifestyle that flows between indoors and outdoors.

Community and connection

Outdoor life also brings people together. Markets, festivals and evening concerts often take place in open squares. Neighbours chat over garden walls, and children play football in village streets until the sun goes down. The outdoors isn’t just about the scenery, it’s about the social life that comes with it.

Living here | Finding your place outdoors

If you imagine your life unfolding outside — whether on a sunny terrace, beside a pool or at a local café — the south of France is made for you. Here, outdoor living is not an occasional treat, it’s part of daily life.

At Occitanie Properties we can help you find the right home with the outdoor spaces you’ve been dreaming of. From apartments with balconies to countryside homes with gardens and pools, we’ll guide you to the property that makes outdoor living a reality.