It’s a nerve-racking game booking a villa for the summer. The ultra-cautious with large families leap into the market in September securing their ideal house for the following August. They pay a premium but at least they are guaranteed their choice of houses. Come June, the discounting starts. Even the very best villas will have the odd un-booked week, which to secure a booking they are willing to discount. Here’s our selection of some of the best properties still on the market from agencies. Holiday hunters should also check the larger owner websites such as – www.ownersdirect.co.uk , VRBO , and holidaylettings.co.uk , where offers also begin to appear at this time of year.

Onlyprovence are offering:

20% off all houses booked with 30 days of arrival. There’s a special promotion on Le Mas de Gancel pictured below reduced from 9,000 euros a week to 7,500 a week, between July 6 to July 13.

Just Provence are offering

Mas du Destet near Les Baux de Provence, all June weeks are 3,360€ instead of 4,195€ – over 20% off!

Abbercrombie and Kent are offering:

Le Mas du Ventoux, Carpentras

Bedrooms: 6, Sleeps: 10

Save 15% on all bookings for stays in June or July 2013, plus a complimentary arrival dinner
Was £7,135, now £6,065

Pure France are offering

€500 euros a week off Maison St Paul in St Paul de Vence throughout the whole of August