Swimming pool maintenance

The house in the South of france we are in the process of buying has a superb pool. This is brilliant, however does anyone here have experience of the do's and don'ts of pool maintenance when we will, for the next few years only visit the property about 5/6 times a year. Our visits will be mainly during school holiday periods only. The house is only 20 minutes from Carcassonne airport so getting there will not be very difficult.
Our property is as a holiday and in 6-7 years, a retirement home.
Thanks
Dave

you would need someone to change chemicals and do ph checks every fortnight as a minimum. Also they would have to clean outlets in pool and check water levels and top up as necessary. Ensure you have good pool cover. Expect 1500 plus per annum to maintain. If you have a pool heater you need to factor in electricity charges also. Consider solar heating as an alternative in this regard if you envisage using in high season only. Consider decommissioning pool in the winter if not in use. Get a well trained pool engineer would be the advice rather than the "handyman" approach.

Just to add, I believe it is now the law in France that you have to have a pool alarm incase someone falls in.

Towger.

Had a pool at one stage in France, http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Colour-Your-Swimming-Pool/dp/1580173098/sr=11-1/qid=1165320708/ref=sr_11_1/202-9575697-1729410 (this) book told us all we needed to know. For a relatively small pool you can do the work yourself, doesn't take much time. However during the summer months you need to be checking it & topping up the chemicals about twice a week, so you'll need to find someone local to do this.