Home description

Lovingly restored 17th Century Béarnaise "Maison de Maitre" offering luxurious and traditional guest house accommodation with evening meals by arrangement. Private walled swimming pool with Mediteranean garden, pretty flower garden with terraces and large fish pond, well stocked orchard, organic vegetable garden and private parking.

Pretty and tranquil setting in an old village of 120 inhabitants yet within five minute's drive of the historic "Bastide" town of Navarrenx. Many facilities and activities nearby including the ancient "St Jacques de Compostella" pilgrim way, part of which passes through the village, superb salmon and trout fishing and three excellent restaurants. The Atlantic Coast, Pyrenéean mountains and Spain are all under one hour's drive away with Biarritz, Bayonne, Pau and San Sebastian easily accessible.

Accommodation detail

La Maison de la Fontaine is a beautifully restored "maison de maître" dating back to the 17th century which provides a haven of peace and tranquility. Accommodation comprises:

• Four large ensuite bedrooms, each with their own en suite spacious bathroom (shower, bath and WC) are furnished with an eclectic mix of antique furniture and objects found on travels around the world.
• A music room
• A very comfortable sitting room with an original open fireplace provide additional space to relax in. There is a wifi and cabled internet connection throughout the house and a flat screen TV in each room. 

Outside

Bicycles, billiards and table tennis are all available onsite, quad bikes, canoes and rafts a little further afield. Outside, a pretty flower garden with three terrasses, a large fish pond and a very private swimming pool surrounded by a walled Mediterranean garden provide ample opportunities for rest and relaxation as well as quiet dining; an orchard with chickens and rabbits, a vegetable garden which provides food for the table and the field are great place for children to have fun and "to help". There is also a large and secure parking area.

Everything is designed to ensure guests enjoy a comfortable and pleasant stay in this magnificent character property!

About the location

Araux is a village dating back to before 1300 and is located 4.5km west of Navarrenx. Navarrenx has a long and rich history, being one of the premier "bastide cities" (fortified town) in France and a former capital of the northern region of the ancient kingdom of Navarre which bordered both France and Spain. As such it is an excellent starting point for exploring old Navarre with easy access to Spain. Navarrenx is also the local market town and has everything that one needs on a daily basis.

There are many beautiful villages and small towns nearby, each providing a warm welcome and a wealth of things to see and to do. Immediately around the village of Araux there are marked tracks suitable for walking or riding through the extensive forests and some of these form part of the famous "St Jacques de Compostella" pilgrim route.

There is excellent salmon and trout fishing in the local rivers less than 5 minutes away and a wealth of sporting activities such as canoeing, rafting, riding, mountain biking and paragliding nearby. In the summer months the area is rich with cultural activities such as concerts (some of which are organised by and held at La Maison de la Fontaine); plays and art exhibitions. The Atlantic Coast is some 50- 75 minutes away with golden beaches, surfing, sailing, diving and fishing all easily available. The mouintains are some 50 - 90 minutes away with skiing and other winter sports as well as excellent high level walks in the summer.

The area is both rich and well - known for its regional produce and there are 3 excellent restaurants within a few minutes drive or cycle ride of the house; one can be walked to in 10 minutes and many more excellent restaurants, including Michelin starred restaurants under an hour away, with the gastronomic capital of Europe, Saint Sebastian less than 2 hours away.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

How to get here

La Maison de la Fontaine is located in the small, pretty and quiet village of Araux, 4.5km west of Navarrenx just off the D936 heading towards Bayonne.

Travelling by road, arrival from any direction is best achieved using junction 7 of the A64 (Salies de Béarn) or junction 8 of the A64 (Orthez) and following signs to Navarrenx.

Local airports are at Pau (45 minutes), Biarritz (75 minutes), Lourdes (60 minutes) and, further away at Bordeaux (2.5 hours). The TGV arrives from Paris at Dax (45 minutes), Orthez (25 minutes) and Biarritz (75 minutes). Car hire is available at all the airports and near to the rail stations. Owner pick up is also available for those wishing to walk and cycle exclusively.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.

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Facilities

Facility	Details
Type	Maison de Maître (Bed and Breakfast)
Bedrooms	3 double, 1 twin, 1 triple
Childrens beds	3
Baby cots	1
Spare beds	3
Bathrooms	4 bathroom(s)
Capacity	15
Living Area	450 m²
Suitability	Suitable for the elderly, Touring motorcyclists welcome, Unsuitable for wheelchair access

Facility	Details
Internal facilities	Board Games, CD player, Central heating (oil), Computer, Daily maid service, DVD player, Electric heaters, English satellite TV, Fax, Hairdryer, Hi-fi system, Internet Access, Internet access (broadband), Broadband Internet Access (Wi-fi), MP3 Player, Radio, Telephone, TV, VCR, Wood burning fire or stove
Kitchen facilities	Freezer, Fridge, Ironing facilities, Microwave, Tumble dryer, Washing machine
Other	Wood burning stove in kitchen Large open fireplace in sitting room Piano
External features on site	Barbecue, Garden, Swimming pool (exclusive use)

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Additional price information

Prices are for one room for one night and include a substantial breakfast: 1 person 80€ per night; 2 people 90€ per night; 3 people 115€ per night; 4 people 140€ per night. For bookings of 3 days or more, or for exclusive use of the house please ask.

A four course evening meal with house wine is available if reserved in advance at 25€ per head for adults and 15€ a head for children. A selection of fine wines is also available.

A car service to take and collect you from local restaurants is available at  5 - 15€ per person

A car service to pick you up or take you to local airports or train stations is available at 20 - 50€ per person.

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