Home description

This picturesque, vine-clad cottage lies in the tranquil, rolling countryside of southern Gascony overlooking the central Pyrénées and bordering on the Gers. It's a traditional, over 200-year-old cottage set in an area unspoilt by tourism. The Pyrenean peaks and national parks, the lush oak and chestnut forests and the undulating landscapes of the foothills are within easy reach. Gascony abounds in historic sites and places of interest. It offers a relaxed pace of life, a rich choice of scenery and breathtaking views.

The cottage is peacefully set in a private position at the edge of an extended hamlet. It stands alone at the end of a country lane bordering on open countryside. Enjoy long scenic views from the garden to the south-west over fields and woods to the rugged Pyrenean peaks. This is a haven of clear air and quiet far from traffic noise and congestion. There's very little light pollution so the night skies are amazingly dark.

Shops, bakeries, pools, tennis, restaurants and services are all within 10 minutes drive. There are daily local farmers' markets, wonderful walks, a wide choice of local restaurants and plenty of supermarkets and hypermarkets within easy reach.

An ideal setting for leisure and relaxation and the perfect base for active holidays - or a quiet holiday for 2.

Notes

Some doorways are narrow and there are steps inside the house that may make wheel-chair access difficult.

The property is safe for small children provided they are supervised (e.g. on the polished wooden staircase leading to the first floor). The stairs aren't gated.

Mobile phone reception is good.
Dialup Internet access by arrangement.

Guestbook

'Just a note to say we really enjoyed our time (...).  Loved the character of the house and all the excellent space it offered.  The weather was extremely kind and the storm we had, was no doubt typical of the area and exciting to watch from the comfort of the house!' (RC 07/09) 

'We've been back to this delightful house five times now, and will definitely do so again. Perfect for walking, cycling, or sitting in the beautiful garden watching the sun go down over the mountains. Bliss." (BM 02/09)

'Many thanks for a fantastic holiday in your lovely home. It was so well equipped and homely - the best gïte we've had in 20 years of gïting! (...) We shall certainly be recommending it to our friends! It was our first visit to the area & we all felt it was the nicest part of France we'd visited. We shall certainly be returning.' (RP 07/08)

'We thoroughly enjoyed our 4th stay at La F., which really does feel a home from home.' (EL 07/08)

'Thanks again for providing such a well organised and comfortable (and wonderfully quiet) holiday base.' (RT 07/08)

' We have many enjoyable memories of our stay and our trips in the mountains and hinterland. The gite was a real pleasure - so well appointed and in such a tranquil location.' (JM 8/05)

'We really appreciated having shade and just watching the activity of the birds, butterflies and lizards was quite energetic enough for us much of the time!' (JC 8/03)

'We had a completely relaxing time in one of the most welcoming houses we've ever had in France.' (CS 6/01)

Accommodation detail

Ground floor

• Hall with polished wooden staircase leading up to mezzanine (ungated)
• Comfortable dining/living room with log fire, sofa, armchair, dining table seating 6, satellite and French digital terrestrial TV, DVD, CD/cassette player/ radio, air conditioning unit, fridge
• Small, well-equipped corner kitchen in the dining/living room with dishwasher, 4-burner hob, electric oven + grill, toaster, small sink, work top (no microwave)
• Salon or sitting room with sofa bed, storage, air conditioning unit
• Hall with maps, guides, local information, garden chairs, sunshades, boules
• Bathroom with shower/bath, basin, WC, First Aid kit, hairdryer
• Utility room with double sink, washing machine, tumble drier, iron, ironing board, garden cushions, baby bath, child's highchair
• Separate outside garden WC adjoining utility room

First floor

• Two double bedrooms (smaller bedroom with an extra single bed and cot)
• Antique single bed on the mezzanine
• Small washroom with basin/ WC
• One single bed in a small passage room

Other facilities

• Barbecue
• Town bikes (mountain bikes available at a small weekly charge)
• Board games
• Electric heating in all rooms; wall-to-wall carpeting in bedrooms
• Extensive library (English, French and German literature)
• Garden furniture
• Guide books
• High chair and baby bath
• Maps for visitors' use
• Table tennis
• Telescope
• Telephone for local and incoming calls
• Carport for offroad parking
  
• Broadband internet available by arrangement at a small charge

About the location

The location is beautifully peaceful but not isolated and within easy reach of daily farmers' markets, shops, services, restaurants, the Pyrenean peaks and national parks. It's a short drive over the border into Spain.

International music/ theatre festivals (Country in Mirande, Jazz in Marciac, Street Theatre in Bagnères, Classical Music in St. Bertrand de Comminges), historic sites, bastides, castles and caves are nearby. Golf enthusiasts can choose from courses like Pau, Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Lannemezan, Tarbes and Tillac. There's a wealth of local facilities for tennis, riding, cycling, swimming and fishing - and wonderful opportunities for enjoying good food and wine, nature, sunsets, stargazing, birdwatching, walking - or simply relaxing.

• Atlantic coast 1½ hrs.
• Under 1 hr to the mountains and Spain
• Just over an hour to the ski slopes of Hautacam, La Mongie, St. Lary, Peyragudes and Gavarnie (1400 – 2500m) or to Cauterets, Campan-Payolle and Nistos for cross-country skiing
• About an hour to Marciac, Madiran, Armagnac and Jurançon

A day at the Atlantic, a meal in Spain, a visit to the historic astronomical observatory at the Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2800m) or a stroll through the picturesque port of St. Jean de Luz on the Basque coast, all are easy excursions. Explore attractive bastide villages like Castelnau-Barbarens, Ordan-Larroque and Jégun, lunch on the square in Bassoues or visit the château and museum at  Lavardens.

Climate / Vegetation

The climate is generally mild and tends to be more changeable and less excessively hot and dry than in the Mediterranean area. Vegetation is lush and luxuriant. Winters are usually kind with plenty of sunshine and you'll normally only find snow when you're closer to the mountains.

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

How to get here

Access to the cottage is easy by road, rail and air.

Nearest motorway exits (on the A64 Toulouse-Bayonne autoroute): Capvern and Tournay are about 20 mins.

Nearest airport and TGV station: Tarbes-Lourdes (30 mins); Pau (40 mins); Toulouse (1¼hrs; Motorrail); Biarritz (1½ hrs); Carcassonne (2 hrs).

Approximate distances:

• Barcelona 240 miles
• Bergerac 147 miles
• Biarritz 115 miles
• Bilboa 200 miles
• Bordeaux 160 miles
• Carcassonne 120 miles
• Channel ports - Calais 690 miles, St Malo 480 miles
• Pau 40 miles
• Santander 240 miles
• Toulouse 65 miles

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

To top of page ^

Facilities

Facility	Details
Type	Cottage (Self-catering)
Bedrooms	2 double
Childrens beds	1
Baby cots	1
Spare beds	2
Bathrooms	1 bathroom(s)
Separate toilets	2
Capacity	5
Living Area	150 m²
Suitability	Non-smoking, Suitable for children, Unsuitable for wheelchair access
Linen	Bed linen: single set £14; double set £18 (incl. towels)
Changeover day	Saturday

Facility	Details
Internal facilities	Air conditioning, Board Games, CD player, Central heating (electric), DVD player, English satellite TV, Exclusive rental, Fans in rooms, Hairdryer, Broadband Internet Access (Wi-fi), Radio, Telephone, TV, Wood burning fire or stove
Kitchen facilities	Dishwasher, Electric oven, Fridge-Freezer, Gas hob, Ironing facilities, Tumble dryer, Washing machine
External features on site	Barbecue, Fishing lake, Garden, Scenic views
Other	Choose from a range of golf courses within an hour's drive - Pau (the oldest on the European continent), Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Tarbes, Lannemezan and Château de Pallane, Tillac. Mountain biking is a popular local sport and there's a huge choice of local walks if you don't want to drive into the mountains. The nearest fishing lakes are at Lac d'Achella (see photo), Sère-Rustaing and the Lac de l'Arrêt-Darré.

To top of page ^

Additional price information

All prices are per week Saturday to Saturday.

Rates include power, water, local calls, use of TV, table tennis, telescope and town bikes but do not include linen (optional), cot, internet, cleaning and low season heating/power (mid-Oct. – April) - see below.

5% discounts for bookings of 3 weeks or more, and for repeat bookings

Non-refundable booking deposit: 40% of rental payable on booking 
Balance (60% plus extras) due: 6 weeks prior to start of holiday 
Refundable breakages deposit: £300

Full travel insurance covering health, cancellation, personal liability and claims regarding damage to property is recommended.

Bed linen: single set £14; double set £18
Cot + linen (available on request): £12

Single week supplement: £14
Cleaning on departure (all bookings, per booking): £30
Low season heating/power (mid Oct. - April): from £14 - to £50 (p.w. depending on dates)
For group size 6-8, please add £10 per extra person p.w.

Sorry, we are unable to accept pets.
We are a no-smoking household.

Shopping: if you'd like us to arrange shopping for your arrival we'll be happy to make arrangements. There's a small charge for this service.

Gas: the purchase price of replacement gas bottles is refundable provided you send us the receipt. Details are supplied.

Non-UK bookings: please send payment by international bank draft or cheque in GBP on a UK bank, or by wire transfer. For any other cheque, please add £20 for bank charges.

Payment in euros can also be arranged. We'll use the rate of exchange prevailing on the day of booking. For Euro-zone payments, please send a cheque in Euros on a French bank or a SEPA Credit Transfer using BIC & IBAN.

To top of page ^

• Home
• Accommodation
• Property for sale
  • Buying in France
  • Selling in France
  • Living in France
  • Property services
• Holiday Guides
  • Why go to France?
  • What to visit
  • Where to stay
  • The French Regions
  • Getting to and around France
  • Facts and figures
• Inspiration
  • Top City Breaks
  • Holidays on a Budget
  • Visit a theme park
  • Experience Magical France
  • Get active!
  • Just inspire me!
  • Owners Advice Guides
  • FAQs
  • Property services
• What's new?
  • Latest press coverage
  • Useful Links
• Services
• Advertise with us
  • What we offer
  • Pricing
  • Testimonials
  • Register now