Character Farmhouse with Private Pool and Lovely Gardens
In a Quiet Village, Close to the Mountains and Just South of the Vineyards
Sleeps 10 (5 Bedrooms)
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You will be warmly welcomed at 'La Maison Rose', situated in a small village just north of the spectacular Pyrénéan mountain chain, just south of the Madiran and St Mont vineyards, and a day trip out to the Atlantic beaches or Spain. This attractive house easily sleeps 10, but its layout is such that a couple would not feel it too big as it is a 'house of two halves', with two staircases to the first floor either end of the house, the upstairs being divided in effect by one of the bathrooms. It is set in lovely gardens, with lots of shade trees, a 10m x 5m pool with roman steps and removable security cover, a barbeque area, and a large space for ball games, plus a huge trampoline and other outdoor games to entertain you. It is close to the top ski resorts in the French Pyrénées, La Mongie/Tourmalet, and in an area abounding with great shopping, restaurants, wine tastings - try the Madiran, with its health giving qualities, or the St Mont as a lighter table wine - come and enjoy!
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 8 January 2011 - 20 May 2011 | £600 | 6 | ||
| 21 May 2011 - 8 July 2011 | £850 | 6 | ||
| 9 July 2011 - 2 September 2011 | £1500 | 6 | ||
| 3 September 2011 - 30 September 2011 | £850 | 6 | ||
| 1 October 2011 - 9 December 2011 | £500 | 6 |
Changeover day
Changeover day is Saturday, although in off peak periods this may be flexible, especially for short or longer lets.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | All the bedrooms are light and airy: Bedroom 1 with double bed and en suite bathroom. Bedroom 2 with double bed. Bedroom 3 with twin beds. Bedroom 4 with twin beds. Bedroom 5 with double bed. 2 cots and baby paraphanalia available on request. |
| Bathrooms: | En suite bathroom to bedroom 1 with bath/shower over, wc, wash basin. Shower room mid first floor. Separate wc on first floor. Large shower cubicle in utility room on ground floor. Separate wc on ground floor. |
| Kitchen: | Cooker, hob, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, electric kettle and coffee machine. |
| Utility Room: | Washing machine and tumble dryer. |
| Living Rooms: | Living room/dining room with refectory table and oak benches, fall into the squishy sofas, set around an open wood fire, TV, DVD. French doors open to the gardens to the south and north. Quietly peruse brochures in the cane seating in the library. |
| Other: | The huge games room houses a full size table tennis table, and offers further seating with double French windows opening on to the southern terrace and gardens. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Towels and linen are provided, and beds made up on your arrival. The property is cleaned between lets, and fresh linen provided once a week for longer lets. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge/freezer fridge microwave dishwasher washing machine tumble dryer iron/ironing board satellite tv tv telephone central heating room fans cot high chair barbecue private pool (for sole use of guests) |
| Suitability: | pets accepted |
| Location Type: |
Accessibility
All the bedrooms are on the first floor, however it would be possible to set up a bed on the ground floor for people with limited access. There is a large shower cubicle on the ground floor, and separate wc.
Outside
You enter through the wooden double gates onto the gravelled parking area. A raised wooden deck is the ideal place to sit and enjoy the best of outdoor dining, under mature shade trees, and close to the pool area. A wine and cheese fridge is conveniently at hand, and the pool area is furnished with loungers and umbrellas for your comfort.
The cover over the 10m x 5m pool can be raised to one side for further privacy, or removed totally. The terraced surround is the ideal place to lie and soak up the sun and have a lazy time, and the pool area is enclosed on three sides.
Beyond the dining area is a large expanse of green, and various outdoor games are provided - football nets, badminton, boules, a large trampoline......
Coast/Beach
La Maison Rose is just 90 minutes by car from Biarritz and the Atlantic beach resorts of Capbreton, Hossegor, St Jean de Luz, for surfing and sunning!
A 3 hour journey the other way takes you to such Mediterranean resorts as Cap d'Agde.
Golf
The nearest 18 hole golf course is just over 15 minutes away, at Tarbes. There are others at Lourdes (35 mins), Bagneres (35 mins) and the oldest course in Europe at Pau (50 mins), apparently founded by two British officers after Waterloo!
Skiing
Your owners bought this house in order to be close the the ski slopes at La Mongie, Bareges, Tourmalet. Bareges is an easy drive - an hour and you are on the slopes! La Mongie is a little bit longer to get to, but still a good morning or afternoon skiiing with not a huge journey home.
Travel
Car is essential to get the best out of the area, taxis are few and far between.
Airports:
Pau Pyrenees - 45 mins (Ryanair to Stansted and Bristol, Transavia, Air France).
Biarritz - 90 mins (Ryanair to Stansted)
Toulouse - 1 hr 45 mins (Easyjet to Gatwick, Flybe to Bristol, Aer Lingus, other major airlines)
Bergerac, Bordeaux - 2.5 hours - Ryanair and others
Driving:
Nearest ports - Bibao, Santander - 4 - 5 hours drive
Other ports - all ports Calais and south, drive from 8 -12 hours.
Distances
Bakers in the next village - 5 minutes walk.
Tarbes - 15 minutes drive.
Pau - 45 minutes.
Madiran, St Mont vineyards and caves - 25 minutes.
Lourdes - 35 mins.
Bagneres de Bigorre - 35 mins.
Pyrénées - 50 mins.
Argeles Gazost - 1 hour.
Further details
Activity activities:
Tennis courts at Chis, 10 minutes drive.
Hiking, skiing, white water rafting in the Pyrénées, upward of 50 mins drive.
Horse riding - stables abound in the area, and the quality of the horses and the trekking is always high. Stables are within a 10 minute drive, but our favourite is in the hills north of Vic, 25 minutes drive!
Grottes (spectacular underground caves, with stalagmites and tites) within 45 minutes drive, Bettheram is wonderful!
Aerial tree walks, and other such activities all within 45 minutes drive.
Parc Walibi (theme park with scary rides, a smaller Disneyland without the queues) at Agen, with shaded picnic area, just under 2 hours drive.
Shopping:
Big supermarket 10 mins drive, loads of others in the area. Huge complex (clothes, electrical, massive supermarket) 20 mins drive
Tarbes has many nice shops, and a fantastic Thursday market (15 mins)
Markets - at least one for every day of the week, including a tiny one on Sunday, also watch out for the night markets, flea markets, and (very high quality) car boot sales.
Restaurants:
The Gascony area is a gourmands delight, with a wide variety of dishes on offer, and international restaurants in Tarbes.
Try the local soup 'Garbure' - delicious! Eat duck in all its forms, local free range veal, seafood platters, a massive range of charcuterie and cheeses.
Restaurants range from 11 euros menus - four or five courses plus all the wine you can drink! through middle priced - 30 - 40 euros for two, to high gourmandise.
Others:
Banks and petrol at Vic en Bigorre (10 minute drive), Orleix for supermarket with hole in wall and good priced petrol (10 minutes).
Booking notes
Contact via email or phone to confirm availability
On receipt of rental agreement transfer confirmation deposit of 20% of total cost to account specified in agreement
Balance payable 10 weeks in advance of the start date of the booking.
Guest comments
"When we walked into the house after a really long journey down, everyone was really amazed at how lovely it was. The pictures really don't do it justice. The kids all rushed about claiming rooms and squealing with delight at everything. It is definitely the best holiday house we have ever stayed in, so a huge thank you for letting us stay in your lovely house." Nicci O'Neil, August 2011
Owner profile
About the owner
My name is Marion and I live in London with my husband Simon and two children.
Year purchased: 2007
Why the owner chose a home in this location
For some years our family holidays had been spent looking for a holiday home. We wanted somewhere near mountains so we could use it for skiing in the winter and somewhere warm enough, with a pool to be a great location for summer holidays. We also wanted a house big enough to accommodate friends and family. We didn't know this area of France at all, it felt 'undiscovered' and totally French. Marsac itself is a very small farming village. The only sounds are the church bells, cockerels in the morning, the occasional tractor, and the jingle of the van from the bakery in the next village on it's delivery round. However, drive south for ten minutes and there's E Leclerc supermarket and a further 5 minutes and you're in the bustling market town of Tarbes.
Unique benefits of the property
I love the contrast between our busy London life and the peace of La Maison Rose. It may take a day or two, but everyone in the family relaxes and we enjoy quality time with each other. The Atlantic surfing beaches, Biarritz and the charming St. Jean de Luz are only a couple of hours away and well worth a day trip. The Pyrenees provide a spectacular view whatever the season! The largest ski resort in the Pyrenees, La Mongie, is an hour's drive. Walks, waterfalls and picnic places in the summer. Madiran wine from the gentle Madiran hills just north of La Maison Rose. As much as we enjoy days out, I love the fact that there's plenty to do (or not!) without leaving the property including table tennis, trampoline and salt water swimming pool (gentle on sensitive skin).
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR3647
Marion Sandford
Tel: (UK) + 44 (0)20 8874 6874
Mob: (UK) + 44 (0)7939 669 116
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in October 2007,
and has advertised this property with us since June 2008.
Property Ref FR3647
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