Spacious village house with private pool, near Salies-de-Béarn, Aquitaine

Spacious village house with private pool near Salies-de-Béarn, Aquitaine, France

Maison Mailhes is a spacious renovated house with a 10.5 metre private pool and enclosed garden.  Easily sleeping 10 people in 2 double (both en suite) and 3 twin bedrooms and with space for cots, it is ideal for extended families, families holidaying together, and groups of friends.  Inside and outside dining tables seat up to 12, and 2 comfortable sitting rooms mean there is no shortage of space to relax indoors.

Carresse is a flourishing village in the Béarn/Basque borders.  People come from several miles around to the excellent bakery, just 200 metres from Maison Mailhes. There is also a bar/restaurant (Chez Camy) which serves food every lunchtime and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, a post office, an English-speaking doctor and a pharmacy all within 400 metres.

With easy access to the stylish resort of Biarritz and famous Atlantic surfing beaches, Maison Mailhes is an obvious summer destination, but with full central heating and double glazing it provides a comfortable base for a memorable holiday at any time of year. The countryside is perfect for walking and cycling, whilst a relaxing interlude at the thermal spa, a round of golf or a game of tennis in Salies-de-Béarn is just 10 mins away. There are numerous activities, sights and attractions nearby, and in winter skiing in the Pyrénées makes an outstanding day trip.

What’s Included in the Price?

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Wifi
• Any local taxes
• BBQ charcoal
• Bedding appropriate to the season
• Bed linen
• Bathroom towels
• Tea towels and hand towels in the kitchen
• Hand towels in the WC
• Swimming pool towels in summer
• Change of bed linen and towels for stays of more than 1 week
• High chair and cot (with sheets and blankets) if required.

We are happy to accommodate 1 or 2 small dogs for a small extra charge of £20 per stay per dog to cover the cost of extra cleaning.

Many guests comment on the unexpected extras such as a cool box and picnic equipment, which make Maison Mailhes a real home from home and help ensure a relaxing holiday.

The House

Ground Floor:

Large sitting room – double aspect with 3 seat sofa, 2 seat sofa and 2 armchairs, other chairs and furnishings.  Television with Freesat (UK channels) and DVD player
iPod Dock  DVD Library.

Small sitting room – 3 comfy chairs, a variety of games, books and toys.

Cloakroom – WC and wash hand basin

Utility room – washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and ironing board,

Kitchen/dining room  –  well equipped and beautiful beamed kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite worktops containing electric oven, gas hob, microwave oven, dishwasher, fridge and freezer.  There is a wide range of other equipment including food processor, electric kettle, milk frother, filter coffee machine, espresso pot, and plenty of glassware, crockery, cutlery, pots, pans and utensils.  The hand-made solid oak dining tables were commissioned from a local craftsman, and have been especially designed to join together to seat up to 12 or be used separately to create a more intimate environment for a smaller group.  The door opening on to the terrace makes al fresco dining effortless.

First Floor:

Bedroom 1 – double aspect with King size bed, ensuite bathroom with bath, separate shower, wc, bidet and washbasin.

Bedroom 2 – double aspect with double bed and ensuite bathroom with shower, wc, bidet, washbasin

Bedroom 3 – twin beds

Bedroom 4 – twin beds

Family bathroom with bath, separate shower, wc, bidet, washbasin.

Second Floor:

Bedroom 5 – twin beds under the original beams

The Garden

Terrace with dining tables and chairs for 12 and large parasol.

10.5 x 6.5 metre private swimming pool with alarm

Sun loungers and parasols

Large BBQ (charcoal supplied)

Folding garden chairs

Shed with storage space for bicycles, surf boards and skis

Grassy areas where children can play.

Off-street parking for up to 4 cars

The Area

There are plenty of great activities nearby and the countryside is perfect for walking and cycling. There are numerous activities, sights and attractions nearby, and during the winter skiing in the Pyrénées is an option.

The Atlantic beaches are 45 minutes away and offer a wide choice including the stylish resort Biarritz, the enchanting Basque village Bidart, the surfers’ paradise Hossegor, and the beautiful and popular St-Jean-de-Luz.  Even closer (18 km) is Lac de Sames with a sandy beach, water slides and pedalos. Lac d'Orthez (24 km) has all this plus bumper boats. Base de Pop in Guiche is a lovely lake with free swimming, and paddle boards, boats and canoes to hire, but the main attraction is the enormous (and terrifying!) water jump which teenagers love, as well as an 'Aqua Park' for younger children and the less adventurous.  Or try Aqua Béarn, a charming water park in Estialescq, great fun and suitable for all ages. San Sebastián in Spain, with a strong Basque character and fabulous beach, is less than 1 hour away.

The area has many excellent restaurants. As well as Chez Camy in Carresse, L'Escale on the banks of the Gave d'Oloron is within walking distance at just 800 metres away.  There are a number of popular restaurants in Salies-de-Béarn but a firm favourite with the locals and visitors alike is La Belle Auberge, 4 km away in the small village of Castagnède.

Maison Mailhes is situated 6 km east of Sorde l'Abbaye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Chemin de St Jacques (Way of St James), an ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella which is still followed today. The Abbey retains some of the original (11th Century) mosaics and panels.  Travelling 6 km in the opposite direction will bring you to the with its thermal baths, shops, restaurants and sporting facilities including golf and tennis.

The Gave (river) d’Oloron is within 10 minutes walk.  It is one of only 2 rivers in France where the salmon still return naturally to their spawning grounds each year, and is reputedly one of the best fishing rivers in France.  Our managers can organise fishing permits for our guests.  The Gave is also good for swimming and kayaking, and there is white water rafting upstream.

Just 6 km away is the beautiful and historic spa town of Salies-de-Béarn and there are other fascinating medieval towns to explore close by, including Sauveterre-de-Béarn, Orthez, Navarrenx and St Jean Pied de Port.  A 25 minute drive south brings you to Saint-Palais, a market town in the Basque region and so with a very different style and culture.

This region of France is known for its gastronomy and each nearby town has its weekly market selling local produce as well as gift items and souvenirs.  There are a number of supermarkets within a 10 or 15 minute drive for more routine shopping.

The only independent wine producer in the Béarn, Pascal Lapeyre, is just a few minutes away in Salies-de-Béarn.  The Lapeyre family has been making wine here since 1909, and it is generally agreed that they produce the best wines in the Béarn.  Look out for them – Domain Guilhemas and Domaine Lapeyre – in local restaurants and shops.  Better still, call in and taste them and have a look at the huge oak barrels containing the aging wine before buying a few bottles to drink at Maison Mailhes or to take home as souvenirs.

For those who like to be active there’s an enormous choice, but many of our summer guests find it hard to tear themselves away from the lovely pool.

Getting There

Biarritz and Pau airports are just ¾ hr drive from Maison Mailhes, Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes 1 hr, Bordeaux 1¾ hrs, Toulouse 2¼ hrs.  All are served by scheduled and lost-cost airlines, are close to a motorway and have car hire available.

Bilbao ferry port is 131 miles, Santander 185 miles, St Malo 445 miles and Caen 490 miles.  We can offer guests up to 10% discount on Brittany Ferries sailings between the UK and France or Spain.

TGVs from Paris stop at Puyoo (15 min drive) and Orthez (25 min drive). Car hire is available in Orthez close to the station.