Charming townhouse with pool

Maison Berchon is a spacious holiday home ideal for families or groups of friends. It combines period charm with the comforts of modern living. The area is great for sports and nature lovers and those wanting to experience the real France. Maison Berchon's original features include parquet flooring, marble fireplaces and a stunning traditional turned-wood staircase. Wood-framed double-glazing, Travertine-tiled bathrooms, gas-fired central heating and free wifi/broadband are just some of the elements we've added to create a really comfortable, modern space. Two bedrooms and a bathroom on each of two floors sleep eight people in comfort. The house is on four floors, so there are a lot of stairs to climb to the top – but you’re rewarded with lovely views of the Pyrenees. There’s a cosy salon with comfy sofas next to the well-equipped kitchen/diner on the ground floor. A modern concrete and wood staircase leads down to the basement where you’ll find the tv/games room and a utility room with a third loo. We provide a cot and high chair for little ones; lots of books, DVDs and CDs, magazines and games for every age. The outdoors pool (12x6m) has a large, sunny, tiled surround, ping-pong table and basketball net. Your private garden with outdoors furniture and BBQ can be fully enclosed for children’s safety. A gate at the bottom of the garden leads directly to the pool, surrounded by flowerbeds and beautiful trees. We’re next door – so, if you have any questions or requests, just call or stroll round. You’ll also find a comprehensive information centre in the games room with lots of tourist-related brochures and local information. Maison Berchon is only half an hour from elegant Pau with its museums, boutiques and restaurants, and about the same from the world-famous shrine of Lourdes. Ski resorts are within an hour’s drive while the Atlantic coast takes about 90 minutes depending on where you want to go. Local attractions include the Grottes de Betharram (spectacular underground caves) and the Zoo d’Asson (innovative zoo with animals in natural surroundings). Many artists and photographers live in the Plaine de Nay and you can visit their studios or galleries, or take in regular art exhibitions at the Renaissance Maison Carree or the Minoterie, a converted mill. In August, the fetes de Nay run for five action-packed days. If outdoor sports are your thing, take your pick from cycling, fishing, water sports, mountain hiking or horse riding. Come in May for the Grand Prix de Pau (both vintage and modern F3) or in July to watch the Tour de France. In October, Pau hosts one of only six international 4* horse trials – the Etoiles de Pau. The nearest and very good boulangerie is a five minute stroll from the house while two excellent supermarkets are three minutes drive away. Nay has a big market day on Tuesday and a smaller, local producers’ market on Saturday. Airports at Pau and at Lourdes are 35/40 minutes away or you can fly into Bordeaux (2h15), Toulouse (2h) or Biarritz (1h 20). Driving time from Calais to Nay takes 10½ hours, without stops. The local railway station is close by and it’s an easy walk into the centre of Nay but local buses and trains are limited, so your own means of transport is essential. There are a lot of stairs in the house, so it’s not suitable for the infirm or people with wheelchairs. You have sole use of the pool – we only take a dip when nobody else is around. If you bring your own bikes, you can store them safely under cover. We can slot the single beds together to make doubles. Maison Berchon is officially classified as a 4* rental by the French tourist authorities. Our prices are all-in. The only extra cost is the local tourist tax - 77¢ per adult per night. This should be paid on arrival, please.