Farmhouse, private pool & garden

Beautifully furnished 17th-century farmhouse set in a private garden. Off-road parking for four cars behind an electric gate. The house has 5 bedrooms & 5 bathrooms, and comfortably sleeps 10 people. All bed linen and towels supplied. Fully-equipped modern kitchen and open-plan downstairs with a choice of dining and sitting areas. Separate study / workroom with wifi. Large patio with built-in BBQ by the private swimming pool. Stunning views of the Pyrenees nearby. Fantastic for family holidays. The open-plan ground floor of the main house has a breakfast room next to a beautiful, open wood-burning fireplace, with another more formal dining table that comfortably seats 10 people, and a sitting area with TV, DVD player and sofas. There is a separate, fully-equipped modern kitchen, with an oven, four gas rings, microwave, coffee maker, fridge and freezer. We provide a full range of cooking utensils, plates and cutlery, along with basic ingredients such as salt & pepper, olive oil etc. The sitting area and kitchen open onto a large terrace overlooking the private pool and spacious garden. To one side, there is a large table under cover next to a built-in BBQ. There is a shower with warm water and a toilet in the garage next to the pool and terrace for our guests' convenience. Also on the ground floor there is an entrance hall with lots of storage and a separate study / workroom with wifi connection. In the main house, there are four bedrooms. The two double rooms have dressing rooms and en-suite bathrooms with both bath and shower, and one of the twin rooms has its own en-suite with shower. The fourth bedroom is also a twin. The studio apartment has wonderful glass doors that overlook the swimming pool and garden. Alongside the super king bed, it has a comfortable sitting area with sofas and armchairs, an en-suite bathroom, and a kitchenette with a sink and fridge. Guests are free to access the whole of the house apart from the attic and the cellar under the studio. We also provide sunbeds and parasols for lounging by the pool. If you have any issues during your stay or wish for more information about the property or surrounding area, please do not hesitate to get in touch. The house is situated in a lovely tranquil hamlet surrounded by hills, rolling woodland and fields. The Saison river is only five minutes' walk from the house, with a lovely pebble beach and excellent year-round fishing. The local town, Sauveterre-de-Bearn, is famous for its fortified medieval church with stunning views of the Pyrennees, and has plenty to offer, including wine bars, a weekly market and tennis courts. Only five minutes away by car, Sauveterre's two bakeries and patisserie provide an excellent selection of fresh breads, puddings and pastries, with a large supermarket for everything else. The centre of Salies de Bearn (about 15 minutes north) is an architectural gem with a spa and some wonderful independent clothes shops and restaurants. Saint Palais (about 10 minutes south) in the Pays Basque has three very good restaurants on the main square and a lively programme of Basque cultural events during the summer. Don't worry - everyone speaks French as well. Further afield, the region is a wonderful mix of French, Spanish and Basque heritage. Outdoor activities including kayaking, white-water rafting, canyoning, paint-balling, and a tree obstacle course are available at Navarrenx (20 minutes), and the house is near the famous Camino de Santiago de Compostella. Walking in the Pyrenees is possible throughout the year, with the ski resort of Gourette just over than an hour's drive away. Biarritz and Bayonne (both 50 minutes drive) offer beaches, surfing, and superb restaurants and boutiques during the summer months. Rugby fans are spoilt for choice with Biarritz and Pau (both top-14 clubs) less than an hour away. Tickets are cheap and normally available on the clubs' websites. San Sebastian, the capital of one of the Basque provinces in Spain, is an 1h30m away by car mad has a fabulous old town and harbour as well as some great surfing. Notable events include the world-famous Fete de Bayonne and jazz festival in San Sebastian, both occurring in late July. The house is easily accessible by car from both Biarritz and Pau airports - around 50 minutes drive. There is ample private parking by the house behind an electric gate, with enough space for 4 cars. The nearest train stations are Puyoo and Orthez, both around 15 minutes drive, with direct trains to Bordeaux, Bayonne and Pau. Bed linen, towels, tea towels, soap and toilet paper are all provided. We provide swimming towel as well as bathroom towels.