Maison Mailhes - 5 Bedroom (Sleeps 10) House in Carresse
Enjoy space, style and comfort in a beautifully renovated village home, complete with a 10.5‑metre private pool — perfectly situated within easy reach of golden sandy beaches and spectacular mountains in rural SW France.
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Owner/Property
Manager: Debbie Lawrence-Wilson
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Overview
Description
Maison Mailhes is a spacious, beautifully renovated village home set within an enclosed garden. With its 10.5‑metre private pool and generous outdoor living spaces, it’s a place made for long, lazy days and unhurried evenings beneath the skies of southwest France.Sleeping up to 10 guests across five thoughtfully designed bedrooms — with additional space for cots — the house is ideal for extended families, two families travelling together, or a group of friends seeking a refined and restorative escape. Indoor and outdoor dining areas each seat up to 12, while two inviting sitting rooms and an extensive garden with loungers and quiet corners ensure everyone can unwind in comfort, whether sharing time together or enjoying a peaceful moment apart.
The house sits in the flourishing village of Carresse, on the Béarn–Basque border — a region celebrated for its beauty, gastronomy and gentle pace of life. Just 200 metres from your door, a bakery tempts with fresh bread and pastries each morning. A short stroll brings you to a friendly bar/brasserie (Chez Camy), a post office, pharmacy and an English‑speaking doctor. Everything you need is close at hand.
Maison Mailhes is perfectly placed for exploring the very best of southwest France. The chic resort of Biarritz and its golden Atlantic beaches are within easy reach, offering stylish boutiques, world‑class surfing and unforgettable sunsets. Walkers and cyclists will find endless routes through rolling countryside, while the thermal spa, golf course and tennis courts of Salies‑de‑Béarn lie just 10 minutes away. In winter, the Pyrénées offer spectacular skiing and mountain scenery for an exceptional day trip.
With full central heating and double glazing, Maison Mailhes is designed for year‑round comfort — a luxurious base for memorable holidays in every season.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR STAY
Your stay at Maison Mailhes includes everything you need for a relaxed, comfortable holiday:
Essentials
• Tourist tax
• Electricity
• Gas (except for long winter stays, where gas is charged separately)
• Water
• Wifi
Comfort & Bedding
• Season‑appropriate duvets and bedding
• Bed linen
• Bathroom towels
• Tea towels and hand towels in the kitchen
• Hand towels in the WC
• Swimming pool towels in summer
• Fresh bed linen and towels for stays longer than one week
• High chair and cot available on request
Thoughtful Extras
Many guests comment on the unexpected touches that make Maison Mailhes feel like a true home from home — from a cool box and picnic equipment to the little conveniences that make holiday living wonderfully easy.
Bringing Your Dog
We’re happy to welcome one or two small dogs.
THE HOUSE
Ground Floor
Large Sitting Room
A bright, double‑aspect space with:
• 3‑seat sofa, 2‑seat sofa and 2 armchairs
• Additional occasional chairs and furnishings
• Television with numerous channels
• DVD player, DVD library and iPod dock
Small Sitting Room
A cosy retreat with:
• Three comfortable chairs
• A selection of games, books and toys — perfect for quiet moments or family time
Cloakroom
• WC and wash hand basin
Utility Room
• Washing machine
• Tumble dryer
• Iron and ironing board
Kitchen & Dining Room
A beautifully beamed, fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite worktops, including:
• Electric oven
• Gas hob
• Microwave
• Dishwasher
• Fridge and freezer
• Food processor
• Electric kettle
• Filter coffee machine and espresso pot
• Milk frother
• Ample glassware, crockery, cutlery, pots, pans and utensils
The hand‑made solid oak dining tables, crafted by a local artisan, can be joined to seat up to 12 or separated for more intimate dining. A door opens directly onto the terrace, making al fresco meals wonderfully effortless.
First Floor
Bedroom 1
• Double aspect
• King‑size bed
• En suite bathroom with bath, separate shower, WC, bidet and washbasin
Bedroom 2
• Double aspect
• Double bed
• En suite bathroom with shower, WC, bidet and washbasin
Bedroom 3
• Twin beds
Bedroom 4
• Twin beds
Family Bathroom
• Bath
• Separate shower
• WC
• Bidet
• Washbasin
Second Floor
Bedroom 5
• Twin beds tucked beneath the original beams — a charming, characterful space
THE GARDEN
Step outside into a generous, fully enclosed garden designed for relaxed outdoor living:
Terrace
• Dining table and chairs for up to 12
• Large parasol for shade on sunny days
Private Swimming Pool
• 10.5 × 6.5 metre pool
• Fitted with a safety alarm
• Surrounded by sun loungers and parasols for effortless relaxation
Outdoor Comforts
• Loungers and folding garden chairs for flexible seating
• Charcoal BBQ for leisurely al fresco meals
• Grassy areas perfect for children to play
Pool House
• Ample space for bicycles, surfboards, skis and other equipment
Parking
• Off‑street parking for up to four cars
THE AREA
The region surrounding Maison Mailhes is rich in beauty, culture and adventure. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activities, family friendly attractions, historic towns or exceptional food and wine, everything is close at hand.
Outdoor Activities & Adventures
The countryside around Carresse is made for slowing down and soaking up nature. Peaceful paths and quiet lanes wind through rolling hills, offering glorious walking and cycling routes with views that seem to unfold endlessly.
To the south, the majestic Pyrénées rise in dramatic fashion—an outdoor playground in every season. Spring, summer and autumn invite superb hiking and nature‑watching amid breathtaking mountain scenery, while winter transforms the peaks into a haven for skiers. Whether you’re lacing up your boots or gliding over fresh snow, a day trip into the mountains always leaves a lasting impression.
Beaches & Lakes
The Atlantic coast is just 45 minutes away, offering a wide choice of beaches and coastal towns:
• Biarritz – stylish, lively and perfect for shopping, dining and sunsets
• Bidart – a charming Basque village with a beautiful beach
• Hossegor – world famous for surfing
• St Jean de Luz – a picturesque and popular family beach
Closer still are several lakes ideal for swimming and water based fun:
• Lac de Sames (18 km) – sandy beach, water slides, pedalos
• Lac d’Orthez (24 km) – all of the above plus bumper boats
• Base de Pop, Guiche (20 km) – swimming, paddle boards, boats and canoes, plus a huge water jump loved by teenagers and an Aqua Park for younger children
For a taste of Spain, San Sebastián — with its glorious beaches and strong Basque identity — is less than an hour away.
Food, Drink & Local Restaurants
This area is renowned for its gastronomy, and you’ll find excellent restaurants nearby:
• Chez Camy, right in Carresse
• L’Escale, a riverside favourite for lunch just 800 metres away
• La Belle Auberge in Castagnède (4 km) – loved by locals and visitors alike
Weekly markets in nearby towns overflow with local produce, regional specialities and artisan goods. Several supermarkets are within a 10–15 minute drive for everyday shopping.
Wine lovers will enjoy visiting Pascal Lapeyre, the only independent wine producer in Béarn. The Lapeyre family has been making wine since 1909, and their Domaine Guilhemas and Domaine Lapeyre wines are widely regarded as the best in the region. Guests can visit the winery in Salies de Béarn to taste and buy — and admire the impressive oak barrels where the wines mature.
Historic Towns & Cultural Highlights
Maison Mailhes sits just 6 km from Sorde l’Abbaye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the ancient Chemin de St Jacques (Way of St James). The abbey contains remarkable 11th century mosaics and panels.
In the opposite direction lies Salies de Béarn (6 km), a beautiful spa town with thermal baths, shops, restaurants, golf and tennis.
Other medieval towns nearby include:
• Sauveterre de Béarn
• Orthez
• Navarrenx
• St Jean Pied de Port
A short drive south brings you to Saint Palais, a market town with a distinctly Basque culture and atmosphere.
Rivers, Fishing & Watersports
The Gave d’Oloron is just a 10 minute walk away. One of only two rivers in France where salmon still return naturally to spawn, it is considered one of the country’s finest fishing rivers.
• Fishing permits can be arranged by our managers
• The river is also excellent for swimming and kayaking
• White water rafting and kayak hire are available in Sorde l’Abbaye
Relaxation
With so much to do, guests are often surprised to find that the biggest challenge is simply leaving the pool. Many of our summer visitors spend long, blissful days enjoying the sunshine in the garden.
GETTING THERE
Reaching Maison Mailhes is refreshingly straightforward.
Biarritz and Pau airports are each around 45 minutes away, with Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées just 1 hour, Bordeaux 1¾ hours, and Toulouse 2¼ hours. All are served by a mix of scheduled and low‑cost airlines from the UK and Ireland, sit close to major motorways, and offer convenient car‑hire options.
For travellers arriving by sea, ferry ports are also within easy reach: Bilbao is 131 miles away, Santander 185 miles, St Malo 445 miles and Caen 490 miles.
High‑speed rail is another excellent option. TGVs from Paris stop at Puyoo (a 15‑minute drive) and Orthez (25 minutes) where car hire is available right beside the station.
Bedroom Details
Bedroom 1
1 x King Bed
Ensuite bathroom with separate shower
Bedroom 2
1 x Double Bed
En suite shower room
Bedroom 3
2 x Single Beds
A light, bright room
Bedroom 4
2 x Single Beds
A lovely traditionally furnished room
Bedroom 5
2 x Single Beds
Fabulous attic room under the original beams
16 Reviews
The house that has everything
By Julia Powis on 26-Jul-2025We had a wonderful holiday in this gorgeous property. From the detailed directions to the house so it was easy to find to the welcome pack to the full instructions for every piece of equipment, everything is designed to make you feel welcome and to settle in quickly and relax. There was enough room in the house for us all and it's very well-equipped. The pool is absolutely fabulous and that's where we spent most of our time. We did get out and about sometimes though and the area has some beautiful towns and villages as well as beaches, lakes, canoes and rafting on the river and even caves. There's something for everyone. The house is really well placed with a bakery about 3 minutes walk away and a bar/restaurant in the village too.
Owner response on 06-Sep-2025
Thank you for your review. We're glad you enjoyed the house and the area with all it has to offer.
Very enjoyable stay
By Victor Harris on 29-Jun-2024If your choice is to stay here, you are in for a real treat. It’s clearly a home that’s been looked after and the standard of accommodation is high. A lovely welcome basket of treats, coffee, tea and wine was waiting, also as we had a dog, treats for her too! It’s a spacious house, with all the amenities and appliances you would need, set in a lovely big garden, outside dining area and an excellent pool to enjoy. Location is ideal to explore by car, nice walks on the doorstep and a nearby river to paddle and ideal of your dog loves water. Lots of restaurants /cafe in nearby Salies de Bearn, nice shops and as it’s known for its thermal water, a visit to the Thermal pool is really enjoyable. Comminucation/ directions from the owners, Debbie and Richard was excellent before we arrived. Definitely would return to this home and we would highly recommend it. Thank you
Owner response on 17-Jul-2024
Thank you so much for your review. We're glad you had a lovely holiday.
Excellent
By Malcolm Johnson on 09-Jun-2024Lovely spacious house with delightful grounds in lovely part of rural France
Owner response on 17-Jul-2024
Thank you for your review. We're glad you had an enjoyable holiday.
Family Holiday
By Paul Gascoine on 01-Jul-2023There were seven of us staying at Maison Mailhes and everyone enjoyed themselves enormously. The pool is a great addition and in the heat it was used most of the time. The kitchen and all the facilities (TV had english channels) were in good order plus the amount of space in the property was well appreciated. The bakery within walking distance was really useful as it had roast chickens and other goodies on sundays as well as daily croissants. The three children had a whale of a time as well. Debbie the owner helped us out enormously with driving instructions, maps and so on to help us get there plus there is plentiful information in the property about the local area and the wider environs. We would recommend the abbeye d'sorde (10mins drive) for its amazing views and underground cavern.
A wonderful holiday house
By Jane Sik on 13-Aug-2022We arrived just when the very hot weather had broken – a mix of weather but always good enough for some pleasant time in the pool. Long trips not considered because of the 2 & 3 year old but Salies-de-Béarn is a very pretty town with a good market on a Thursday. The Salt Museum was interesting for the adults but only the outside part – diggers moving salt etc – interested the two and three year old. The pool at the thermal spa is very good with lots of jets to massage aching joints. Treatments need 3 week advance booking at this time of year. There was a fête at the beginning of our stay with a piperade competition, bouncy castle. The kids liked "le petit train." Sauveterre-de-Béarn is a lovely town for a wander and a visit to a café. The patisserie there is very good – wonderful tarte aux pommes! The caves at Isturitz are beautiful. We could only book a French tour and she spoke too fast for me to follow much – the children were still impressed! A beautiful area of France. We went to Le plage de la Milady near Biarritz. which was very pleasant and good for children.. The wine from the caves Lapeyre was very good. the local boulangerie is excellent. The children’s swimming came on leaps and bounds. Two meals and also take away pizzas from Chez Camy – a lovely auberge. A good lunch at restaurant L’Escale across the bridge. A wonderful holiday in a delightful, comfortable, very well equipped house - lots of space to cook, eat and laze around. Thank you! Jane, Mike, David, Jen, Kev, Becky, Ivor (3), Oko (2) and Innes (4 months) (Ecosse)
Perfect French village life
By Nick D-P on 06-Aug-2022We had a wonderful stay enjoying the comforts of a lovely home in a picturesque village. We enjoyed swimming in the pool and ventured down to the river for swim most evenings. Lots of places to visit and things to do from fun and vibrant towns to trips down the river by canoe, to trains up into the mountains. Perfect!