Description
Situated in the Western Pyrenees, between Pau and Oloron Ste Marie and close to the Spanish border, the house lies at the end of a quiet lane, perched above the attractive village of Ogeu-les-Bains. It enjoys spectacular panoramic views of the mountains. An ideal base for a family holiday, with a heated swimming pool (8 x 4 metres), a large enclosed and safe garden (5 bikes, badminton, table tennis, boules, darts, football goal available), barbecue, south-facing terrace with table and seating for 10, and an indoor games room. In a peaceful setting, but within easy access of the mountains, Spain, the Pays Basque, Lourdes, Biarritz, Bayonne and the Atlantic coast, and a huge variety of activities all year round - hiking, cycling, white-water rafting, skiing at Gourette (40 minutes' drive), horse riding, fishing, golf, paragliding. This much loved family holiday home has a recently refurbished and fully-equipped kitchen, a new bathroom upstairs with separate bath and shower, a spacious open-plan dining/living area, separate sitting room with TV/DVD, downstairs twin-bedded bedroom and downstairs bathroom with shower. Upstairs are two twin-bedded rooms (one with extra pull-out bed), a large double bedroom and the large new bathroom. Chill the days away if you wish, swimming or sunbathing, or head up into the mountains; sample some of the delicious local food and wine. Relax totally just sitting on the terrace as you gaze at the mountains - every bit as good as meditation. There are always plenty of birds to observe in the sky - from buzzards to sparrow hawks to vultures to Eagles.
Accommodation: Inside: DOWNSTAIRS: Large L-shaped and open-plan living/dining area and kitchen. The living area has a wood-burning stove and in the dining area there is a large table and seating for 10. Two sets of French windows open out onto a large south-facing terrace with wonderful mountain views. The spacious and well-equipped kitchen leads off the dining area and is newly fitted (includes dishwasher, fridge/freezer and microwave). A third set of French windows in the kitchen open out onto the garden. There is also a separate sitting room with TV/DVD and a good selection of books, games, CDs and DVDs in English & French. Also downstairs is a bedroom with two single beds, a shower room with WC and a cloak/boot/boiler room which leads into a garage. In this garage are a washing machine and tumble dryer. UPSTAIRS: large galleried landing; two twin-bedded rooms (one with third pull-out bed); one double-bedded room; cot and 2 inflatable mattress available on request; new large family bathroom.
OUTSIDE: The large enclosed garden offers complete privacy and is mainly laid to grass, so is ideal for games or just for relaxing in. The garden surrounds the house, so there is always a cool spot to be found even in the height of summer and a selection of deck chairs and loungers to relax in. The heated swimming pool has a child-proof cover and solar shower. 4 sun-loungers are provided and there are also floats and pool toys. The terrace is ideal for 'al fresco' dining - morning, noon and night - with stunning panoramic views of the mountains and the barbecue and pool close by. A large second garage/indoor games room has lots of equipment for family games, including table tennis, badminton, boules and darts, as well as 3 adult bikes and 2 children's bikes, all of which guests are welcome to use. There is a separate orchard below the garden.
Getting there: The quickest way of getting to Ogeu from the UK is by air from London Stansted or Bristol or Birmingham or Dublin or Manchester to Biarritz, Tarbes, Toulouse or Bordeaux. Ryanair have daily low-cost flights which take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Easyjet and FlyBe also have flights which are worth checking. Car hire is available from the airport - we tend to use either Rentalcars.com or Holiday Autos. Other airports within easy reach of Ogeu are Toulouse (2 hours 30 minutes) and Bordeaux (3 hours). There are also daily flights from Paris to Pau. There are ferry crossings to Bilbao or Santander from Plymouth or Portsmouth which are approximately 3 or 4 hours' drive from Ogeu. If you are arriving from the UK and want to have your own car, this is a good way of saving you a long drive. But if you like the prospect of driving through France, French motorways are excellent.
Ogeu has its own train station and it is possible to travel to the house by train. You could, for instance, take the TGV to Pau and then catch a train directly from there to Ogeu.
IN ADDITION TO THE REVIEWS SECTION WE HAVE ADDED A SELECTION OF COMMENTS FROM OUR VISITORS’ BOOK:
We have fallen in love with this beautiful area of France and your holiday home has made the perfect base from which to explore this region. There is much to see and do in this relatively unspoilt area and we hope to return in the not too distant future to sample more of the local cuisine, soak up the atmosphere and seek out further treasures. Thank you for a wonderful fortnight. LEVY-CHANCE FAMILY (HEREFORDSHIRE)
We all loved the pool and the fantastic views ; the area was great to discover – day trips to Oloron Ste Marie and Lourdes ; up to the Col de Marie-Blanque (great scenery !), Louvié-Juzon fête and Castet for a picnic. Local boulangerie is very good and the grown-up boys liked the local bar. WITHERS FAMILY (HAMPSHIRE)
We’ve had a fantastic fortnight ! Hours of swimming, table tennis, badminton and boules. A wonderful trip on ‘Le Petit Train’, breakfast picnics at Cromlech and Lescun – the latter is without a doubt one of the most beautiful bits of the Pyrenees. Views from the house sublime. KING FAMILY (IRELAND)
Thoroughly enjoyed our brief sojourn. Especially the outdoor dining overlooking the Pyrenees – just spectacular ! Great to return for a relaxing swim after some heavy walking in the hills. We found the house very well equipped – a great place to spread out and relax. Thank you so much ! JULIA PAULL (SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA)
We’ve had a wonderful holiday ! What a lovely place – very comfortable, magnificent views, splendid pool – it’s been a real joy. RAMSBOTHAM FAMILY (CAMBRIDGESHIRE)
We had a great holiday here. So happy to find so many home comforts – really well provided for. Our best find was the creperie on road to Rébénacq – on a beautiful night with the sun setting around the mountains and a few bottles of local cider ! Lots of cycling and hide and seek. GALLAGHER FAMILY (GLASGOW, SCOTLAND)
A wonderful time with the ever-changing sky and the mountains ! Delightful long lunches under the awning on the patio ! The pool was wonderful ! Very, very quiet and restful. Thanks for a terrific holiday ! (ODA AND ROBERT HODGE, TORONTO, Canada)
We enjoyed the location with the fine mountain view and did a lot of swimming in the perfect pool with its most welcome heating system. (it was the end of September). The weather appeared rather changeable and we noted that clouds frequently changed direction (pretty unusual for Dutchies). Our trips into the Hautes Pyrenees were magnificent. (VAN LEEUWEN FAMILY, UTRECHT, HOLLAND)
Great Christmas holiday. Wonderful scenery and places of interest. Sunny days made it a memorable stay. SING FAMILY (MID-WALES)
Lovely location, excellent views. Kids enjoyed day in the snow in the mountains. Really relaxing holiday. We travelled somewhere different everyday. Loved the house. O’SHEA FAMILY (IRELAND)
We have had a wonderful time. The weather has been perfect so the pool has been a godsend. The house is one of the best we have had for a number of years, and Lizzie was so friendly and helpful. And the views fantantastic. What a good week. (AITKEN FAMILY, LANCASHIRE)
Thank you – we’ve had a wonderful holiday and experienced new places yet again from our last visit 3 years ago. The area is outstanding and of course the pool just brilliant and very welcome with the very hot weather. Visit to Gourette in the mountains highly recommended, along with La Foret Suspendue – brilliant ! Found some new places to eat including La Trinquet in Oloron – fantastic! Thanks again! (DAVIES FAMILY, SHROPSHIRE)
Many thanks for a fabulous two-week stay and you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful view. The house is well equipped and we really felt at home – so much so that we didn’t want to leave! All the locals have been incredibly friendly and made our stay even more enjoyable. Had an amazing journey to the Col d’Aubisque – highly recommended. Also Biarritz, St Jean de Luz, San Sebastian, the Pyrenees, also Pau, some excellent restaurants, beautiful beaches at Hossegor. All in all a really fabulous two weeks, we have thoroughly enjoyed it, many thanks. SMITH FAMILY (DERBY)
Somptueuse maison avec une magnifique vue sur les montagnes. Nous avons passé un très agréable séjour! Nous partirons la tête pleine de bons souvenir et de beaux paysages. SOPHIE (RENNES)
Merci beaucoup pour l’accueil. Nous avons apprécié le confort, la vue exceptionnelle, la douceur de ce coin de verdure et le temps de vivre. Nous gardons vos coordonnées. Comme à la maison. L’idéal pour des vacances, plus la vue sur la montagne qui amène à la rêverie. Merci.
FAMILLE TUTARD (16120, CHÂTEAUNEUF)