17/05/2020
With the news that France is opening up its tourist trade from June 1st and the absence of quarantine regulations between the UK and France, it seems like a good opportunity to present a new way to look at and book our French House in Sauveterre De Bearn. The French House page.
Sauveterre is a delightful medieval village overlooking the Pyrenees around 40 minutes inland from Biarritz. A typical Basque village, most renowned for being on the pilgrim trail, with a beautiful church that sits directly opposite our house. The house is situated in the middle of the old town, overseeing the valley and a short walk down to the bridge and river below. The river has a cafe and is popular for swimming and kayaking.
We bought the house about 5 years ago and it was, to be frank, derelict: untouched for 30 years, but the views and sheer size of the place meant we couldn't resist, and now, a few years (and a small fortune later!!), it's ready to show off and welcome guests.
5 double bedrooms, an open plan kitchen and lounge, a dining area, walk-in larder and utility room, 2 bathrooms and a huge playroom in the attic that means that you can divide the house between 2 families really easily with loads of space for everyone. The house will sleep up to 10, plus babies, but can also feel cosy for a family of 4 or 5 by just using the ground and 1st floor. Lots of original features (the house is around 500 years old!!!) have been blended with design elements and modern conveniences, including the all-important wifi! to ensure that it's a great place to stay for a weekend, a week, or even longer. There's a small sitting area with a table and benches at the front of the house to have meals in the open air
We are lucky enough to have the best restaurant in the area La Legende, an organic, local-sourcing bistro and winebar, literally next door. Sauvetterre has a supermarket, bread shops, bars, butchers, restaurants and a local market within a few moments of the house, and within 30 minutes drive are multiple award-winning restaurants and places of interest. The beaches of Biarritz are a 40 minutes drive away (and it's the best airport to come in to), but also within a couple of hours drive are the gastro heaven of San Sebastian, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the chic St jean de Luz, the towns of Pau and Bordeux and not much further (a 4 hour drive) you can even get to Barcelona.
In the winter you can drive for an hour and go ski-ing, and the area is a haven for cycling holdays with routes from the Tour De France passing within a few kilometres of the house.
It's just an 80 minute flight from London to Biarritz or Pau, or a 7 hour train trip to Orthez, or you can drive it in 12 hours.
Asha's mum lives in the adjoining village and we have a local English woman who oversees the house and is available for advice and help.
We are charging £100 per night, minimum 4 nights for up to 6 people, with a £20 additional charge per person per night for larger bookings.
We will update the page regularly with offers, more pictures, and other information designed to ensure anyone who books has an amazing time.
