Description
First you see the lawns and the giant cedars of Lebanon, then the Pyrenean peaks on the southern horizon, and then the château, restful on its plâteau, simple, elegant, perfect, with 18th-century proportions. Welcome to another world: one of art, beauty, serenity, fine museum pieces and a dash of humour.
The housekeeper is a treasure and can cater for you – though the kitchen, big, charming, classical, but modern, is an absolute pleasure to cook in. Salon, library, dining room and the grandest of bedrooms glow with French and English antiques and the entire house is a work of art – there are beautiful parquet floors and magnificent plaster ceilings, a grand staircase and oriental designer stencilling.
The rooms in the attic are more child-friendly, and if children want to play on wet days, there's a barn full of games and yoga mats for grown ups. As for the gardens: imagine 200 old roses and scattered magnolias, scalloped hedges, arcades of wisteria, secret corners, a pondful of carp and a suntrap salt water pool enclosed by an exquisite mosaic wall in the style of Gaudi.
An exquisite late 18th Century Chateau situated in the first range of foothills of the Pyrenees, built just before the French Revolution by the Comte du Pac. It sits on a hilltop with exceptional panoramic views down the valley and towards the mountains. Situated on the edge of a small village, the main house is backed by a courtyard of eighteenth century barns and enjoys 11 acres of park and gardens ensuring complete privacy.
The location of the house gives easy summer access to splendid walking, riding, canoeing, fishing, golf and many other sporting and recreational activities. Tennis courts are a very short drive. In winter skiing is available at a number of nearby resorts. Hunting and fishing are also available. The Spanish border is a short drive and the excellent road network makes access to Lourdes, Barcelona and Biarritz possible for short excursions.
The gardens and park of the Chateau, restored and developed by the present owners over the past twenty years, are well known and the subject of magazine articles. There is a large pond (which is not fenced-off), a sunken herb garden, an exotic garden, a rose garden, a stone column pergola, a bamboo walk and an English herbaceous border and many rare and ancient trees and shrubs.
The heated saltwater swimming pool (12.5m x 6m) has an exquisite modern mosaic wall with a mosaic seating area. Around the pool there are sun-loungers, tables & chairs, barbecue, umbrellas and indoor shower, toilet and Turkish mosaic steam room.
The interiors of the house, meticulously restored to an extremely high standard, retain many period features with exquisite plasterwork, decorative fireplaces and parquet floors to all the principal rooms. It has regained its original style and elegance whilst retaining the atmosphere of a real home. The house is wonderfully light and airy. All rooms enjoy wonderful views and are decorated with antique mirrors and furniture. There is a large, hand-built kitchen with all modern facilities connected to a formal dining room. The main drawing room has antique French furniture & tapestries. Telephone, television (French and SKY satellite English channels), video/DVD player and Wi-Fi Internet are available. The house, apart from having many decorative fireplaces, has central heating and is therefore suitable for winter lets. /n Security deposit /n £1,000 (or €1,200) paid by cheque or bank transfer prior to arrival /n Arrival time /n After 5.00 p.m. /n Departure time /n Before 10.00 a.m. /n Energy costs included? /n Reasonable energy costs included. /n Heating costs included? /n Extra £100 per day, payable locally. /n End of stay cleaning included? /n Yes. /n Linen & towels included? /n Yes, including pool towels. /n Pets welcome? /n No. /n Smoking Allowed? /n Smoking & Fires not allowed. /n Changeover day /n Saturday. /n Pool heating charge? /n The pool is heated free of charge from late May to 1st October for 12hrs per day. Additional heating can be provided for an extra cost. /n Other Ts and Cs /n Customers are required to sign an agreement with the owner. The form will be provided after the booking is confirmed and must be signed and returned prior to arrival. /n Other Ts and Cs /n Telephone charges to UK mobile phones not included. /n Other Ts and Cs /n Extra guests from those listed on the booking not allowed. /n Other Ts and Cs /n Weddings, Stag/Hen parties and other celebrations are not allowed. /n Minimum stay /n 7 nights /n Changeover day /n Saturday in high and peak seasons, flexible otherwise. /n Other Ts and Cs /n The pool is open from May to October, dates may vary depending on the weather. /n Other Ts and Cs /n The cottage is available for rent from mid June to end of September. /n Other Ts and Cs /n A further single bed can be arranged on request in the top floor rooms for those who do not wish to share a bed.
