Maison Du Sel Royale

Maison du Sel Royale is a flawless restoration of a 19th century 'Maison de Maitre', updated with a wealth of modern comforts and amenities to create a French holiday rental of the highest standard.

Boasting seven individually styled double bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom, Maison du Sel Royale is an immaculate mansion complete with swimming pool, tennis court and private lawns. The house sits within a landscape dotted with historic towns and quaint little villages, at the base of the Pyrenees amid lush meadows, thick green forests and meandering rivers – this is the Béarn des Gaves.  

This property offers everything you could ask for in a luxury holiday or special celebration, with several large dining areas including a large covered terrace area with barbecue, table and chairs.

Alternatively, for those who seek adventure on their travels, the region could not be more accommodating, with nearby river-based watersports, walking and hiking routes and plenty of mountain biking trails.

Meanwhile, discover pretty villages such as nearby Laàs, home to the wonderful Château de Laàs, and historic Navarrenx, officially classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Visit a thermal spa in picturesque Salies-de-Béarn and stroll by the river in medieval Sauveterre-de-Béarn. What’s more the Gave d’Oloron is fantastic for fishing and is known for its salmon – the Saumonade Fête takes place annually in Navarrenx.

Further afield, play golf at the highly-regarded Pau Golf Club, visit the world-famous pilgrimage destination of Lourdes, head into the mountains for winter skiing in the Pyrenees or venture to the coast for sand dunes, surfing and seaside activities around Biarritz, Capbreton and Hossegor, all reached in just over an hour by car.

Features:

Maison Interiors

-    Living room with double-height ceiling, fireplace and French doors leading to terrace
-    TV lounge with satellite TV, DVD/Blu-ray player and film library
-    Galleried library (above living room) with books and chess
-    Dining room with table for up to 14 guests (can convert into a 9-foot billiards table)
-    Conservatory-style breakfast room
-    Kitchen, fully-equipped including two double ovens, steam oven, large induction hob, warming drawer, air fryer, microwave, two dishwashers and two fridges
-    Utility room/second kitchen with two washing machines, dryer, ironing facilities, dishwasher, ice-machine and other kitchen appliances)

Ground-Floor Bedrooms

-    Bedroom with king-size double bed (can be split as twin), terrace access and en suite bathroom with bath/overhead shower
-    Bedroom with king-size double bed (can be split as twin), terrace access and en suite bathroom with shower
-    Bedroom with king-size double bed, terrace access and en suite bathroom with shower

First-Floor Bedrooms

-    Bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom with shower
-    Bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom with shower
-    Bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom with bath and shower

Second-Floor Bedroom

-    Bedroom with king-size double bed, air-conditioning and en suite bathroom with bath and shower

Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (6x12m, salt-chlorinated). Open approximately beginniing of May to late September. Can be heated for a supplement
-    Poolside terrace with sun loungers and outdoor shower
-    Lilos, games and play equipment
-    Covered dining terrace with summer kitchen, wood barbecue, gas barbecue and bathroom
-    Large garden
-    Tennis court (high-quality hard surface) and rackets/balls
-    Basketball hoop, boules, darts and table tennis
-    Mountain bikes
-    Parking (five cars)

Other Facilities

-    Air-conditioning (top-floor suite only)
-    Dyson fans (other bedrooms)
-    Portable Bose iDock
-    Telescope and binoculars
-    Bathrobes and slippers

Location:

This handsome house is located just outside a little village in the Béarn des Gaves region of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, only an hour from the vast sandy shores and surfing beaches of Biarritz and the Atlantic coast.

There are various flights into Pau-Pyrenees Airport (49km), Biarritz (86km), Tarbes (90km) and even Spain’s San Sebastian Airport (111km) or take the direct fast train from Paris to Dax (54km) or Orthez (24km).

The small rural village within walking distance enjoys a pretty setting by a small river with an ancient bridge. In the other direction is Laàs (5km), once on St James’ way pilgrimage route often considered to be one of the area’s most attractive villages. Visit the wonderful Serbat Museum, part of the Château de Laàs, which showcases an elegant collection of 18th century French furnishings and decorative arts. Families will adore Château des Enigmes with its treasure-hunt style games and activities.

Heading west along the Gave d’Oloron is Sauveterre-de-Béarn (12km), a delightful medieval town dating back to the 11th century with its fantastic market on a Saturday morning. Take a stroll to the striking Pont de la Légende, then potter over to the river island, L'île de la Glère, the perfect place for a gentle walk or picnic.

You are well located for Navarrenx (9km) with its rich history, fortified walls and stunning outlook, classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Another highlight of the area is Salies-de-Béarn (17km), also known as the ‘Venice of Béarn’, a picturesque town by the banks of Le Saleys famed for its thermal baths and historic salt production.

Golf lovers can tee off close to Salies-de-Béarn or head to one of Europe’s oldest golf courses, Pau Golf Club (46km). Admire spectacular scenery of the mountains at the 18-hole Artiguelouve Golf Course (40km) and venture to the coast to play golf overlooking the Atlantic ocean near Biarritz.

This region is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts as well – the Gave d’Oloron is famed for its salmon and hosts the World Salmon Fishing Championships in April/May whilst the Gave de Mauléon/Saison River is also famous for its trout. The Saumonade Fête takes annually in Navarrenx.

Discover rafting, canoeing and stand-up paddle-boarding along the Gave d'Oloron. Make the most of the house’s bikes and come across picturesque routes by the river, old villages and mountain biking trails. There are also many wonderful walking and hiking routes, some following part of the Camino de Santiago, as well as the trails of the Pyrenees. Meanwhile, winter sport enthusiasts can venture into the mountains to resorts such as Arette la Pierre Saint-Martin (68km) for skiing close to the Spanish border.

Spend the day exploring the attractive city of Pau (50km) or, further afield, the world-famous pilgrimage destination, Lourdes (90km). Alternatively, west to the Atlantic coast with the surfing beaches of Biarritz, Capbreton and Hossegor reached in around an hour by car.

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
£750

Arrival time?
4.00 p.m.

Departure time?
10.00 a.m.

Energy costs included?
Yes.

Linen & towels included?
Yes.

Pets welcome?
On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, pets are not allowed in the bedrooms.

Other Ts and Cs?
Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges.

Air-conditioning is only featured in the top-floor bedroom. The other bedrooms have dyson fans.

Changeover day?
Saturday. All other changeover days on request.

End of stay cleaning included?
Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.

Smoking Allowed?
Outside only.

Heating costs included?
Yes.

Pool heating charge?
Yes, additional €150 per week, payable locally. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures.

Pool towels included?
Yes.

Pool opening dates?
The pool is open approximately beginning of May to end-September. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.
Pets - allowed
Smoking - not allowed