Au Palouque - Superb 19th Century Farmhouse, Hautes Pyrenées
Farmhouse with 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, Garden
This spacious and lovingly restored former farmhouse is located in the quiet village of Caixon in the Hautes Pyrenées. It is the perfect base for a multi-activity holiday or just to get away from it all and soak up the sunshine. The house has 4 bedrooms and can sleep up to 8.
Whether your holiday plans include hiking in the Pyrenees, visiting the historic towns of Pau and Tarbes, gourmet dining, or just relaxing in the 2000+ hours of sunshine a year that this region is famous for, it’s the perfect place to be.
Evening sun on the covered patio
View from the covered patio
Sitting area
Dining room
Bedroom 2
Bedroom 4
The house dates back to around 1830 and boasts original and character features such as exposed beams and even the original bread oven. It is set in private and secluded grounds. There is a terrace running along the entire length of the front of the house which, having a southerly aspect, catches the sun for most of the day. On the west side of the house there is a large covered patio, perfect for escaping the sun during the heat of the day, or catching the last rays in the evening. Next to the patio is also a small courtyard with a barbeque. There is plenty of storage space for bikes, canoes etc.
There are also extensive lawns and an orchard with many fruit trees: cherry, fig, plum, apple, pear, and quince. Plenty of places to sit in the sun, or in the shade! The accommodation is very flexible. The ground floor on its own would make an ideal apartment for a couple, comprising huge open plan living/dining room, kitchen, utility (with small shower room) and bedroom with ensuite bathroom.
Upstairs there is a WC and shower room and a further 3 bedrooms, two with double beds and one with two single beds. There is a gas-fired central heating system and huge open fire to keep the house warm in winter, and massive thick stone walls which keep it cool in summer.
Unlike much of the self catering accommodation available in France, Au Palouque is a not an annex to another house, or one of several rental units, but is detached farmhouse situated in its own secluded grounds. If you decide to stay at Au Palouque, then the house and grounds of about half an acre, will be yours and yours alone for the duration of your stay. No fighting for parking spaces or to get the best chairs on the patio!
Facilities for this holiday farmhouse in Pau, Midi-Pyrenees
3 Double Bedrooms, 1 Twin Bedroom. The double bedroom downstairs has an ensuite bathroom. Upstairs there are a further three bedrooms, two with double beds and one with two single beds.
Bathrooms:
1 Bathroom, 2 Showers. The downstairs bathroom has a bath with shower, two washbasins, bidet and WC. Upstairs there is a shower room with washbasin and WC. In the utility room there is a small shower room with WC.
Kitchen:
Cooker, Hob, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Dishwasher, Washing Machine, Iron. Kitchen also features the original bread oven and a kitchen table constructed from a cart wheel!
General:
Real Fire, Central Heating, Telephone, House Linen, Towels Provided, Internet Access. The CH is by a gas-fired radiators. There is also a huge fireplace in the living room which can be used to augment the radiators on the coldest winter nights, or just to create a cozier atmosphere.
Dining:
Seating for 10. The dining room features locally made solid oak furniture. There is another dining table on the covered patio.
Entertainment:
Terrestrial TV, Satellite TV, DVD, Radio, CD System. Radio/cassette/CD/MP3 player and free WiFi broadband wireless internet (bring your own laptop). Sky Digi satellite TV.
Outside:
Terrace, Garden, BBQ, Parking, Balcony, Garden Furniture. French windows from the living/dining area open on to the south-facing. There is covered outdoor dining on a patio which catches the evening sun. Extensive lawns front and rear. Parking for 5+ cars.
Suitability:
Children Welcome, Not Suitable For Wheelchairs, Suitable For Elderly, Sorry - No Pets Allowed, Sorry - No Smokers.
Local activities in and around Pau, Midi-Pyrenees
Life in Caixon goes on at a very relaxed pace, and it is tempting just to sit in the sun, listen to the birds, and let it wash over you. However, it would be a pity not to explore further afield with so much to see and do nearby. The list below (which is far from exhaustive) gives you a flavour of what is available in the area.
The Pyrenées - activities: hiking, rock climbing, rafting/canoeing, paragliding, caving, road cycling, mountain biking, horse riding.
Golf: Courses at Lannemezan/ Tarbes/ Pau/ Bagnères-de-Bigorre.
Winter sports: skiing & snowboarding (nearest resort La Mongie – Barèges, is the biggest in the French Pyrenées), snow shoe-ing, cross country skiing, ice climbing.
Tour de France: passing through Tarbes and the Pyrenées in July.
Wildlife and nature: bird watching, wild flowers, butterflies.
Historical towns: Tarbes, Lourdes, Pau, Auch Châteaux: E.g. Château de Laas, Château de Pau, Château d'Arricau Bordes, Château de Mauvezin, Château de Tostat
Cave Paintings: Pre-historic cave paintings at Gargas; Roman remains: Montmaurin Roman villa. Spa and casino: Casino and Aquensis thermal spa in Bagnères-de-Bigorre; Gourmet dining: there are superb restaurants all over the area; Wine tasting: Madiran wine region; Armagnac: Vineyards and distillery; Jazz: Marciac International Jazz Festival.
Vic-en-Bigorre
Less than 5 minutes away by car is the bustling market town of Vic-en-Bigorre. In Vic the full range of amenities can be found:
· Supermarkets
· Boulangeries and other small stores
· Hardware shops
· Swimming pool
· Cafes
· Restaurants
· Post office.
There is also a wonderful Saturday market brimming with fresh produce and almost anything else you can imagine.
Rental Notes: Linen and towels are included. Gas, electricity and water are included (additional charges for heating may apply in the winter). Phone line and broadband internet are included. Fire wood and phone calls are extra.
Normal change-over day is Saturday, other days by request. Long lets available at reduced prices - please email us for details.
Late offers for this Farmhouse
Late Offer Specials:
Arrival Date
Departure Date
Nights
Price
Notes
29 October 2008
26 November 2008
28
£995
Long winter lets now available at reduced prices. Call or email for details.
Availability of Au Palouque
This property is normally available
for rent between January
and December each year.
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Owner joined site on:
17 May 2006
Property listed since:
17 May 2006
Holiday Farmhouse in france - Midi-Pyrenees - Hautes-Pyrenees - Pau - Tarbes
