Family
Holiday Sites in Aquitaine, south west France
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| FHS004
Domaine de la Prade, Messanges
Charming complex of forest lodges near the beaches
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Domaine
de la Prade, Messanges |
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| Three
Reasons to Domaine de la Prade... |
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Short
cycle ride to Moliets' sandy Atlantic beaches |
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Golf,
surfing, horse-riding, watersports and cycling |
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Spacious
duplex lodges plus shared heated swimming pool |
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Opened
in June 2007, Domaine de la Prade is a charming, low-key collection
of villas,
semi-detached lodges and apartments, set in the pine forests of
Moliets-Messanges.
Just a short cycle ride from the endless sandy beaches of the Côte Landaise,
Domaine
de la Prade is sure to be a popular choice
for families. The combination of beaches and dunes, pine forests
and freshwater lakes create a
really inspiring summer holiday location.
The accommodation is generously spacious - 2 bedroom duplex lodges
offer 70m2 living space and a private terrace and garden - plus
there's an excellent heated pool for cooling off and for kids to
meet and play.
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Call
0870 6092845
or email
us to book or hold an option for 48 hours |
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| Nearest
town : |
Moliets-et-Maa
2 kms; Léon 5kms; Biarritz 60kms; Bordeaux 90 kms |
| Type
of location : |
Seaside
& pine forests - the site is 2.5kms to the sandy Atlantic
beaches of Aquitaine |
| No.
of bedrooms : |
2
bedrooms |
| Sleeping
capacity : |
Party
sizes from 1 to 8 are catered for |
| No.
of bathrooms : |
2
per lodge |
| Style
of property : |
New
site in the forests bordering Moliets. The site consists of
just 12 houses, 8 apartments and 12 villas. The style is contemporary
with good use of timber materials to blend with the pine forest
environment |
| Quality
guide : |
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| Price
per week (2008) : |
| Price
Band for this venue: |
-
peak season |
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-
off-peak |
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Check prices and availability for:
2-3
bedroom lodge » GO |
Please consult the notes on prices for extra info on what the price includes and what optional
extras are available.
» Don't
forget to check the Special
Offers too
Modest tourist tax payable locally - less than €1 per
day per person. Optional
supplements are available too (pets, cots, etc) - please check
with us for details. All supplements to be paid locally
.€260
collected on your credit card on arrival. Deductions are made
only if necessary (e.g. apartment left untidy or there are
breakages) |
| Linen
Arrangements : |
•
Bed linen and bathroom towels are included in the rental price
- collect from reception on arrival
• Fresh linen & towels can be collected
from reception each Saturday |
| Cleaning
Arrangements : |
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| Arrival
& Departure : |
Arrival
is 5-8pm and departure is by 10am
please. From 5 July to 13 Sep, the
period reserved must be Saturday-Saturday.
This means you can actually arrive and depart any day of the
week but the period reserved must be Saturday-to-Saturday.
For other periods it is possible to accommodate arrival and
departure on days other than Saturday.
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| Nearest
beach : |
Local
beach 2.5 kms via cycle track and Moliets-Plage 3 kms - plenty
of cycle paths to get there and there's parking at Moliets-Plage |
| Nearest
boulangerie : |
Moliets-et-Maa
2 kms. NB. There is a breakfast option available - see
notes on prices |
| Nearest
airport : |
Biarritz
1 hr; Bordeaux 1 hr 30; Bilbao & Pau 2 hrs (approx) |
| Nearest
ferry port : |
St
Malo 8 hours (approx) |
| Swimming
pool : |
Yes
- shared heated outdoor swimming pool, 112m2 |
| Facilities
: |
Reception
office at each villa site. Shared pool too.
Please note that use of BBQs is banned because of the forest
fire risk |
| Suitability
for children : |
Very
good. Large open spaces and very little road traffic (bikes
are the popular way to get around the resort). Shared pool
is heated and an ideal place to meet other children |
| Things
to see & do : |
Golf,
surfing, watersports, beach, forest cycling & hiking tracks,
horse-riding (equestrian centre is next door). Visit Biarritz,
St Jean de Luz, Pyrénées, Basque Country, Spain
- San Sebastian, Bilbao & Pamplona |
| Pets
allowed : |
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Location
Map
reference: B5
View Map
of Messanges-Moliets
The lodges are situated at Domaine de la Prade between the villages
of Moliets-et-Maa and Messanges,
approx 60kms north of Biarritz. The road linking the two villages
is 50-150 metres from the houses - some road noise is audible although
future landscaping and screening of the site will reduce road noise.
The site is in a small clearing in the pine forests close to the
La Prade pond and adjacent to La Prade Equestrian Centre.
By train : Dax railway station (approx 35 kms)
- Paris/Atlantique TGV
By air : Biarritz airport is closest (approx 60
kms) although Bordeaux, Pau and Bilbao are options too.
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Accommodation
Domaine
de la Prade
consists of just 12 single-storey semi-detached houses, 8 apartments
plus a dozen superb villas.
We offer the houses within our Holiday Chalets & Lodges range.
If you prefer to rent an apartment, please go to our Seaside
Holiday Apartments and Holiday
Villages pages.
In
all houses at Domaine
de la Prade you will find:
• satellite TV (one English-speaking channel)
• kitchen with dishwasher, fridge with freezer compartment,
hotplates, extractor hood, oven, microwave, washing machine with
tumble drier
• private terrace with garden equipment, opening onto shared
lawn
FHS004-CDF
- 2-3 bedroom duplex lodge • Sleeps 4-8
• 70m2
Living area with sofa-bed for 2 persons • 2
bedrooms with either double or twins • 'cabin'
area with bunk beds • bathroom with bath
& shower • shower room • 2x
separate WCs
» CHECK
PRICES
+ AVAILABILITY and notes on prices
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| Photos:
Interior views of typical lodges at Domaine de la Prade (click
to enlarge) |
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About
Messanges-Moliets
Moliets
Tourist Office
Messanges
is a small Landaise village which leads down to an excellent sandy
beach. Domaine de la Prade is actually closer to the resort of Moliets-Plage.
Moliets is known as something of an oasis amongst the endless pines
of western Europe's largest forest. It's basically a big playground!
Here's a selection of some the activities you can pursue in the
resort:
• Golf course & training centre - one
of continental Europe's Top 50 courses
• Surfing - championship surf conditions
plus a local surf club for tuition
• Land-yachting - the quickest way to cover
several kms of sandy beach!
• Kite-surfing - windsurfing and surfing
combined
• Sailing - sailing school at lac de Léon
(7 kms)
• Canoeing / kayaking - take the Courant d'Huchet
from lac de Léon to the ocean
• Horse-riding - equestrian centre at Domaine
de la Prade
• Tennis - several courts at the golf club
• Cycling - 12 kms of safe and shady forest
cycle tracks
• Nature trails - several tracks criss-crossing
the dunes, forests and around the lakes
• Windsurfing - at the ocean or at lac de
Léon
• Adrenaline Park - includes quad biking
& karting
• Children's farm where the kids can see
animals of the region including the Gascony pig!
• Scenic flights to get a real sense of the
Cote Landaise geography
• Cross-country skiing on pine needles!
Moliets
Golf Club
Designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1988, Moliets is a monster of
a course. The course is ranked in Continental Europe's Top 50 and
9th best course in France. It is currently used on the European
PGA Challenge Tour.
Whilst it's a relatively new course, the surrounding forest dates
back to the early 1900s. American in its layout, the course takes
in parkland (yes, you've guessed it - a pine forest!) and links-style
golf. In fact, it's the seaside holes, 13, 14, 15 and 16, that make
for the most attractive golf on the course.
The 18 hole course is a shade under 7000 yards, par 72. There is
also a 9 hole course and golf training centre.
Green fees for the championship course start at around €50
depending on the season, although the purchase of a Golf Pass
is recommended - this gives you discounted access to five local
courses.
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The
Region
Discove
the Côte Landaise region
of Aquitaine
Whilst Moliets is ideal for those seeking an active holiday without
straying too far from the villa, there are a host of potential
day-trips slightly further afield…Bordeaux, Biarritz
and the numerous vineyards of the Gironde, for
instance.
The local town of Léon has a distinctly
laid-back feel to it. It has a couple of restaurants, shops, supermarkets
and a tourist office. There are plenty of local markets
to enjoy including Léon (every day from mid June to mid
Sep and Tuesday all year round); Moliets-Plage (Monday and Thursday
all year round and Saturday in July and August); and Dax (Saturday
and Sunday).
To sample a pastime particular to the south west, visit Vieux-Boucau
to watch course landaise (a less gory
version of bull-fighting) and the Basque-invented pelota,
the fastest ball-game in the world. If you’d like to learn
more about the Landaise culture and traditions, try the eco-museum
at nearby Sabres.
Our suggestions for day-trips include:
• ARCACHON
This popular and stylish French favourite provides plenty of options
for visitors. Ferries run from Arcachon to a host of destinations
including Cap Ferret, a smart resort on the other
side of the Bassin d’Arcachon and to the beautiful Banc
d’Arguin, a sand-bank nature reserve. The Banc
d’Arguin sits at the foot of the famous Dune du
Pilat which at over 100 metres is the largest sand dune
in Europe. A journey to the summit (try it without the staircase
provided!) is a must; sunrise and sunset are the best times.
Back into Arcachon, stroll along the seafront or through the delightful
Ville d’Hiver (Winter Town) and explore
its fabulous collection of eclectic villas. There is also a lovely
park to cool off in the shade and watch the locals play petanques.
The Bassin d’Arcachon is packed full of oyster farms and
you will have no difficulty finding a supply of these slimy crustaceans
to dine on in one of the town’s many seafood restaurants.
• BIARRITZ & ST
JEAN DE LUZ
An hour’s drive south are the sophisticated resorts of Biarritz
and St Jean de Luz, the south Atlantic’s riposte to the
Côte d’Azur. Both provide excellent beaches, cuisine
and up-market shopping as well as a good introduction to the Spanish-influenced
Pays Basque. If you have time, drop into the
regional capital, Bayonne. Famed for its ham
and its chocolates, Bayonne was under English rule for 300 years.
It is much under-rated and worth a trip to see its cathedral and
walk its ancient streets.
• SPA & THALASSOTHERAPY
In France, the south west is known for its rejuvenating
waters, both salt and fresh varieties. Nearby Dax
is the official spa capital of France and is a 25 minute drive
from the villas. The Côte Basque – Hendaye, St Jean
de Luz and Biarritz - is home to numerous thalassotherapy centres.
• LAKES OF AQUITAINE
The freshwater lakes that punctuate the forest are a
great alternative to the ocean and provide safer bathing for children.
Rather like the Lake District in England, each lake, or étang,
has its own atmosphere. Near to the villas are the étangs
Aureilhan and Léon. Both
are relatively small and delightfully tranquil; at the latter
you can canoe from the lake along the serene Courant d’Huchet
to the ocean’s edge.
• WINE-TASTING
If you’re feeling ‘beached out’ why
not take the opportunity to explore some of the region’s
vineyards? The famous Graves and Sauternes
vineyards are an hour’s drive north east in the direction
of Bordeaux and Langon.
For further information please follow the links below. We hope
you find these are helpful but please note that we cannot be responsible
for their content.
Landes
Tourist Office
Biarritz
Tourist Office
Chalosse
Tourist Guide
Spa in Dax
Wines
of SW France
France Travel
Guide
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| updated
20.03.08 ja |
