Manor house for holiday rental Gascony, France

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Self-Catering Holidays in Atlantic Aquitaine, South West France - Villas, Cottages & Apartments

Call 0870 6092845 or email info@alternative-aquitaine.co.uk for information & booking


Luxury Villa Holidays in Aquitaine,
South West France

Villas de Luxe

#105 & #116 Manoir de Maremne, Soustons

 
Sunny pool terrace - click to enlarge
Three Reasons to Choose Manoir de Maremne
• Beautiful restored manor house
• Large pool, tennis court & mountain bikes all available for guests
• Staffed rental offering catering and childcare services

Sleeps 18 but special prices available all year round to groups of 10 max.


 

Summary :
Manoir de Maremne brings the the concept of the luxury catered rental from the ski-slopes of the Alps to the sunshine & beaches of Aquitaine. Exquisite cuisine, unintrusive yet attentive service, all enjoyed in very relaxing surroundings.

Manoir de Maremne offers the freedom of a luxury villa holiday, with an experienced team on-hand to cook and look after you - what could be better? At certain times of the year (outside July & August), there is also an option to take the house on a
self-catering basis.

This 100 year-old Landes manor house has been thoughtfully renovated to retain its character whilst adding contemporary luxuries. There are large grounds to explore, with swimming pool & tennis court.

Daily breakfast and afternoon tea, high quality lunchtime and evening cuisine (six meals per week) are included. Knowledgeable staff can help plans days out if desired.

And it all takes place close to Aquitaine's lakes, ocean beaches, and close to Gascony, the Basque country, Biarritz and even Spain.

Go on, treat yourself!


Next Steps
1
2
Make a booking enquiry or request a 48 hour option - call 01395 576655
3
Or check other Villas de Luxe:
> Maison des Pecheurs

Find out more about
Manoir de Maremne
:
» Key Facts
» Photo Gallery
» Location
» Accommodation
» Catered Option
» Self-catering
» Local Guide

Click on a photo below for an enlargement and browse the complete Photo Gallery
Front of the villa Front of the villa
Aerial view
Front view of the manor house
Terrace adjoining the Hossegor & Souston suites
French billiards
Attention to detail - antique bathroom furniture
Soustons Suite 1
Key Facts :
Nearest town :
Soustons - 700m to the town centre
Type of location :
Large private grounds (9 acres) on outskirts of small Landes town
No. of bedrooms :
9 doubles (5 convertible to twins - see Accommodation for details)
Sleeping capacity :
16 adults or 18 with kids
No. of bathrooms :
8 in total:
> 6 en-suite shower rooms
> 1 bathroom shared in a 2-bedroom suite
> 1 further en-suite bathroom
Style of property :
Restored Landes manor house - in fact, the description "stately home" would not be inaccurate. This is a staffed rental* and the team of staff are led by Quintin and Merrilyn. They own the manoir and live in an adjacent cottage in the grounds (other staff live off site). They bring their years of 'catered rentals' experience from the Alps to the coast of south west France. You will find them genuinely enthusiastic and welcoming. Their emphasis will be on giving you a relaxing, luxury villa holiday.
*there is the option to take the villa on a self-catering basis outside July & August
Quality guide :
VILLA DE LUXE - what does this mean?
Prices :
Price Band for this property
Coin image
» Check latest availability & prices for this property:
» catered option #105 - all year round
» self-catering option #116 - outside July & August
Sleeps 18 but special prices available all year round to groups of 10 max.
» Please refer to Catered Option and Self-catered Option for full details about what is included in the price and what is extra. Also, take a look at the sample Cuisine.

»
There is no security deposit with this property.
» Read important information about insurance
Linen Arrangements :
Bed linen, bathroom & pool towels provided
Cleaning Arrangements :
Daily maid service is included in the rental
»
Read important information about cleaning
Arrival & Departure :
Arrival is between 4-6 pm - champagne reception on arrival. Departure is by 10.30am. Changeover day is Sunday in the high season.
» Read important information about arrivals & departures
Nearest beach :
Vieux-Boucau - 10 kms
Nearest boulangerie :
There is a boulangerie in Soustons centre, 700m away, but don't forget your breakfast croissants and baguettes are bought fresh for you, daily, and included in the price
Nearest airport :
Biarritz 45 minutes; Bordeaux & Pau 90 minutes; Bilbao 2.5 hours - timings are approx
Nearest ferry port :
Bilbao (2.5 hours); St Malo (8 hours) - timings are approx
Swimming pool :
Yes, good-sized (15m x 7m), heated, open Easter to end-October. Protected with hard, retractable electric cover.
Facilities & Equipment :
Exceptional!
Satellite TV & DVD player in TV room. TV & DVD player in all bedrooms
• Wireless Internet access throughout the property
• Computer with internet connection & printer
• Table-tennis
• Billiard table
• Board games
• Washing machine facilities available for guests' use
• Tennis court (including racquets & balls)
• Boules, croquet, badminton, volleyball, football, frisbee
• Barbecue and, range/plancha

Several bikes available free of charge (adult and kids)
Suitability for children :
Excellent - spacious grounds, lots of games available and lots of local activties to enjoy. Please read about the Childcare Services available at this villa.
Suitability for infants :
Very good: outdoor play areas; steriliser and microwave for feeding equipment; cots, high chairs, buggy and baby-monitors available. Please read about the Childcare Services available at this villa.
Things to see & do :
Lots! The area is an outdoor playground - see Local Guide for details

Do:
golf, surfing, sailing at the lake, cycling, watersports, markets; picnics & walks at the lake; watch Courses Landaise (bulljumping - no gore); surfing at Vieux Boucau and Hossegor; try thermal spa at nearby Dax.

Visit:
Basque Country villages, Gascon medieval towns, Bayonne, Biarritz, Pyrénées, Bordeaux, Spain - Pamplona, San Sebastian & Bilbao

House 'rules' :
No pets and no smoking please
Location :  Map Ref B5

The house is on the outskirts of Soustons, a small friendly Landes town with magnificent medieval church. The manoir is about 700m from the town centre, in secluded, secure grounds reached via a long wooded private drive-way.

Nearest airports are Biarritz, Bordeaux and Pau, 60, 90 & 90 minutes away respectively (approx). Bilbao ferry port is 2.5 hours away, St Malo about an 8 hour drive. SNCF trains stop at Dax (half an hour).


Accommodation :

Built in 1900, and entirely restored in 2002-2003, Manoir de Maremne is arguably one of the most beautiful houses in Les Landes. It is the largest property in the town, and has many qualities one would expect from a luxury residence. It boasts nine bedrooms, a grand reception, spacious dining room, billiards room and anterooms, with high ceilings, original parquet floors and an impressive oak staircase.

The villa is set amongst 2.6 hectares of land, with a swimming pool, tennis court, century old trees and beautiful mature gardens. The villa has been renovated tastefully and to a very high standard.

All bedrooms have their own television and DVD player. All bathroom fittings are modern yet elegant, with early 20th century character
. Each bedroom is individually decorated and furnished, using relaxing pale tones. Bedding, linen and furniture are high quality and contemporary, at the same time in keeping with the style and character of the property.

Entrance: a long private driveway leads through woodland and suddenly opens out to the house and grounds - it's quite an arrival! There's a lot to take in - two-storey arched window on one side of the house, spacious covered front terrace, several first & second floor balconies, large pool and well-kept lawn and gardens all greet you at once. You immediately feel you are somewhere special that has been well cared-for, and that you will be too.

Ground floor
Steps up to a solid oak door, which you pass through into an outstanding lounge / reception room area whose high wooden beamed ceilings create a feeling of grandeur complemented by the beautiful parquet flooring, wood-panelled walls and the grand oak staircase.

Adjoining the main lounge is the TV / reading room. This cosy room has a lovely marble fireplace, comfortable sofas, satellite TV, DVD player and a selection of DVD's, books and magazines for your enjoyment.

Off another corner is a billiard room with marble fireplace, which also leads to the elegant dining room. The marble fireplace, candles, parquet floors and high ceilings altogether create a very special atmosphere. There are a number of tables allowing you to enjoy more intimate dining or if you are a large group, they can be joined together to create a more celebratory setting. French doors lead to a lovely terrace where breakfast can be enjoyed “alfresco” style.


At ground level there is also a kitchen with fridge, microwave and fridge, plus an independent WC and washroom.

First floor - see floorplan
The oak staircase passes a landing with giant arched window to the first floor hall area, with parquet floors and sofas, and providing access to five bedrooms. Details:

Vieux Boucau Bedroom: this charming double bedroom is light and spacious, enhanced by the soft, cream finish. The bedroom has a lovely four-poster double bed, a classic marble fireplace and two large windows, one of which frames the beautiful blossom trees that feature at the rear of the property, the other affording views across the gardens. There is comfortable seating and the room has its own TV and DVD player. The en-suite shower room is modern and contains a shower, toilet and the original porcelain washbasin with wrought-iron legs.

Hossegor Bedroom: delightful double bedroom which is light and spacious with a soft, peachy finish. It has a four-poster double bed with suspended candle-lights, a lovely marble fireplace and a large window with views of the beautiful blossom trees. It also features the luxury of a large terrace with teak lounge chairs and views across the garden. The terrace is shared with the Soustons Suite 2. There is some comfortable seating plus TV and DVD player.The en-suite shower room is of a modern design and contains a shower, a free standing wash basin and toilet.

Soustons Suite: divided into two bedrooms and works best as a family suite. One of the double beds can be converted into two singles and there is one bathroom serving both bedrooms

Bedroom 1:
the bedroom features an electronically controlled double bed (!), a lovely marble fireplace and French double doors leading to a private balcony with views across the pool and lawns at the front of the estate. There is a sofa where you can sit quietly with a book or simply just relax. The room has its own TV / DVD player. The suite features a large walk-in-wardrobe.

Bedroom 2: this double bedroom is flooded with light and enjoys lovely views across to the gardens and the pool. The room has its own TV / DVD player. The suite features a large walk-in-wardrobe and an adjoining terrace which is shared with the Hossegor Bedroom. Private jacuzzi bath and W.C.

Messanges Bedroom: cosy double bedroom decorated with soft blues and muted greys making it peaceful and relaxing. There is a comfortable double bed, plus a TV and DVD player in the room. The two large windows allow plenty of light to flood the room as well as offering lovely views across the gardens, to the side and front of the estate. The en-suite facilities are within the room itself, separated by a modern-style glass block wall. It features a modern-style washbasin which stands on a wrought-iron table with a backdrop of mosaic green tiles. There is also a toilet.

Second floor - see floorplan
Hall area with parquet floors, leading to 4 further bedrooms. Details:

Seignosse Bedroom:
French double doors lead to a private balcony with wonderful views of the rear gardens. There is a double bed, a cosy fireplace and some comfortable seating in the room . The room has its own TV and DVD player. The en-suite shower room is of a modern design, finished in soft, pale yellows with red mosaic tiling and has a window allowing in plenty of natural light. It has a shower, free standing wash basin and toilet.

Capbreton Bedroom: finished in fresh white with touches of red, is light and airy and has the luxury of a private sauna. Comfortable double bed, TV and DVD player. Impressive finishing touches give this room a truly fresh, seaside atmosphere. Double doors allow in plenty of light and fresh air while the window at the front of the room offers views across the gardens. The en-suite bathroom is modern with blue mosaic tiling and contains a bath as well as a shower, a modern square basin and a window which allows in plenty of natural light. There is also a separate toilet.

Contis Bedroom: there is a double/twin bed, a cosy fireplace and some comfortable seating plus TV and DVD player. French double doors lead to a private balcony from where you have some gorgeous views of the swimming pool, gardens and glorious woodlands surrounding the property. The en-suite shower room is modern and contains a shower, toilet and an original porcelain washbasin.

Mimizan Bedroom: This cosy attic-style double room has soft green furnishings and neutral tones, giving the room a fresh and summery feel. There is a comfortable double bed, full-length mirror, TV and DVD player. There are views overlooking the pool, croquet lawn and gardens at the front of the estate. The en-suite facilities are within the room itself, separated by a modern-style glass block wall.

Outside & grounds
Swimming pool: private 15 x 7 metre outdoor heated swimming pool in superb condition including a electric security cover for children's safety. Surrounded by 90m2 of terrace with sun loungers and teak furniture for pool-side dining, mature gardens with beautiful shrubs and trees including a built in BBQ area. A pool house contains bar area, fridges, ice-cream freezer and a toilet and outside shower.

Tennis court: the full size court is in good condition, and even has an umpire's chair. Quality tennis racquets and new balls available for guests.

Terraces:
> stone steps lead to a south facing terrace at the entrance
> terrace on the dining area for garden breakfasts
> pool terrace of 90m2 for outside candlelit dining, BBQ lunches and entertaining for special events.

Grounds
: the villa sits right in the middle of a square estate with a secluded feel, being separated from the road and other properties by mature trees on all sides. A variety of shrubs and hedges, flowers and lawns surround the villa with a small river bordering one edge of the grounds.

 
Services : 

Manoir de Maremne is available for rental in its entirety for up to 18 people. During the period June to end-Sep, it can be hired as a catered rental only. Outside this period there is an option to rent the property on a self-catering basis.

At certain times of the year, we can provide quotes for smaller groups, special events and short breaks too - please get in touch with us.

Catered Option:
Available all year round > check latest prices and availability for catered option.

Please check the table below to see what catering services the price includes.
You might also like to browse the sample Cuisine.

Childcare services are charged extra.
Also, the rental prices do not include airport transfers, entrance fees to attractions or tuition fees for activities, or evening meals out in local restaurants.

Champagne reception
Daily breakfast
Daily afternoon tea
Three lunches/wk
Three gastronomic dinners/wk
Children's teas
Drinks service
Sporting equipment

Self-Catering:
Outside July & August, the manoir can be rented without any staff or catering services. Please note that the owners, Quintin & Merrilyn will be living in the cottage in the grounds.

Check
latest prices and availability for self-catered option

Family Activities & Childcare Services:
Manoir de Maremne is a 'dream location' for a family holiday. Children are warmly welcomed and there is chance for the grown-ups to relax while the manoir staff take over entertaining the kids. Your kids should never be bored at a place like this:
> enjoy local activities including the beach, cycling, watersports, etc
> the local beaches have Blue Flag status and lifeguards are on hand in the summer months
> the manoir staff can arrange days out for the kids - surf school, sailing lessons, or horse-riding for example
> tailor-made itineraries can be arranged for grown-ups too, such as a trip to the vineyards
> plenty of sports equipment at the property itself
> and inside, if there's a rainy afternoon, plenty of DVDs to catch up on and boardgames to play

Childcare is available at Manoir de Maremne on any given week as an NNEB qualified nanny is part of the team of staff.
The nanny service would be offered on either an hourly basis (18€/hr) or for half or whole days (65€ per half day or 120€ per whole day) depending upon the client's requirements.

Special Events:
Manoir de Maremne is an ideal choice for celebrating a special birthday or anniversary. The facilities, excellent catering and attentive staff will make it a thoroughly relaxing and memorable stay. The poolside terrace and extensive gardens are perfect for outdoor entertaining, while the elegant dining room is cosy and inviting.

 
Guide :

Soustons     Soustons Tourist Office

Originally named ‘South Town’ by its English occupants in the 14th century, Soustons is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the huge Etang (lake) de Soustons, as well as the largest pine forests of Europe. It is within easy reach of the Pays Basque, Spain and the Pyrénées.

The Atlantic beaches are close by - 10 minutes drive to the sandy beaches of Vieux Boucau, 20 minutes to the surf capital of Hossegor and the coastal port town of Capbreton.

The popularity of Soustons as holiday town has grown exponentially since 2000. Soustons, though, has its strengths in its mix of residents and holiday visitors. It's not just a holiday town, it has locals too! Unlike many of the seaside towns, Soustons and its 100 commercial activities do not close down in winter. Lakeside and town centre restaurants are open all year. The Fête de la Tulipe takes place in Spring. The Centre des Spectacles (concert hall) and Centre Nautique (water sports centre) as well as many of the other activities nearby, are open to the public all year long. There's tennis courts, cinema and discotheque too.

In August Soustons holds its five days of fêtes. Throughout the season Soustons arena hosts weekly ‘Courses Landaises’ (bull jumping without the gore), as well as a true French traditional market on Monday morning, and a ‘Marché Nocturne’ on Friday evenings (till very late)
- Soustons is in fact the most important market town for the region.

South westerners love their sports and outdoor activities. Soustons is host to rugby matches against British and Irish teams and local Pelote Basque competitions are regular. Join in with the French and try your hand at Boules. The pine forest is criss-crossed with cycle paths and walkways leading to the lakes and beaches.
Soustons is close to three highly rated golf courses (ranked in the top 15 in France).


Soustons boasts Francois Mitterand, ex French President as ‘amoureux’ of the locality, with a statue dedicated to him (and his fatihful dog!) in the town centre and his family's residence is located on the edge of Soustons.There's still a handful of resplendent lake-side villas dating to the turn of the 20th century, built by wealthy city folk (Bordeaux, Mont-de-Marsan) requiring a tranquil holiday retreat.

It is the lake, however, that still dominates the town. It's far from being the largest of the many freshwater lakes which punctuate the Aquitaine coastal landscape, but at 800 acres, it's no pond either! There is an excellent sailing base on the north-side at Azur. All sides of the lake are surrounded by dense pine forest but there are many tracks leading to the lake, cycle paths and picnic spots too.

For further information visit Tourisme France - Soustons and select the button on the right hand side ‘Visite Virtuelle’ to have a virtual visit of Soustons Lake and Soustons plage. You can also visit Landes Tourisme - Soustons for a location map and a list of activities and commerces in and around Soustons.


Local Area

Alternative Aquitaine's guide to the Côte Landaise.

The Côte Landaise coastline stretches from Bordeaux to the Pays Basque, with some 106km of sandy coastline, the highest sand dunes in europe and finishes at the base of the Pyrenees, in the Bay of Biscay and a coast renowned for its surfing fun. With its population of only 35 people per square km has and over 106 km of coastline, Les Landes is not surprisingly France's least densely populated département.

Nearby Hossegor is one of those seaside towns whose population swells exponentially in the high season. It is a town that has a lot to offer: boutique shopping, great bars and restaurants, world-famous surfing beaches, a lovely golf course ranked in the Top 50 in France and a beautiful lake for safe bathing. It’s little wonder, therefore, that the town is busy. The remarkable thing is that it's something of a French (and Spanish) secret; unless you're a dedicated surfer, the chances are you won't have heard of Hossegor.

Hossegor lies about 15 minutes' drive south, whilst a similar distance north is Moliets-Plage. This is another great beach location and activity centre with golf and surf a speciality. In fact, the south west coast is something of an outdoor playground. Take your pick from surfing, canoeing, sailing, cycling, tennis, horse-riding and golf to name a few. Between the two is Vieux-Boucau, a small family-friendly resort, also with a great beach and popular with surfers, young beginners (as young as 5 or 6!) as well as weathered experts - the owners of Manoir de Maremne can put you in touch with surf-schools there.

This area of Aquitaine is rich in attractions so here are just a few suggestions for day-trips:

• Biarritz and St Jean de Luz. Less than an hour’s drive south are the sophisticated resorts of Biarritz   and St Jean de Luz, the south Atlantic’s competition 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 and thalassotherapy. In France, the south west is known for its rejuvenating waters, both salt   and fresh varieties. Dax is the official spa capital of France and is a 40 minute drive from Hossegor   Lac. The Côte Basque – Hendaye, St Jean de Luz and Biarritz - is home to numerous   thalassotherapy centres.

• Lakes. The freshwater lakes that punctuate the forest provide a great alternative to the ocean and   safer bathing for children. Rather like the Lake District in England, each lake, or étang, has its own   atmosphere. Apart from the local Lac d’Hossegor, there are others nearby to try: étangs Blanc,   Soutsons and Léon; at the latter you can canoe from the lake along the serene Courant d’Huchet to   the ocean’s edge.

• Chalosse Country. To the south of Dax and Mont-de-Marsan you start to enter rural Gascony, which   means several things: foie gras, floc de Gascogne (sherry) and a pleasantly slow pace of life. The food   is marvellous, the towns are half asleep except for market days, and the countryside is entirely   relaxing. Montfort-en-Chalosse, Mugron and St. Sever are good stopping points.

• Basque Country. The delightful rolling green hills and picture-perfect villages of the Pays Basque are   a must. Ainhoa, Sare, Espelette and Ascain all perfectly demonstrate Basque village life. A little   further south and you can hike in the mountain air of the Pyrénées.

Spain. It’s about 75 minutes to the border and only a short distance further to the majestic seaside   city of San Sebastian, the Spanish Basque country’s equivalent of Biarritz. The more adventurous   could drive another hour or so further along the northern coast to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim.

For further information try the links below. There is an excellent tourist office in Hossegor too. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for the content of third party sites.

Soustons Tourist Office
Soustons Sailing Club (French)
Rockley Watersports Centre Soustons-Azur
Les Landes Tourist Office
Learn About the Basque Country
UK Tourist Office for France


Call 0870 6092845 or email info@alternative-aquitaine.co.uk for information & booking
Last updated : 13.11.09 ja