Summary :
The
Cap Ferret peninsula
is like no other place in France - a sandy, pine-forested strip
that protects the bassin d'Arcachon from the Atlantic ocean and
known for a laid-back way of life.
Villa Cabernet is situated discreetly in forest in a small residential
area of the village of La Vigne.
It is modern and spacious: a large living area with integrated kitchen
in one corner, three bedrooms plus mezzanine accommodate eight.
Outside, a large decked terrace and pool provide a perfect setting
for relaxation day and night. Altogether, Villa Cabernet is a typically
comfortable and laid-back place to settle into the local way of
life for a week or two!
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Key
Facts :
| Nearest
town : |
La
Vigne , Cap Ferret peninsula |
| Type
of location : |
Residential,
sea-side |
| No.
of bedrooms : |
3
bedrooms: 2 doubles, 1 twin, plus mezzanine |
| Sleeping
capacity : |
8 |
| No.
of bathrooms : |
2 |
| Style
of property : |
Modern
chalet-style villa |
| Quality
guide : |
GOOD
QUALITY - what
does this mean? |
| Prices : |
|
| »
Check availability and prices for this property GO |
Prices
include bed linen, heating, gas, electricity. Bathroom towels
are not provided.
A returnable security deposit equivalent to 1,500 euros is
required for visitors to Villa Cabernet. Please enquire for
further details. |
| Nearest
beach : |
La
Vigne bassin d'Arcachon (800 m); Atlantic ocean beach 3 km |
| Nearest
boulangerie : |
3.5
km (Cap Ferret village) |
| Nearest
airport : |
Bordeaux
Mérignac (60 km) |
| Nearest
ferry port : |
St
Malo 6.5 hours drive, Santander 3 - 3.5 hours drive |
| Swimming
pool : |
Yes |
| Suitability
for children : |
Very
good. Cot & high chair provided for infants |
| Things
to see & do : |
Swimming,
cycling, water-sports, wildlife, food & wine, heritage |
| Pets
allowed : |
No |
| Long
winter lets : |
Yes |
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Location
: Map
Ref B3
Le Presqu'Ile (virtual island) of Cap Ferret, a
sandy peninsula protecting the Bay of Arcachon from the Atlantic,
is a gem of a place. The first road only reached there in about
1930, the train has never made it, so it's easy to conjure the days
when it was nothing but pine forest, sand dune and the odd oyster-farming
village. Even though it's more developed today, it's been done with
moderation: residential developments are discretely tucked away
in the forest and there's nothing high-rise, except for the famous
Cap Ferret lighthouse. Villa Cabernet is located in a residential
district of La Vigne, a charming fishing port and
marina close to Le Cap Ferret village that also has a sandy beach
with beautiful views across the bassin d'Arcachon..
This amazing environment is just over half an hour's drive from
Bordeaux Mérignac airport. The TGV serves
the Gare St Jean also in Bordeaux, about 45 minutes to an hour away.
The channel port of St Malo can be reached in a good six to six
and a half hour run; the other way, Santander is about three hours'
drive.
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Accommodation
:
Villa Cabernet is located on a quiet residential cul-de-sac on the
outskirts of La Vigne, close to one of the many cycle paths that
takes you down into the chic cafes and shops of Le Cap Ferret village
at the foot of the peninsula. The villa is set back amongst trees
a little way from the road and, with virtually no cars or people
passing by, is very private.
The house itself is a wonderful example of modern design being sensitive
to the special surroundings of Cap Ferret. Built in the chalet-style,
using wood extensively, it fits in perfectly with the woodland surroundings.
The spacious decked terrace circling the house add to the impression.
Finally, white shutters on each of the several sliding doors that
open onto the terrace provide a very summery feel. After only a
few minutes here, many visitors here wish they could move in permanently!
The house is spacious inside and covers 130 m sq altogether. In
the main living area downstairs four pairs of glazed doors onto
the terrace and windows onto the woodland behind provide plenty
of natural light; wooden floors and walls give the interior a feeling
of extra warmth.
In the living area, the fireplace, loosely covered double settee
and chairs, table and lots of homely details make this a very cosy
and relaxing spot. Glazed doors opening onto the terrace also provide
a nice view onto the pool - very calming!
The kitchenette is in the opposite corner of the living room; its
modern, stylish and informal design mean it blends in very well
with the rest of the living area, adding to the warmth and conviviality
of the room. The kitchen is well-equipped and includes a dishwasher,
cooker and washing machine. Alongside the kitchenette is a dining
table and chairs for 6 people.
Throughout this room the relaxed furnishings and the owners' little
touches - small shelves, subtle lighting, tasteful ornaments - make
the room feel homely, yet chic.
Three double bedrooms, bathroom and wc lead from living room, all
equipped and finished to the same standard as the living area. Each
of the bedrooms is a good size, contains plenty of hanging space
and a chair.
Back in the lounge, a short flight of wooden stairs leads to a spacious
galleried mezzanine level, that often serves as a children's play
and sleeping area. There is plenty of space for two children to
sleep here. There's also a cot & high chair provided for infants.
Sliding doors lead outside from the lounge onto the decked terrace,
running on around the pool and along the side of the house. Gazing
out over the terrace from the lounge on a hot day it is difficult
to resist the urge to take a running jump into the pool! The garden
is bounded by trees and hedges providing privacy from neighbouring
houses.
In all Villa Cabernet is a very
comfortable and wonderfully located base for one or two families
or a group of friends to enjoy a week or two living the natural,
laid back way of life of the Cap Ferret peninsula in style and comfort.
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How
To Book :
STEP 1.
Check
availability. NB Website availability is refreshed daily but not
"live" so please contact us to confirm availability. Call
+44 (0)870 609 2845 or email us
Once we have confirmed availability we can normally hold a property
for up to 48 hours if you need to confer with friends or family).
STEP 2.
Call or email us
if you want to go ahead and make a provisional booking.
STEP 3.
To confirm a provisional booking we need, within 5 working days,
your completed Booking Form and your deposit payment of 35%.
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| Local
Guide:
The Cap Ferret peninsula is a treat
for the senses - the scent of the pine forest, the constant rumble
of rollers washing up on the western coast, the salty, slippery
taste of oysters washed down with a Bordeaux blanc and, at the end
of the day, sitting on top of one of the dunes overlooking the Atlantic
and watching the sun go down. Bliss!
All these experiences and more are within easy reach of Villa Cabernet.
The Atlantic beach of l'Horizon, popular with surfers,
is 3 km away through the forest, the bassin d'Arcachon beach at
La Vigne just 800 m away. Here you can look at the boats coming
and going from teh marina and enjoy the views across the basin over
to Arcachon. Why not take your own boat out there one day? The tourist
office in Le Canon town hall can help with boat
hire.
One of the cycle paths that winds around the peninsula passes just
a few minutes away from the house - it's just a 10 minute ride down
to Le Cap Ferret village. From here you can take a ferry over to
Arcachon, but you'll probably miss your 'desert island' home quite
quickly! Or try a boat tour spotting the oyster beds and bird life
of the bassin d'Arcachon.
Heading
on down to the Pointe is a must, stopping
to climb to the top of the famous Cap Ferret lighthouse on the way - the views across the bassin to the sandy wild-life
reserve of the Banc d'Arguin and over to the Dune
de Pyla (Europe's highest sand dune) are breathtaking.
At La Pointe, a tram runs to the Atlantic and is a very enjoyable
ride, especially for children.
The famous '44 hectares' of the Cap Ferret peninsula
are situated south of the lighthouse. This is an area of villas
built in the earlier part of the century set amongst the pine trees
all served by unmade roads, owned by several French stars, Bordeaux
vineyard owners and generations of Cap Ferret inhabitants of more
modest means. It's probably the most natural, exclusive yet unpretentious
housing estate in France!
Cap Ferret village is the peninsula's biggest town
- laid back, chic boutiques and bistros are the theme here.
If you feel the urge to leave the
Cap - and many don't while they are here - the famous appelations
of Pauillac and Margaux north
in the médoc rouge are not far away. There are many vineyards
where you can visit and taste some of the famous wines. Two very
approachable châteaux are the under-rated (and relatively
inexpensive) Château Maucaillou, a medium-sized,
family-run estate in Moulis-en-Médoc; there is an interesting
museum exhibiting some of the history of wine-making. Or for a very
special visit, Château Giscours
in the Margaux region organises tastings of various vintages of
its grand crus classés, hosted by a particularly engaging,
unpretentious and plain-speaking 'oenologue' (Master of Wine).
Around
the other side of the basin is Arcachon, a popular
French resort; a part of the town known as the Ville d'Hiver (winter
town) is well worth strolling to see the quirky architecture of
its many 19th century villas.
South of Arcachon is the famous Dune du Pyla, the
largest sand dune in Europe, standing at over 100 metres. A journey
to the summit (try it without the staircase provided!) is a must;
sunrise and sunset are the best times.
If
you're feeling beached out, Bordeaux
is well under an hour away and is a good option for a day-trip,
whether it’s boutique shopping, sight-seeing or culture. Walking
around the 18th century old town centre (Quartier St. Pierre), you
can begin to imagine the city’s commercial and maritime past.
Medieval gems of the Gironde east of Bordeaux are also wonderful
days out; St Emilion, with its 11th century basilica,
is the best known but can be busy; St Macaire and
La Réole are also enjoyable. Obviously there
are more chateaux over here but an
altogether different wine experience can be had at Caudalie
Vinotherapie Spa, in the middle of the Château Smith
Haut Lafitte, vineyards, just south of Bordeaux. The spa offers
unique beauty treatments derived from grand cru grapes of the Graves
appelation renowned for their anti-ageing and micro-circulation
improving properties - in short, visitors apparently come out feeling
good!
For further information try the links below. Please note that we
cannot be held responsible for the content of third party sites.
Cap
Ferret Tourism
Arcachon Tourism
Bordeaux
Tourism
Gironde
Tourism
UK's French Tourist
Office
Chateau Giscours
Chateau
Maucaillou
Caudalie
Vinotherapie Spa
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| Last
updated : 07.04.08 ja
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