Gascony in the Pyrenées Atlantiques

Accommodation: House - 344m².  Garage, cellar & garden store - 70m².

In a prominent position at the end of a country lane, with lovely views of the Pyrenees, is this delightful Bearnais house which has been extended into the adjacent stone barn to create a large family house of great charm. The conversion has maintained all the character features - fireplaces, beams, original terra cotta floor tiles - whilst providing a very high standard of modern comfort. Two new gas-fired boilers have been installed, with an underground gas tank. The plumbing has all been brought up-to-date, 3 new large en suite shower rooms have been installed and good quality carpet has been fitted throughout the first floor. The whole property has been newly decorated, inside and outside The house is set in attractive parkland of 5000m² with extensive terracing to take advantage of the super views.

There are several attractive houses dotted around the nearby hillsides so, although the house is secluded, it is not isolated. The two charming market towns of Orthez and Sallies de Béarn are within 10 minutes' drive. The elegant city of Pau, with its shops, restaurants, historical centre and international airport is about 30 minutes away. The Atlantic coast, the ski resorts and the Spanish border are an hour away and the two major centres of Bordeaux and Toulouse can both be reached in 1 hour 45 minutes.

House

Ground Floor

¨     The principal accommodation, 234m², is in the barn conversion. The old Bearnais house provides 110m² of living area.

¨     The ground floor is tiled throughout with the original terra cotta floor tiles which are in excellent condition.

¨     The glazed front door opens directly into the main salon, 9.5m x 9.5m, with exposed beams, 3 windows, 3 glazed doors, French windows to a covered terrace, open staircase, newly-installed corner kitchen and huge Gascon fireplace fitted with a woodburning stove,

¨     Kitchen, fitted with attractive off-white units, granite work surfaces, breakfast bar and the following equipment: round sink, Siemens dishwasher, built-in refrigerator, Ariston cooker and gas hob. Door to small walk-in larder with shelving.

¨     Lavatory with wash basin.

¨     Door and steps down to cellar, 12.5m².

¨     A few steps with an ornamental balustrade link the main salon to the family living room, 8m x 5m, with large open fireplace, fitted Grundig flat-screen tv, 3 windows, French windows to the dining terrace, exposed beams and door to large laundry room.

¨     Laundry room, 3.8m x 4.3m, with exposed beams, window, door to the garden, gas ch boiler (1 of 2), butler's sink, American fridge/freezer, gas hob and microwave.

First Floor

¨     The first floor is carpeted throughout and has fitted downlighters in most rooms.

¨     The curving staircase leads to an extensive area of 3 linked landings, over 30m² in total, with 2 windows. One area 3.5m x 3.2m.is currently used as an office.

¨     Master bedroom, 3.4m x 5.5m (max), with exposed beam, window, French window with ornamental railings and en suite bathroom.

¨     En suite master bathroom, 3.2m x 2m, with extra wide shower, basin, window and wc.

¨     Bedroom (2), 3.6m x 3.6m, with 2 windows, exposed beam, fitted wardrobe with old oak doors and en suite bathroom (2).

¨     En suite bathroom (2), 3.2m x 1.8m, with extra wide shower, basin, window and wc.

¨     Bedroom (3), 3.4m x 3.9m, with window, exposed beam and door to en suite bathroom (3).

¨     En suite bathroom (3), 3.3m x 2.8m, with window, extra wide shower, basin and wc.

¨     Bedroom (4), 4.5m x 3m, a very pretty room with exposed timberwork and 2 windows.

¨     Bedroom (5), 3m x 4m with window.

¨     Family bathroom, 3m x 2.7m,  shared by bedrooms (4) and (5), with bath, separate shower cubicle, window, basin and wc.

Second Floor

¨     Pull-down loft ladder on main landing gives access to convertible loft of approximately 40m².

Outside

¨     5000m² of land with lovely undulating parkland, attractive planting and a good selection of specimen trees including some fine catalpas and bitzias.

¨     French windows from the main salon lead to a roofed open-fronted terrace, 25m², with lovely views.

¨     Large paved dining terrace flanked by raised ornamental beds.

¨     Integral store, 4m x 5m, housing the second gas-fired central heating boiler, with small adjacent covered terrace.

¨     Independent garden shed with tiled concrete base.

¨     Independent double garage, 36m².

The two buildings are now perfectly linked to create one large, very comfortable family home. At one time, however, the two buildings were independent and the small Bearnais house was used as a holiday rental. For anyone who wanted more flexible accommodation it could be reinstated as a separate dwelling, simply by blocking the communicating doors and replacing the staircase between the family living room and bedrooms 4 & 5.