This traditional L-shaped Gascon farmhouse was built in the 18th century in the local honey stone. It has been sympathetically restored to showcase its great character, with exposed brick and stone and ceiling beams.

Maison Baylot can accommodate 6 adults in 3 bedrooms, with a set of bunkbeds for 2 children. A double futon on the mezzanine can accommodate 2 more guests. Two cots and baby paraphernalia are also available, so the house could comfortably accommodate 2 families.

Your hosts, Charles and Carla, were former hoteliers and restaurateurs in England, therefore little has been overlooked in equipping the house and gardens to the highest standard, although should you find anything lacking please let us know...

The thick stone walls and cool tiles on the ground floor keep the house cool in the height of the summer, and the open log fireplace coupled with central heating keep you snug and warm in the cooler months.

Linen, towels and beach towels are provided, and local phone calls and heating are included in the advertised prices.

Maison Baylot sits on the edge of a small hamlet, surrounded by fields of maize and cattle. The gardens overlook a peaceful valley, with woods on the far side.

The local area is rich with history and culture - a rare mixture of Basquaise and French culture, with a warm welcome from the local folk, and some wonderful culinary delights - try the regional speciality cheeses such as Brebis, made from ewes milk, and is a good contender to British cheddar; the Garbure soup - a hearty soup of potatoes, cabbage, Tarbais beans, goose or duck, bacon - yummm! Duck in all its forms, and yet 'plateau de fruits de mer' is also freshly available - the variety of foods served in this area is enormous!

As a final point, Maison Baylot is only ever let to one party at a time, so your privacy is guaranteed. The owners live 20 minutes away, near enough in an emergency, yet far enough for discretion.

Facilities

Property Type:	Farmhouses
Nearest port:	Cherbourg 857km
Nearest market:	Maubourguet 12km
Nearest restaurant:	Madiran 4km
Kitchen:	Entering the house, the spacious dining room features a large oak table which comfortably seats up to10, and oak sideboards with loads of matching cutlery, glasses and china. There is also a hi-fi system. The well equipped American-style kitchen/breakfast room includes a fan-assisted oven, 4 ring gas hob, dishwasher, microwave, coffee machine, food processor, blender, juicer, fridge and fridge-freezer, and also has a large oak table with benches. Wide range of cooking implements.
Living area:	In the living room, a comfortable sofa and armchairs surround a large open fireplace. A tv with English-language channels, and a dvd/cd and video player are also available.
Bedrooms:	A wooden staircase leads up to the first floor where the 3 bedrooms are located. Two have king-size double beds, and one has a king-size double bed and a set of bunk beds for children. There is also a mezzanine with a double futon
Bathrooms:	On the ground floor is a bathroom with shower in bath and wash hand basin, with a washing machine and a tumbledryer, and a separate toilet. On the first floor you have a shower room with wash hand basin, bidet and wc.
Entertainment on-site:	Large screen tv, dvd/cd player, video recorder, board and card games, book cabinet with loads of books and some dvds and videos, and a range of baby's and children's toys and videos. For the more active, the barn accommodates a ping-pong table and darts board, and there is also a basketball hoop, boules, badminton and bikes (including child size) on-site.
Garden and outside:	The enclosed gardens are spacious and private, with areas for play and for relaxation, plus an orchard and vegetable garden. A large covered pool and solar shower is next to a covered summer eating and barbecue area, with ample seating. A number of mature trees provide shady areas in the summer months.
Parking and garaging:	A paved drive sweeps around the barn wing to the west, with ample parking space. Two of the barns can comfortably provide shelter from the hot summer sun.
Suitability:	Maison Baylot is perfect for all ages, groups, and families. Albeit not in a resort, there is plenty to do in the area... or not, as the case may be.. There are lovely walks in the vicinity and in the nearby mountains, superb equestrian centres, fishing, hiking, white water rafting, grottoes, aerial tree walks, skiing, boarding... The Atlantic beaches offer surfing, sailing, skiing... And for those heart stopping thrills, Walibi Parc is a fun day out! For those wine buffs, the Madiran and St Mont wines are only a short drive or bike ride away.... wine-tastings 7/7! For the gourmand, restaurants abound, from the 4 course 11 Euro menu, to more sophisticated dining.
General:	The property is beautifully situated, on the edge of a hamlet in the rolling countryside, amongst fields of maize, vineyards, woods and cattle grazing.

Owners Recommendations

Eating Out

'Bar des Autobus, Maubourguet'
"Looks like a seedy cafe/bar, opposite the market, but boy! is it not! 5 really excellent quality courses plus as much wine as you feel you could imbibe and still drive, for only 12.00€ (sadly, they felt the need to put the price up from 11.50€ recently... getting a bit pricey?)"

'Carpi (La Familia), Vic en Bigorre'
"Small family run restaurant behind the market - lunchtimes only - 4 courses plus as much wine as you want for 11 Euros!"

'L'Auberge de Madiran'
"Just 4km down the road, a good menu, well prepared food and outdoor tables"

'L'Hotel Tivoli, Vic en Bigorre'
"Lovely conservatory style restaurant - Great lunch buffet and main course - Superb à la carte menu, including seafood platters and Pyrenean lamb off a huge oak fired barbecue!"

'Le Prieuré, Madiran'
"Sister to 'Les 3 B's' - we have not tried it, but regular guests recommended it highly"

'Les 3 B's, Nouilhan'
"Superb for gourmand food, beautifully presented, in a not too starchy, quite relaxed atmosphere - booking advised, especially for Sunday lunchtime"

'Relais d'Aydie, Aydie'
"Typical Gascon restaurant, in the heart of the vineyards - very good menu, including their fantastic omelette au cêpes - an experience in eating! "

Local Area and Activities

'Cirque de Gavarnie'
"A natural amphitheatre in the Pyrenees! Hire a horse or donkey and trek, have a fondue or raclette - for all the family!"

'Equestrian Centre 'Lou Cassou', Monsegur'
"Really excellent stables, loads of lovely horses and ponies, just 15 mins drive. Some English spoken"

'Grottes de Bettherram'
"Absolutely fabulous underground caves near Lourdes, stalagmites and the ones that come down... awe inspiring!"

'Parc National des Animaliers, Argeles Gazost'
"Lovely animal park with local wildlife, and the little ones can stroke the marmottes"

'Parc Walibi, Agen'
"Great little theme park, without the queues or prices of the larger ones but with a good selection of rides and picnic area (2 hours) "

'Pic du Midi, Pyrenean Mountains'
"A great day out - cable car to the Pid du Midi observatory, and view the length of these magnificent mountains!"

'The Pyrenees'
"Everything from walking, white water rafting, skiing, snowball fights up until April, lovely scenery, and the spa towns of Lourdes, Bagneres de Bigorre (try 'Aquensis' for an amazing experience) in the lower foothills"

Markets and Shopping

'Intermarché, Plaisance'
"Nearby, with a great butchers counter"

'Leclerc Meridien, Ibos, Tarbes'
"This store has to be 500 metres wide, with a huge array of meats, fish, charcuterie and cheeses, plus everything else you could need - an experience! Plus, the sports shop sells everything from ping-pong balls to saddles - interested in buying that 2,000€ wheel rim for your bike? - they've got it! Visit the surrounding massive stores for clothes, shoes, electrical... you name it!"

'Maubourguet Market'
"Your nearest market, a small Tuesday market, with local vendors of cheeses and fresh fish, meats and vegetables"

'Super U, Maubourguet'
"Love this store - all you could need in a small supermarket, including (dare I say it) an English section.."

'Tarbes Thursday Market'
"This has to be one of the largest and most varied markets we have come across in France. There are, in fact, markets for every day of the week in the near vicinity to Maison Baylot "

'Vic en Bigorre'
"Our favourite, on Saturday mornings, lots of local farmers selling their wares, plus clothes, household linens etc. Small but perfectly formed..."

Rental Rates

Maison Baylot - Sleeps: 8/10, Bedrooms: 3/4

08 Mar 2008- 26 Apr 2008 £450.00
26 Apr 2008- 31 May 2008 £600.00
31 May 2008- 12 Jul 2008 £825.00
12 Jul 2008- 30 Aug 2008 £1,475.00
30 Aug 2008- 04 Oct 2008 £825.00
04 Oct 2008- 01 Nov 2008 £600.00
01 Nov 2008- 20 Dec 2008 £400.00
20 Dec 2008- 03 Jan 2009 £600.00
03 Jan 2009- 28 Feb 2009 £400.00

Short lets and long lets available in the lower seasons at advantageous prices - contact Carla or Charles

Contact Details

To book this property use the contact details below quoting Holiday France Direct ref: AP002464.

Contact:	Mrs Carla Morris
Postal Address:	La Galotte 14 Rue des Pyrenees 65140 Ugnouas France
Telephone:	(00 33) 5 62 31 19 23
Mobile:	(00 33) 6 71 14 91 35
Email:	Email the Owner »
Shortlist:	Click here to add this property to your shortlist
Listing last updated:	12 May 2008