Description
This charming 18th century country manor house enjoys an idyllic hilltop setting
in the village of Montfaucon. It has large rooms with high ceilings, complete
with original beams. The house combines the Old World charm of authentic French
antiques with the New World comfort of a modernized kitchen and bathrooms.
Outdoor amenities include an enclosed swimming pool (8.5m x 3m) with wood deck,
tiled terrace with shade tree, Mediterranean-style landscaping, and lovely
lounging areas. Monfaucon is a nice residential village with many restored homes
and working farms. It is 8 km from Maubourguet, which is the nearest location
for supermarkets, cafes, bars, and shopping. The property is one hour from Pau,
30 minutes from Tarbes, one hour from Lourdes, 1.5 hours from the Pyrenees, and
2 hours from Biarritz. There are tennis facilities in Monfaucon, and a golf
course 8 km away. Horseback riding is available nearby, as well as a lake with a
beach. There is ample parking available on the gravel driveway. Enjoy jazz at
nearby Marciac, take part in the numerous country fairs (fetes), read by the
pool, have an outdoor dinner featuring the wines of the nearby vineyards of
Madiran and St.Mont or walk to the village edge and see the majestic Pyrenees.
Accommodation
Two floors
Ground floor: There is a redecorated living room with leather couches, built-in
media cabinet with antique wooden doors, CD player, cassette player, DVD player,
and a wood stove. The living room is furnished with a single bateau lit sleigh
bed with side rails, offering an additional sleeping place. The fully equipped
kitchen includes an oven, stove, microwave, and coffee maker. The adjacent
utility room has a refrigerator, separate freezer, and washing machine. There is
one bathroom with shower. The Great Hall, which is used as a formal dining room,
has original terracotta flooring, framed antique photographs, and a large
refectory table. Doors on either side of the room offer cross ventilation. The
Mitterand Room is a double bedroom with lambs wool mattress, desk, built-in
closets, and a decorative armoire. A letter from Mitterand's office hangs inside
the closet doors. The room overlooks an ancient walnut tree and the swimming
pool. There is also an additional single bedroom.
First floor: An original, curved oak staircase leads to the first floor. There
are three bedrooms: The Indian Room, the Sage Room, and the Blue Room. The
Indian Room consists of two adjoining bedrooms. One bedroom has an antique
Indian four poster bed and one single antique bateau lit (sleigh bed) with side
rails. The adjoining bedroom has an antique single bateau lit (sleigh bed) with
side rails, antique painted crib, and an en suite bathroom with modern shower.
The Sage Room has a double bed with lambs wool mattress and intricately carved
headboard. There is a matching wardrobe and an en suite bathroom with modern
shower. The far wall is exposed brick. The Blue Room features original woodblock
printed wallpaper in soft blues. There is a queen-size bed and a single bateau
lit (sleigh bed) with side rails. This bedroom has a separate bathroom with
full-size claw foot and decorative copper frame curtain rail. There is a game
room, ideal for children, furnished with eclectic antiques, board games, and
puzzles. The amenities include: central heating radiators, CD player, DVD
player, microwave, washing machine, TV, and crib. Amenities for which there is
an additional cost include: firewood, heating in low season, housekeeping,
catering regional foods, wine tours, bike rentals, and horseback riding.
Breakdown
General: central heating, internet access, linen provided, towels provided
Kitchen: 4 ring stove, dish washer, freezer, fridge, grill, hob, microwave,
oven, washing machine
Living Room: fireplace, sofa bed, living area seating for 10 people
Dining: dining room, seating for 12 people
Bathrooms: 3 bathrooms, 2 shower rooms, 1 WC
No. of bedrooms: 4 bedrooms, sleeps a maximum of 12 people
Bedrooms: 2 doubles, 2 family bedrooms, 1 cot
Entertainment: audio tape player, CD, radio, stereo system, TV, video player
Outside: barbecue, garden, parking, swimming pool, terrace, 2 bicycles,
garden chairs, beach chairs
Suitability: children welcome, long term renters welcome, pets considered,
suitable for elderly or infirm, wheelchair accessible
Local Activities
Cycling, fishing, golf, horse riding, mountain biking, swimming, tennis,
walking, water skiing, Bird watching
Location
Nearest international airport: Pau at 60 kilometres
Nearest beach: 15 kilometres
Nearest ferry port: Bilbao at 250 kilometres
Click
here to view a map of the area
