Pau

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This superb hilltop property is located in the foothills of the Pyrénées, halfway between mountain ski resorts and Pau. Built in 1775, the property comprises a huge L-shape farmhouse (370m² in total), a vast renovated barn (580m²) with eight guest bedrooms and a health spa area, a swimming pool (14m x 7m), stables and grounds of 1.2 hectares (2.9 acres).

The L-shape farmhouse has been cleverly adapted to create two smaller farmhouses, with three bedrooms each. Linked by a connecting door, it would be easy to combine both buildings to recreate one large house with six bedrooms. Both farmhouses have been beautifully modernised, yet retain many of their original features, such as open fireplaces, exposed beams and exposed stone walls throughout. Both farmhouses could be rented out as holiday homes or it would be ideal for an extended family wishing to live together but in two separate houses.

The property's vast barn has been beautifully renovated and has a sunny roof terrace of 85m². There are now eight bedrooms on the first floor of the barn (each with its own shower room), along with a gorgeous open-plan main room with sitting, dining and kitchen areas, a gym and a spa area with two treatment rooms and a sauna. Ideal for Bed and Breakfast or for renting out to large groups for holidays and special occasions, it could also be perfect for accommodating corporate clients for business functions, conferences and even activity days. In addition, the peaceful, idyllic setting makes it the perfect venue for fairytale weddings and other large celebrations, yoga workshops, cultural and sporting courses, a wellness centre...

This excellent property is located in the beautiful Béarn, between the mountains and the sea. Hugely convenient for people working in and around Pau, the property is perfect for anyone who loves skiing, surfing and watersports. Pyrénées ski resorts are about 30 minutes away to the south - and Atlantic beaches are just over 90 minutes away to the west. There are also several swimming lakes nearby, some with leisure beaches and watersports. The centre of Pau is about 25 minutes away; Lourdes is 40 minutes away.

FARMHOUSE 1

Ground floor:
- an outdoor dining terrace
- a sitting room (40m²) with a fireplace and views of the pool and gardens
- an open-plan fitted kitchen and dining area (45m²) with access to the dining terrace
- a pantry/wine cellar
- a shower room
- a WC

First floor:
- a large mezzanine area
- two bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom (approx. 45m²)
- a WC

Second floor (approx. 70m²):
- a sitting room
- a large bedroom with an en suite bathroom and WC


FARMHOUSE 2

Ground floor:
- a covered parking area
- a sitting room (50m²) with a heat-recuperating fireplace and garden views
- a kitchen (15m²)
- a shower room
- a WC

First floor (approx. 65m²):
- a bedroom with an en suite bathroom
- a second bedroom with a dressing room
- a third bedroom
- a family bathroom
- a WC


THE GÎTE (580m²)

Ground floor:
- a reception/office area
- a huge open-plan main room with a sitting area, dining area and a kitchen area with bar (approx. 65m²)
- a health spa area with two spa treatment rooms, a sauna and a solarium (approx. 85m²)
- a large gym with a changing area (approx. 100m²)
- a utility room
- a shower room
- two WCs

First floor (approx. 165m²):
- a roof terrace (85m²) with lovely views of the pool, the gardens and the Pyrénées
- eight bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom/shower room and a WC


THE GARDENS (1.2 HECTARES)

The gardens around the main buildings are beautifully landscaped. The swimming pool, which is surrounded by a paved terrace and a security fence, is 14m x 7m and is 2.7m deep. Ideal for equestrians, the property also has a stable block with one horse stall and a separate dressage meadow.


THE POTENTIAL!

This magnificent property is currently a luxurious family home for two families. The renovated barn has huge business potential. There is much demand for high-quality holiday accommodation in the Béarn, so the whole property, with its extensive grounds and swimming pool, could be transformed into a chic boutique hotel or Bed and Breakfast business.

You could also re-establish the health spa to create a fabulous wellness centre, which would definitely attract regular clients from Pau and from the surrounding area, as well as attracting people wanting to book luxurious weekend breaks and, of course, resident holiday guests.

You might also like to host exclusive weddings or corporate events, especially with the possibility of being able to offer overnight accommodation and even spa treatments. Upmarket leisure activity holidays are also more and more popular with holidaymakers, especially yoga retreats, painting and photography workshops, cookery and Jurançon wine-tasting courses…

Alternatively, the building could be transformed into a beautiful tearoom, a country pub or a restaurant, with diners delighted to stay overnight or for a luxurious weekend break!


SERVICES & TECHNICAL

Telephone & ADSL
Electricity
Heating: wood-burning boiler (Farmhouse 1) + wood pellet boiler (Farmhouse 2) + wood-burning stove (barn)
Mains water
Septic tank


THE LOCAL AREA

This gorgeous property is set in rural surroundings to the south of Pau (25 minutes) and not far from the riverside town of Nay. Both Pau and Nay have a great choice of amenities, shops, bars and restaurants - and delicious fresh produce can be bought locally at regular farmers’ markets in the surrounding towns and villages.

Pau and Nay also have excellent schools, with collège-lycées offering a range of study options (some in English), as well as the chance to specialise in theatre, dance, sports… and even horse riding! There is also an International School in Pau (35 minutes away), which follows the English national curriculum and awards UK qualifications.

The Vallée d'Ossau and Vallée d’Ouzom are easily accessible from the property. They extend all the way up to the Spanish border in the Pyrénées, where you can ski at Val d’Azun and Gourette. You can also catch a small open train at Artouste to travel high up into the mountains...

Airports: Pau, Tarbes-Lourdes, Biarritz
Train/TGV: Coarraze-Nay, Pau
Coach: Pau
Ferry: Bilbao, Santander

Ski: Gourette, Val-d’Azun, Artouste, Eaux-Bonnes, La-Pierre-St-Martin, Issarbe, Iraty, Candanchú (Spain)...
Beaches: Biarritz, St-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye, Hossegor...

Attractions: Aqua Béarn, Le Petit Train d’Artouste, Grottes de Bétharram, Parc'Ours, Gorges de Kakuetta, Passerelle d’Holzarte, Chemin-de-St-Jacques-de-Compostelle...