Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or fewer) Corporate bookings
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car advised Nearest amenities: 0.5 km
Notes:
No pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Buried in the folds of the jaw-dropping Cirque de Lescun is the mountain village of Lescun, a settlement that has remained essentially unchanged since the 19th century. It is home to an idyllic 150 year old stone lodge called Maison Willert. Spread over three floors, this centrally heated house includes four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a huge kitchen & dining room, and satellite television.
Lescun is the ideal base for exploring Pyrenean highlights such as the ancient monastic church of Notre Dame de la Pierre and the fortified town and cathedral of Jaca. A trekker’s paradise, Lescun is an integral part of the renowned GR10 and HRP long distance footpaths. Whether you choose to hike, climb or cycle, you’ll be able to enjoy mountain views and sunsets from the large south-facing terrace with a celebratory drink whilst tending the barbecue. In winter, two working fireplaces welcome you home after skiing at nearby Candanchú & Astún.
Lescun and Maison Willert in winter
Maison Willert and her neighbours
Kitchen/dining room
Bedroom
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/84630
The Midi-Pyrenees / Hautes-Pyrenees region
Lescun is best known as the postcard-perfect gateway to the magnificent amphitheatre of peaks from which the village takes its name. Situated in the heart of the Pyrenees at an altitude of 900 metres, this is a hamlet with a heartbeat. The centre of the vibrant community is the village shop, which sells fruit and vegetables, local cheese, and fresh croissants. Lescun is also home to the Hotel du Pic d’Anie, a handy post office, and a friendly bar that serves tasty lunches and dinners. Lescun is the ideal base for visiting historical treasures such as the monastery of San Juan de la Peña, which legend says was a protectorate of the Holy Grail. Just a short distance away is the extraordinary Chemin de la Mâture. This intriguing wave of rock was chiselled out in the 18th century to create a path down which tree trunks were carried in order to be turned into sailing masts. Another wonderful walk with spellbinding views of the cirque starts less than 50 metres from the front door.
Oloron Ste Marie / Lescun area
Outdoor enthusiasts will find Lescun to be the perfect location with paragliding in Accous, horseriding in Borce, and mountain biking in Astún. Fishing, cycling, and canyoning are also nearby. In winter, many of the superb hiking trails that surround Lescun (which cater for all levels of ability) turn into fantastic routes for snowshoe aficionados. 34 kilometres of cross country skiing trails are maintained at the nearby Somport circuit. And Lescun is the prefect antidote to 21st century frenzied après-ski: an original Bayonne fireplace welcomes you home after a day's skiing at the nearby downhill ski resorts of Candanchú and Astún, which are just over half an hour's drive from Maison Willert.
If a cultural trip is more what you had in mind, you can enjoy the château and local market in Bedous, the ancient monastic church of Notre Dame de la Pierre in Sarrance and the the meeting of Romanesque and Moorish art in the12th century church and mercy hospital (Unesco World Heritage Site) of L'Hôpital Sainte Baise. Oloron Ste-Marie is also a great day trip with its rushing rivers, an ancient cathedral and the famous 'La Russe' pastry. If the weather in France closes in then head for tapas in medieval Spanish Jaca (1 hour) and pay a visit to the monastery of San Juan de la Peña.
For the kids, there is a water park in Oloron-Ste-Marie, an adventure park at Aramits and a wildlife centre in Borce. The beaches of Biarritz are 2.5 hours drive away.
Finally, this wouldn't be France if you couldn't also engage your taste buds during your stay. Around 100,000 kilograms of cheese is produced from high altitude pastures each year in the surrounding Aspe Valley. For local cheese, try Ferme Nouqueret. The butcher in the neighbouring village of Bedous supplies Béarnaise specialities such as fresh and dried charcuterie, and salted meats prepared to old family recipes. In 1553, the future king, Henry IV, was baptised with a drop of Jurançon wine. This golden wine was described as the ‘wine of the King and the king of wines’ and hails from bijou vineyards tucked away in sun-kissed valleys that stretch from the terraces of Pau castle to the Pyrenees.
How to get there
Ryanair fly from Stansted and Bristol to Pau (90mins by car). Major car hire firms can be found at Pau airport such as Avis, National, & Europcar. There are also regular flights to Toulouse from the UK (3-3.5 hours by car)
P & O have a car ferry service to Bilbao
For those wishing to get away from cars, trains run frequently from Paris to Pau with a connection from Pau to Oloron. You can then catch a bus to Bedous and get a taxi from there. Or the bus can drop you at the bottom of the Lescun hill (5km from the house).
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Pau: 75 km
Railway:
Oloron Ste Marie: 36 km
Ferry:
Bilbao: 300 km
Activities near Oloron Ste Marie
Sports: Waterpark Horse Riding Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Log fire, DVD player
General:
Central heating, Video player, CD player, Telephone, Satellite TV
Sofabeds (1), Single beds (4), Double beds (3), Cots (1), Dining seating for 10, Lounge seating for 10, Sleeps maximum of 12
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, BBQ
Further details indoors: 130 years ago this was a two storey lodge, with room for winter hay to feed the livestock that provided heat for the occupants. Today, the cottage is spread over three floors, and the animals have been swapped for a modern heating system. Nevertheless, the two hearths have been retained for people who prefer to watch a roaring fire instead of the satellite television.
If you enjoy cooking, you'll love the large kitchen and dining room. (If your idea of a holiday is an untouched stove, fear not; there are several excellent restaurants in the area, including one that's a five minute stroll from the front door).
The second sitting room on the first floor provides a sanctuary for reading, writing and contemplation. Four bedrooms and two bathrooms are spread over the first and second floors, providing plenty of privacy for eight people. There are two triple bedrooms, one double and a single with an additional pull-out bed. A sofa bed also provides overflow accommodation for last minute guests.
Further details outdoors: The large south-facing outdoor terrace enjoys spectacular views and is the perfect spot for a morning cup of tea, lazy lunch, or evening barbecue.
Further details
We require a 30% deposit to hold a booking. The remaining 70% is due 9 weeks prior to arrival . A fully refundable deposit of 250 pounds is also payable as security against any damage to the property.
You should aim to arrive between 4 and 6pm on your arrival day and leave before 10am on the departure day.
Please contact us to ask about short breaks.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Discount
27 Sep 09
17 Oct 09
490£490
0-
0-
1 Week
Low
17 Oct 09
31 Oct 09
590£590
0-
0-
1 Week
Discount
31 Oct 09
19 Dec 09
425£425
0-
0-
1 Week
Mid
19 Dec 09
3 Jan 10
890£890
0-
0-
1 Week
Mid
3 Jan 10
13 Mar 10
690£690
0-
0-
1 Week
Discount
13 Mar 10
27 Mar 10
425£425
0-
0-
1 Week
Easter
27 Mar 10
10 Apr 10
690£690
0-
0-
1 Week
Low
10 Apr 10
15 May 10
490£490
0-
0-
1 Week
Mid
15 May 10
19 Jun 10
690£690
0-
0-
1 Week
High Mid
19 Jun 10
17 Jul 10
890£890
0-
0-
1 Week
High
17 Jul 10
28 Aug 10
1090£1,090
0-
0-
1 Week
High Mid
28 Aug 10
18 Sep 10
890£890
0-
0-
1 Week
Mid
18 Sep 10
16 Oct 10
690£690
0-
0-
1 Week
Low
16 Oct 10
30 Oct 10
490£490
0-
0-
1 Week
Discount
30 Oct 10
18 Dec 10
425£425
0-
0-
1 Week
Christmas/New Year
18 Dec 10
4 Jan 11
1445£1,445
0-
0-
1 Week
151
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Guestbook for Maison Willert
Guest from the Isle of Wight.
...we have utterly fallen in love with the whole place, the whole of the valley - we loved Lescun - Chalet Willert is an amazing set up - everything one could possibly want, a perfect house - very comfortable and what a setting -................the walks were wonderful, beautiful carpets of Autumn crocus, good food, incrediably friendly people, stunning views....
Guest from England
...we had a really wonderful time...your house is very special and has clearly been much loved for years - please don't change it too much!
Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
Key:
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Booked
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Available
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Unknown
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Arrival/Departure dates
Send Enquiry
To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/84630
Contact details for the advertiser of home 84630
Name:
Rosamond Deegan
Tel:
+44 (0)20 3002 3645
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
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