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Self-Catering Holidays in Atlantic Aquitaine, South West France - Villas, Cottages & Apartments

Call 0870 6092845 or email info@alternative-aquitaine.co.uk for information & booking


Family Holiday Sites on the South West Atlantic Coast of France

FHS014 Domaine de Gascogne,
Lac de Biscarrosse
tranquil holiday residence bordering the golf course & close to the lake

Three Reasons to Choose Domaine de Gascogne
Walk to the vast lake for picnics, forest trails, watersports and bathing
Tranquil, forest setting but just a short drive to the beach and amenities at Biscarrosse-Plage
Surfing, watersports, golf, cycling and lots more
» See all Family Holiday Sites
Links for Domaine de Gascogne ref:FHS014
In Our Opinion...
This charming résidence opened in 2005 and is ideally located in the pine forests between lake and ocean.

There are just 120 apartments in total, in 4 buildings built around the golf course. All apartments enjoy a view of the golf course and swimming pool.

This is a much smaller résidence than most - combined with the peaceful setting it is therefore that little bit quieter and discreet.


Next Steps
1
Choose your accommodation
2
3
Check for special offers
4 Call 0870 6092845 or email us to book or hold an option for 48 hours
 
 
Key Facts
Location :
Biscarrosse Lac - 1km to the lake, adjacent to the golf course and 6kms to Biscarrosse Plage. Biscarrosse is c.80kms south west of Bordeaux
Type of location :
Tranquil setting in the pine forests next to the golf course
Accommodation :
Charming two-storey résidence of holiday apartments in 'Neo-Basque' style and separated into 4 small buildings. 120 apartments in total, offering 1 and 1-2 bedrooms & sleeping from 2 to 7 people
Quality guide :
SIMPLE - what does this mean?
Price per week (2008) :
Price Band for this venue:
- peak season
- off-peak
Check prices and availability:
» Check the notes on prices to see what the price includes
» Don't forget to check the Special Offers

» A modest tourist tax is charged throughout France. In Biscarrosse it is less than 1 euro per day for persons aged 13+
» Optional supplements are available
Arrival & Departure :
Arrival - from 5pm; Departure - by 10am
The reservation period booked must be Saturday-to-Saturday during the period 12 July to 30 August (you can arrive/depart any day but the reservation must be Saturday-to-Saturday). Outside those dates it is possible to book midweek dates (minimum 7 nights)
Facilities :
• 200m2 swimming pool heated Jun-September, depth 0.20 - 1.70m
• Separate paddling pool for kids, 0.20m depth
• Solarium, deck chairs, parasols
• Reception
• Children's play area
• Private free parking
• Laundry room
• Bike rental
• Table tennis
• Bakery service (summer only - order day before)
Nearest beach :
800m to the lake beaches and 6kms to the ocean beaches
Nearest boulangerie :
Biscarrosse town centre or Biscarrosse Plage - both 6kms. Bakery service available at the resdience in the high season. The Golf Clubhouse restaurant is an easy walk.
Getting there :
Road - half an hour from the A63 auto-route
Air - Bordeaux Merignac - 50 mins; Biarritz - 1 hr 45 mins (approx)
Ferry - St Malo - 8 hr drive (approx)
Train - no station at Biscarrosse. Nearest stations Ychoux or Arcachon
Things to see & do :

17km hiking trails & 100km bike paths to explore • beach life • golf • surfing • sailing • windsurfing • hores-riding • Dune du Pyla • day-trip to Arcachon and Cap Ferret • discover Bordeaux
» Find out more about Biscarrosse
» Disover the
Cote Landaise region

 
Location     Map of Biscarrosse-Plage and Surrounding Area
Biscarrosse is situated half-way down the Côte d'Argent, an unbroken stretch of 200 km of sandy beach that descends as far as the Pyrénées.

Biscarrosse is about 30km south of Arcachon and the Dune de Pyla (one of the region's 'must-sees') and is some 80 kms south west of Bordeaux.

The area of Biscarrosse Lac is set back a few kms from the coast. It is an area dominated by the vast lake and the pine forests that characterise Les Landes.

This is a real outdoors haven of fresh pine forests, vast lakes and superb Atlantic surf.



Biscarrosse-Plage has an excellent stretch of sandy beach
 
Apartments
In all, there are 120 apartments, a number of which are equipped for disabled guests. The architecture reflects the Basque country style with half-timbering and colourful panelling.

Accommodation is compact and staightforward and designed for a continental visitor which means some home comforts like a kettle or toaster will rarely be found. A coffee-maker is always available of course!

All apartments have:
• Kitchenette with 4 hot plates, mini-oven, dishwasher, fridge and electric coffee maker
• Ground floor apartments open on to the landscaped gardens. First floor apartments have a balcony. Garden furniture provided
• View of the forest, golf course or pool
• TV is included in the price

Please note that the top bunk bed is not suitable for children aged under 6 (French decree).

FHS014-2R4 - 1 bedroom • Sleeps 4 • 28m2
Living room with sofa-bed • 1 bedroom with twin beds • bathroom • WC
CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY » GO
FHS014-2R5 - 1 bedroom • Sleeps 5 • 33m2
Living room with 2 single sofa-beds + 1 pull-out bed • 1 bedroom with double bed • bathroom • WC
CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY » GO
FHS014-3R6 -  1-2 bedrooms duplex • Sleeps 6 • 51m2
Living room with 1 pull-out sofa-bed • 1 bedroom with double bed on upper floor • cabin area with bunk beds • bathroom • WC • shower room with WC
CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY » GO
FHS014-3R7 -  1-2 bedrooms • Sleeps 6/7 • 35-41m2
Living room with 2 single sofa-beds + 1 pull-out bed • 1 bedroom with double bed • cabin area with bunk beds • bathroom • WC • shower room with WC
CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY » GO

 
Discover Biscarrosse
Biscarrosse Tourist Office

There are in fact three Biscarrosses!
Biscarrosse Lac - the 'natural' part
Biscarrosse Bourg - the small town about 6km away
Biscarrosse Plage - which comes to life in summer.

Altogether it's an area of great variety: endless sandy beaches, great surf, forest tracks, lakes and a warm sunny climate. In summer there's a daily market plus night market in Biscarrosse-Plage.

Golf : designed in 1989 by Olivier Brizon and Pierre Veyssière, Golf de Biscarrosse is a 5,132 yards, par 68 course comprising two distinctive halves: the outward nine, the 'Parcours du Lac' (par 32) is relatively short but quite tight, undulating and an enjoyable challenge; the back nine, the 'Parcours de la Forêt' (par 36) is a longer and quite demanding because of the fairly narrow fairways that wind through the forest. Green fees for the course range from €23 to €45 depending on the time of year.

There is a 9 hole course too, driving range and tuition too. The new clubhouse has a pleasant terrace overlooking the 9th hole, serving drinks, snacks plus full lunch-time and evening menus. There are two more golf courses at nearby Arcachon.

Forest cycling & hiking:
17 kms of hiking trails and 30 kms of safe forest cycle tracks plus local bike hire shops.

Lake watersports: sailing
, windsurfing, water-skiing and kayaking at the local lakes - Port Maguide (lac Cazaux)

The local lakes are great opportunity for whiling away the hours in tranquility, listening to the water lapping the sandy shores. The surrounding forest are perfect for picnics and rambling. The three pleaseure ports of the Etang de Cazauax et de Sanguinet - Ipses, Navarosse and Port Maguide - each provide a good base for exploring.

Surfing & body-boarding : excellent waves are found at Biscarrosse Plage and there is a surf club for tuition.

Flying :
there is an aerodrome at Biscarrosse for fantastic pleasure flights or gliding over the lakes, ocean and forests. Or try your hand at parascending (Port Maguide). Plus there's a museum of sea-planes too!

Also available to try locally:  fishing, horse-riding, tennis, go-karting quad-biking and adventure park.

 
Discover the Region
Discover the Côte Landaise region of Aquitaine

Biscarrosse is a wonderful base for exploring this part of France: as well as the dunes, forests and lakes of the Landes, there is the outstanding natural beauty of the bassin d'Arcachon or the vineyards and heritage of the Bordeaux region. It's all in easy reach:

Arcachon, a popular French resort and with plenty of options for visitors, is within a half-an-hour's drive. Ferries run from Arcachon to a host of destinations including Cap Ferret, a stylish resort on the other side of the Bassin at the point of the peninsula of the Presqu'Ile de Cap Ferret. Why not have dinner there and return on the late evening ferry? Sailing boats can be hired at Le Moulleau and at the marina in Arcachon.

The Cap Ferret peninsula is a treat for the senses - the scent of the pine forest, the constant rumble of rollers washing up on the western coast, the salty, slippery taste of oysters washed down with a Bordeaux blanc and, at the end of the day, sitting on top of one of the dunes overlooking the Atlantic and watching the sun go down. Bliss!

Heading on down to the Pointe is a must, stopping to climb to the top of the famous Cap Ferret lighthouse on the way - the views across the bassin to the sandy wild-life reserve of the Banc d'Arguin and over to the Dune de Pyla (Europe's highest sand dune) are breathtaking. At La Pointe, a tram runs to the Atlantic and is a very enjoyable ride, especially for children.

The famous '44 hectares' of the Cap Ferret peninsula are situated south of the lighthouse. This is an area of villas built in the earlier part of the century set amongst the pine trees all served by unmade roads, owned by several French stars, Bordeaux vineyard owners and generations of Cap Ferret inhabitants of more modest means. It's probably the most natural, exclusive yet unpretentious housing estate in France!

Cap Ferret village is the peninsula's biggest town - laid back, chic boutiques and bistros are the theme here.

The Banc d’Arguin - a sandbank nature reserve - sits at the foot of the famous Dune du Pyla, the largest sand dune in Europe, standing at over 100 metres and just 20 km away. A journey to the summit (try it without the staircase provided!) is a must; sunrise and sunset are the best times.

Back into Arcachon, stroll along the seafront or through the delightful Ville d’Hiver (Winter Town) and explore its fabulous collection of eclectic villas. There is also a lovely park to cool off in the shade and watch the locals play petanques. The Arcachon Basin is packed full of oyster farms and you will have no difficulty finding these slimy crustaceans to dine on in one of the town’s many seafood restaurants.

The bassin d'Arcachon is also home to wide variety of birdlife and consequently is a popular birdwatching destination. In fact, there are birdwatching reserves at nearby Parc Ornotholiqique du Teich and Ile aux Oiseaux (Bird Island) in the Bassin which can be visited by boats that depart from the Arcachon jetties. This is a prime bird habitat - the Bassin d'Arcachon is so shallow that only 20% of it is submerged at low tide.

If you’re feeling ‘beached out’ why not take the opportunity to explore some of the region’s vineyards. Within 1 hour and you can reach the many world-class vineyards of Bordeaux, such as Sauternes, Médoc and Graves.
 
The city of Bordeaux is an hour away and is a good option for a day-trip, whether it’s boutique shopping, sight-seeing or culture. Walking around the 18th century old town centre (Quartier St. Pierre), you can begin to imagine the city’s commercial and maritime past.

Medieval gems of the Gironde east of Bordeaux are also wonderful days out; St Emilion, with its 11th century basilica, is the best known but can be busy; St Macaire and La Réole are also enjoyable. Obviously there are more châteaux over here but an altogether different wine experience can be had at Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, in the middle of the Château Smith Haut Lafitte, vineyards, just south of Bordeaux. The spa offers unique beauty treatments derived from grand cru grapes of the Graves appelation renowned for their anti-ageing and micro-circulation improving properties - in short, visitors apparently come out feeling good!

Further south, Biarritz and Bayonne are worth visiting. Both are very different but provide a good introduction to the Pays Basque culture and the Pyrénéan landscape bordering Spain.

For further information try the links in the right hand panel above. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for the content of third party sites.

Arcachon Tourism
Landes Tourist Office
Bordeaux Tourist Office
Gironde Tourist Guide
Bordeaux Wine
France Travel Guide


Call 0870 6092845 or email info@alternative-aquitaine.co.uk for information & booking
 updated 14.10.08 as
Biscarrosse-Plage has an excellent stretch of sandy beach - click image to enlarge Serene Lac de Biscarrosse - click image to enlarge Domaine de Gascogne - click image to enlarge Reception - click image to enlarge Example apartment interior - click image to enlarge Example apartment interior - click image to enlarge