Family holiday accommodation Messanges

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In Our Opinion...

Domaine de Messanges is a charming, low-key collection of villas, semi-detached lodges and apartments, set in the pine forests of Moliets-Messanges.

Just a short cycle ride from the endless sandy beaches of the Côte Landaise, Domaine de Messanges is sure to be a popular choice for families. The combination of beaches and dunes, pine forests and freshwater lakes create a really inspiring summer holiday location.

The accommodation is generously spacious - 2 bedroom duplex lodges offer 70m2 living space and a private terrace and garden - plus there's an excellent heated pool for cooling off and for kids to meet and play.

Moliets-et-Maa 2 kms; Léon 5kms; Biarritz 60kms; Bordeaux 90 kms

Type of location :

Seaside & pine forests - the site is 2.5kms to the sandy Atlantic beaches of Aquitaine

No. of bedrooms :

2 enclosed bedrooms plus a mezzanine bedroom

Sleeping capacity :

Party sizes from 1 to 8 are catered for

No. of bathrooms :

Style of property :

New site in the forests bordering Moliets. The site consists of just 12 houses, 8 apartments and 12 villas. The style is contemporary with good use of timber materials to blend with the pine forest environment

GOOD QUALITY » see definition

Price per week :

What's included in the price:
> bed linen and bathroom towels

What's not included in the price:
> Modest tourist tax payable locally - €1 per day per person
> €260 security deposit collected on your credit card on arrival. Deductions are made only if necessary (e.g. apartment left untidy or there are breakages)

Optional supplements are available too - all payable locally:
1) Baby cot EUR 32/wk (linen exc.).
2) High chair EUR 19/wk.
3) Baby Kit (cot & high chair) EUR 36/wk.
4) Pets EUR 31/wk/pet.
5) 'Special' request to guarantee a particular house 60 EUR.
6) End-of-stay cleaning 192 EUROS.
7) Breakfast delivery service (bread, croissants, pastries) - enquire on-site.
8) Wi-fi access in the house - enquire on-site 35 EUR/wk.
9) Tea towel 3 EUR.

Arrival & Departure :

Arrival is 5-8pm and departure is by 10am please.
From 12 May to 22 Sep 2102, the period reserved must be Saturday-Saturday.

Local beach 2.5 kms via cycle track and Moliets-Plage 3 kms - plenty of cycle paths to get there and there's parking at Moliets-Plage

Nearest boulangerie :

Moliets-et-Maa 2 kms. NB. There is a breakfast delivery service available on-site

Nearest airport :

Biarritz 1 hr; Bordeaux 1 hr 30; Bilbao & Pau 2 hrs (approx)

Nearest ferry port :

St Malo 8 hours (approx)

Yes - shared heated outdoor swimming pool, 112m2

Suitability for children :

Very good. Large open spaces and very little road traffic (bikes are the popular way to get around the resort). Shared pool is heated and an ideal place to meet other children

Things to see & do :

Golf, surfing, watersports, beach, forest cycling & hiking tracks, horse-riding (equestrian centre is next door). Visit Biarritz, St Jean de Luz, Pyrénées, Basque Country, Spain - San Sebastian, Bilbao & Pamplona

Yes - supplement applies

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The lodges are situated at Domaine de Messanges between the villages of Moliets-et-Maa and Messanges, approx 60kms north of Biarritz. The road linking the two villages is 50-150 metres from the houses - some road noise is audible although future landscaping and screening of the site will reduce road noise.

The site is in a small clearing in the pine forests close to the La Prade pond and adjacent to La Prade Equestrian Centre.

By train : Dax railway station (approx 35 kms) - Paris/Atlantique TGV

By air : Biarritz airport is closest (approx 60 kms) although Bordeaux, Pau and Bilbao are options too.

Accommodation | Photo Gallery

Domaine de Messanges consists of just 12 single-storey semi-detached houses, 8 apartments plus a dozen villas.

FHS004-CDF - 2-3 bedroom duplex lodge • Sleeps 4-8 • 70m2

» CHECK PRICES + AVAILABILITY

• Living area with sofa-bed for 2 persons
• 2 bedrooms with either double or twins
• 'Cabin' area with bunk beds
• Bathroom with bath & shower
• Additional shower room
• 2x separate WCs
• Satellite TV (one English-speaking channel)
• Kitchen with dishwasher, fridge with freezer compartment, hotplates, extractor hood, oven, microwave, washing machine with tumble drier
• Private terrace with garden equipment, opening onto shared lawn

Moliets Tourist Office

Messanges is a small Landaise village which leads down to an excellent sandy beach. Domaine de Messanges is actually closer to the resort of Moliets-Plage.

Moliets is known as something of an oasis amongst the endless pines of western Europe's largest forest. It's basically a big playground! Here's a selection of some the activities you can pursue in the resort:

• Golf course & training centre - one of continental Europe's Top 50 courses
• Surfing - championship surf conditions plus a local surf club for tuition
• Land-yachting - the quickest way to cover several kms of sandy beach!
• Kite-surfing - windsurfing and surfing combined
• Sailing - sailing school at lac de Léon (7 kms)
• Canoeing / kayaking - take the Courant d'Huchet from lac de Léon to the ocean
• Horse-riding - equestrian centre at Domaine de la Prade
• Tennis - several courts at the golf club
• Cycling - 12 kms of safe and shady forest cycle tracks
• Nature trails - several tracks criss-crossing the dunes, forests and around the lakes
• Windsurfing - at the ocean or at lac de Léon
• Adrenaline Park - includes quad biking & karting
• Children's farm where the kids can see animals of the region including the Gascony pig!
• Scenic flights to get a real sense of the Cote Landaise geography
• Cross-country skiing on pine needles!

Moliets Golf Club

Designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1988, Moliets is a monster of a course. The course is ranked in Continental Europe's Top 50 and 9th best course in France. It is currently used on the European PGA Challenge Tour.

Whilst it's a relatively new course, the surrounding forest dates back to the early 1900s. American in its layout, the course takes in parkland (yes, you've guessed it - a pine forest!) and links-style golf. In fact, it's the seaside holes, 13, 14, 15 and 16, that make for the most attractive golf on the course.

The 18 hole course is a shade under 7000 yards, par 72. There is also a 9 hole course and golf training centre.

Green fees for the championship course start at around €50 depending on the season, although the purchase of a Golf Pass is recommended - this gives you discounted access to five local courses.

The Region

Discove the Côte Landaise region of Aquitaine

Whilst Moliets is ideal for those seeking an active holiday without straying too far from the villa, there are a host of potential day-trips slightly further afield…Bordeaux, Biarritz and the numerous vineyards of the Gironde, for instance.

The local town of Léon has a distinctly laid-back feel to it. It has a couple of restaurants, shops, supermarkets and a tourist office. There are plenty of local markets to enjoy including Léon (every day from mid June to mid Sep and Tuesday all year round); Moliets-Plage (Monday and Thursday all year round and Saturday in July and August); and Dax (Saturday and Sunday).

To sample a pastime particular to the south west, visit Vieux-Boucau to watch course landaise (a less gory version of bull-fighting) and the Basque-invented pelota, the fastest ball-game in the world. If you’d like to learn more about the Landaise culture and traditions, try the eco-museum at nearby Sabres.

Our suggestions for day-trips include:

• ARCACHON

This popular and stylish French favourite provides plenty of options for visitors. Ferries run from Arcachon to a host of destinations including Cap Ferret, a smart resort on the other side of the Bassin d’Arcachon and to the beautiful Banc d’Arguin, a sand-bank nature reserve. The Banc d’Arguin sits at the foot of the famous Dune du Pilat which at over 100 metres is the largest sand dune in Europe. 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 Bassin d’Arcachon is packed full of oyster farms and you will have no difficulty finding a supply of these slimy crustaceans to dine on in one of the town’s many seafood restaurants.

• BIARRITZ & ST JEAN DE LUZ

An hour’s drive south are the sophisticated resorts of Biarritz and St Jean de Luz, the south Atlantic’s riposte to the Côte d’Azur. Both provide excellent beaches, cuisine and up-market shopping as well as a good introduction to the Spanish-influenced Pays Basque. If you have time, drop into the regional capital, Bayonne. Famed for its ham and its chocolates, Bayonne was under English rule for 300 years. It is much under-rated and worth a trip to see its cathedral and walk its ancient streets.

• SPA & THALASSOTHERAPY

In France, the south west is known for its rejuvenating waters, both salt and fresh varieties. Nearby Dax is the official spa capital of France and is a 25 minute drive from the villas. The Côte Basque – Hendaye, St Jean de Luz and Biarritz - is home to numerous thalassotherapy centres.

• LAKES OF AQUITAINE

The freshwater lakes that punctuate the forest are a great alternative to the ocean and provide safer bathing for children. Rather like the Lake District in England, each lake, or étang, has its own atmosphere. Near to the villas are the étangs Aureilhan and Léon. Both are relatively small and delightfully tranquil; at the latter you can canoe from the lake along the serene Courant d’Huchet to the ocean’s edge.

• WINE-TASTING

If you’re feeling ‘beached out’ why not take the opportunity to explore some of the region’s vineyards? The famous Graves and Sauternes vineyards are an hour’s drive north east in the direction of Bordeaux and Langon.

For further information please follow the links below. We hope you find these are helpful but please note that we cannot be responsible for their content.

Landes Tourist Office
Biarritz Tourist Office
Chalosse Tourist Guide
Spa in Dax
Wines of SW France
France Travel Guide

Holidays Rental Villas, Cottages & Apartments in Aquitaine, South West France