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

Maison Martinet is a modern, nicely designed house with a spacious open-plan living area for relaxed, convivial living. The furniture and equipment are up-to-date and of good quality. The décor is neutral with modern paintings adding colour and variety - it feels stylish and uncluttered. The house is constructed on two levels, with the main living area and bedrooms on the upper level, and garage and games room on the ground level.

Indoor living areas:

An open set of stairs leads from street to the upper level with a terrace/balcony running along the side and front of the house, overlooking the street. A side entrance door leads into the spacious open plan kitchen, dining and living area, making a sociable space which overlooks the terrace.

The kitchen, at one end of the area, is modern and well-equipped, including stainless steel cooker with with extractor, microwave, kettle, toaster, etc.

The dining area includes table and chairs seating 6 people for indoor dining.

The lounge area is adjacent to the dining area with patio doors leading directly out to the terrace. It includes two large comfortable sofas, coffee table, plasma TV with UK Sky satellite channels and DVD player, and makes a very relaxing area.

Sleeping:
A short corridor leads from the rear of the living area to the three double bedrooms and bathroom. All the bedrooms are a good size.

Bedrooms 1 and 2 both contain a 160 x 200cm double bed and good shelf storage space for clothes. Bedroom 3 has a 160 x 200 cm double bed plus sofa bed, and shelf storage area for clothes.

The family-sized bathroom is also located in this area of the house, and includes a separate shower, bath and two sinks. There is a separate WC in this area too.

Downstairs
Internal tairs lead down from the kitchen area to a ground level room with table-tennis table. A storage area next to this room contains space to store surfboards, boogie boards and wetsuits.

Outside
There is off-road parking at the front of the house for 1 car. There is a small sloping lawn area at the side of the house (not enclosed). The upper level terrace runs along the side and front of the house (facing south), and includes a corner area with outdoor seating for four, and a barbecue.

In summary, Maison Martinet makes a relaxing base for a varied summer holiday. Taken on only in late June 2007 and in its second year of rentals, it is certain to be booked up by those looking to make late arrangements for a great Aquitaine break!

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Alternative Aquitaine's guide to the Côte Landaise

Seignosse / Capbreton / Hossegor:

Seignosse-Bourg is a small Landais village just inland from the Atlantic coast. It has a boulangerie in the village centre and a couple of restaurants to choose from, including a locals' favourite Hôtel de la Côte d'Argent. It's great bonus is a big tennis centre which is only a 5 minute walk from the house. There won't be much to keep you in the village night after night, but that's not the point. It's perfectly situated to enjoy the coast and Hossegor but without being in the centre of the action.

Nearby Hossegor is one of those seaside towns whose population swells exponentially in the high season. It is a town that has a lot to offer: boutique shopping, great bars and restaurants, world-famous surfing beaches, a lovely golf course ranked in the Top 50 in France and a beautiful lake for safe bathing. It’s little wonder, therefore, that the town is busy. The remarkable thing is that it's something of a French (and Spanish) secret; unless you're a dedicated surfer, the chances are you won't have heard of Hossegor.

In the 1930s, Hossegor attracted an avant-garde fraternity and the area around the lake became something of an artists’ community. Plush villas and grand houses were built on the lakeside and in the forests. Today, Hossegor is best-known for its legendary waves, good enough to warrant the hosting of World Pro surf tournament each year, in August. In actual fact, the best time to surf here is in the Autumn.

Like most of the south west coast, Hossegor is something of an outdoor playground. Take your pick from surfing, canoeing, sailing, cycling, tennis, horse-riding and golf to name a few. Golfers will enjoy the local course, the 1930s-built Golf d’Hossegor. The traditional club house is also a delight. A short drive up the road is Seignosse, a water and forest monster of a course ranked in Continental Europe’s Top 50. There are other great courses within 45 minutes drive including Moliets and Biarritz le Phare.

Cyclists can enjoy the many safe forest tracks that connect between the towns along the coast. Sailing enthusiasts should head for the Capbreton Marina - 5 kms south of Hossegor. Being so close to the Pays Basque border, sporting life also includes the legendary game of pelota. You can watch a game at the fronton in Hossegor.

We wouldn’t blame you for refusing to step foot out of Hossegor for your entire holiday. However, the area is rich in attractions so here are just a few suggestions for day-trips:

• Biarritz and St Jean de Luz. Less than an hour’s drive south are the sophisticated resorts of Biarritz   and St Jean de Luz, the south Atlantic’s competition 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 and thalassotherapy. In France, the south west is known for its rejuvenating waters, both salt   and fresh varieties. Dax is the official spa capital of France and is a 40 minute drive from Hossegor   Lac. The Côte Basque – Hendaye, St Jean de Luz and Biarritz - is home to numerous   thalassotherapy centres.

• Lakes. The freshwater lakes that punctuate the forest provide a great alternative to the ocean and   safer bathing for children. Rather like the Lake District in England, each lake, or étang, has its own   atmosphere. Apart from the local Lac d’Hossegor, there are others nearby to try: étangs Blanc,   Soutsons and Léon; at the latter you can canoe from the lake along the serene Courant d’Huchet to   the ocean’s edge.

• Chalosse Country. To the south of Dax and Mont-de-Marsan you start to enter rural Gascony, which   means several things: foie gras, floc de Gascogne (sherry) and a pleasantly slow pace of life. The food   is marvellous, the towns are half asleep except for market days, and the countryside is entirely   relaxing. Montfort-en-Chalosse, Mugron and St. Sever are good stopping points.

• Basque Country. The delightful rolling green hills and picture-perfect villages of the Pays Basque are   a must. Ainhoa, Sare, Espelette and Ascain all perfectly demonstrate Basque village life. A little   further south and you can hike in the mountain air of the Pyrénées.

• Spain. It’s about 75 minutes to the border and only a short distance further to the majestic seaside   city of San Sebastian, the Spanish Basque country’s equivalent of Biarritz. The more adventurous   could drive another hour or so further along the northern coast to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim.

For further information try the links below. There is an excellent tourist office in Hossegor too. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for the content of third party sites.

Alternative Aquitaine's guide to the Côte Landaise
Hossegor Tourist Office
Les Landes Tourist Office
Learn About the Basque Country
UK Tourist Office for France