035 - Villa Yolande  Arcachon (5kms)

In our opinion

What makes Villa Yolande a great holiday rental
It's something we've been looking for for a long time! A villa with a private pool close to Arcachon. And it's a very good price too. It's a nice story too, as the villa has recently been purchased by a family who are clients of Alternative Aquitaine - they've been visiting the area for years!

Best for:
Following our recent visit, we think "Yolande" will work particularly well for young families:

• Quiet, residential location, no traffic
• Safe, enclosed gardens
• Pool has a cover, Roman steps and is a reasonable distance from the house
• Cot, high chair & baby bath available
  Electric shutters for extra darkness in the mornings!
• Walk to local shops, beach and very handy train station* (for Arcachon)
• From near the house there are cycle paths and forest walks
• Proximity to numerous children's attractions including Aqua Parc
• The beaches at Arcachon and Sanguinet lake are sheltered & safe for kids

*The local train station is really something we want to emphasise - particularly if you like to use the car as little as possible on your holiday. It's a short walk to the station and then only 10 minutes into central Arcachon for beaches, shops, restaurants etc (Arcachon can be congested with traffic in summer). Heading the other way, you can take a day-trip on the train to Bordeaux.

Outside the peak season, 'Yolande' would also be a good option for two or three couples here for the local golf, bird-watching, cuisine, etc. 

Suitability for:

• Toddlers - we think this house works particularly well for young families
• Teenagers - it's great if you take the train or cycle path (5 km) into Arcachon. They'll appreciate the independence and it's a great resort for teenagers 
• Reduced mobility - there are steps to the house front and back but the accommodation is all at ground level

Anything to watch out for?

• There is only 1 W.C. in the property.
  

Why Arcachon?
Arcachon is an all year round sea-side town that's hugely popular with French families and it's easy to see why: exceptional sandy beaches, long, picturesque sea-front promenade, a manageable size - shops, bars, restaurants, small casino, even the train station - all within easy walking distance. All topped off by Arcachon's signature architecture, exemplified by the Winter Town's magnificent villas which feature stained glass, ornate balconies and intricate brickwork, built over 100 years ago for the town's first holiday-makers. Arcachon is one of our favourite Aquitaine destinations.

La Hume is a typical oyster-farming district of the Bay of Arcachon and has convenient shops for daily essentials. It's also a short drive to Arcachon's Aqua Parc and other kids' attractions.

Accommodation

Modernised and family-friendly accommodation, Yolande will be a relaxing holiday rental and great value too.

The present owners have turned the house into a light, modern and very relaxing holiday home. The property has gradually been modernised to cater for today's lifestyle and tastes - the kitchen and bathroom are brand new and the furnishings and equipment are modern and practical. Floors are tiled or laminated.

The accommodation is all at ground level and comprises:

Open-plan 'L'-shaped living room integrating lounge and dining areas. The lounge area is bright and modern with two sets of French doors accessing the front gardens. Two 3-seater sofas are at each end of the lounge and there is TV with DVD player. The dining area is nicely separated from the lounge and also provides direct access to the terrace to the rear of the villa. The dining table has 6 chairs.

The kitchen has been completely gutted and fitted in a fresh design with wooden worktops, vibrant red fridge freezer and breakfast bar stools, new silver appliances and white units, coffee percolator and Nespresso machine. The kitchen is very well-equipped for self-catering holidays.

Just off the kitchen is a handy utility area with washing machine, 2nd fridge plus wine chiller.

Family bathroom, again brand new, comprising bath, integrated shower, W.C. and basin.

There are four bedrooms, two facing the rear garden and two facing the front. Each follows the modern, 'uncluttered' style of the villa.

• Bedroom 1: twin bedrooms, facing the back garden
• Bedroom 2: double bed, also with a view of the back garden
• Bedroom 3: main bedroom with double bed, shower and basin. The shower cubicle is an alcove within the bedroom (see photo). For privacy, the bedroom door can be locked. This room looks on to the front garden
• Bedroom 4: bunk beds

Outside
The corner plot is a generous size with ample gardens front and back.

The private swimming pool is situated a few metres from the house, in the front garden. There is a terrace surrounding the pool plus outdoor furniture for relaxing and meals (garden table and chairs for 8). The pool has a safety cover and Roman steps access - ideal for young kids. At  approx 9 x 4.5 metres it's a good size too - the pool is rectangular in shape with an added semi-circle where the pool is accessed. Also, the pool is floodlit so it can be used in the evenings.

To the rear of the house, a wooden decked terrace runs most of the length of the property. Here you will find attractive teak garden chairs with cream cushions, and a built-in BBQ chimney. The terrace can be accessed from the living area and kitchen. A gas BBQ is also provided.

The owners are turfing and planting the garden during Spring 2012 so it will be ready for summer rentals. This will add a bit more colour and cover particularly at the front. 

You can park cars directly outside the house. 

Prices & Availability

Location

GPS: (44.63613156245984, -1.1187145113945007)

We endeavour to be as accurate as possible using Google maps but some error is possible.

Things to Do & See

Nearby Activities
Windsurfing · Sailing · Water-skiing · Jet-skiing · Kayaking · Golf · Cycling · Horse-riding · Birdwatching · Fishing · Wine-tasting · Degustation · Adventure Parc · Aqua Parc ·

Day-trip Ideas

• Hop on the train to Arcachon for a lazy day at the beach
• Scale the Dune du Pilat - Europe's largest sand dune
• Take the ferry to the Cap Ferret peninsula
• A day with the kids at nearby Aqualand
• Visit the great lake at Biscarrosse
• City culture in Bordeaux - especially the old town
• Birdwatching at Le Teich wetland centre

Our Personal Highlights

• Meandering around the Bassin d'Arcachon on a sea kayak
• Launching off the top of Dune du Pilat - in tandem with a qualified paraglider!
• Strolling the chic streets of Le Moulleau
• Finding an oyster shack on the Bay shoreline - and so some tasting!
• Cycle from Gujan to Pilat-Plage and choose your spot on the beach
• Sailing trip to the sandbanks of the Banc d'Arguin

The Local Area: Arcachon (5kms)

La Hume
The shoreline of la Hume typifies the southern shores of the 'Bassin'; lined with inlets and punctuated with little harbours, oyster shacks and 'cabanes'. You can imagine that much of it is unchanged from a century ago. The oysters are big source of business here and, a way of life for locals. It's also a nature haven and birdwatchers will love the wetland centre at le Teich and Ile aux Oiseaux - the bay of Arcachon is an important stop-over for migrating birds.

La Teste centre offers a few more shops plus a large weekly market, oyster farms and a 'port' area with lovely seafood restaurants.

The immediate coastline does have the odd stretch of sand, but the shore is mostly a mix of oyster fishing zones and wetlands. The local beach at La Hume is ok for a bit of sun-bathing and there's a children's play area and seasonal snack bar. However, the best beaches are in Arcachon and around the Bay south, through the stylish districts of Abatilles, Perreire, Le Moulleau and Pyla.

And, for an alternative, take the short drive south - or cycle - to the magical lake of Cazaux et Sanguinet. Here you'll find sandy beaches, lovely safe waters for the kids, cycle paths, picnic areas and watersports - it's a great day out.

Between La Hume and Gujan Mestras is the Parc des Loisirs, a leisure playground for children featuring:

• La Teste zoo
• La Coccinelle children's farm
• Kid Parc adventure play area
• Aqua Land water park 

Arcachon and its Districts
Arcachon is an all year round sea-side town that's hugely popular with French families and it's easy to see why: exceptional sandy beaches, long, picturesque sea-front promenade, a manageable size - shops, bars, restaurants, small casino, even the train station - all within easy walking distance.

Less well-known (to the UK market) are Arcachon's 'upmarket' southern districts: Perreire, Le Moulleau and Pyla sur Mer. These offer quieter beaches than those found in central Arcachon and, for those with smaller children and a lot of equipment, easier car-parking. They are also a favourite for sailing enthusiasts.

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