Aquitaine, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Orthez, France

Built in the 1960s, this exquisite 6 bedroom country house, with a beautifully presented living area of 363m2, is located in a veritable haven of peace and tranquillity, yet is within walking distance from shops (including a boulangerie), bars, restaurants, schools and local amenities in a pretty market town.

The house is located at the end of a quiet country lane, which then continues around the property as far as a double garage, which is beneath the house on the property's lower ground floor. The garage is accessible from the exterior of the house via stone steps, as well as from the interior via a staircase. Adjoining the garage on the lower ground floor is a workshop, a wine cellar and various storage areas.

Decorative metal gates at the front of the house open into the lovely grounds, which surround the property. A gravelled drive leads up to the front door with a small parking area. A small paved terrace at the front of the house adjoins the front door and the kitchen - and is the perfect spot for enjoying breakfast in the morning sunshine. The front door opens into a spacious entrance hall with doors to a kitchen on the right, a utility room on the left and the open-plan reception room at the far end. The spacious kitchen has been equipped with new kitchen units. It also has a cosy dining area and a door out to the small terrace at the front of the house. The utility room (with a separate WC) is opposite the kitchen; this room also has a door out to the small terrace. The open-plan reception room adjoins the kitchen and has a cathedral-height ceiling, a sitting area, a dining area and a superb wood-burning stove in the centre of the room. French doors open directly onto the south-facing terrace, which runs the full length of the house. At the far end of the terrace is a beautiful covered dining area.

From the entrance hall, a corridor leads around to the rest of the ground-floor rooms: a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom (bath, shower & WC) and French doors out the south-facing terrace, 2 further bedrooms with French doors out the south-facing terrace, a 4th bedroom and a shared shower room (shower & WC).

The property's first floor feels light and airy and has lovely countryside views from all of the rooms. The accommodation comprises a master bedroom suite, a second bedroom and a huge mezzanine area, which could be used as an office, a study, a library. The master bedroom has 2 adjoining dressing rooms and an en-suite bathroom with a bath, a shower and a WC, as well as a small balcony, which overlooks the grounds. The second bedroom has a sauna in one corner and could also be used as a games room, a home cinema or a gym. 1 or more of the property's 6 bedrooms could easily be used for accommodating B&B guests, if desired.

The house is set in stunning landscaped grounds and woodland. The swimming pool faces south and catches the sun all day long and the views of the surrounding countryside and to the Pyrenees beyond are a delight.

Located near the riverside town of Orthez (15 minutes), this lovely country house is situated in the Bearn region in south-west France, which is famous for its Jurancon vineyards and magnificent scenery. There are so many things to see and do all year round. Walking, cycling and skiing in the Pyrenees; white-water rafting on the "gaves" (rivers); swimming at a nearby leisure lake and sailing and surfing on the Atlantic coast.

Ground floor: south-facing terrace with a covered dining area and views of the grounds and the Pyrenees - a small paved terrace at the front of the house - an entrance hall (20m2) - a huge open-plan reception room (67m2) with a wood-burning stove, a sitting area, a dining area and French doors opening out to the terrace - an adjoining kitchen (22m2) with a dining area and a door out to the small terrace in the front garden - a spacious utility room (12m2) with a separate WC and a door out to the small terrace in the front garden - a master bedroom (26m2) with French doors opening out to the south-facing terrace - an en-suite bathroom (13m2) with a bath, shower & WC - 3 further bedrooms (18m2, 16m2, 11m2), 2 with French doors opening out to the south-facing terrace - a shower room (10m2) with a shower & WC - a staircase down to the lower-ground floor and up to the first floor.

First floor: vast mezzanine area (30m2), which could be used as an office/study/library - a large master bedroom (43m2) with 2 adjoining dressing rooms, an en-suite bathroom with a bath, shower & WC (12m2) and access to a small balcony overlooking the grounds - a bedroom/games room/home cinema/gym (50m2) with a sauna - a separate WC.

Lower-ground floor: double garage (47m2) - a workshop (26m2) - a wine cellar (38m2) - storage areas - a staircase to the upper floors.

The property is set in magnificent landscaped grounds and woodland of 23,190m2 (5.7 acres) with a south-facing terrace with a covered dining area and gorgeous views of the grounds and the Pyrenees - a heated swimming pool of 10 x 5m (security fence, security cover, heat pump) - a sun terrace next to the pool - a small dining terrace next to the pool with a rose-covered pergola - a paved terrace at the front of the house - a greenhouse - a wood-store

In immaculate condition, this splendid country house can be moved into straight away. For families with children, there are schools in the local town (within walking distance), bilingual schools (French/English) in Orthez and Navarrenx and a great choice of colleges and lycees for older children throughout the area. The school bus passes at the end of the road. The property is within easy commuting distance of Pau.

REFERENCE: 249756