If you’re looking for an idyllic slice of France for you and the family – and you don’t want the crowds or high price tag – we recommend heading south west to Gascony and the stunning Pyrenees. In fact, this converted farmhouse brings together all the best of French living: a pool worthy of St Tropez, a garden filled with Provencal lavender, and interiors with dashes of Parisian style.
On top of that, its 4 bedrooms and 15 acres of pretty garden are also exceptionally family-friendly. You’ll find bikes, ride-on tractors and numerous outdoor games that make it the perfect self-catering retreat for a large family, or even a couple of families holidaying together (there’s enough room for 8 people).
Rooms: The 4 bedrooms (3 of which can be twins) have rustic-chic interiors with quirky, grand items of furniture: antique beds, armoires, chandeliers. Voile curtains billow at the windows (which have superb views over the Gascony countryside), and old-fashioned shutters keep things cool and dark at night. There’s an unusual layout to the rooms (one bedroom is reached by walking through another) which can make the house feel a little cramped when at full capacity, but there’s still plenty of space – particularly with the expansive gardens and lovely, candlelit communal areas.
Food: The large, stainless-steel kitchen is equipped with everything you’ll need for a French-themed family feast. This includes all the usual utensils, crockery and glassware, as well as a large fridge/freezer, a coffee machine and a dishwasher. And, as a thank you for booking through i-escape, you’ll be treated to a generous welcome hamper containing bread, cheese, milk, ham and wine. Best of all are the 3 great dining areas: an indoor dining room, café-style tables and a BBQ in the garden, and an open-fronted barn with a long oak table and firepit. If you can’t face cooking, you can always invite a local chef to the house to prepare anything from simple stove-top meals to 5-course dinners.
Customer reviews: “We had a really good time at the farmhouse, especially the kids. The location is great as it is not too far away from the airport… The farmhouse was well kitted out for people that travel with kids. We loved not having to bring a double stroller, steriliser, toys etc” Angela, Australia (05.05.15)