Vue Montagne

Vue Montagne is privately situated just outside a village (1km) in the Pyrénées-Atlantique department of south-western France. La Rhune, the splendid Pyrenean summit so visible from your holiday home, is only 4 kilometres away and there are three other major peaks nearby - many mountain excursions are possible from here by foot or by car.

The local charming village (1km) has a strong Basque footprint with its picturesque central square, pelota court and narrow alleys with Labourdine houses where blue, red and green contrast with the white plaster of the houses. There is a small supermarket and a handful of restaurants here as well as an interesting church and a Roman bridge crossing the river.

It’s easy to get to St-Jean de Luz (8km), where there are superb wide sandy beaches and pretty streets filled with shops and restaurants as well as walks along the coast and surrounding hills. The town’s beach, La Grande Plage, is the perfect place to spend the afternoon, especially with children. Once a small fishing port, the town later became a fashionable resort for wealthy French, English and Spanish tourists in the late 19th century and is now renowned for its tuna, anchovies and sardines.

Ciboure (8km) is often described as the quieter “twin” of its neighbour, St-Jean-de-Luz, to which it is joined by a road bridge over the harbour, both towns enjoying the shelter of the natural bay. Ciboure has its own relaxing atmosphere, so meander slowly through the old town and admire the brightly coloured boats and the Art Deco lighthouse. The beautiful Quai Maurice Ravel is best viewed from the harbor of St-Jean-de-Luz and remains a source of inspiration for many artists and photographers.

The waves are calmer on this part of the coast than further north, so it’s the ideal place for trainee surfers to practise, while those experienced surfers will enjoy the more dramatic breakers at Acotz (11km). For even more adventure, head to Guéthary (13km) and Bidart (16km) where you can join some of the world’s finest surfers or just relax and marvel at the magnificent landscapes.

The region is a perfect paradise for golfers with the area having two beautiful golf-courses, the nearest one only 5km away and many others nearer Biarritz, including the prestigious Chiberta Golf Course (28km) with its wonderful location near the Anglet beaches.

Keen walkers should not miss the Basque Cornishe, a fantastic path which follows coves and rugged cliffs all the way from Ciboure (8km) to Hendaye (16km) on the Spanish border.

The glamour and glitz of Biarritz is only 24km away, an elegant seaside resort dating back to the 19th century when aristocracy built their summer residences along this part of the coast. Here you can dine in fine restaurants by the beach, order cocktails at fashionable bars or visit the bustling and colourful markets of Les Halles, full of Basque specialities to take home and cook.

Read more about Biarritz

Ah, the French Basque Country… a region that has such a mix of Basque tradition and French charm that it immediately wins the heart of every tourist that visits. What’s not to love? The incredible beaches, friendly locals and fusion of Spanish and French cultures is one-of-a-kind.

While you’re enjoying one of our fantastic villas in Biarritz, you may well want to explore everything else the region has to offer – so we’ve put together this handy travel guide to give you a little help and inspiration!

Download our Biarritz travel guide >>