Rent Maison Gourmet Biarritz

There’s a relaxed yet stylish ambience at Maison Gourmet, an architect designed Basque house in the countryside close to the vibrant bistros and surfing beaches of Guéthary, just south of Biarritz.
It’s a grand 21st century villa yet created in an art-deco style with light-filled interiors and balconies or terraces off every bedroom. The open-plan lounge and dining area offers so much space with beautifully arched doors opening straight out to the terrace and garden. The owner’s artistic flair is evident throughout with the use of bold colours, vibrant prints across the walls as well as traditional furnishings interspersed with contemporary pieces. The colourful bar is a quirky spot for a cocktail or two before gathering to feast al-fresco by the plancha-style barbecue.
Each of the five bedrooms is striking with its own character and style – we love the four-poster double upstairs with its romantic bath and balcony, juxtaposed with a marine-toned bedroom with the most gorgeously tiled bathroom and free-standing bath. The two ground floor doubles are equally as impressive in their own unique way and each benefit from an en suite bath or shower room and doors leading to a garden terrace.
Outside, there is ample room to chill out on the decked patio or laze in the sunshine on the grassy grounds facing the garden and countryside beyond. Yet most of your time will surely be spent visiting the great draws of this region – start off in Guéthary, around 1.5km away, with its restaurants, art gallery and bars – with the waves of the Atlantic shore so near it’s a popular hangout for surf-lovers.
As well as surfing schools for a range of abilities, the local beaches also offer incredible scenery whether you seek out family-friendly sandy stretches or idyllic rocky bays. The Basque coast walking trail passes the Guéthary coastline and continues as far as Hendaye and the Spanish border to the south or nearby Bidart slightly further north. It’s also a fantastic area for cycling enthusiasts with stunning routes passing ocean, hills and mountains.
St-Jean-de-Luz and Ciboure are delightful places for a day out exploring, shopping in local markets or just admiring the sea-views from the beach and harbour. Then there’s the elegance of Biarritz, only 12km to the north, with its enticing restaurants, wonderful indoor market, majestic historic buildings and picture-postcard worthy beach, La Grande Plage.
Maison Gourmet sleeps up to 10 guests across five double bedrooms – two of the beds (one on each floor) can be made into twins on request.
If travelling with youngsters, it’s worth noting that the entrance and grounds are not gated.
Maison Interiors (400m2)
Ground Floor
– Entrance hall
– Large open-plan living-dining room with doors opening up to garden and terrace
– Relaxation room with bar and library
– Office
– Kitchen, fully-equipped
– Bedroom with double bed (180cm), doors leading to garden terrace and en suite bathroom with shower
– Bedroom with double bed (180cm), doors leading to garden terrace and en suite bathroom with bath
First Floor
– Hallway with small living area and TV
– Bedroom with double bed (180cm), lounge area, balcony and open-plan bathroom with bath
– Bedroom with double bed (180cm), balcony and en suite bathroom with bath and separate shower
– Bedroom with double bed (180cm)balcony and en suite bathroom with shower
One double on each floor can be split into twin beds on request
Outside Grounds
– Decked terrace with al-fresco dining and lounge area
– Covered terrace
– Plancha-style barbecue
– Garden (sloping in parts)
– Table tennis
– Basketball net
– Car parking (5 spaces)
Facilities
– Wi-Fi
– Underfloor heating (ground floor)
– Central heating (first floor)
– Smart and Satellite TV (with English channels and Netflix)
Maison Gourmet is close to the surfing resort of Guéthary, near the Atlantic shores of the Basque coast and almost equidistant between Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
In a fairly rural setting, just off a country road and with handsome neighbouring villas dotted close by, it’s only 1.5km to the heart of Guéthary with its small supermarket, art gallery, bars and restaurants. This picturesque village is a mecca for surfers and as such there is a relaxed and trendy vibe with summer evenings especially lively at the many surfer bars and hang-outs.
Yet it’s not just surfers who are attracted to this part of the Atlantic coastline, it’s also a paradise for walkers with the coastal trail from Bidart to Hendaye on the Spanish border passing through. Cyclists can also follow the Velodyssee route which whizzes through Guéthary or head inland to appreciate trails through the stunning Basque countryside and idyllic villages.
The beaches here are superb for a range of reasons whether you are here for the surf or wish to create sandcastles and seek out rock pools when the tide is out. Then there’s the famous Grande Plage of Biarritz with its Art Deco buildings along the sea-front, the family-friendly Grande Plage in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the large sandy beach at Hendaye. You may prefer some of the quieter bays dotted along the shore between Bidart and Saint-Jean-de-Luz including Plage de Cenitz just south of Guéthary.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz itself is a joy to spend time in – stock up on all sorts of local meats, cheeses, fish and vegetables at Les Halles indoor market and look out for the town’s three golf courses. Ciboure, just across La Nivelle river, is also full of charm with its picture-perfect harbour and associations with Maurice Ravel and Henri Matisse. It’s also a good spot for watersports.
Of course, Biarritz is also so close for a superb day out whether you choose to visit one of its museums, peruse its trendy shops, soak up the ambience of the indoor market, dine in one of the many fish restaurants by the Port Vieux or dance the night away in one of Biarritz’ trendy night clubs and bars. Admire views from the lighthouse or continue further north to discover the wild and beautiful beaches of Anglet, home to one of France’s most prestigious golf courses in Chiberta.
Local Amenities
Nearest Airport Biarritz Airport
(10km)
Nearest Train Station Gare de Guéthary
(2km)
Nearest Village Guéthary
(1.5km)
Nearest Supermarket Small Casino Supermarket
(1.5km)
Nearest Restaurant Guéthary
(1.5km)
Nearest Beach Guéthary coastline
(Around 2km)
Nearest Town Saint-Jean-de-Luz/Biarritz
(8km/10km)
Nearest Tennis Tennis Club de Guethary
(2km)
Nearest Golf Golf Ilbarritz
(7km)
With a range of beaches along the Atlantic shores and plenty of family-friendly attractions within a short drive, this part of the Basque coastline is wonderful for children of every age.
Close to the seaside village of Guéthary, there are beaches just over 2km away whether you are seeking surf and sand or rocky bays. Dotted along this part of the coast you will find a number of surfing schools suitable for a variety of ages as well as other watersports such as sailing, sea-kayaking and diving in nearby Ciboure and Biarritz.
There’s a family-friendly vibe in Saint-Jean-de-Luz with its great sandy beach and summer activities or head to Biarritz for museums, aquarium, shops and a little road train that tours you around the grand town – hop off and climb the lighthouse for wonderful views.
Horse-riding, cycling and walking opportunities can be found nearby whilst the most adventurous should look out for the tree-top adventure and paintballing park near Oihana, around a 20-minute drive away. Furthermore, transport enthusiasts young and old are sure to love the old-fashioned train that takes you to the top of La Rhune, usually open late April to early September.