In the authentic surroundings of the Bèarn, near pretty market towns and not far from the Pyrenees, La Grange Aux Tourterelles is all about beautiful French interiors and charming country style in an enchanting part of southern France.

This wonderfully renovated barn has been restored by its creative owners who bought La Grange Aux Tourterelles and its adjoining 19th century château, where they often reside, as a place to simply enjoy a slower pace of life deep in the French countryside, just on the edge of a rural village. Relax with a glass of wine in your picturesque walled garden with the sound of the church bells or donkeys braying in a neighbouring field.

This home is all about stylish yet warm interiors – prepare feasts using fresh ingredients from local markets in the gourmet kitchen with its Lacanche stove, serve by candlelight on the farmhouse table, then retire to the lounge, once the wine-press and tobacco store, with its honesty bar and cosy fireplace.

Each of the two bedrooms upstairs have been exquisitely styled with antique king-sized beds, elegant wallpaper and dormer windows peeping out to the garden and beyond. A bathroom decorated in deep red colours adds to the relaxing vibe of this traditional yet unique holiday home.

This is typical Béarnaise village life and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques at its best. Wander around the local village, chatting French to locals or head down to the Gave d’Oloron for riverside picnics, swimming and even a spot of fishing, canoeing or rafting. Local shops and restaurants can be found a 15-minute drive away in delightful places such as Navarrenx and Sauveterre-de-Béarn, both which host weekly markets where you can pick up all sorts of amazing local produce.

During your stay you can experience the beauty of the Pyrenees, explore the vineyards of the Jurançon wine route and even travel as far as the surfing beaches of Biarritz. La Grange Aux Tourterelles is a truly authentic escape where you can discover the awe in this wonderful region as well as the rustic way of local life. 

La Grange Aux Tourterelles is set on the edge of a small Bèarn village in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region of south-west France, 50km east of Pau and just over an hour from the Basque coast and Biarritz.

This is rural France at its best – listen out for the half-hourly church bells from 8am to 8pm, hear donkeys braying in the field nearby and watch farmers pass as you drive around this traditionally agricultural area.

Head down to the Gave d’Oloron river, where you can enjoy picnics on riverside beaches and join locals swimming or fishing (the river is well-known for seasonal trout and salmon). You can even partake in some watersports at a centre near the village which offers rafting, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding as well as land based activities.

There’s a lovely auberge in a village around 4km away whilst further places to eat, bars, boulangeries and supermarkets can be found in Susmiou, Navarrenx and Sauveterre-de-Béarn (all around a 15-minute drive away). There are even more amenities in the larger towns of Salies-de-Béarn (20km) and Oloron-Sainte-Marie (32km).

Navarrenx (10km) is a lovely day out in itself; a picturesque bastide town on the Gave d’Oloron river which is classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Visit the historic weekly market on a Wednesday morning, explore the pretty shops selling artisan arts and crafts and dine al-fresco in one of the pleasant cafes and restaurants. Sauveterre-de-Béarn (10km) is another idyllic market town by the Gave d’Oloron fully of history and beauty.

This area is rich in wonderful fresh produce that you can buy in local markets or head straight to nearby farms to sample amazing Pyrénées de Brebis cheese as well as being able to buy sheep’s milk and ricotta. Wine-lovers should visit the vineyards and wineries along the nearby Jurançon Wine Route to discover one of the country’s oldest appellations.

Walkers can enjoy local rambles through forests near the village or head even further to the magical Pyrenees mountains, especially beautiful when covered in spring wildflowers. The Aspe Valley and its delightful villages as well as the Vallée d’Ossau are also stunning areas to explore.

A day out at the beach is also a great change of scene whether you drive to the glamourous town of Biarritz, the surfing bays of the Basque coast or the family-friendly town of St Jean de Luz, all around an 80 to 90-minute drive away.

A little closer to home, Pau (50km) is a picturesque city with tremendous views of the Pyrenees in the distance. There’s a beautiful old quarter as well as modern shops and tree-lined boulevards with cafes and restaurants. One of the local delights in Pau is Coucougnettes, little sweets made from almonds and chocolate.

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