About this property
Located at the edge of the stunning seaside town Saint-Jean-de-Luz in southwestern France’s Basque country, Villa Des Arts is superbly positioned for exploring the rugged coastline of this varied region.
The Basque country in the western Pyrenees that straddles the border between France and Spain is famed all around the world for its pretty seaside towns, rocky coastline and abundance of nature waiting to be explored. The sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean are the cherry on top. This contemporary Californian-style villa is just a stone’s throw away from magnificent beaches and offers a perfect amalgamation of style and comfort, ideal for the most sophisticated holiday goers.
Surrounded by a lush garden with uninterrupted views out over the glistening waters, Villa Des Arts offers up to 8 people the opportunity to unwind in this fine setting where both comfort and luxury are adhered to. Tasteful modern decor flows through the house, with neutral tones giving the rooms a fresh sense of style. As soon as you step in, you are in the middle of a stylish entrance hall awash with neutral tones of cream and grey and plenty of natural light flooding in through the glass windows.
The spacious living room and open-plan dining area are also bathed in light, and boast plenty of space for big groups, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows opening to the marvellous terrace with sweeping ocean and pool views. You’re invited to sink into the heavenly sofas after a long day or enjoy a home-cooked meal at one of the two dining tables. An open staircase takes you to the next floor, where you can find three tastefully furnished bedrooms in the same melange of greys and whites. The master suite is particularly intriguing, as it has an open-plan bathroom with a free-standing bath, ideal for spending the evening in total relaxation. Simply soaking up the breathtaking views out onto the sparkling blue waters is enough to de-stress and detach from the stresses of everyday life!
Outside, the stunning pool framed by palm trees can be accessed straight from the living room, great for switching between the sofa and dips in the water on a sweltering day. Alternatively, tuck into a good book on your private balcony upstairs – each one offers truly cinematic views of the ocean and greenery around – and if you listen carefully, you might even hear the waves crashing on the shores.
Here you find yourself just a stone’s throw away from Saint-Jean-de-Luz – originally a fishing town and now a popular holiday destination luring visitors from all parts of the world. Combining Basque charm with family-friendly sandy beaches, it is a fantastic place for foodies thanks to its lively market and Michelin-star restaurants. Whether you like walking along a buzzing promenade lined with shops and cafés or prefer the tranquillity of coastal walks, you can find all of it and much more here, with many trails starting right at the back of the house.
A comfortable 20-minute drive away, the glamorous Biarritz, also dubbed France’s surf capital, offers plenty of opportunities for a remarkable day trip. Stroll around its palm tree-lined bay and watch the surfers fight for the best waves or head to the Rocher de la Vierge – a rocky outcrop topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary only reachable via a footbridge and offering sweeping views of the Bay of Biscay.
Golfers and nature enthusiasts will be pleased to find out that various golf courses such as the prestigious Chiberta Golf Course with its wonderful location near Anglet beaches and plenty of exciting walking trails are also located nearby.
Overlooking the coast with waves lapping at the strips of honey-hued sand, Villa Des Arts is your gateway to the Basque country’s enchanting shoreline thanks to it being fantastically positioned at the edge of the fishing town Saint-Jean-de-Luz. A pleasant 30-minute walk will take you to the town’s historic centre full of upscale restaurants, bars, shops, and boutiques that promise to keep you occupied for the entire length of your stay. The closest supermarket is also a 30-minute walk away, should you need to refill the villa’s cupboards and collect essential ingredients for all your al-fresco plans.
Only a 10-minute walk away, the closest beach Plage d'Erromardie will provide many opportunities to escape the blazing Mediterranean sunshine. A bit further north, Plage de Lafitenia rewards visitors with a peaceful atmosphere and is frequented by locals. If you decide to walk along the coast opposite direction towards the town, you’ll be greeted with picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean before you reach the Promenade Jacques Thibault and eventually the heart of the town.
Soak up the local culture by heading to the market at Les Halles de St Jean de Luz – a lively, traditional venue with stalls offering locally-sourced fare such as fresh seasonal produce, meat, and cheese. From here it’s a great idea to stroll along the La Nivelle river or discover the many shops in the upscale Rue Gambetta area. The town’s main draw is its large, family-friendly beach simply known as la grande plage, framed by 17th-century Basque architecture and the Promenade Jacques Thibault. Here you can swim, bathe, and play games or simply work on your tan.
When looking for more fun in the sun, Biarritz’s beaches, shopping streets and restaurants are just a short drive away. Take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean at the famous La Grande Plage, which stretches from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, or watch the surfers from the comfort of your blanket. Port Vieux is the town’s main shopping street for those who wish to tick souvenirs and memorabilia off their list. Here you can also find a bustling food market, wonderful seafood places and many bars and cafés made for watching the cotton candy sunset with a Martini in your hand.
Many holiday goers purposely come to this part of France to complete one of the Camino de Santiago routes. This network of established pilgrimage trails that criss-crosses Europe offers lush marine and mountainous backdrops, rewarding hikers with both tranquillity and challenges along the way. Although you might not complete the entire 100km on your holiday, you can at least tick off some of these famous trails off your bucket list, spot birds and other wildlife and inhale the fresh marine air!
If you are a big golf enthusiast, you will be pleased to discover that many golf courses are located just outside Biarritz, perfect for unwinding and working on your swing. Head to the famed Chiberta Golf Course, Golf d'Arcangues or Makila Golf Club to network with fellow golfers and enjoy a game.
Alternatively, hop across the border to Spain to discover another seaside resort town – Donostia-San Sebastian. Loved by tourists for its equally pleasant coastline full of lovely beaches destined for sun worshippers, it also boasts top-notch restaurants helmed by innovative chefs, quirky bars, and cute cafés, most of them located in the cobblestoned old town Parte Vieja.
Accommodation
Villa Interior (220m2)
Ground Floor
- American-style kitchen with a central island and bar stools, equipped with a fridge, freezer, hob, oven, microwave, coffee machine and teppanyaki hot plate
- Open-plan living/dining room with table and chairs, sofas, armchairs, TV and large glass doors opening to the terrace
- Entrance hall with sofas
- Utility room with a second fridge, washing machine and dryer
- Twin bedroom with 2 x single beds (can be joined together to form a double) and a shower cubicle
- Office
First Floor
- Family suite with a double bedroom with a dressing room, air-conditioning, bathroom with a shower, free-standing bath and separate WC and door leading to the balcony
- 2 x bedrooms with double beds, air-conditioning and doors opening to balconies
Bathroom with a bathtub
- 2 x WCs
Outside Grounds (600m2)
- Heated pool (12m x 5m) with electric shutter
- Decked pool terrace with sun loungers
- Upstairs balcony with lounge furniture
- Al-fresco dining table and chairs
- Garden furniture and sun loungers
- Grassy lawn, palm trees
- Parking for two cars
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning (First-floor bedrooms only)
- TV
- BBQ
- Washing Machine
- Dryer