Batzari

Five-bedroom Batzari is an ideal venue for two families or a multi-generational group looking for flexible accommodation and a chance for everyone to spread out and find a place to call their own. The independent  suite on the lower level, with two en-suite bedrooms, separate living room and kitchen acts almost like an annexe, while affording the same luxurious feel of a large private house - though the property is also available to rent without this addition for smaller groups (see Petite Batzari).

This charming country villa is beautifully light and airy, with exposed beams and contemporary artworks providing character and colour. The large country kitchen and open-plan living/dining area are at the heart of the house, but it's a property that lends itself brilliantly to outdoor living too, from the generously sized heated pool to the handy plancha barbecue where you can grill some spicy local merguez sausages or perhaps the catch of the day from St-Jean-de-Luz, just a short drive away. The views are delightful, creating a glorious green backdrop of hills and rolling Basque countryside, yet little more than five kilometres from the coast. Batzari is an excellent choice for anyone keen to enjoy the magnificent walking, cycling and dining opportunities that this delightful region has to offer.

The local area

The villa enjoys a tranquil position within 15 minutes’ drive of St Jean de Luz, arguably the most appealing town in the area. This fishing-port-turned-holiday-town is known as the gourmet centre for Basque cuisine, with a host of excellent bars and restaurants, a rich cultural calendar, an array of attractive boutique shops and a colourful covered market showcasing the very finest local produce. The sweeping sandy beach here is one of the best along this coastline for younger children, protected by a breakwater to keep the Atlantic swell at bay but older children and adults in search of adventure will enjoy the numerous watersports on offer.

Inland, pretty Ascain has an authentic feel, characterised by half-timbered houses and typical village shops that pre-date the hypermarchés by a hundred years or more! You’ll also find excellent traditional restaurants here for lunch or dinner. Further south, as you head towards Spain, Urrugne is well worth a visit and lively Hendaye, with its three-kilometre long beach is just a little further.

Days out

A day tour of the Basque villages such as Ascain, Ainhoa, Sare and Espelette makes for a pleasing contrast to the coast; for something different again, don’t miss a trip into Spain and the old town of Hondarrabia or the celebrated cities of San Sebastian, Pamplona and Bilbao, home to the famous Guggenheim museum. Hendaye beach beckons with all manner of watersports and a thalassotherapy spa. For a more typically Basque experience, take a wander around the old town to sample pintxos or perhaps catch a lively game of pelota. Bayonne, capital of the Pays Basque, sits quietly under the tourist radar but rewards visitors with narrow medieval streets and a fine Gothic cathedral, not to mention of course its eponymous jambon. Some of southern Europe’s most majestic mountains are accessible in the Pyrénées National Park, whilst the grandeur and lively surf chic of Biarritz make for a unique atmosphere, whether you’re braving the waves or just enjoying the spectacle from the cafés and restaurants along the shore. Stunning coastal walks connect from Bidart through Guéthary and St Jean de Luz, and as far as Hendaye on the Spanish border. Drinks, dinner and sunset from one of Bidart or Guéthary’s sea-view restaurants is a holiday highlight.

Explore our pre-bookable experiences in Aquitaine

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.