Villa des Roses

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lac d'Hossegor, this villa’s superb location offers the best of both worlds when it comes to beaches, conveniently close to the surf breaks of La Gravière and the sheltered coves of Sable Blanc. You’re also comfortable walking distance from the town centre and the nearest boulangerie, meaning morning croissants will still be delectably warm by the time they’re brought home.

With five bedrooms and an enormous open-plan living and dining area, there’s plenty of space here for the whole family, both inside and out on the shady covered dining terrace, perfect for an indulgent poolside lunch. The villa is contemporary in style, with understated, neutral décor further enhancing the feeling of space. Heavenly-smelling rose bushes wind their way up the villa’s traditionally Basque-style exterior, which recalls this area’s 1930s heyday when artists and writers made themselves at home here in impressive villas and grand art-deco-inspired hotels. Villa des Roses is very much a 21st-century property however, particularly suited to families: older children love the freedom of being able to walk into town or to the beach, while younger ones will enjoy the sandy lake beach and children’s summer beach club, just two minutes’ walk away.

The local area

The villa sits less than ten minutes’ walk from La Gravière, a little quieter than the main town beaches with a seasonal restaurant up on the dunes: a perfect spot to watch the surfers putting on their show. Or for water without waves, you’re also just two minutes from the sandy beaches, picnic spots and watersports of Sable Blanc on Hossegor’s tranquil lake.

Hossegor’s town centre is a gentle 15-minute stroll: a place where sophisticated France meets laid-back California to idyllic effect. Here shopping, brunching, watersports and water parks are all on the agenda – as well as even more glorious sandy beaches. For those tempted to try surfing, this is a perfect spot, but if that’s not your thing, there are plenty of alternatives, whether you fancy a leisurely day cycling through pine forests, browsing a bustling bric-a-brac market or oyster tasting by the lake. Neighbouring Capbreton has a more authentically French feel and, around the marina, you’ll find some of the area’s best fish restaurants, as well as a daily fish market if you fancy eating in.

Days out

Bayonne is about half an hour away, the capital of the Pays Basque and the ‘chocolate capital’ of France – and don’t miss the spectacular interiors of its twin-spired cathedral. A little further on, you’ll find Biarritz. Here, Belle Époque glamour sits alongside a vibrant shopping, eating and cultural scene, all the more impressive for its dramatic coastal location. The Basque countryside is also a delight to explore, from its pretty hilltop villages to celebrated St-Jean-de-Luz, pure beach heaven for families with a beautifully atmospheric, historic town behind. You can even catch the ferry from Hendaye into Spain for some quality time and tapas in the colourful coastal town of Hondarrabia.

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.