From world class surf and family-friendly beaches to majestic mountains and charmingly photogenic villages, France’s Basque Country really does have it all, as indeed does the wonderful Villa Gétaria.

Set in its own mature and secluded grounds, this elegant home offers both space and privacy, with far-reaching views over the Basque Country hills and the peaks of the western Pyrenees from the south-facing rear terrace. This is a superb spot to enjoy long summer days by the heated pool, with loungers lined up inviting you to relax and contemplate the endlessly verdant countryside rolling out before you. With four en-suite bedrooms, Villa Gétaria is an excellent choice for a larger family looking for space to play, or a group of couples keen to try the numerous walking, biking, golfing and beach activities locally, with the added attraction of two Michelin-starred restaurants within walking distance. And if you simply want to escape for a week or two of well-deserved downtime, you’ll find an immaculately restored traditional Basque villa, full of original features offset by contemporary furnishings to make you feel perfectly pampered yet completely at home.  

The lush countryside setting adds to the timeless air of Villa Gétaria, but the house is far from isolated, just two kilometres from Guéthary village, harbour, beach and local shops. Guéthary is one of the real gems of the Basque coast, popular with discerning French guests but virtually unknown outside of France. Better known but equally charming is St Jean de Luz (7km), recently included in The Guardian’s 40 Best Beaches in Europe guide and described as 'spectacular', with 'soft golden sands backed by red and white Basque villas'.

Local area

Guéthary (2km) is a pretty village, idyllically located on the coastal path between Bidart and St Jean de Luz and combining traditional architecture with a chic seaside buzz in the summer months. There’s a small sandy beach here that’s good for younger children, and kids will also love the water park at Lac de Saint-Pée (16km). The area is of course famous for its surf, and you’ll find big waves and surf schools at Uhabia (3km) and Erromardie (6.5km) beaches. For beginners and less confident swimmers, the Grande Plage at St Jean de Luz (7km) or Hendaye (20km) are perfect playgrounds. For brighter lights and city sights you can head for Biarritz (12km), Bayonne (16km) or over the Spanish border to the fashionable resort town of San Sebastian, all handily accessible by rail from Guéthary. For active pursuits away from the coast there’s hiking, biking, climbing and rafting against incomparable backdrop of the Pyrenees, or see it all from the comfort of your car as you tour around villages such as Ascain, Sare, Ainhoa and Espelette, all within around 20km.

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.