There’s a distinct surfing theme to the décor at Villa Mandurah, hardly surprising perhaps when you realise that the beach is literally just 300 metres away across the sand dunes. Set in a coveted residential area of Capbreton, the sea is so close you can hear the rhythmic hiss and pull of the waves from the garden. From easy family beach days to romantic sunsets in the dunes, it’s hard to imagine a more convenient base for enjoying the very best of this spectacular coastline.

Location aside, a recent renovation has made Villa Mandurah even more appealing, with a wraparound timber deck creating additional sun-warmed dining and lounging space to complement the modern interiors. The house is fresh and light throughout, with an upper floor terrace off the master double, a lovely spot for your morning coffee or a glass of wine as the sky turns pink and gold over the dunes. It’s perfectly practical too, with an outdoor, warm-water shower for rinsing off after the beach, a family-sized barbecue and all-important off-road parking.

With the beach so close, there’s maximum flexibility for everyone to come and go as they please without a car. Your teens and tweens can sleep as late as they wish and explore the local area under their own steam, while younger ones have the run of the enclosed private garden. There are local shops and restaurants within a 5 to 10-minute walk, so no need to drive or miss out on a glass of excellent local wine with dinner.

The local area

The villa sits in its own grounds, a 4-minute walk over the dunes to La Piste beach, whilst Capbreton centre is just a kilometre away. Once a whaling port and still famous for its daily fish market, Capbreton attracts more of a local crowd than neighbouring Hossegor, and its attractive seafront has a lively buzz from lunchtime through till the evening seafood diners have finished. The marina is a great place for a pre- or post-dinner stroll, and you might see locals fishing for their supper from the jetty. As with this entire area, bikes are the ideal way to get around, with numerous trails leading you through shady forests and along quiet coastal paths. Active options both on and off the water are almost limitless, with surfing, sailing, canoeing horse-riding and golf being just some of the ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the southern Landes.

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.