Manoir Mer et Lacs
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Overview
Set in six acres of private grounds, Manoir Mer et Lacs is a traditional and grand manor house set just outside the picturesque village of Soustons. With the Atlantic ocean and ‘Lac de Soustons’ both so close, you have the best of both worlds, making this Basque home ideal for family and friends of any age.
Built at the beginning of the 20th century and carefully restored in 2002, this is one of the largest houses in Soustons with nine spacious bedrooms, most of them en suite, a traditional grand reception hall and living room, a beautiful dining room and a billiard room. Throughout you will discover many original features such as oak floors, marble fireplaces, impressive high ceilings and a stunning oak staircase.
Step outside to discover the large heated swimming pool, a shaded terrace with its summer kitchen perfect for al-fresco dining and a wealth of activities from the tennis court to football, volleyball and boules. The gardens are glorious and contain beautiful old trees that are over 100 years old.
This is a wonderful base for exploring this exceptional region, famous for its long stretches of sandy beaches, surfing hotspots, majestic lakes, forests and world-famous golf courses. Head to the nearby Étang de Soustons for a variety of watersports or drive to Plage Soustons where you will find great dunes and magnificent waves contrasting the gentle waters and beaches of the salt-water marine lake and its pretty island.
Enjoy seasonal festivities in the local village, just a short walk away, or discover the delights of Hosseger, a surfing hangout with cool cafes and shops. The spa-town of Dax with its hot springs and Roman ruins is also a great day out, especially on market day, or drive south to visit the glamourous seaside town of Biarritz, just under an hour away.
Whether surfing the ocean waves, paddling in the lakes or relaxing by the swimming pool, Manoir Mer et Lacs is a great holiday home in this beautiful part of south-western France.
What you should know…
- NEWS: the new owner is gradually updating the property and guests will enjoy six updated bathrooms, some freshly decorated bedrooms, a large brand new pool terrace, a new salt water system for the pool, and many other improvements.
- It’s great to be able to walk to the local village but car hire is definitely essential to make the most of this great region
Property Features
House Interiors
- Main lounge with doors leading out to gardens
- TV/reading room with marble fireplace
- Billiard room with pool table
- Dining room with marble fireplace and French doors leading out to terrace
First Floor
- Hall area with sofa
- 2 x bedrooms with fireplaces and en suite bathrooms
- 1 x bedroom with terrace and en suite bathroom
- Two bedroom suite with fireplace, dressing room, bathroom with jacuzzi and WC plus south-facing balcony
Second Floor
- Bedroom with sauna and en suite bathroom
- 2 x bedrooms with en suite bathroom and balcony
- Bedroom with en suite bathroom
All bedrooms are either double (140cm to 180cm size beds) or twin/doubles. There are two bathrooms with baths, the other six feature showers
Outside Grounds
- Heated swimming pool (15x7m, depth: 1.85m) with electric safety cover and safety fence. Open all year round and heated on request from approximately June to end of September
- Poolside terrace
- Jacuzzi (2.4x2.4m, up to 6 guests)
- Al-fresco dining area with summer kitchen and BBQ
- Tennis court (racquets and balls provided)
- Estate (6 acres) bordering on to a small river
- Table tennis
- Badminton
- Boules
- Football
- Volleyball
- Bikes (approximately 14)
- Swing and slide
- Parking area
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Satellite TV (some international channels)
- DVD player and DVDs
- Computer with scanner/photocopier
- Board games
- Toys and games
- Pool table
- Table tennis
- Badminton
- Boules
- Football
- Volleyball
- Bikes
- Tennis court
Location
About the surrounding area of Manoir Mer et LacsManoir Mer et Lacs is set in six acres of grounds, just on the outskirts of Soustons, in the Landes department in south-western France. You can walk to the centre of the village in about 1km, where you will find restaurants, café-bars and supermarkets on the outskirts for everything you may need. Look out for festivities from spring to autumn, including the lovely spring festival with its tulip parade in April. You can also enjoy some of the typical cuisine of this region in traditional restaurants and farms in this area, as well as summer markets in local villages and towns.
This is a great position because you are close to both the huge lake, Étang de Soustons (3km) as well as the Atlantic coast with the beach around 10km away. Around the main lake you will find a number of watersports such as sailing, pedalos and paddle-boarding as well as kilometres of walking paths and cycling trails through peaceful countryside filled with wildlife.
Nearer the coast there is also a marine lake with superb beaches and shady pines near the dunes of the Atlantic, an especially lovely place for younger kids to splash around without the Atlantic waves of the coast. Again, there are some lovely walks around here and parts are only accessible by foot or bike.
The Atlantic beaches are also fantastic and surfing is a popular pastime here due to the brilliant waves and tides. There are surf schools here or for the less adventurous just enjoy the amazing surroundings and stunning pine forests, ideal for picnics and walks. Further south, the beaches of Seignosse, around 15km away, also offer long sandy beaches, surfing spots and one of the best golf courses in France.
Just twenty minutes south, Hossegor is another hot-spot for surfing and there are some great shops and lovely cafes and restaurants, many of them cool surfing hang-outs. Lac d’Hossegor also offers wind-surfing and paddle boarding. Following the coast further south, you reach the beautiful beaches of Anglet, the picturesque inland city of Bayonne (44km) and the glitz and glamour of coastal Biarritz (55km).
A little closer to home, Dax (27km) is a spa-town dating back to the Roman times, famous for its hydrotherapy. The town is full of history and in the heart of the town is the ‘Fontaine Chaude’, an impressive warm fountain and is now a ‘Monument Historique’. In the middle of August there is a huge festival with bull-fighting, traditional Basque pelota and huge parties as well as fireworks and family-friendly activities.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Biarritz Airport
(54km) |
||
| Nearest Ferry Port |
Bilbao
(210km) |
||
| Nearest Train Station |
Gare de Dax
(28km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Soustons
(1km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Soustons
(1-2km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
Soustons
(800m) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
Soustons Plage
(10km) |
||
| Nearest Golf |
Seignosse
(15km) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
Hossegor/Dax
(15km/28km) |
||
Region
Aquitaine’s reputation as a varied and enchanting destination is well-earned – whether you’re looking for relaxation or excitement, this beautiful part of south-western France is a feast for every one of the senses. To make sure you’re getting the very best of your holiday (and to clue you up if you’re thinking of going) check out our wonderful travel guide – it’s full of tips, info and the things you really shouldn’t miss when you visit unforgettable Aquitaine.
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesFamilies can enjoy some of the water-based activities at the nearby Étang de Soustons where you will find sailing, paddle-boarding and pedalos in the summer. There are also lovely walks, cycling trails and picnic spots around here. Lac d’Hossegor, to the south, offers wind-surfing and paddle-boarding as well.
Another idyllic place for family walks is the marine lake near Soustons Plage on the Atlantic coast, where the water is a lot calmer for splashing around and there are sandy beaches and shady pine trees. Much of this area is only accessible by foot or bike, so another great spot for walks through the pine forests and pretty picnics.
There are surfing schools dotted along this part of the Atlantic coastline from Soustons Plage to Hossegor and as far south as Biarritz and beyond.
Dinosaur lovers should head to Dinosaures Parc at the north end of Étang de Soustons, set in the forests with all sorts for activities for younger kids. The waterpark, Atlantic Park Seignosse, on the coast just south of Soustons, may also appeal to water loving kids with its pools and slides.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Stair gates
- Bottle steriliser
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Beach Nearby
- Walk to Village
- Walk to Restaurant
- <1hr to Airport
- Watersports
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Tennis Nearby
- Cycling
- Horse Riding
- Go-Karting
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Swings
- Slide
- Boules/Petanque
- Badminton
- Bikes
- Board games
- Soccer
- Tennis rackets
- Child-Safe Pool
- Heated Pool
- Tennis Court
- Bicycles Provided
- Indoor Games
- Outdoor Games
- Table Tennis
- Pool/Snooker
- DVD
- Toys
Services Available
- Catering Available
- Maid Service Available
- Babysitting Available
Extras
Oliver's Extras
- Catering Available
- Maid Service Available
- Babysitting Available
- Fridge Stocking Available
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- Babysitting / childcare services
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
- Daily cleaning
- Private chef
- Fridge stocking
- Babysitting
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
Please note that any event rental may be subject to additional charges, venue hire fees and to a hig...
Read moreEvent information
Please note that any event rental may be subject to additional charges, venue hire fees and to a higher security deposit, which will be in addition to any published rental rates and fees.
All events are on request only and subject to prior agreement from the owner, who reserves the right to refuse all events without their prior authorisation.
| Security deposit | €1500 paid to the owner on arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €1500 paid to the owner on arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
| Energy costs included? | Yes. |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes (linen is changed mid-stay). |
| Pool towels included? | Yes. |
| Heating costs included? | Yes. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Pool opening dates? | All year round. However, please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. |
| Pool heating charge? | Pool heating is available on request approximately from June to end of September for an extra charge of €50/day, paid locally. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures |
| Pets welcome? | No. |
| Changeover day | Saturday. |
| Minimum stay | 7 nights. |
| Smoking Allowed? | Outside only. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges. |
| Insurance | It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property. |
| Tax | French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€3 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required). |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 18 people:
| Rental period | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Nov 28th 2022 - Apr 29th 2023 | £6,433 |
| Apr 29th 2023 - May 6th 2023 | £5,908 |
| May 6th 2023 - Jun 3rd 2023 | £9,190 |
| Jun 3rd 2023 - Jun 24th 2023 | £10,502 |
| Jun 24th 2023 - Jul 1st 2023 | £13,128 |
| Jul 1st 2023 - Jul 22nd 2023 | £15,753 |
| Jul 22nd 2023 - Aug 26th 2023 | £17,066 |
| Aug 26th 2023 - Sep 2nd 2023 | £13,128 |
| Sep 2nd 2023 - Sep 23rd 2023 | £10,502 |
| Sep 23rd 2023 - Apr 27th 2024 | £7,877 |
| Apr 27th 2024 - May 4th 2024 | £5,908 |
| May 4th 2024 - May 31st 2024 | £9,190 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Reviews
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Large and spacious
It was large, spacious, everything worked.
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Amazing Stay!
The facilities were marvellous and the staff outstanding
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Perfect spot for a relaxing French vacation!
The Domaine de Belgard surpassed our expectations. Extremely quiet property bordering a very friendly small town, making it easy to interact with the local residents, then return to the privacy of our group. Quick access to beautiful beaches, Bordeaux, the Pyrenees and Basque country, as well as northern Spain made this the ideal location to base a variety of day trips. The property manager and staff were welcoming, attentive, friendly, and quick to respond to any issues. Most importantly, we knew we could count on them for honest answers to questions about local attractions or restaurants. Grounds offered chance to find a quiet spot for reading, bikes provided opportunity for scenic exercise. I highly recommend Domaine de Belgard.
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Relaxation and luxury
Spent a week at this Chateau as part of a group of three families with teenagers. The property is very special and has a great pool and outdoor space. The owner and staff were all very friendly and helpful. The food was of a very high standard with a lot of variety. The surrounding area has plenty to do, we went to the fabulous local beaches, but also found time for golf, go-karts and kayaking. In summary a relaxing stay, in a beautiful spot.
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A delightful French experience!
We rented the entire chateau for two weeks, for a family vacation of 11 adults and 4 children under 9 yrs. We had a wonderful time. The house is vintage but very comfortable. The grounds are lovely and the pool was a big hit. The staff of four wonderful young people was just excellent, and the chef cooked the best meals we had anywhere in France. The owners were on premises nearby to take care of anything we needed, from restaurant reservations to sailing excursions. They were wonderful to us all!
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Outstanding, one of our best holidays ever
It may of been a little over kill but we stayed there as one family just the 6 of us. We had friends over one day for lunch which the staff did an excellent job with but it was a faultless experience. Quintin and his family were wonderful and our children spent lots of time playing with their kids which was great. The whole vibe of the place was very laid back but the service was there when ever you needed it. I had epic surf at the local beach breaks only 15mins away and surfed pretty much by myself for the 13 days we were there. The food was stunning and the photos don't fully show the beauty of the property. Would love to go back but with a few families to enjoy the experience with.
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Impeccable service
Overall we had a wonderfull stay with Quintin in Soustons. However the kitchen deserves a special remark (Duschan really is a great chef) ! We had some fantastic gourmet dinners out on the front terrace. Thanks very much to the whole team for a great weeks holliday.
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The beautiful Chateux with timely friendly service
The Chateux and overall stay was excellent, and I don't think their website does it justice. There is a lot to do if you do not want to leave the grounds, which is exactly what we wanted.
In detail, the service around the food, room and ground maintenance and overall friendliness were excellent. We knew what to expect from our meals (food board and discussions) and it was delivered to a high standard. Even with last minute requests and the group (11 adults and 2 infants) being unsure what we wanted was met with a smile and accommodated to the best of their ability. We were extremely impressed with the Quintin's hosting. Tirelessly catered to the varying needs of the whole group, whilst always maintaining a smile, from 8am until midnight, when he was checking we had enough wine! The wines provided were also great value for money.
As we had 2 infants it was important they were accommodated. They provided a whole range of baby equipment from monitors and high chairs to a walker, swim seat and even a sterilizer.
The rooms were beautifully laid out and furnished. They were cleaned daily and we were provided with L'Occitane showering products. The girls loved the smell of the lotion.
The villa and grounds were beautiful - even nicer than the pictures on the website. In fact the pool, table tennis, cricket and tennis were so great that some of us didn't leave the villa for the entire holiday, except for a bike ride (baby bike seats were also provided) and a bit of golf.
Overall, a fabulous place for a relaxing holiday in a beautiful villa and grounds, with great food, fantastic facilities and faultless hosting! -
A great house with great food with something for everyone.
We have had an excellent holiday with adults and kids from 10 to 22. Quintin went out of his way to ensure we had great holiday from the food which meant catering for a range of likes/dislikes- accomodating changes at the last minute. He had a wide knowledge of the area with useful insider info on things like where to park. If you wanted anything all you had to do was ask and he would try his best to find something for you. There is room for everyone with space for football, volley ball and rugby passes! The pool area was spotless with lots of loungers and umbrellas The area has something for everyone- golf , gyms, surfing , bike rides/walks, sightseeing, shopping as well as local markets and festivals.
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Impeccable service
Overall we had a wonderfull stay with Quintin in Soustons. However the kitchen deserves a special remark (Duschan really is a great chef) ! We had some fantastic gourmet dinners out on the front terrace. Thanks very much to the whole team for a great weeks holliday.
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Luxuriously relaxed holiday for all the family
From initial enquiry to final departure, nothing was too much trouble for Q and his team. Special diets, local top tips, booking restaurants, arranging surf lessons for our 11 and 14 yr old boys to name but a few! The house is grand and typically french, intimate enough to create a warm atmosphere and large enough to always find a quiet spot to just read a book. Bedrooms and bathrooms are comfortable, clean and spacious, whilst not being over elaborate. Location is great, close to all ammenities and perfect if you want to start your holiday without a long journey from any of the 3 regional airports serving the property. This has the added benefit of being flexibile with flight times from the UK. A few good restaurants serving reasonably priced local menus, go karting, golf and the beach all within cycling distance (if you have the energy or inclination to drag yourself away from the immaculately maintained pool at the house!) Best things about this holiday are the unique blend of informal style coupled with high levels of service and cuisine. As a holiday for families with young teenagers, nothing we have found beats the easily acessible safe activities during the day, coupled with a calm and sophisticated dinner served under the magnolia tree as the sun sets and you enjoy a glass or two of well earned local wine! Our only negative comment would be the condition of the tennis court surface, which does throw up an occasional wild bounce!
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Lovely property, pleasant holiday, but...
We stayed at Domaine de Belgard in the south of France for a week from 5/4/12. Our holiday was generally relaxed, with a bit of sight-seeing, but essentially centred around spending time with 3 generations of the family. The house is lovely and spacious, pleasant rooms, and very comfortable beds. There is plenty of space outside in the mature grounds with a lovely pool, tennis court, and other garden games to enjoy. Plenty of bikes, including for children, which you can use to cycle into town easily, 5 -10 mins ride, and get fresh croissants, etc from several bakeries, or even to the local lake, again very close. The region itself is a pleasant place to visit and explore, and we travelled to several of the towns round about, and enjoyed distant views of the Pyrenees to where day trips would be a possibility. We self-catered for the whole week, which worked very well, there being a large supermarket on theedge of the local town of Soustons, with everything you might need.We did not have brilliant weather, though it could have beena lot worse, and I don't really think this spoilt it for us - we are well used to making the most of whatever the weather has in store on holiday. However, we were extremely disappointed on arrival to discover that the pool was very chilly, despite having agreed 6 months in advance that we would take up the offer to pay £300 for it to be heated. (we did not pay). Unusually cold weather had immediately preceded our stay, and this was the reason given. However,there were 11 of us, including two 12/13 yr. old boys, and 4 in their 20's, and we were all really looking forward to using the pool. The heating system apparently relies heavily on air temperature, from what I can gather, so very weather dependent! A big downer as far as we were concerned. To make matters worse,there was no hot tub, despite being advertised on the website, so this made a bad situation even worse. These two things together effectively put paid to the activities we planned to enjoy most in the grounds, and have therefore coloured our judgement to a great extent.Other things mentioned on the website, did not turn out to be quite as stated; only computer for access to internet was in owner's office, which we were relying on being available at all times for planning our days out; mention of river along edge of property not even visible, and inaccessible,along with a large patch of grounds in front of it; location somewhat closer to town intersection than we expected, Soustons is a town, not a village as stated (though traffic noise not a problem, and advantage of convenience in the end);owner lives in grounds, but also occupies room on ground floor of villa a office (separate access, in addition to adjoining door to lounge); some of the soft furnishings were unacceptably tatty; almost all of us had trouble with theTV's and DVD players in our rooms. I think they did work, but decidedly user-unfriendly - probably all a bit too old.Some have obviously enjoyed their time at this property, and we can appreciate that. However, we felt badly let down by a few fundamental short-comings, that had a significant effect on our expectations and hence enjoyment. Subsequent correspondence with the owner proved a frustrating experience he has plenty of plausible excuses, but at the end of the day,they didn't really count for much. A detailed overhaul of the website descriptions for this property is long overdue. We made the most of the time we were there, but I'm afraid have ended up feeling a bit ripped-off, consideringwe paid nearly £5,000 for the time of year.
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