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Interaction with guests:Â We live on-site and will be here to welcome you to Domaine Lavie. During your stay we will be more than happy to provide information on the area, places to visit, our favourite restaurants, walking/running or cycling routes and lend you maps - in short to share our love of this beautiful region! Our aim is simply to be available but not intrusive.
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Julie and her family could not have been more helpful throughout our stay without in any way being obtrusive. Orchard cottage had all you could need and is in a fantastic location with great views.
Would recomend to anyone who like tranquility whilst at the same time being close tp many placesof interest.
Visited August 2019
Written 30 September 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ingrid
The Netherlands1 contribution
Sfeervol en compleet ingericht huisje op prachtig landgoed
Written 6 August 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julie D
Thank you for your lovely review. It was a pleasure to welcome our first visitors from The Netherlands! We're delighted that you enjoyed your holiday at Domaine Lavie as well as discovering some of the many things this beautiful part of France has to offer.
Written 23 August 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Margaret W
7 contributions
Orchard Cottage, Domaine Lavie
Orchard Cottage is a lovely spacious cottage close to the very pretty French town of Salies de Bearn. The accommodation is excellent, the kitchen well equipped and the pool superb. There are lovely views of the countryside from the conservatory and gardens. Orchard Cottage is 40 minutes by car from Biarritz, Bayonne, and St. Jean de Luz, all well worth a visit. The market every Thursday in Salies de Bearn is really excellent, there are some good restaurants nearby but our favourite was La Legende in Sauveterre de Bearn, this was superb, booking ahead is advised. I would recommend this accommodation to a family who are looking for a relaxing holiday, who don't mind being 40 - 45 minutes by car from the bustle of the larger towns/cities. The weather in this region is very changeable. I would stay here again.
Visited June 2019
Written 29 July 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julie D
Thank you for your kind words. I'm delighted that you enjoyed your holiday at Domaine Lavie and exploring the surrounding area, which has so much to offer. We have yet to try La Legende so will follow your recommendation!
Written 23 August 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Martin P
2 contributions
Orchard Cottage
Orchard Cottage is spacious, light and homely. Everything you could possibly need was there. Julie and Ian were really helpful and we would recommend this gite to anyone wanting a relaxing holiday in beautiful surroundings.
Visited August 2018
Written 30 September 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BottyK
3 contributions
Peaceful haven from which to explore South West France
Written 28 August 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RandK73
5 contributions
Perfect family holiday
We loved Orchard Cottage with its views across the valley, lovely outside space and very well equipped, cool & comfortable interior (the bed is huge!). It felt like a real home from home with lots of personal touches, and our boys loved exploring the grounds and making full use of the pool (while we relaxed & enjoyed the view). There are some lovely villages to explore nearby, with river swimming and lakes, and plenty to do further afield too. We had a superb day on the Train D'Artouste in the Pyrenees (highest train in Europe) and at St Jean de Luz (beaches) and St Jean Pied de Port (mountains). This was our first time to this part of France - the whole area is really green & lush and it's a bonus to have the Spanish influence as well. Ian & Julie were so helpful with our many (many) questions & gave us some great recommendations for places to eat & places to go with the children. In all, a fab location for a relaxing family holiday!
Visited July 2018
Written 20 August 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julie D
Thank you for your lovely and comprehensive review! It was a pleasure to have you stay at Domaine Lavie and great to know that you enjoyed being here, as well as exploring the area, so much.
Written 27 August 2018. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TrailBlazer724641
1 contribution
Utter Tranquility
My family and I stayed at Orchard Cottage this July and did not want to leave. Ian and Julie are amazing hosts and the cottage is utterly beautiful - set amidst a sea of sunflowers. The cottage is really well equipped and comfortable. Julie ensured that we had everything we needed when we arrived - which after a long delayed journey was so welcome. I cannot rate this place highly enough - excellent location to explore the Pyrenees area. It is utterly perfect - even with two daughters!
Visited July 2017
Written 3 August 2017. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julie D
Thank you for your kind words. It was lovely to meet you and your family and we're delighted that you enjoyed your stay at Domaine Lavie.
Written 4 August 2017. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jimmywillyandy
Inverness, United Kingdom2 contributions
Pure delight
Our second week at Domaine Lavie. Easy 40 minute drive from Biarritz airport through gently rolling hills. Our first week spent at Courtyard Cottage (already rated) and our second at Orchard Cottage (which is more roomy) as our nieces were joining us. Loved this cottage even more - equally well equipped, immaculate, larger lounge and two bathrooms. Julie and Ian extremely helpful in all matters regarding local area, trips recommended, where to eat and we all enjoyed Midsummer's Eve in Salies music festival, with Ian playing bass guitar in one of the bars. Despite 37 degrees in our first week, our week in Orchard saw temperatures plummet to around 10 degrees at times. But that meant we went out more - La Rhune, Biarritz, Artouste (scary little train, highest in Europe), Salies (lots to offer, restaurants, great market on Thursdays, Carrefour supermarket) at only 5 minutes, max, from Domaine Lavie. The surrounding fields of sunflowers burst into flower, absolutely no noise at nights allowing us to sleep like logs and wake up late, and, of course, being in such an unspoilt area of France. Glad we found Domaine Lavie and a huge thank you to Julie and Ian for being there and being such great hosts. See you again.
Visited June 2017
Written 29 July 2017. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julie D
Glad you enjoyed Orchard Cottage for the second week of your holiday and we look forward to welcoming you back again sometime in the future. Julie & Ian
Written 4 August 2017. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
katyh155
County Dublin, Ireland33 contributions
Wonderful relaxing holiday
This is our second year in a row to stay in Damine Lavie, the Orchard cottage has everything you need for a great holiday - relaxing gardens, pool, walks, BBQ.
Salie de Bearn is a friendly little village which has everything you need - supermarkets, bistros, restaurants etc. Lots to explore and do in the region and also only less then an hour from Spain.
Visited June 2015 Travelled as a couple
Written 21 June 2015. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CathS72
London, United Kingdom18 contributions
Beautiful location for relaxing, cycling or exploring
Orchard Cottage is one of a cluster of gites around the courtyard of an old manor house, each backing on to the beautiful south-facing garden with its large pool. It was perfect for our family - clean, well-equipped (for both British and French cooks), comfortable and with bags of character. We were there during a hot spell, and the thick stone walls kept the cottage beautifully cool during the day. The owners, Jules and Ian, were very friendly and hospitable, and provided a really helpful 'welcome pack' of bread, milk, tea, coffee, wine, etc. We split our time between lazing around the garden and exploring the local area - Salies, Navarrenx, St Jean de Luz and the Pyrenees are all recommended. We were pleasantly surprised by how many flat cycling routes suitable for the family there were, as well as the more mountainous routes for the serious cyclist. The unheated pool was a little bracing in April, but we understand they have plans for solar heating soon. As in most of rural France, WiFi is not amazingly quick, but it was fine for checking emails and searching on the Internet.
Visited April 2015
Written 19 April 2015. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
There is so much to see and do in the area that a car really is essential to make the most of your visit to this beautiful corner of France.
Access
Car required
How to get there
By plane (via Ryan Air, EasyJet, or Air France): Biarritz, Pau, Lourdes/Tarbes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Bilbao.
By ferry: Bilbao, Santander, Caen, St-Malo
By train: TGV from Paris via Bordeaux to Orthez, TER to Puyoo, Orthez
Activities nearby
Fishing spots availableGolf course (within 30 mins drive)Golf course (within 15 min walk)Horse riding facilitiesTennis courtWatersports
Things to know
Check in / out timings
Check in after 4 pm • Check out by 10 am
Cancellation policy
100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
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