Notes from the host
Luxury Revamped Pyrennean Barn On a river
The main accommodation upstairs is a spacious and stylish loft-style apartment, renovated by an English decorator, furnished with an eclectic mix of English and French antiques and 'modern Bali', with modern kitchen and bathrooms. The whitewashed wooden floor is 95 square metres, and has a large open plan kitchen/ dining room and lounge with huge sofa, two round modern bamboo chairs, a comfy armchair and a wingchair. There's a nice big central dining table with 4 chairs and a large armoire full of crockery and glasses. It is lit by large windows and skylights under the lofty whitewashed beams, the skylights catching the sun all day. At one end, there is a smart kingsize/twin bedroom with airy ensuite bathroom comprising bath, loo and vanity basin, and at the other end a romantic French double sleigh-bed which has an ensuite bathroom comprising a large walk-in shower, loo and vanity basin. The whole project was lovingly converted. The curtains are handmade and interlined for a cosy feel.
The ground floor reception/studio of 35 sq m is an extra asset, having two armchairs, a big Thai-style chair, coffee tables, lamps, books, magazines and lots of maps and local info to study, a piano, and easels for painters are available, - making a 'snug' and makes a studio with excellent lighting. The state-of-the-art granule-burning stove is installed downstairs for a warm welcome. The heat will warm the whole apartment. The barn has its own front door, entrance gate, outside dining terrace, little morning coffee area, and open garage, and is at a respectable distance from the main house for a feeling of privacy. A washing machine and an extra fridge and a shared freezer are in the garage. Picnic boxes, umbrella, deckchairs are all available for a day out.
'This is 5 star accommodation, located on the doorstep of some of Europe's most stunning scenery. I can't recommend it enough. I rented the barn for an extended period and have loved every minute of it. It's paradise whether you are into outdoor pursuits such as skiing, cycling and hill walking or would rather take a more gentle approach and sit back on a terrace and enjoy some great food and wine. It has the perfect blend of being in rural French countryside to chill and relax but also being within an hour drive of so many great places. My highlights were: Baqueira, La Mongie and Peyragudes for skiing, multiple local Tour de France routes and cols for cycling and Balnéa spa for a day of relaxation and pampering. Aspet just up the road is fantastic on market days and for a coffee in the morning, with Pau, Lourdes, Foix and Mirepoix all great for sightseeing and a day out. If that all sounds too much effort then just chill at the barn which is even better than the pictures and description. It's a home from home with fantastic beds, shower, bath, wood burning stove, furnishings - you wont want to leave - I didn't! Finally, as I stayed for some time I can completely vouch for previous comments about the helpfulness and consideration of Jule who owns the barn. She found the perfect balance of being non intrusive whilst helping make my stay the best it possibly could be. Thanks :-)'
This is cycling, walking, skiing, motorbiking, flyfishing and horseriding heaven in the foothills of the Pyrénées. Artists and cooks will love it too. Some of the steepest climbs in the EU for roadbikes. Cols de Portet d'Aspet and Col de Menté @ 1349m - after a flat start, the mountains rise within 5km.
A lovely barn renovated to a high spec, in the centre of the village. Not too much traffic around here... The river runs peacefully through the village past the iconic church, which you can watch from the café on the bridge, and spot the trout.
The village sports an épicerie from which you can order your croissants or even a plat du jour, tennis court, gym and boules court. The mini supermarket Carrefour Express has a butchery and bakery, and most things you could want, 3km away in Aspet. The beautiful door to the Pyrénées is through Aspet with its view of the imposing Cagire mountain. Beyond lies the mountain range, up and over to Spain.
The accomm consists of 2 double bedrooms (one a twin/kingsize, and the other a double sleigh bed) with an ensuite bathroom each - one with a bath, and the other with a 145cm x 120cm shower. Between the two rooms is a large open plan kitchen/dining and sitting room. The kitchen is fully equipped, and lots of crockery and glasses are provided in a big armoire.
Downstairs at ground floor is a snug/studio/reading room/ sitting room with a relaxed space and granule woodburner- piano, comfy chairs, and handy space for coats and boots etc.
Out of the front door, across the smooth gravel courtyard, a small terrace provides a dining table, 4-6 chairs and umbrella. It is near the second fridge/freezer for keeping cold drinks and picnic stuff. Out of the front door to the right, there is a small brick-paved patio with little table and chairs, to choose between shade and sun; nice spot for morning coffee or breakfast. You have your own open garage which houses the extra fridge, the freezer (shared) and washing machine. Also provided are picnic boxes and umbrellas and deckchairs.
There is your own second gate, but it is also fine to do the in-out between the 2 gates, so no turning is needed. There is plenty of space for motorbikes and car and bicycles.
I have an upright bike with panier available for visits to the village shop for bread and croissants etc. Children's bikes can be borrowed from friends. The new ladies at L'Epicerie are making delicious takeaway meals weekdays to save slogging....
The pretty village of Soueich is in the lee of a higher plain, sheltered from wind. It is idyllically located on the river Ger amongst the gently rolling foothills of the Pyrenees before they rise up in Aspet to start the steep climb upwards over the mountains leading up and over to Spain via St Béat. The Cols de Menté (1349m), Larrieu (704m), des Ares (797m) and Portet d'Aspet (1069m), test the afiçionados of cycling, as they follow in the tracks of the heroes of the Tour de France in the spring, summer and autumn. In winter up till Easter, go up to the small sunny ski station of le Mourtis 40 minutes away for a little skiing and lovely lunch in the sun, and enjoy the wonderful winding road through banks of snow and rooftops blanketed with a metre of snow. The roads are all efficiently cleared of snow for cars. Carry on over the mountain for lunch in Spain and a bit of Spanish supermarket shopping. Within an hour you can be seated at your table for paella or tapas, and after a slow lunch and a bit of shopping, you can be home again way before dark.
For sporty people, there is so much to do; cycling, skiing, hiking, swimming in mountain lakes, horseriding, paragliding in the mountains, canoeing in the valleys, you name it.
For motorcyclists, you can roar round the mountain twists and turns without too much else on the road.
For horseriders, you can ride up the mountains with a guide.
For children, you can learn to ski at half the price of the Alps (it's a secret place).
For gourmets, there are markets and specialist shops selling all cuts of meat, only seasonal organic produce, chocolatiers, cheese and wine aisles in the supermarkets - even the yogurt counters - the abundance of quality is striking.
For shopaholics, there are some great boutiques in St Gaudens, a bit different (and I will draw a map).
For painters and writers, it is an inspiration of light and landscape; encompassing lakes in emerald green, skies of azure, mountains of cadmium yellow and green and fields full of cows in their every variety.
For nature lovers and bird watchers, there are birds both small and enormous, some circling in the thermals, and some twittering in the nut trees.
The summer is hot, the winter is cold, the autumn is beautiful, spring can be
changeable. The hills are green and the rivers sing and rush, and the cows all match in the fields. The farmers go up and down the lane with old tractors looking after their stock.
The area is central for the exploration of Lourdes, the beautiful cities of Toulouse and Pau, Foix and Carcassonne. Both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coasts are equidistant. There are mediaeval villages, cathedrals, rivers, caves - and markets in towns almost every day with organic produce within 5 to 40km. A LeClerc giant supermarket in St Gaudens tempts with cheeses, fishcounter, butcher, vegetables and fruits all proudly, colourfully and reverently displayed.
Summer provides lovely picnic areas next to rivers and in the mountains, walking through the endless forests and drinking from the mountain streams. There are lakes and fishing, cayakking, rafting, paragliding...all manner of activities in this pure air.
The village has a Café on the bridge, serving amazing pizza and very 'happening' at weekends, Post Office and an Epicerie to pre-order your croissants and have a coffee. 2km away is a Carrefour Express which has a surprising array of necessities, open 8 to 8'ish. 3km away is Aspet which is a gorgeous place for coffee, a market on Wednesday and Saturday, and a crystal view of the Cagire mountain on a sunny day.
Nearby St Gaudens has a great market on Thursday and the town buzzes. Book for lunch somewhere while you finish your wanderings. There are some great boutiques and quirky shops if you look hard or get a map from me. Banks and cycle shops, hairdressers etc.
I have a big list of restaurants, smart or otherwise, including a Michelin star hotel with flashy designer furnishings, a busy Lebanese, a divine Sushi place, and good old French country fare...
But really this place is about fresh clean air in a tranquil village set in farmland, rolling hills and majestic mountains, a great place to relax and get away from it all.