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Clos de Candélè Bed & Breakfast

Gascony is one of the most unspoilt areas in France. It is given over to agriculture and the raising of ducks, a local speciality. In the summer the temperatures can average around 27-30C, whilst snow is not unknown in the winter.

The spring and autumn are mild and most agreeable. There is very little traffic, it is clean, quiet and relatively inexpensive. The cooking is solid and hearty, washed down with local wines such as Madiran, Pacherenc and - of course - armagnac,

Our B&B is part of our traditional Gascony L-shaped farmhouse, recently built into part of the barn, accessed by it's own staircase and with a balcony overlooking the barn and the fields leading down to the stream. The bedroom is comfortably furnished with exposed beams and en-suite shower room. There is a double bed, and for a small extra it is possible to put in a camp bed.

The garden is shared with the owners and their two dogs, there are sun-loungers under the walnut trees for reading or just relaxing. On fine mornings breakfast is served at the long table in the barn, overlooking the valley.

There are many beautiful walks that can be made from the house, some with views of the Pyrénées, and you may see deer, foxes, hare, coypu, badgers, hedgehogs... even wild boar! Or you could just lie back and watch the buzzards and kites as they circle the valley, and listen to the woodpecker and the cuckoos. You can also fish in the lake, 5 min walk away, without a permit.

In July nearby Mirande (25km) hosts the largest Country Music Festival in France, and in August it is Marciac's (25km) turn, with the famous Jazz Festival.

From spring through to autumn there are always 'brocantes' and 'vide-greniers' (like a car boot sale) to go to, where bargains can still be picked up.

For a day of tapas and cava, Spain is a 2hr drive away, or try the white water rafting in the Val d'Aran. The Tour de France passes close by at the Col de Tourmalet, and the area is hugely popular with cyclists - and even motorcyclists!

For garden lovers, Tarbes (30min) has the gracious Jardin Massey, laid out by a local who for years was in charge of the gardens at Versailles, then in 1829 came home to turn his own 35 acre estate into a lush, English-style park. Just outside Boulogne-sur-Gesse (45min) is the charming and unusual Les Jardins de la Poterie Hillen, created over 20 years by a German couple and well worth visiting.

Our B&B is available year round for only €60.00 per night for 2 people, use of the camp bed is €15.00 extra.