The Pyrenees mountains are unlike any others. Tourism has developed well here, yet traditional mountain farming remains omnipresent. The valleys are less open than elsewhere and the stone housing is magnificent. I am from the Alps and my wife is from the South-West, we both found everything we needed in Haute-Bigorre! The mountain here is covered with thousands of lakes in all sizes and colors. It is also dotted with barns, which have remained in their original state. If only we could renovate them all!
The house is what is known as a "bigourdane", a typical house of the Hautes-Pyrénées with a pointed four-sided roof. It is surrounded by the usual outbuildings - the "chicken coop", the emblematic building of Lavedan that we have transformed into a bedroom, the stone barn which now houses the swim spa, and an old gallery that we have converted into a covered terrace. The ensemble forms something of a small hamlet around a grassy courtyard on more than seven hectares of woods and meadows. We are in the mountains, more than a thousand meters above sea level with a mountain view, but it feels more like the countryside.
The house dates back to the 18th century. It used to be called "Chez Coués", after the family that built it. Until the Revolution, homes here were passed on according to the rule of "absolute primogeniture", the eldest - girl or boy - inherited everything. The younger siblings received nothing and either had to find an elder, go into exile, or enter the service of the state or God. The reason behind this rule was the lack of usable space in the valleys. The property has been completely renovated and we have renamed it the "Domaine de Castille" since it was attached to our eponymous house.
The house invites guest to spend some time alone, or with friends a family, in a peaceful setting, not too far removed, at the foot of a wild mountain. It is a truly authentic place at the end of the Hautes-Pyrénées valley. In this house, it is easy to imagine the lives of those who lived here two centuries ago - there would be the grass and the wood to cut, the sheep to fetch in the summer pastures, festive meals to be had with the neighbours and children making their way down to school on foot or in snowshoes. Down in the village, two bars are always vying for the attetion of customers. A little higher up (and with a little patience) you can see marmots, izards - the local chamois - and sometimes even bears (with lots and lots of patience)! You can easily practice cross-country skiing with a hundred kilometres of track just ten minutes away, as well as downhill skiing in Cauterets, Barège, etc. In the summer, the region is a paradise for hiking and mountain climbing.
Summer is the perfect time for hiking famous spots such as Balaïtous, Néouvielle, Pont d'Espagne and Cirque de Gavarnie. Without forgetting Lourdes which is just thirty minutes away and welcomes six million visitors every year. In any season, we recommend going on foot, ski touring or by car to the Col de Spandelles (1378m), in the Pyrenean foothills. It is incredibly wild yet easily accessible with horses roaming free. In autumn, the lake of Estaing (1164 m) is a natural wonder. In winter, large avalanches fall from the surrounding peaks to the middle, exploding the thick crust of ice that covers it. You can still get there by car.
The estate is an old mountain farm that has renovated along with its outbuildings typical of the region. The main house has a large living room with a fireplace and an open kitchen/bar. There are three large bedrooms and two bathrooms on the upper floors. The fourth bedroom, the “chicken coop”, adjoins the house. Just opposite is the old barn which houses the swim spa (mini-pool and fitness center). On the side of the main house we have refurbished the old gallery into a covered terrace/kitchen. The land is flat around the house and is therefore perfect for games and activities. The ensemble is located in the middle of a seven-hectare plot of meadows, woods and streams with views of the mountains.
ref 715883
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