The Gite du Paradis is special for many reasons. It is in a gorgeous location, on a ridge top with glorious views. Converted from old stables, the gite is steeped in character, with original oak beams, hand-crafted oak stairs, stained-glass windows & lovely furniture. At the same time it is extremely well equipped with everything to hand for a comfortable stay. The kitchen is as well-equipped as you'd want at home, no searching around for a couple of matching cups, enough pots & pans, sharp knives or a bottle opener. All bedlinen, towels & kitchen towels are provided for you. A hugely generous welcome pack awaits you: free-range eggs, croissants, butter, conserve, tea, coffee, orange juice, milk and a delicious bottle of local, excellent wine. There is free WiFi, your own private terrace with large gas barbecue & wooden garden furniture, a private garden area for sunbathing and full access to the whole 1-acre garden, sunbeds, benches to sit & sip your wine while looking towards the mountains. Everyone who comes remarks on how peaceful the gite & village is, how well they sleep at night, how refreshed they feel almost as soon as they arrive. Why wait? Paradise awaits you. Please note that electricity is metered at 0.185 euros per KW. You can monitor the amount you are using.

I came to the Hautes Pyrenees with my husband Trevor in September 2010. We had a holiday home previously in the Gironde, where we'd originally intended to retire. But as retirement approached we realised that we'd like to have a shared project, and that running a gite & chambres d'hotes would give us a chance to share the joys of rural SW France with others. We decided to come down to the Midi Pyrenees because there is everything you can get anywhere in France: lovely scenery, good food, wine, markets, lakes etc etc, but with even more: the mountains and Spain only 1h20m away. And so we came to Vieuzos. The farmhouse was built in 1887 on the site of a Knights Templar complex, where pilgrims walking the ridge on their way to Santiago di Compostela could rest safely. The ridge provides beautiful views over 2 valleys & towards the mountains. The location is perfect for exploring all the pleasures of the Midi: close to both the Gers & the Haute Garonne & within comfortable distance of Toulouse, the pink city; Pau with its stunning views from Le Promenade des Anglais; Tarbes, une ville en fleur; golf; the mountains themselves with all they offer: walking, skiing, snow shoeing, white water rafting etc. In the foothills there is a fabulous spa where you can relax in many different indoor & outdoor pools with a stunning mountain backdrop!

The neighbourhood has so much to offer! Less than 10mins' drive is Puydarrieux lake, famous for cranes who over-winter from northern Europe & a safe haven for many other birds. You only need to step outside the door to start seeing majestic birds of prey wheeling through the sky. Les Donjeons des Aigles is a sanctuary with displays of many birds of prey both local & from across the world. Lovers of animals will see cows, sheep, horses, donkies, chickens, ducks, geese etc all over. If you like hunting for bargains or curios there are wonderful brocantes & vide greniers to trawl through, and every town & large village has its own weekly farmers market. In summer the Tour de France passes nearby; in winter there are several ski stations which are easily accessed. Also nearby are the spa towns of Bagnères de Bigorre & Luchon and Capvern. If geology is of interest, go to visit the amazing caves & grottos. Like fishing? Rivers & lakes abound. For swimming there are lakes & lidos to cool off in. Like wine? Visit vineyards & taste the great local wines. And of course, try the local cuisine, which favours duck, foie gras, artisanal cheeses and much more.