Villa for sale in Nay, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Located in the centre of a traditional rural village, this charcterful property built in 1834 is truly a delight! Hidden from view behind stone walls and decorative entrance gates, you will be amazed to find that not only is there a charming maison-de-maître of 230m2 with five bedrooms, but also a theatre with seating for 100 people, an orangery with a bar area, two lovely gardens and a large swimming pool!

The house and outbuildings are set around a cobbled courtyard, forming a traditional "Enclos Béarnais". To the right of the courtyard is a small barn, which could be converted into a guest cottage/gîte; to the left of the courtyard are two vast two-storey barns, one comprising a garage and an orangery, the other a theatre for 100 people. The maison-de-maître is on the far side of the courtyard. The façade of the maison-de-maitre has some beautiful decorative carvings above the front door, as do the window surrounds on one of the barns.

The front door of the maison-de-maître opens into a small entrance hall, which leads into a larger hall/library area with a staircase up to the first floor. To the right of this hall is a dining room with an open fireplace; to the left is a larger reception room, which also has an open fireplace. Glazed doors at the far end of the room open out to a covered terrace for outdoor dining.

The large reception room leads round to the kitchen, which has lovely views of the garden. Next to the kitchen is a snug, along with a cloakroom area and separate WC, which is also accessible from the hall/library area.

The staircase leads up to the first floor which comprises a master bedroom with an adjoining bathroom, four more bedrooms, a family bathroom, a separate WC and spacious storage cupboards. Please note that the rooms on this floor have sloping ceilings.

Outside, there are two walled gardens - one behind the maison-de-maître (approx. 1,257m2), the other behind the barns (approx. 730m2). The garden behind the barns also has a swimming pool (12m x 6m) and a fronton for tennis and boules.

This excellent property is located in the beautiful Béarn, between the mountains and the sea. Hugely convenient for people working in and around Pau, the property is perfect for anyone who loves skiing, surfing and water sports. Pyrénées ski resorts are less than 60 minutes away to the south - and Atlantic beaches are under 90 minutes to the west. There are also several swimming lakes nearby, some with leisure beaches and water sports. The centre of Pau is about 15 minutes away and Lourdes is 35 minutes away. Toulouse and Bordeaux - and their airports - are just over two hours away. There are also airports at Pau (30 minutes) and Tarbes-Lourdes (30 minutes); the nearest tgv station is less than 10 minutes away.

The maison-de-maître

Ground floor:
- a cobbled courtyard
- a small entrance hall
- a second hall/library area with a staircase up to the first floor
- a cloakroom area with a WC
- a huge sitting room (72m2) with an open fireplace and access to a covered terrace for outdoor dining
- a dining room (23m2) with an open fireplace
- a snug
- a kitchen with lovely views of the garden

First floor (nb the rooms have sloping ceilings):
- a master bedroom with adjoining dressing room and bathroom
- four more bedrooms
- a family bathroom
- a separate WC

Please note that although the maison-de-maître is habitable immediately, you will probably want to redecorate and modernise the property in the future.

The outbuildings

- two vast two-storey barns, one comprising a garage and an orangery, the other a theatre for 100 people
- the shared first floor level of about 250m2 in total would be perfect for converting into living accommodation/holiday apartments... Or to use for hosting leisure activities, such as yoga/wellness retreats, theatre/music/dance courses, writing/art workshops...
- a small barn/workshop with two rooms (approx. 25m2), ideal for transforming into a guest cottage/gîte
- a traditional pouailler (hen house), which could be transformed into a summer kitchen...

Nb: The barns are divided up into...
- a theatre (approx. 100m2) has a stage with wings and seating for an audience of up to 100 people
- an orangery (approx. 65m2) has beautiful arched windows opening out to the garden, along with a bar area - the room has previously been used as a function room/restaurant with caterers providing food
- a garage (approx. 85m2)

The gardens

- walled gardens planted with mature trees and shrubs (3,155m2)
- a swimming pool (12m x 6m)
- a covered terrace for outdoor dining
- a "fronton" for ball games and boules
- a traditional cobbled courtyard
- a well

the potential!

Previously used as a theatre, art and cultural centre, this superb property has enormous potential!

The theatre is ideal for presenting shows, but could also be used for hosting theatre workshops or even corporate conferences and seminars. There is seating for up to 100 people, along with a stage with wings and a sound/lighting booth. The property is easily accessible from Pau via train and bus, as well as Lourdes, Biarritz, Bordeaux, Toulouse (all of which have airports)...

In the past, the orangery has been used as a bistro for people attending the theatre, with food brought in by caterers. This superb room would be ideal to use as a restaurant, a teashop or for function. You might also like to consider offering luxury hampers for picnics in the garden or afternoon tea!

The orangery would also be perfect for using as an art gallery or as a light and airy space for hosting leisure activities, such as yoga/wellness retreats, theatre/music/dance courses, writing/art workshops, wine-tasting/culinary lessons...

The small barn/workshop in the courtyard comprises two rooms (approx. 25m2) and would be ideal for transforming into a guest cottage/gîte. More guest accommodation can be created on the mezzanine floor in the large barn, which is currently an open space of about 250m2. This area could also be used for hosting leisure activities and courses.

The property is not far from the GR782 and the Chemin-de-St-Jacques-de-Compostelle, so you might like to welcome pilgrims and walkers who follow the routes from Lourdes all year round. More and more pilgrims are looking for top-quality accommodation to stay in for one or several nights, and the first floor of the barns would be ideal for a gîte d'étape or for groups (up to 15 people allowed). With hearty suppers available when pilgrims arrive and delicious breakfasts to enjoy before setting off again for Spain, you should be busy all year round!

Services & technical

Telephone + adsl (cable internet connection available very soon)
Electricity
Heating: Oil-fired central heating (new boiler 2021) + electric radiators + open fireplaces
Mains gas available
Mains water
Mains drainage

The local area

The property is located in a charming village to the east of Pau (15 minutes) and not far from the town of Nay (less than 10 minutes). Both Pau and Nay have a great choice of amenities, shops, bars and restaurants - and delicious fresh produce can be bought locally from farmers’ markets in the surrounding towns and villages.

Pau and Nay also have excellent schools, with collège-lycées offering a range of study options (some in English), as well as the chance to specialise in theatre, dance, sports... And even horse riding! There is also an International School in Pau (15 minutes away), which follows the English national curriculum and awards UK qualifications.

The delightful Vallée d’Ouzom is just minutes away from the property. It extends all the way up to the Spanish border in the Pyrénées, where you can ski at Val d’Azun and Gourette. You can also catch a small open train at Artouste to travel high up into the mountains...

Airports: Pau, Tarbes-Lourdes, Biarritz
Train/tgv: Coarraze-Nay, Pau
Coach: Pau
Ferry: Bilbao, Santander

Ski: Gourette, Val-d’Azun, Artouste, Eaux-Bonnes, La-Pierre-St-Martin, Issarbe, Iraty, Candanchú (Spain)...
Beaches: Biarritz, St-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye, Hossegor...

Attractions: Aqua Béarn, Le Petit Train d’Artouste, Grottes de Bétharram, Parc'Ours, Gorges de Kakuetta, Passerelle d’Holzarte, Chemin-de-St-Jacques-de-Compostelle...