Aquitaine, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France

Classed by the town as a building of architectural significance ("bâti ancien intéressant d'un point de vue architectural"), this three-storey, half-timbered townhouse has a brick façade and dates back to at least 1450. Set on "stilts" and facing south, the townhouse has fantastic views of the Pyrénées from the upper floors.

The property is currently divided into three independent apartments, but could easily be reconverted into one dwelling to create a fabulous family home or second home.

Connected by a traditional wooden staircase, the three apartments comprise a ground-floor studio apartment of 27m², a loft-style apartment of 62m² on the first floor and a loft-style apartment of 60m² on the second floor.

The ground-floor studio apartment has a mezzanine sleeping area, along with a kitchen area and a shower room.

The first-floor apartment has an open-plan main room with a huge stone fireplace (not currently usable), an adjoining sleeping area and a separate bathroom. The beautiful ancient brickwork visible on the building's façade has been left exposed in this apartment.

The second-floor apartment has been partially updated and has an open-plan main room, an adjoining sleeping area and a separate shower room.

If you are looking for an investment property, the townhouse could be ideal for long-term rentals or for short-term holiday lets, either as one large property or as three apartments.

Should you prefer to set up a tourism-related business, the property would be ideal for a boutique Bed & Breakfast or a "Gîte d'Étape" for accommodating pilgrims following the Chemin-de-St-Jacques-de-Compostelle, which passes the front door!

With plenty of free parking nearby, it might even be possible to get permission to transform the ground floor into a boutique, a bistro, a teashop...

Oloron-Ste-Marie has many excellent amenities, including two weekly farmers' markets, two hypermarkets, a hospital, a theatre, a cinema, a swimming pool and various sports clubs. For families with children, there are schools for all ages within walking distance of the property. There is also a free shuttle bus, which stops close by.

This historic townhouse is a short stroll away from the 5th-century stone ramparts, which encircle this Mediaeval hilltop area of Oloron-Ste-Marie... and from where the panoramic views of the Pyrénées are simply stunning!

THE TOWNHOUSE (150m²)

Ground-floor studio apartment (27m²)
- an open-plan main room with a kitchen area and a sitting/dining area
- a raised mezzanine sleeping area
- a shower room area with a WC

First-floor apartment (62m²):
- an open-plan main room with a stone fireplace (currently unusable), exposed beams, exposed ancient brick façade wall, a kitchen area, a sitting area, a dining area and beautiful views of the Pyrénées
- an adjoining sleeping area
- a bathroom with a WC

Second-floor apartment (60m²):
- an open-plan main room with a kitchen area, a sitting area, a dining area and beautiful views of the Pyrénées
- an adjoining sleeping area
- a shower room with a WC
- stairs up to an unconverted loft


THE EXTERIOR (65m²)
- small covered terrace/sitting area


THE POTENTIAL!

Although in need of renovation, this gorgeous townhouse could easily be transformed into a spacious family home or a superb holiday home. The property would also be suitable to rent out to groups of up to 15 holidaymakers as a "Gîte de Groupe", especially during the summer months, the skiing season and for Christmas and New Year.

The property is also the perfect size for creating a "Gîte d'Étape" for pilgrims following the Chemin-de-St-Jacques-de-Compostelle, which passes the property's front door! Pilgrims hope to find good-value overnight accommodation, so would be happy to share dormitory-style bedrooms in the property, if necessary.

If, however, you would prefer to offer more upmarket accommodation, it would be easy to transform the property into a boutique Bed & Breakfast. As well as attracting bookings from year-round tourists and holidaymakers who are visiting Oloron-Ste-Marie and the surrounding area, you may also attract any pilgrims who would like to stay in a private bedroom rather than a shared dormitory.

If you would like to generate additional income, you might like to cater for your guests, especially during the out-of-season months when bars and restaurants in the town are might be closed for annual leave. As well as providing delicious breakfasts, you could also offer hearty suppers, pub lunches, afternoon teas... You might even like to provide delicious packed lunches or luxurious picnic hampers for departing pilgrims or guests who are going out on day trips, especially if they are packed full of delicious Béarnaise and Basque delicacies!

Should you be looking for an investment property, you could retain the three apartments and ret them out to long-term tenants or for short-term breaks to holidaymakers.

It might even be possible to convert the ground-floor studio apartment into a boutique, a bistro or a teashop, which would certainly attract business from passing pilgrims!


SERVICES & TECHNICAL

Double glazing
Cable internet available
Electricity
Mains drainage


THE LOCAL AREA

The property is located in the beautiful Béarn in south-west France, not far from the Pyrénées, the Atlantic coast, the Basque Country and Spain. The city of Pau, along with the HQ of TotalEnergies and the International School of Béarn, are 35 - 40 minutes away.

Popular with tourists all the year round, the Béarn and nearby Pyrénées are ideal for hiking, mountain-biking, white-water rafting and fishing, as well as downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. The ski resorts are accessible by ski-bus from Oloron-Ste-Marie and Pau during the winter months.

For those who prefer beach-based activities, the famous resorts of Biarritz, St-Jean de Luz, Hendaye and Hossegor are about 80 minutes away where you can swim, surf, picnic...

Airports: Pau, Tarbes-Lourdes, Biarritz
Train: Oloron-Ste-Marie, Pau (TGV)
Coach: Pau, Orthez, Bayonne
Ferry: Bilbao, Santander

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

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