Our house is a converted resinier's cottage surrounded by open countryside and pine forests, with three bedrooms and a large private swimming pool. The pool is not heated. Our house is situated in a small hamlet called St Helene de L'Etang about 5 kilometres from Carcans. The house is close to the largest freshwater lakes in France as well as the surfing beaches of Lacanau, Hourtin and Carcans.
There is an annex with bunk beds for visitors but it is very simply furnished and not suitable for young kids or use in winter months.
We had major problems with our pool in 2021 but these are now fully resolved. Also sadly the roof was destroyed by a freak hail storm in June 2022 and could not be replaced until September 2022 so we had to cancel all our summer bookings. The roof has been completely replaced and the rooms re-decorated.
The local area : Carcans has the essential supermarket but also the traditional French shops and local market. There is an excellent bakery/boulangerie and butcher. There is also a fantastic food and arts & craft market in Hourtin. Maubuisson lake is ten minutes drive away and there you will find sandy beaches, cafes, restaurants, sailing, wind surfing and safe swimming. Ten minutes beyond Maubuisson is the Atlantic Ocean, with miles of unspoilt beaches and breakers for surfing and invigorating swimming. There is golf, cycling and horse riding within easy driving distance including wonderful cycle tracks from Maubuisson through pine forests to the Atlantic beaches.
Further afield: Bordeaux with its fine architecture, museums, art galleries and shops is forty minutes' drive away to the south east. St Emilion with its narrow streets, medieval history and famous vineyards is just over an hour's journey by car. The Medoc with its rolling countryside covered almost every inch of the way with vines lies twenty minutes to the east of Carcans. Arcachon is also easily accessible and offers a range of activities including Aqualand, a zoo and nature reserves and the Pyla Dune- the highest sand dune in Europe.
The immediate area : The tiny hamlet of St Helene de L'Etang consists of about a dozen houses including ours which is at the end of the road opposite a small farm which has camping facilities in the summer. Beyond our house, the road becomes a sandy track leading to the largest freshwater lake in France which is accessible on foot (20 minutes) or by bike (10 minutes). This area of the lake is a nature reserve and the main lake beaches for swimming etc are 10 minutes' drive away at Maubuisson or Hourtin. Very little traffic passes our house making it ideal for children. Wildlife abounds including frogs, toads, rabbits, deer, lizards and a wide range of birds. We have no fences round our property.
We do not allow pets as sadly in the past dogs have chased our neighbour’s cat and chickens.
