La Tosca

Villa La Tosca is a villa of very rare quality on the spectacular Atlantic coast, in a quiet setting directly on the sea front in the Arcachon Bay, just west of Bordeaux.  It was built in Italian style in 1903, with very large bedrooms and grounds leading directly onto the beach.  The house itself is very beautiful with 8 bedrooms, accommodating 15 guests with stunning sea views, (the tower bedroom is a unique feature, with 360 degree views), superb service, excellent equipment and every convenience.  A professional chef and catering service can be provided at modest cost: ask us more information.

The setting is sensational: the Bassin d’Arcachon is a very beautiful area and La Tosca makes the most of the seafront location with tall windows throughout to sea views and a very lovely garden separated from the beach by a century old stone wall, lined with Tamaris trees.

There is plenty to do in the area: the beautiful vineyards of the Bordeaux region are only a half hour drive away.  Favoured choices for other day trips include a helicopter flight of the Bordeaux vineyards crowned with a wine tasting, the endless beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, a climb up to the highest dune of Europe Dune de Pyla, a boating outing to the Arguin sandbank and the Ile aux Oiseaux, or kayaking over the river the Leyre. And don’t forget your binoculars to watch the different bird species, like the Sandwich Tern or the Oyster Catcher, whilst hiking through the protected natural bird migration park Domaine de Certes. Nestled in the heart of the forest and well protected from dominant winds, the fresh-water lakes North and South of the Bay offer yet another option for safe swimming, sailing lessons and fishing.

Accommodation includes living room with comfortable furniture and French windows leading to the front of the house.  The spacious contemporary dining room with its magnificent sea and garden view is a perfect place for a romantic dinner, or to receive guests for seminars. Its floor-to-ceiling windows open up to a grand covered terrace and to the arched verandah. A 2-way open fire place connects the dining room with the kitchen area.  Also on the ground floor is the library with pine panelling (see picture).   There is a separate home cinema/meeting room with plasma TV and state-of-the-art video and sound equipment.

The eight bedrooms are beautifully furnished and are supplied with highest-quality Egyptian cotton linen, and have en-suite bathrooms.  Several have balconies and access to the garden and sea views.

Outdoors is the large and tranquil garden: many trees were lost in the storms of 2009 but that has opened the parkland up to beautiful sea views and sunsets from the house itself, including Cap Ferret and Arcachon.  The garden features a natural spring and a path and wooden bridge lead to the organic vegetable garden (potager).

The swimming pool is fed by the spring and has 180 degree views of the garden and beach.