Testimonials
We want to say thank you for a lovely stay in your lovely homely gite in Méritein. We wish we had booked for 2 weeks! We have never been so lucky with our accommodation before - always finding the house and furnishings disappointing and never homely. But you have restored my faith. It was perfect!
Your quiet caring manner goes a long way toward that overall serenity too, Lindy.
I would love to think that we might return one day.
The Readings, Kent, August 2011
This is a very special place. There is an overwhelming sense of peace and calm that envelops you when you arrive and will hopefully stay with us on our return to England!
The variety and energy of wildlife in the garden has been joyful. Particularly special has been seeing the red squirrels going about their routines each day - and systematically stripping the peach tree and one of the plum trees!
The house is amazingly well equipped and a pleasure to be in on the days that weren't so sunny (Thursday & Wednesday each week!).
Lindy & Dave were friendly, good-humoured and unfailingly helpful - thank you.
On a clear day we would thoroughly recommend making the trip up to the mountains to go to Lescun, and if not too hot, walking up to the refuge - a beautiful day.
So many happy memories to take away - we hope to return and gather some more next year.
Nic, Roger, Jeff, June, Erica and Tom.
Bath, July 2011
The 'beach' at Méritein
"Malgré le temps" as one of the first scribes here said, we've had a great time here. Lindy and David were unfailingly generous and considerate - and the house and it's facilities are a reflection of that too. Our daughter (4 yrs) was presented with a box of toys and books on our second day here and they were most welcome. Dining-wise the 'Auberge Claverie' (Audaux) and the 'Bar des Sports' (Navarrenx) were both extremely enjoyable and both entirely different in character. All told, we had a wonderful time. Many thanks to Lindy and David. Chris, Jenny and Anna-Rose, Ireland, July 2011
A fantastic introduction to this beautiful area. We have had a fabulous holiday staying at 'La Conciergerie'. We really enjoyed relaxing in the garden, watching the squirrels after a day's sightseeing. The road between Oloron and St Jean Pied de Port is not to be missed as the scenery is breathtakingly spectacular. We have had great food and wine and would recommend the 'Auberge Claverie' in Audaux, the 'Taverne St Jacques' in Navarrenx and the experience of visiting Bernadette at the 'Auberge du Bois' (one never forgotten!). Thank you Lindy and David for your hospitality and the home touches - all has been appreciated greatly. We certainly would recommend 'La Conciergerie' to anyone who wanted to holiday in a quality home in a beautiful, friendly area. Thank you. Karen and Terry, Linda and Les, Kent, September 2010
We took a two-man inflatable canoe down the Gave d'Oloron river on an excursion run by REV from Navarrenx. How to describe it? 10 km of sheer excitement, delight and occasional panic, paddling through clear water over a wide variety of foaming rapids through breathtakingly beautiful countryside. My favourite was the stretch where the river had carved its way down through layers of smooth rock to create a giant water slide - providing a chance to try some fast-boating, Cresta Run style. Wow! But then try doing it again without a boat.
A superb adventure activity for any day, led by helpful experienced instructors who provide helmets, buoyancy aids and lots of encouragement – but be prepared to get very wet!
Chris and Dave, Northumberland. August 2009
Rafting on the Gave d'Oloron
We had a very relaxing stay at this wonderfully equipped gîte. The local scenery is beautiful - we marked a cycle route
that we took one day on our map, which we left - and we went to the Auberge Claverie in Audaux twice and would highly recommend it. The house
was very well set up for our one year-old baby - thank you!
The Mullins, Dublin, August 2011
The area is delightful and inspiring and there is always
something to do. David and Lindy's delightful property is in the
heart of all these places to go and see and dear David and Lindy are always
ready to help out with advice. Additionally their character property is absolutely
superb in terms of space, comfort and character. We were happy to sit under
the terrace and watch the rain or sit in the garden and bake, whichever happened.
Facilities are first class, cleanliness and comfort also first class. The tranquillity
amidst the country activity is very relaxing. Thanks to you both and we look
forward to seeing you again next year. Warmest Regards, Brian and Linda
Furzer, July 2008
A view of the garden
We very much enjoyed our stay in La Conciergerie. Peaceful and impeccably decorated. Beautiful big garden. Neighbours all very friendly. Would certainly recommend it. Many Thanks. Susanna and Kaz, County Durham, September 2008
View of the chateau from our garden The Gatehouse is simply delightful. One wakes in the morning to breakfast in the kitchen with the stove gently warming us all up. Spent the day visiting all the local villages and then came back to dinner and a raging log fire in the sitting room. But what have really made our stay delightful are the hosts. Thank you Lindy and David - we had an amazing stay! Michael and Jeremy, London/Oxford Christmas 2009
Fabulous house and area. Had a really relaxing stay over the Christmas period. Thanks for everything! Claudia, London, Christmas 2009
Cycles hired from Navarrenx
What a perfect week - right from our first email contact with Lindy through to the very last day. We have had a brilliant time!! We love "La Conciergerie" - the best rental we have ever had in France. Sitting in the kitchen each evening in front of the log burner, talking or playing cards was bliss. This was our first visit to this part of France and we were not disappointed. Absolutely fantastic scenery and lots to see and do. In brilliant weather we did two fabulous walks in the Pyrénées at Astun and Lescun - in both cases the views were breathtaking. We would love to return to the area in the summer and hopefully an 'encore' at La Conciergerie. Thank you both for the use of your super house which gave us such a splendid week. Gwen and Mike, Pulborough, W.Sussex, October 2009
This was our first time in this part of France. We have had a very enjoyable
week with a real mix of activities: walking to the col of the Pic d'Anie from
Lescun (impressive limestone cliffs and views); rafting in the river and rapids
- great fun! Swinging through the trees at the Adventure Park at Aramits (another
excellent day). A little bit of fly fishing in the evening. A lot more of the
Pyrénées yet to explore and more salmon to catch in the river! Not to mention
the swimming pool in Navarrenx - a good facility and very good value for money.
We can also recommend the local white wine, Jurancon, bought from the market.
David, Ann and Emily, Derbyshire, July 2008
The 'Gave' from Navarrenx
We first stayed at the Concergerie in the winter time (December 2008). It was at a time when we had made the decision to eventually retire & settle somewhere in France.
We have holidayed in different parts of France many times but I must say that staying here at the Concergerie was a joy.
Last time we enjoyed the winter freshness, sitting by the fire in the salon enjoying quite a few local vin rouges from the Madiran, foie gras, cheeses from the Pyrénées, confit du canard; the food & wine of this part of France is amazing.
We would also sit out the back watching the red squirrels, listening to the bird choir in the trees, all obviously enjoying the beautiful garden as we were.
This time, as new home owners with a lot of work to do, we stayed for 4 weeks and the time just flew. Thanks to Lindy and David's recommendations and assistance we actually finished up purchasing a home just down the road in beautiful Navarrenx.
With the change of the season, the garden of the Concergerie took on another aspect, the various flowers with their amazing richness of colours.
I would add that it was great to be able to return to the Concergerie after spending long days working on our home to all the creature comforts, particularly the spacious shower & very comfortable bed. We slept like logs.
Apart from working on our house we also had time to enjoy meals at the Auberge de la Fontaine in Laas, the Auberge Claverie in Audaux and the Bar de Sports in Navarrenx, great food and all to be recommended, and we went to one of the days at the 14th Transhumances Musicales at the Chateau de Laas which was great fun.
The quality & comfort of the facilities of the Concergerie are brilliant, thanks Lindy and David for being such gracious and generous hosts.
Noel & Elizabeth Dean,
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, May - June 2009
We had a fantastic time. We've enjoyed days by the river, evenings eating,
drinking and playing badminton in the garden. Hiring bikes in Navarrenx was
definitely a good idea. We cycled to Oloron Sainte Marie on market day - brilliant.
The short walk to the Gave down the lane at the back of the property takes
you to the prettiest spot imaginable. Our teenagers made friends and enjoyed
the pool at Navarrenx and rafting on the Gave (very reasonable and easy to
organise). Everyone so friendly, kind and helpful. Gill, Simon, Maria,
Billy and Willem, London August 2007
Hot-air ballooning over Navarrenx