Bonne La Vie - Life is good in South West France
Bonne La Vie?

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We know better than anybody that comfortable accommodation in a beautiful location, a great night's sleep, delicious food and a warm, friendly welcome are essential for the perfect holiday.

Bonne la Vie is a fabulous location, a 150 year-old maison village set near a river among fields of sunflowers, against the backdrop of the majestic Pyrenees, run by Sholu and Mark, who bought the house with dreams of offering the best holiday accommodation possible. We feel sure that the magic we feel about Bonne la vie is sure to work its charm on all who stay here.

What we offer at the moment are:

We endeavour to provide a holiday or short break as precisely suited your tastes as we can, no-one has been disappointed yet! Check for reviews on Facebook or Trip Advisor.
If you have an idea for a course or holiday of your own, please call the number shown above to discuss it with us. We love bringing new ideas to life.
We always look to ensure that our guests enjoy the Good Life and have a memorable stay with us. That's why all our holidays are offered at competitive rates and represent excellent value for money.

Gourmet Breaks, Painting Courses and Other Holiday Ideas

Click on the links above to find out more about our courses. Want to just come and relax? No problem! For the independent holiday maker there is lots to explore locally: after visiting the village bistro and abbey, having a dip in the river, you can explore the amazing but little known wines and vineyards of the area, visit chateaux, festivals and markets. The Pyrenees, Biarritz and Spain are a short drive away.

Are you looking for an activity holiday? Seven golf courses are under an hour's drive from the house; walking, biking and horse-riding are all available locally or in the nearby Pyrenees.
If you wish to join our table d'hote, you will enjoy a local aperitif and a 3-course meal - followed by a good night's sleep in the cool Pyreenean night air.

Visiting with us at Bonne La Vie

You don't have to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy a gourmet break, nor do you have to be an experienced painter or a golf buff to enjoy holidays at Bonne La Vie. South-west France can offer the best appellations and the boasts the cleverest golf course designs, but equally, it is a great opportunity to fulfill your dreams to try something new in a friendly and relaxed environment.

What is Bonne La Vie?

Also on this page; the climate of South West France

I guess it's something of the vision we had when we first saw this place. We wanted to share our delight in it with like minded people. The house, 'Bonne la vie' is situated in St Sever de Rustan, a delightful hamlet of less than 150 souls, located in a broad river valley in the Hautes Pyrenees close to the border with the Gers. The village is dominated by a grand and ancient Benedictine Abbey. Its atmosphere is unique - blending the relaxed luxuriance of Gascon lifestyle with the earthy honesty and traditions of its Bigordan population. An ideal place for rest and relaxation.
The village is a crossing point for the river Arros which meanders through, wide and shallow. Close to the picturesque bridge is a meadow and children's play area, allowing access to the cool river waters: a great safe place for a dip, a picnic or a relaxing game of Petanque. Just 200 metres stroll from 'Bonne La Vie' is 'Le P'tit St Sever' a Bistro de Pays. It serves delicious and reasonably priced lunches and dinners. Naturally the best Gascon ingredients dominate the menu.


During the summer months the site of the Abbey cloister is a social centre for St Sever, regular art exhibitions, open-air cinema, the communal celebration of Bastille day, and evenings of Jazz have been recent events. St Sever is less than 25km from Marciac where each August the world class jazz festival is always worth a visit. The 'Tour de France' passed through in 2005 and the race always proceeds through the nearby Pyrenees. For swimmers and surfers, or shoppers!, Biarritz is an easy two and a half hour drive, ideal for an outing. St. Sebastian, in Spain, is not much further for those wishing to explore the Basque country.

Autumn is an ideal time for walking or cycling, locally or in the Pyrenees. Visiting local, lesser known vineyards is also a pleasant way of admiring the rolling countryside, with delights and surprises in the tasting cellars. Chateaux producing and selling Armagnac and 'Floc de Gascogne', a regional aperitif, make wonderful day trip destinations. Excellent value sherry, port and Spanish wines as well as hams and other delicacies are available from the Spanish border towns about 40 kms from 'Bonne La Vie'.

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Weather

St. Sever de Rustan has its own micro climate. Like the rest of southern France, the climate here is milder than the north, with temperatures being pleasant to very warm from April through to November. Situated so close to Spain, the powerful sun burns through cloud and fog in summer, giving warmth right until Christmas. It is not unheard of to have Christmas lunch in the garden!
St. Sever is also close to the Pyrenees which clearly affect the weather conditions. No matter how hot the day, the cool air of the Pyrenees descends at night and allows a comfortable night's sleep. Unlike the Mediteranean climate, we have to be prepared for surprises all year round. We can have massive thunder and lightning storms, which can last for 48 hours, or spontaneous hailstorms any time of the year.
Autumn here is beautiful. The light, softened after the high summer makes the changing colours of the trees truly spectacular. The abundance of fruit and mushrooms and mellow light make it a wonderful time to explore the countryside. In the evenings a log fire is sufficient to heat the house, while the days are still pleasantly warm.
The winter nights do get cold here, as the wind blows across the snow on the Pyrenees. But what falls as sleet or rain in the valley, usually is beautiful crisp snow in the mountains. Not as commercial as the Alps, the height of the Pyrenees make them an excellent ski resort for beginners as much as advanced skiiers right until Easter.

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