CHEZ BRENS

When colorful wooden huts line the Atlantic beaches and fishermen are bringing their flat barges full of oysters into the harbors, then chances are you have arrived in the Bay of Arcachon in the Département Gironde. For centuries, the protected tidal lagoon in the south-west of France has been known for the cultivation of this type of shellfish, which is not only a delicacy here, but also a way of life. There are lots of small oyster villages and beach bars with oyster tasting around the basin with its fine sandy beaches, each with its own charm and character. The boutique bed & breakfast in Gujan-Mestras, which opened in 2023, is the perfect starting point for discovering this special microcosm. Of course, only once you have savored your immediate surroundings. The guesthouse is home to five freshly refurbished rooms, each with a contemporary feel-good design, beautiful parquet flooring, high-quality wooden furniture, natural tones, and accents in black. Guests can enjoy the incredible lightness of being on sun loungers in the garden, swim a few laps in the heated saltwater pool, or play a quiet game of boules on the private boules court. You can immediately sense that the hosts have a fine sense for the good things in life. Everything simply fits together, especially settling down in one of the brasserie wicker chairs by the pool with the first rays of sunshine, enjoying a delicious breakfast with café au lait, fresh fruit, and sweet pastries, and looking forward to a beautiful day in this wonderful spot.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The warm welcome from the German owner Britta, who created this place to give her guests unforgettable moments with friends and family. She has great recommendations for restaurants and excursion destinations.
• Each of the beautifully simple, spacious rooms has access to the wooden terrace or a balcony with a view of the lush garden.
• The subtly fragrant Susanne Kaufmann products available to guests, made from natural ingredients from the Austrian and Swiss Alps
• The hints of the sea and beach found in and around the house ¬ in the form of photographs, dune grass or the cushions embroidered with à la plage ...
• It's not just the oysters that like it in the tidal lagoon; the seabed becomes a paradise for explorers, especially for young holidaymakers. When the water recedes, clams, crabs and periwinkles can be found. And when it returns, the splashing conditions are ideal at shallow depths!
• The villa is ideally located to enjoy the charm and lifestyle of the Bassin d'Arcachon. The family-friendly Plage de La Hume is just 200 meters away. Arcachon, with its pretty center and beautiful 19th and 20th century villas, can be reached in 20 minutes by car. Excursion destinations such as the Dune of Pilat, the beautiful Cap Ferret peninsula, the Banc d'Arguin National Park, the Le Teich bird sanctuary, and Bordeaux are also within easy reach and well worth a visit.
• Pine forests as far as the eye can see, plus over 300 kilometers of cycling paths, so you can leave your car behind. A coastal path links the seven ports of Gujan-Mestras and leads through protected landscapes between the basin and salt marshes.
• For a culinary experience extraordinaire, head to the Gujan-Mestras market to sample ham from the Pyrenees, fresh fruit and vegetables from the region, and marvel at the variety of seafood that the Atlantic produces.
• Nothing goes better with oysters than sea breeze and the sound of the surf – and no better place to find it than one of the colorful oyster fishermen's huts. It's also worth taking a boat out and listening to their stories!

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Each of the spacious and airy rooms room sleeps 2 to 4 people
• Room No. 2 is a family suite with a comfortable double bed in the master bedroom and a separate kids’ room with a bunk bed. The two double rooms No. 4 and No. 5 have a connecting door and can also be used as a family suite.
• Each room is equipped with a Nespresso machine, kettle, minibar, TV and free Wi-Fi. And if you want to get creative in these inspiring surroundings, there is also a niche with a desk.
• High-quality bed linen, bath towels and pool towels are provided.
• Guests are welcome all year round. The house can also be rented in its entirety, to enjoy it as if you were at home.
• Private parking spaces are available directly in front of the house.
• With the train station nearby, excursions to Bordeaux or Arcachon can be made without a car
• The nearest airport is Bordeaux, 55 kilometers away.
• For the sporty types, there is kayaking, stand-up paddling, or sailing (depending on the water level, of course!)