The cottage is in a part of rural France  that has not changed much in the last hundred years, a 3 course home made lunch based on local produce can still be found for as little as 11 euros. There are also numerous very  restaurants with more sophisicated menus and a large choice of wines.

There is a complete range of wine chateaux, most happy to provide wine tasting and direct sales to the public, at very reasonable prices.

Sports facilities locally include, tennis courts (rackets and balls available at the house), golf,crazy golf, horse riding, walking/hiking/climbing.

The regional scenery is spectacular and along with scenic drives there are historic towns, buildings and ancient ruins to visit.

There are the usual tourist attractions (including SHOPPING!!).

Tarbes is a 20 min drive south of Sombrun. It is the capital of the Hautes-Pyrenees department.

The town markets itself as being the gateway to the Pyrenees which lie to the south. There are attractive views of the snow-capped mountains from the town and the first Pyreneean ski resorts are about half an hour drive from Tarbes.

One of the highlights of a visit to Tarbes is perhaps the Jardin Massey - a substantial (25 acres) park dating from the 19th century - and much as you might expect to find in 19th century England. The sprinkling of statues and monuments in the park, which also features many interesting species of trees, make for a pleasant exploration. There are also 14th century cloisters in the park, remains of an abbey that once stood here.

Another park in the town of note is the Parc bel Air, above all for its view of the mountains. The tourist office will give you a map showing the best route to explore the green spaces of Tarbes.

Other sites of interest within Tarbes include the Cathedral Notre Dame de la Sede and the small museum dedicated to wartime deportation and resistance in the region.

Steeping back to the First World War, the birthplace of Marshall Foch, one of the French heroes of that war, is now a museum dedicated to the Marshall.

You will also notice a surprising number of fountains as you explore Tarbes. Most of these are from the 19th century heyday of the town.

Tarbes is also the site of one of the French national Equine studs which is open to the public on given days.

Pau is the largest city in the area and is about 45 min drive from Sombrun. From humble beginnings as a crossing on the river Gave de Pau. this crossing was for flocks en route to and from the mountains, Pau became the capital of the ancient viscountcy of Béarn in 1464. It is now a modern developing city. The central plaza has been redeveloped into a spaceous square with a fountain display to view or play in depending on age! 

Pau's lay out  enables you to enjoy its relaxed and friendly elegance without too much effort. You can wander along the streets behind the Boulevard des Pyrénées, especially the western end, which stretches along the rim of the scarp above the river Gave de Pau from the Chateau to the Palais de Beaumont. On a clear day, the view from the boulevard is out of this world, encompassing a hundred-kilometre sweep of the highest Pyrenean peaks, with the distinctive Pic du Midi d'Ossau slap in front of you.

Pau's jewel in the crown is the 13th century Château. The chateau is very much a landmark building and well worth a visit. The visitable apartments have some fine tapestries, very grand furniture and lots of Henri-IV memorabilia, like the turtle shell that allegedly served him for a cradle.

In the narrow streets around the castle and down in the gully of the chemin du Hédas are numerous cafés, restaurants, bars and boutiques. These are just some of the many situated in several areas of the city. There is a wide choice of styles and prices.