Reviews

See what people are saying about us and Le Prielle!

Merci pour votre accueil votre disponibilité, nous avons passé un agréable séjour en famille dans un lieu magnifique et calme , malgré la pluie – mais dans les Pyrénées le temps change vite nous avons eu un beau soleil pour le mariage . Nous avons aussi apprécié tout ce que vous avez mis en place pour être le plus prêt de la nature avec des petits gestes écologiques mais qui participe à  aider la nature  Merci pour tout, et nous espérons bien revenir comme vous le savez notre neveu à une grande famille alors il reste quelques mariages à venir! Encore merci  Cordialement  Annick et famille, Oct 2024.

Merci à Paulette pour son accueil, la qualité de son gîte et de l’endroit. Belle piscine aussi. Merci Jean-Yves et Famille, août 2024.

Merci. Nous avons beaucoup apprécié vos gites, le calme de votre domaine et la piscine. Cordialement Mme Sallier et ses amis, août 2024.

Nous avons passé un très bon moment à Le Prielle. Les hôtes sont charmants et très discrets, la piscine est parfaite pour les familles avec enfants, le parc… chaque gîte permet l’intimité de chacun. Nous sommes ravis d’être venus. Anne Caroline et famille août 2024.
Chambres: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Emplacement: 4/5

Thank you for a wonderful stay at Le Prielle. We’ve been a few times and absolutely love it. The property is stunning, with a beautiful pool. We loved the wine tasting and the Madiran Wine Festival—it was fantastic! Paulette & Simon made us feel right at home. You’re truly exceptional hosts, and we look forward to visiting again. Sean and friends, aout 2024.

Nous étions 5 adultes et un enfant de dernière minute, mais Simon et Paulette nous ont accueilli sans soucis. Nous venions pour le RPGers à plaisance qui est à 15 min en voiture, C’était parfait ! On n’a malheureusement pas profité de la piscine partagée autant qu’on l’aurait souhaité à cause du temps, mais celle-ci avait l’air super. Merci !  Florian et ses amis, août 2024

Such a lovely place run by really friendly people. We had a great time. Thank you. Robbie & family août ’24.

Un séjour très apprécié grâce à des hôtes très agréables et disponibles, un environnement calme et très bien optimisé, un accès à la piscine simple et sécurisé..bref un très bel endroit avec du caractère et une histoire. Merci! Agnes et Famille, août 2024.

Très bel endroit paisible , superbe piscine , lieu idéal pour les enfants , sécurisé. Noémie et Famille, juillet 2024.

Un cadre ravissant et reposant. Paulette nous a très bien reçus et nous reviendront certainement.  Fabienne et Famille, juillet 2024.

We really enjoyed our stay at Paulette’s property, a beautiful place in a beautiful area. Highly recommended. Many thanks for welcoming us, we loved our time at your property, thank you.
Emma & Family, July 2024.

We stayed for two wonderfull weeks in the gite Le Pressoir at Le Prielle. It’s a beautifull place, nice gite, great garden and a fantastic pool. Paulette & Simon are super hosts, they help you with anything you need and give many suggestions for things to do or to see. We went to see Gavarnie (really fantastic, 2h drive), Lourdes (also great, 1h drive), Pau ( very beautyfull, less than 1h drive),… You can visit many beautiful French villages without driving for too long. Our kids could go and play tennis in the village of Madiran, pingpong or badminton in the garden and of course we all enjoyed the pool very much. We could order bread and croissants at the backery in the village and we did our groceries in the supermarket in Maubourghet. It’s very peacefull and quiet at Le Prielle, a great place to spent your holiday and totally unwind!! We all loved it and we’ll definitely come back for another vacation. Kind regards and many thanks from all of us. – Anick, Wim and kids and a paw from Ribo

We booked Gite “The Atelier” last minute so we didn’t really know what to expect… Despite our last-minute booking, we received a mail with practical information just before our departure. Once there, we were very warmly welcomed by the friendly host Paulette. The Gite itself is provided with all the necesserary equipment. The domain is really idyllic with an endless, but enchanting view in all directions, a big, well maintained swimming-pool, childproof fence all around it. 6 Gites on one enourmous domain with more than enough space for everyone to have their own privacy, peace and silence …. On our last evening, Paulette provided the possibility of a “Night-swim-session” in the illuminated pool, kindly accepted by our two children! So thanks to Paulette & Simon for a great vacation! – Bart Ilse Sari Lena

Nous avons passé un excellent sejour dans votre gite trés confortable et trés bien équipé.
l’endroit est charmant et trés calme. votre accueil est chaleureux et vous êtes toujours disponible.
merci et bonne continuation – Anick, July 2023.

Nous avons passé un excellent séjour, parfait pour profiter du festival de Jazz in Marciac, tout en étant au calme. Gite très bien aménagé, terrasse bien agréable et piscine bienvenue! – Martine, Jean-Marie, Anne-Marie et Isabelle Juillet 2023 bien cordialement Martine, July 20203

Le Pigeonnier. A great place to stay. we came for work and rented 2 gîtes the facilities are great and the owner went above and beyond to help us!! So peaceful, great beds, great bath. – Celine, Avril 2022

Gîte spacieux et très calme. Belle piscine. Les propriétaires sont très accueillants. – Antoine, Juillet 2022

L’Atelier. “Nous avons passé une merveilleuse semaine dans ce cadre exceptionnel. Le gîte était spacieux, propre et très bien équipé.L’environnement est adapté aux enfants avec une pataugeoire, des jeux d’extérieur et un poulailler, mon fils de 2 ans était ravi!

Paulette et Simon sont aux petits soins et nous reviendrons assurément dans ce charmant environnement. Je garde un excellent souvenir de mon séjour chez vous! Bien à vous. – Soraya, Août 2022

Excellent séjour. Petit déjeuner copieux,avec d’excellentes choses. Merci à Paulette pour son accueil. Paulette est une femme exceptionnelle. Elle est réactive et disponible. Vous aimerez ce gîte dans lequel vous aurez tout ce qu’il goût pour passer un excellent séjour. J’étais ravi de découvrir cet excellent gite. Tout était parfait. – Taoufik, Novembre 2022.

La Grange. Very helpful and quick to find solutions. – Anne. November 2022.

The calm. – Jocelyn, Juillet 2022

Nice friendly people. – Glen, Juliet 2022

Le Hibou. Au milieu des vignes du Madiran,très belle bâtisse divisée en 6 gîtes dans un parc magnifique doté d’une piscine. Les enfants comme les parents y trouveront leur compte. Rénovation simple et efficace, le gîte est spacieux. Rien ne manque en équipement avec un salon très confortable Bonne literie, on peut se reposer presque comme à la maison. Paulette et Simon vous réserverons un accueil chaleureux avec un cadeau de bienvenue en provenance d’un château proche pour les amateurs de Madiran. Nous reviendrons. – Philippe, 2 August 2022

repos et convivialité! l’accueil de Simon et Paulette le silence. – Valerie, juillet 2022

My husband and I spent a wonderful summer holiday with our 3 kids (3, 5 and 7 years old) at Le Prielle in 2021. We stayed for 3 weeks in a row in gite number (?), where the kids slept in a spacious bedroom, and my husband and I in the other bedroom (in a brand new queens bed). We had a nice little garden at the back of our house with a cosy picknick table and bbq, and then there was a huge shared area where you could sit, play, run, play tennis/soccer, jump on the trampoline etc. And of course there was the pool! Big, clean, warm enough, with nice, big parasols and sunbeds everywhere. A great place to relax during the day!

The property was beautiful, with trees, flowers and plants everywhere. We could find and eat our own fruit, vegetables and nuts, and even ate some fresh chicken eggs. The owners Paulette and Simon were extremely friendly, and helped us to really relax. They gave us some good suggestions for day trips in the surroundings, restaurants to eat and where to buy groceries. Paulette even offered the women that were staying there at the moment, to do a small pottery/relaxing course, and she helped us making and painting some rally nice decorated vases and pots (in the beautiful small chapel on their property). Great souvenirs for at home!

All in all we had a wonderful time at le Prielle and we would certainly recommend you to stay there for a few weeks with your family and/or friends! – Margot, Rob & kids, Holland. July 2021.

2 superbes semaines de vacances familiales chez Paulette. Au top pour les enfants, piscine, trampoline, terrain de foot, parc arboré, poules, et le tout au milieu des vignes. Le calme de la campagne à proximité des nombreuses activités offertes par les Pyrénées. Grand merci à Paulette & Simon d’une gentillesse incroyable et un remerciement particulier à Paulette pour l’initiation à la poterie permettant de ramener de beaux et uniques souvenirs de notre séjour. – Pierre Antoine August 2021

Encore une fois merci Paulette pour ces vacances bien reposantes. Maintenant direction le boulot lundi … ;( – August 2021

îte très agréable, ambiance chill et relax ! Merci pour votre très agréable accueil! – Deborah Hassoun August 2021

Super vacances en famille

Nous avons passé un très agréable séjour chez Paulette et Simon. Nos hôtes ont été charmants (disponibles quand nous avions besoin et en même temps pas du tout invasifs). Le parc du gîte avec ses nombreuses aires (piscine, trampoline, table de Ping pong, bac a sable, arbres fruitiers, cochons à nourrir à qq pas (suffisamment éloignés pour éviter tout désagrément), poules, terrain de badminton….) a fait le bonheur des enfants et parents. C’était des vacances enfin reposantes ! Et nous recommandons chaudement! Famillie Picart auot 2021

Des hôtes adorables qui font tout pour qu’on se sente à son aise et chez soi. Un endroit magnifique avec une vue splendide sur la plaine de l’Adour et un ciel étoilé comme on n’en a jamais vu ailleurs. Une belle parenthèse pour se ressourcer, et des activités riches mais loin des grandes foules de touristes. Notre paradis. – Sarah and Family, Belgium. August 2020

This is our third year at Le Prielle. We love the location, calm and relaxing, with so much space for the kids to run free. The area is great, a very idyllic part of France, with quiet roads and very few tourists. The Pyrenees are easily within reach for adventure and beautiful walks and the large swimming pool keeps us all cool in the gorgeous weather. We will be back. – Becky & Family. Bristol. August 2020

We had a wonderful week at Le Prielle. The Gite was very comfortable and had everything we needed but it’s the grounds that really make Le Prielle a special place to stay. Nestled amongst the vineyards it’s the perfect place to relax. Our two kids enjoyed the trampoline, table tennis and feeding the hens and we all loved the swimming pool. Paulette and Simon were warm and welcoming and on hand with lots of helpful local information. We had some lovely days exploring the local area on bikes, visiting historic villages as well as a couple of trips to the mountains for hiking and mountain biking. Highly recommended! Thanks again Paulette and Simon. – Kirkby, The Alps. July 2020

The cottage is very large, and very well equipped. Tastefully restored, the owners have done a remarkable job. The swimming pool is very nice, as well as the play area for the children. The gas barbecue is great! 🙂 Thanks to Paulette and Simon for their welcome, their advice and availability. – Martinez, Paris. July 2020

Calm and restful environment. The accommodation is great. And the accessible swimming pool. Owners Welcoming and available. – Fish, Paris. August 2020

Lieu charmant : au calme et au plus près de la nature. Les gites sont très bien équipés. L’ accueil est chaleureux : lits faits à l’arrivée, gîte très propre, petit cadeau de bienvenue. Paulette et Simon les propriétaires, sont très gentils et réactifs à la moindre question. Le wifi laissait à désirer, mais cela provient de l’emplacement en zone blanche… Une douche pour avant et après la piscine serait la bienvenue… On y retournera! – Boeri. July 2020

Je recommande cette location si vous recherchez le calme, la tranquillité. La piscine ,très appréciée en ce mois de juillet, et les abords sont vraiment agréables. Il n’est pas impossible de croiser d’autres êtres vivants comme la biche qui partage le petit bois avec les résidents. – Brasquies. July/August 2020

We’re a group of friends from the Netherlands and we’ve had a wonderful stay at Le Prielle! From the moment we arrived until the moment we (unfortunately) had to head home, Paulette and Simon have been amazing hosts. They provided us with everything we needed in the Gite, as well as with tips regarding where to eat, which supermarkets were nearby, and which activities to do in the area (like canyoning, karting, wine tasting, markets). They also helped set up campfires, which was a great opportunity to enjoy the stars when the skies were clear. It was furthermore great to see that Paulette was always in for a little chat about how we were doing and how our days were. The Gite itself was fully equipped and we felt very lucky with the amazing terrace and garden in front of ‘our little house’. Even though there are multiple Gites on the terrain and the pool and sunbathing area are shared with the other guests, there was always a quiet and serene atmosphere. In case you’re seeking a bit more crowdedness, there’s plenty to do in the area, like Bordeaux, Toulouse, or the coast which are all a +/- 2h drive. All in all it has been a relaxing holiday and we hope to get back next year! – Youri, Netherlands. August 2020

Un gîte organisé pour des vacances au calme en famille. Beaucoup d’espace pour permettre à chacun et chacune de vivre ses vacances à sa manière. Des hôtes attentifs et attentionnés tout en étant discrets et respectueux. Merci à Paulette et Simon pour leur excellent accueil. – Natalie et famile, Brest. August 2020.

Nous avons vécu deux semaines formidables. L’endroit est magique : les gites au milieu des vignes où l’on croise parfois une biche, le farniente au bord de la piscine, un potager où poussent de succulentes tomates et courgettes et le village de Madiran tout près, pour les dégustations. Et nos hôtes Paulette et Simon, accueillants et toujours disponibles. On reviendra. Phil, aout 2019

Becky Bayliss recommends Le Prielle: “This is our second year at Le Prielle and both ourselves and our children (6 and 8) looked forward to it all year. The gites are generous in size and are situated in an idyllic spot – surrounded by vines with lots of large landscaped areas to run free. The pool is great and the abundance of fruit trees and chickens to collect eggs from in the morning is endless fun for the children and helpful to cook with. Madiran is a lovely village close by which just adds to the whole experience. We can’t wait to return in 2020.” Becky & Family, August 2019

Have just returned from a wonderful week’s stay at Le Prielle. We return regularly to this idyllic spot for some RandR and opportunity to enjoy some cheese and wine in the sunshine looking off into the vines. The kids love exploring the woods, digging up vegetables, feeding the chickens and pigs and being able to run around free range. Nothing is too much bother for Simon and Paulette and they help out with everything: the highlight of my kids trip this time round was being taken to the local bar in the boot of Paulette’s car! Le Prielle is a unique place: it lifts the spirt, slows the heart rate and fills our minds with memories every time we stay. The moment I drive in I simply forget that I have a job: it’s as simple as that. Can’t recommend it enough. Stuart & Family, October 2019

Callum Cadney-Moon recommends Le Prielle: “Myself, my partner and our puppy had a wonderful time staying at Le Prielle on our travels! We took some time out of work during the off-season and explored various regions of France and Spain, and Le Prielle is certainly somewhere we would recommend you stop by! The hosts Simon and Paulette are absolutely wonderful, the accommodation is super peaceful surrounded by vineyards and rolling fields, and there is a nice town just a few minutes drive away with good restaurants and a bakery It’s also only about 1.5 hours drive to some amazing spots in the Pyrenees mountains which we did as a day trip Highly recommend!” Noivember 2019

We all really enjoyed our stay at Le Prielle, in La Grange. Paulette and Simon were the best of hosts. Nothing was too much trouble. The place is lovely in a beautiful part of France. If you are looking for a quiet relaxing holiday then this is it!! Thank you again for a lovely time. – Clare & Family, August 2018

The lovely gîtes at Le Prielle were recommended to us by a local friend and we were not disappointed! We stayed in Gîte 2 and there was ample space for our 3 generation group. We really liked the rustic nature of the conversion and appreciated having a washing machine, dishwasher and a large fridge freezer. Our outside seating area was private with a great view over the vines and we made good use of the excellent gas barbecue. The peace and quiet of the site in an area not overrun by tourists suited us well. As many other reviewers have said, the space to play and roam was perfect for our grandsons (11 and 9 years) who really enjoyed feeding the hens and pigs and collecting eggs! The pool was fabulous! Our hosts, Paulette and Simon were welcoming, friendly and helpful at all times, dealing with any query promptly and amiably. We had a splendid week and would love to return to the area. We have no hesitation in recommending Le Prielle. – Linda and Keith H. August 2018.

What an amazing holiday we had. The gite, Le Chai, was wonderful, well-appointed and the pool was just beautiful. Paulette and Simon could not have been better hosts, nothing was too much trouble. They showed the children where to collect eggs and where to feed the pigs. The freedom our children enjoyed was so great for them. Truly the best holiday we’ve had! We have re-booked for a large family holiday, this time taking 3 gites for summer 2019 already. – Rachael & Family, July 2018

Vi boede 8 dage på Le Prielle og kan varmt anbefale stedet. Vi havde en stor dejlig lejlighed og blev mødt med stor gæstfrihed af familien. Lejligheden var stor og rummelige med et stort køkken alrum i stueetagen og 3 gode soveværelser samt badeværelse på første sal. Udenfor hver lejlighed er der ligesom en lille gård eller teresse, som hører til. Stedet er også ideelt til flere familier, da selve gårdspladsen indbyder til at samles til fx fællesspisning. Køkkenet i lejligheden var godt udstyret til at lave mad hjemme og der hørte en gas grill til alle lejligheder. Der er i øvrigt god plads til fælles aktiviteter i det hele taget på hele gårdens område. Der er også en køkkenhave, som man er velkommen til at besøge og hente frugt og bær fra.

Der er meget ro og man kan virkelig slappe af og bare nyde. Poolen er stor og holdt ren og området omkring poolen er fantastisk med liggestole og små borde.

Familien gør alt hvad de kan for at hjælpe med hvad man nu kunne få brug for, fx restauranter, indkøb, vin samt seværdigheder og aktiviteter i området.

Vi følte os meget velkomne og kunne sagtens komme tilbage igen.

Christina, Thune & Family, June 2017. Denmark

We stayed 8 days at Le Prielle and would highly recommend this nice place. We had a large and very nice apartment and we were greeted with great hospitality by the family.
The gite was large and with good space containing a large combined kitchen and living room on the ground floor and 3 good bedrooms plus bathroom on the first floor. Outside each gite there is like a small yard or teresse that belongs to each. The place is also ideal for more families, as the courtyard itself invites you to gather for example for dinner. The kitchen in the gite was well equipped to cook at home and there was a gas grill belonging to each gite. In general there is plenty of space for joint activities throughout the yard and garden area. There is also a vegetable garden, which the guests are welcome to visit and to pick fruit and berries from.
It is a very peacefull place and you can really relax and just enjoy. The pool is big and kept nice and clean and the area around the pool is fantastic with sun loungers and small tables.
The family does everything they can to help and guide you in any issues fx recommended restaurants, shopping, wine as well as attractions and activities in the area.
We felt very welcome and we might be coming back some day. Christina, June 2017. Denmark

Quatrième été au Prielle et plein de bons souvenirs.
On s’y sent vraiment chez soi : chaque terrasse permet d’avoir sa propre intimité, chaque gîte est équipé comme à la maison (TV, DVD, barbecue, livres, ustensiles de cuisine, déco maison avec des tableaux peints par Paulette, etc).
L’endroit est idéal pour profiter du calme. Idéal aussi pour les enfants :
– piscine avec pataugeoire pour les petits,
– lit bébé si nécessaire,
– nombreux jeux et DVD des enfants de Paulette et Simon qui sont devenus grands,
– jeux en extérieur comme des goals de foot, du matériel pour le badminton, un Puissance 4 géant, une balançoire, une cabane en bois et une petite cuisine.
La configuration des lieux (très grande propriété entourée de vignes et route éloignée où ne passent presque que les habitants du Prielle) fait qu’il est facile de laisser la porte fenêtre ouverte et de laisser les enfants s’amuser à l’extérieur en toute sécurité (la piscine est entourée d’une barrière et fermée à clé).
Simon et Paulette sont toujours attentifs à ce que chacun se sente bien et on se sent vraiment comme des invités.
Au fil des années, les activité touristiques dans la région se sont également bien développées et il nous reste encore des choses à visiter. Tout cela loin des foules de touristes et de la cohue.
Bref, une bonne adresse dans une magnifique région!
Antonin (2 ans), Maximilien (5 ans et demi), Sarah et Etienne (Belgique)

“We spent a week Le Prielle in August this year: it was delightfully relaxing, peaceful and – above all – friendly and welcoming. Right from the outset communication (via email) was warm and friendly. No query seemed tiresome, responses were swift and the overriding impression I got was that Simon & Paulette wanted to ensure their guests have a great holiday. The accommodation is charming and well-laid out, ensuring all guests can have their privacy or join in with others, if they wish. We had plenty space for 6 of us (grandparents, parents and 2 children) and the gite was well-equipped, with plenty of cooking utensils and a great barbecue with outdoor seating. The children loved the space and freedom to roam (as soon as we arrived, Paulette took the children to show them around the vegetable garden and to feed the hens, allowing us to unpack), as well as the beautiful pool and outdoor play area. Paulette & Simon were available and approachable (often found chatting with guests – many of whom appeared to have visited at least once before, which is a great sign) and happy to give advice and recommendations. In addition, there is a wealth of information provided on the local vicinity and further afield. We greatly appreciated the information on nearby shops and restaurants, complete with opening hours and suggestions (“don’t eat beforehand” when going to the Relais d’Aydie was a useful, if understated piece of advice!). Simon & Paulette invited all the guests (4 families, with around 12 children) to a bonfire one evening, and we all chatted over local wine and toasted marshmallows. Our 7-year-old was fascinated by the night sky and Simon spent quite some time pointing out constellations and so on using a great app on his phone. A real highlight for her. The area itself is beautiful, with charming countryside, some beautiful villages and, of course, plenty of wine to be sampled. The city of Pau is well worth a visit and not too much further are the Pyrenees (we managed one good day’s hiking), the Atlantic coast and the delights of Northwestern Spain (although we felt this would be a little far for us, it would be easily achievable without children, or with older ones).
All-in-all, we would highly recommend Le Prielle to anyone. Despite (so far!) always going somewhere new during our summer holidays, we would definitely consider coming back here one day”. Ann & Family, Scotland. August 2016.

“An ideal holiday location to relax. Peace, quite, space & tranquility. 2 large heated salt water pools, mountain views, good food & fine wines. A great all round family holiday – escape from it all with as little or as much as you want to do. Our family of 2 adults and 4 children (12,9,6 and 3yrs old) spent another glorious 3 week holiday in Le Prielle this summer (July 2016). Beautifully peaceful – or as peaceful as it gets with 4 children! – in an idyllic location. On our arrival late in the evening we were met by Paulette who suggested the kids go straight to the pool with her, needless to say they didn’t need to be asked twice. The weather was lovely which gave us the opportunity to relax in the garden, wander through the orchard and over-feed the tolerant hens. Lots of out-door games for the kids including a newly built wooden house which was a great thrill – well done Simon! Hours of fun on the swings not to mention the very many afternoons spent in the pool. We were a little more adventurous this year and took several day trips – there is an endless list of places to see. As always Simon and Paulette go well beyond the call of duty to make a holiday here a really special one. We will definitely be back!
Gormlaith, Dublin, Ireland. July 2016, August 2015, July 2014 and July 2013!

“My husband, son and I spent a lovely two weeks at Le Prielle. The gite was fantastic with lots of character and everything that we could possibly need. It felt like a home from home instead of a holiday let. The extensive grounds were a delight to explore with beautiful flowers, fruit trees, a wooded area, a play area for little children and friendly cats. We enjoyed swimming in the pool which was surrounded by vineyards where the only sound to be heard was the birds.
Paulette and Simon were so helpful. They made our holiday special by finding out what we each liked and meeting our needs perfectly! My husband likes cycling so they provided him with a bike to cycle passed the nearby vineyards and fields of sunflowers. My son loves history so Paulette showed him the fascinating research that they have done about the Le Prielle. I enjoy crafts so Paulette taught me how to make a stained glass sunflower in her art studio. Even the route that they recommended we take on the way to Toulouse airport was a delight as it took us through Bassoues which was beautiful! We enjoyed exploring medieval villages, chateaux, a Cistercian abbey, caves under the Pyrenees, the remains of a roman villa, the stunning Massey garden in Tarbes and a busy local market. I’d recommend Le Prielle as a fantastic place for families and friends of all ages to relax and enjoy French culture”.
Lyne, Richard & Family, Scotland. July 2016

“Hello Paulette and Simon! Thank you very much for the stay, it was great! My parents are very pleased with the wine, we will think about you when we will drink it on Christmas. I will tell you if I wish to go in England or in the US. Let me know when Peter has his answer for his university.
Thank you again for a great holiday”. Cécile, France. July 2016

“Le Prielle – The best place a child could grow up in. I can see now how lucky I am”. David Appleby x, Loughborough, November 2015.

“Nous avons passé un superbe week-end en novembre 2015. L’endroit est magnifique et l’accueil est fort chaleureux. Nous reviendrons avec grand plaisir. Merci à vous deux”.‎Sandra Peyronnet‎, France. November 2015.

“What a friendly welcome, in such beautiful surroundings in the heart of Madiran wine country. Paulette and Simon have created a wonderful place to stay”. Teresa and David, Crawley. August 2015.

“We have been lucky enough to have had 2 summer holidays at Le Prielle. Both times with another family. I’m not sure who loves it more: the kids or us. Our 2 sons (10 and 6) love to roam safely in the extensive gardens; feeding the chickens and collecting eggs. Many afternoons have been spent on the table tennis and practising kicking through the rugby posts. However, most days evolve around the swimming pool. Paulette and Simon make you feel incredibly welcome and at home. They can turn their hand to anything from arranging babysitters, wine tasting, local festivals, taxis, to restaurant booking. It really feels like you are part of their home. We have stayed in 2 different gites and both were very well equipped and immaculately clean. If you want a taste of rural France in beautiful scenery with towns and villages at close hand we would highly recommend Le Prielle.”
Anne & Steve Capper & family, Manchester. August 2015 & August 2013.

“De retour d’un fort bel endroit, dans le vignoble de Madiran. Des hôtes charmants, que demander de plus ? très bientôt j’espère.”‎Martine Plessier Jourdan, September 2015. France.

“Bien rentrée du séjour au “Prielle” sous un beau soleil d’automne. Merci pour l’accueil toujours très agréable.!.”‎Martine Plessier Jourdan, October 2015. France.

“We spent a wonderful week in Le Prielle with two young children. We stayed have in different gites in the past years, hence we thought we knew what to expect, but Le Prielle totally beats our expectation from the moment we arrived. The rooms are spacious, in pristine condition and very well equipped catered for a family stay. The quality and attention to detail are evident, making guests feel very welcome providing a perfect home from home environment. We were very impressed with Simon and Paulette’s restoration work. The kids enjoyed the large pool, fed the chickens, picked plums and blackberries, played and ran around the surrounding gardens all day long. The surrounding vineyards add a nice touch to the atmosphere at Le Prielle. A car will be a must to explore this part of France and we made some excellent trips to the local villages and towns. We also did some great wine tasting at the local chateaux. There are a lot of wine makers in the area – so it is a tough choice which ones to choose in one week! We used Toulouse airport, even the ride from Le Prielle to Toulouse is beautiful going through the countryside, smooth with no traffic in the middle of August. All in all, a wonderful relaxing retreat and we very much look forward to going back”. Mr. and Mrs Brouwers, London UK, August 2015

“My wife, 17 year old son and I spent a lovely week at Simon and Paulette’s gites just outside Madiran. The weather was superb and the change in pace of life came as a welcome relief. The gites back onto vinyards and the views from the property to the Pyrennes are outstanding. A typical day for us usually started with a trip early in the morning to the village for bread, croissants and eggs for breakfast. We would spend the day visiting vinyards, meandering through local towns and villages and stopping off for a coffee or a light lunch. Evenings spent at the gite was a pleasure. If you want to get away from it all I could not recommend this more to you. David Walters and Family, Reading, June 2015.

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“Bravo pour votre gîte magnifique! Quel site! Quelle restauration! Quel charme et quel accueil! Même si nous n’avons pas pu y rester autant que le cadre nous y invitait, nous gardons un souvenir émerveillé de la Prielle et du Madiran. Faites-nous savoir si vous venez du côté de la Méditerranée. On vous y reverra avec plaisir. ” Maria et Philippe, France. May 2015

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“Merci beaucoup pour l’accueil et l’endroit particulièrement agréable! Nous reviendrons!” ‎Philippe Caussanel‎, June 2014. France

“Heaven in the heart of Madiran. Could have stayed forever!” Danielle King‎, New York. July 2014.

“We had an absolutely fantastic time at Le Prielle this July. Stayed for two weeks and didn’t want to leave. The gites are beautiful, the gardens, the chickens, the plum trees,the pool, the countryside and the peace and tranquility are just what we needed coming form a city. In fact we’re having difficulty getting used to the noise again here in Brussels!! Of course all this was topped off with the most fantastic hosts Simon, Paulette and the boys!! (Oh, and the cats!). Thanks to you all for making us and our two labradors the happiest campers ever!!! (Especially the labs eating from the prune tree:-)). We really do hope to return next year…and maybe for longer!!!! xxx” Aoife Doyle & Nicolas Dassonville, Belguim. August 2013.

“Having spent a fantastic holiday with Paulette and Simon in 2013 we returned this year for three weeks this year. It is a fabulous place for a family holiday. the gites are lovely and clean and have everything you could need. The pool is beautifully maintained and the children got a huge thrill from a night time swim by moonlight! Our four children (11,8,5 and 2) had wonderful freedom, picking raspberries and fruit from the orchard, feeding the hens and the turkey and hunting for eggs. The younger ones spent hours on the swings, playing in the sand pit and with the mini kitchen set, while the badminton and table tennis (not to mention the den in the wood) kept the older ones occupied. Walks and cycles down to see the nearby pigs were also a highlight! Evening meals cooked by Paulette and delivered to your gite are a real treat and the offer of baby sitting so we could go out was also gratefully received! A fabulous relaxing country holiday and well situated to visit any number of places if you can tear yourself away. Paulette and Simon are incredible hosts and literally nothing is a problem. The welcome into their home makes it a truly wonderful holiday and we have already booked to return next year (2015) for another 3 weeks!” Gormlaith, Dublin, Ireland July 2014.

“A very comfortable Gite, well fitted out by the friendly hosts, Simon and Paulette. Quiet location very well suited for families, with loads of space (car-free) to play in. Bit cold for swimming whilst we were there but the pool looked very tempting. Games provided for children. For us it was especially good as a base for visiting the local wine producers – it was a great start to have a bottle provided on arrival! We also visited some local towns, markets and restaurants. Mine hosts suggested places to visit, and there is much information in the gatehouse to the Gites. We will go to Le Prielle again as there are many local vineyards we still haven’t tried yet.” Vic, Warks, UK. April, May,Nov & Dec 2014, Jan & Feb 2015 – a week out of season each time, as it is so peaceful, returning again in May and June 2015 for sure!”

“We spent 2 weeks at le prielle in July/August 2014. The location of the gites is beautiful although you are a few kilometres from any villages (a plus in my book!). There are four gites. Despite being fully booked for our stay the layout of the properties ensures that each gite has it’s own private outdoor area. The swimming pool is amazing though a very short walk away from the gites themselves. The gites are comfortable and spacious although not five star luxury. The place is perfect for children. Our oldest had a wonderful time exploring the grounds. There is plenty to keep children amused. The area has plenty to explore – vinyards, animal parks, beautiful old towns, the mountains. A final word has to go to Simon and Paulette who are amazing hosts. Nothing was too much trouble. They are wonderful! We will definitely return if holidaying in the area.” Lucy M, UK July 2014.

“Simon & Paulette are perfect hosts. A delicious meal on arrival, driving us to a restaurant so we could have a drink, sharing their home-grown vegetables, advising on the pros and cons of owning a property in south-west France. We have never experienced such a willingness to care for visitors.” Steve, Bristol, UK August 2014.

“We spent four nights with our two children, 11 and 15. Le Prielle is a lovely property, buried in the French country side, surrounded by fields and small, sleepy villages. The gardens are lovely and sizeable – we spent several days just relaxing, playing by the pool and messing around with bats and balls. We explored the local area, with expert advice from Simon and Paulette, who were on hand to tell us about local restaurants, bike and horse rides, walks and local shops. We’d recommend a stay unreservedly.” Jon & Family, London. Sept 2014.

“We had a wonderful stay at Le Prielle. Upon arriving after a long journey in an Austin Healey, we were greated by Paulette with a lovely cup of tea in the kitchen. After we had rested from our journey, we were shown to our accomadation. The gite was clean and contained all that was needed for a comfortable stay. We had pre ordered food for the fridge as well as a meal to be served in our gite during the evening. The meal was delicious and the fridge was well stocked as pre arranged. Paulette and Simon were gracious hosts and were always there when we needed them. I had a problem with a tooth and Paulette arranged a dental appointment with her dentist the next day. We had safe parking for the Austin Healey and felt free to do any work on the car at any time. The location was great for visiting many interesting villages, restuarants and vineyards. The swimming pool was well kept and there was internet connection. We were invited to watch Simon and Paulette’s son play rugby which was exciting, almost as good as American football. We hope to revisit with our family in the future. I think anyone reading this will know that we certainly recommend Le Prielle” Cecil, Cornwall, UK Sept 2014.

“Le Prielle is a beautiful place to stay for peace and quiet with wonderful views of the Pyrenees. Excellent swimming pool. Good local vineyards. The Applebys couldn’t have been more helpful and informative and made our stay extremely enjoyable. The gite was well equipped and clean and tidy. There are plenty of pretty, medieval villages nearby to visit, or you can go further afield to the Pyrenees.” Alexandre, UK. May 2015

“Paulette and Simon were delightful hosts. The apartment was clean and fresh with every attention for our comfort and well being.
We would recommend this venue to everyone. Wonderful wine tasting in the vicinity.” Jenny & Graham, Sussex, April 2014 & Nov 2013.

” Second time around! Thank you for our lovely stay. Amazing accomadation. Great Area for wine tasting. Lovely scenery although spent too much time in the swimming pool. Be back to tour the pyrenes another time.” Ady Oxon, Uk. May 2014.

“Simon and Paulette were very warm hosts. I have stayed at Le Prielle before, several times now, and am always delighted to be in such relaxing surroundings. The location is beautiful with the village only a few minutes away in the car. There are lovely wood burners should anyone decide on a winter visit, but being stone built they are lovely and cool in the summer. I cannot commend them enough for the furnishings and cleanliness and I had everything I needed, a real home from home, the swimming pool is such an asset too. A place to return to time and time again I hope!” Mandy, Sussex Oct 2014.

“Wij hebben een week gelogeerd in “Le Prielle”. Een veel te korte vakantie! Waar we terecht zouden komen, was een groot vraagteken maar de beschrijvingen klopten als een bus.Wij kwamen toe op de 14de juli – een tuinfeest was nog aan de gang – en wij hadden het gevoel er “thuis” te komen. Vanaf het moment dat je de toegangspoort open doet, komt er een oase van rust over je heen. Een hartelijk warm onthaal door Paulette en Simon en hun familie en vrienden volgden. De gîte zelf had alle comfort en was netjes. Er is echt alles voorzien zoals beschreven, tot de bbq toe. Een grote tuin voor groot en klein, met uitzicht op de bergen… En het zwembad gevuld met zout water: heerlijk! De eigenaars hebben zelfs ook voor een info-kantoortje gezorgd waar je werkelijk alle mogelijke info van natuur, van cultuur, van sportactiviteiten, van evenementen kan terugvinden. Uiteraard helpen Paulette en Simon je graag iets uitzoeken. Wandel- en fietskaarten, stadsplannetjes mogen er geleend worden. En om wijn te gaan proeven konden we rekenen op taxi Simon! De dinerservice is zeker ook een aanrader: eenvoudig, vers uit de moestuin bereid en heel smakelijk, begeleid door een plaatselijk wijntje…De eigenaars doen er echt alles aan om het naar je zin te hebben, zonder dat zij zich opdringen. Wij hebben ons daar zo verschrikkelijk “gejeund” dat we er volgend jaar teruggaan, maar dan voor 2 weken! Er valt nog zoveel te ontdekken, een echte aanrader voor wie houdt van rust, natuur, cultuur, goed eten en een lekker wijntje met eventueel een echte armagnac als afsluiter… Nogmaals een dikke merci voor ons prachtig verblijf (letterlijk en figuurlijk) en een dikke proficiat voor hetgeen Paulette en Simon er al gerealiseerd hebben!” fam. Samijn-Seynaeve, West-Vlaanderen, België. July 2013

“From the moment we arrived at Le Prielle (at midnight with four small boys) Paulette, Simon and their family made every effort to make us feel incredibly welcome and to enable us to get the most out of our holiday. The facilities and freedom that Le Prielle provided for the children were superb, unexpected highlights being the chickens and adventures in the vineyards. We were able to relax while they spent entire days happily racing around. When we could drag ourselves away from the oasis of Le Prielle Paulette was brilliant at suggesting outings and we managed to enjoy a fantastic mix of mountains, lakes, winetasting, festivals, Lourdes and castles all on the doorstep. Thanks must also go to Paulette and Simon’s sons who were very competent, fun babysitters and allowed us to escape the childcare routine on more than a couple of occasions! Two weeks flew by and we are already looking forward to a return visit.” Dominique Belton, UK August 2013

“The location for Le Prielle is very peaceful with lots of activities to keep young children occupied. Plenty of games to play indoors if the weather happens to be inclement. When the weather’s hot and sunny, then there’s a lovely swimming pool for both adults and toddlers. The gites are beautifully cleaned and maintained and are built to a high standard with wonderful grounds and surrounding countryside to explore if you’re a hiker or if you just fancy an afternoon stroll.The listing description is both accurate regarding layout, location and facilities as mentioned above, and Paulette and Simon provided excellent customer service and were extremely helpful as to any remedies from where to eat out or if you fancy hiring horses for riding. Of course there are wonderful views of the Pyrenees from the gardens which are a delight to see either either at dawn or dusk. I would have no hesitation in recommending Le Prielle for a quiet, restful away from it all holiday or for the more adventurous, days out for hiking and sight seeing.” Pat UK, UK April 2013

“My wife, 7 year old daughter and I decided to have a 2 centre holiday in France, arriving to 4 degrees in Paris from Bangkok’s 30 degrees. It was somewhat of a relief to arrive in Madiran at Le Prielle to a balmy 18 degrees. We were joined by my older children 16 & 17 from UK and so were 5 in total.
The Gite was superb providing more than we expected, with lots of living space and a great log burning stove in the living room, which heated the whole house – almost too hot!
Furnished in a typically French style the Gite’s living and dining accommodation was tastefully laid out and very comfortable with easy chairs and sofas; the kitchen was modern and well equipped including a washing machine. Upstairs the 3 bedrooms were into the eaves; they were spacious and adequately furnished and provided a great night’s sleep.
The Gite was obviously well cared for and in good decorative order; on arrival it was spotlessly clean.Outside, the Gite fronted onto a shared courtyard and at the back across the neighbour’s vineyard there were fantastic views of the snow capped Pyrenees – only about 1.5 hours drive away to the ski slopes! There was also a very nice outdoor pool, but not for us at that time of year! We had a very warm welcome from Paulette and Simon who ensured that we were comfortable and not short of anything, they also provided us guidance of the sites to see and the restaurants in the locality – we ate well. We will definitely return and would have no hesitation in recommending Le Prielle whatever the season – we had a great holiday.”Richard & Family, Thailand. Dec 2012 & Jan 2013

“Well appointed gite in a lovely rural setting with great amenities. The owners are very welcoming….wished we could have stayed a few days longer!” Ingrid Hacking, May 2013

“Nous avons adoré nos vacances dans le gîte « Le Hibou ». La disposition des gîtes et des terrasses permet de garder son intimité par rapport aux autres hôtes. L’endroit est aussi très bien adapté pour les enfants. Tout le matériel est à disposition : chaise haute, barrière pour l’escalier, petit pot, jouets, etc. La piscine est spacieuse, avec une pataugeoire pour les petits qui est très pratique et sécurisante. Paulette et Simon font tout pour qu’on se sente bien et qu’on ne manque de rien. C’est vraiment un endroit à recommander, tant pour les vacances en couple qu’en famille ou en groupe!” – A bientôt ! Etienne, Sarah et Maximilien, Belge. July 2012.

“We spent a thoroughly lovely two weeks at Le Prielle with our two daughters, aged 5 and 3. Simon and Paulette are thoughtful, knowledgeable, genuinely lovely people who have created a wonderfully peaceful, relaxed environment that combines a high standard of accommodation with all the enchantments of the French countryside. Our girls had an idyllic time feeding the chickens and hunting for eggs each morning, picking fresh fruit and vegetables for dinner, splashing in the pool for whole afternoons and playing on the swings until dusk. The gite was spacious, clean, comfortable and fabulously well-equipped – we’re finding it difficult living without an ice dispenser now we’re home – and the one day of inclement weather in the entire fortnight gave us the opportunity to appreciate all the extra touches that make this place uniquely personal (art class in the barn and a ride on the lawnmower made for some great memories!). The offer of baby-sitting and lifts to and from Madiran that allowed us a night out for dinner were also greatly appreciated! A rare gem of a place.” – Elise and Neil Hopper, Tyne & Wear, UK. August 2012.

“C’était vraiment un plaisir de passer nos vacances dans votre gîte. Merci beaucoup pour votre accueil, nous avons tous les 6 énormément apprécié cet endroit et nous reviendrons sûrement vous voir. Je ferai un petit mot pour le site avec plaisir. Bel fin d’été à toute votre famille.” – Cordialement, Marie Besnier et famille August 2012.

“My partner and I visited Le Prielle with our two children (aged 11 and 13) in July/August 2012. This was our first visit to Gascony and our first experience of a ‘Gite’ style rural retreat. It is fair to say that from the moment we arrived we were enchanted by the whole place. The countryside around Madiran is beautiful and the gites themselves are wonderfully situated, within a working vineyard and surrounded by mature woodland and rolling acres of maize and vines. The Gites are superbly appointed and very comfortable and their arrangement allows you to be as private or as communal as you like. Each has its own patio space with barbecue and my favourite moments were spent sipping the local red wine, gazing at the amazing night sky and enjoying the astonishing tranquillity of a Gascon evening. Simon and Paulette were wonderful hosts. Friendly and hospitable, their local knowledge and willingness to assist added greatly to our holiday experience. With their help we visited a number of local towns and villages including Pau, St-Jean-De-Luz and the Pyrenees. We were also able to taste wine at a local Chateau and sample a number of local markets and restaurants, recommended and organised by our generous hosts. They were also prepared to make the grounds of their wonderful home accessible and our children thoroughly enjoyed the excellent pool, the table tennis and badminton, feeding the chickens and the company of their numerous cats. There is an awful lot to see and do in the local area and we could have easily spent longer there exploring the rest of the region. As the time progressed however it also became apparent that there was great value in simply attuning to the pace of life locally. There was great reward to be had from enjoying the land itself, the food, the wine, the scenery and the hospitality and generosity of spirit of the people who live there. As a family we enjoy using our holiday time to experience new places and people but without doubt Le Prielle is the first place I have visited to which I would certainly return.” – Chris Richardson, UK. August 2012.

“We all enjoyed the relaxing environment of Le Prielle and found it an ideal centre for exploring the region. When tired from travelling, the pool relaxed us and the distant views of the Pyrenees, on clearer days, formed a great backdrop. The night sky is fantastic with great views of the Milky Way, as it can never be seen in the light polluted Netherlands! Occasional glowing insects were a fascinating bonus. To be surrounded by vineyards and tranquil countryside recharged our batteries! The gite had everything we needed and Paulette and Simon ensured we settled in quickly with good advice on local events and very good food with local character. We all felt extremely welcome to share their marvellous grounds. We feel sure that in the near future we shall wish to visit again.” – Colin, Hilde Mieke and Richard (who misses the turkey!) . Odijk, The Netherlands. July 2012

Au moment de choisir le lieu de nos vacances, nos filles (7 et 11 ans) nous ont dits: nous voulons retourner au Prielle ! C’est l’endroit idéal pour passer de bonnes vacances: Le Prielle est au milieu des vignes au calme, le gite est spacieux et bien équipé. Nous avons profité de la piscine tous les jours avec une eau à 25+°C. Les propriétaires Simon et Paulette sont très accueillants et à notre disposition. Merci pour cette agréable semaine et à bientôt certainement!” – Cordialement. Fabien Guiral et Famille juillet 2012

“Our third stay at Le Prielle, and what a fantastic holiday destination! We stayed there with 6 friends as part of a driving holiday and spent several days exploring the fantastic roads in the area. As ever the Gites are perfect, everything needed for a relaxing holiday and a perfect venue for anyone looking for a driving holiday. As ever we had a great time and it’s already looking like we will be back again next year, although maybe in the summer holidays. We are thinking of touring through Europe for a week and then spending a week at Le Prielle.” – Nick & Jane Butler, East Sussex. June 2012

“Being regular users of Gites in France, and having had various experiences in them, it was with pure delight that we had a 2 week stay at Le Prielle. The beautiful gites, with their spacious rooms and in pristine condition, have to be seen to be believed. Simon and Paulette are the perfect hosts. The surrounding vineyards add something special to the atmosphere at Le Prielle. The towns of Tarbes and Pau, as well as smaller towns, are within easy reach by car, and are well worth a visit. We attended a local village fete & had a lovely time listening to the brass band, and especially enjoyed the food [and wine]. Thanks, Simon, for the trip to buy Armagnac and the degustation – Wow! We highly recommend the amazing gites at Le Prielle, and the lovely area surrounding them. From central Scotland we took the Jet2.com flight from Edinburgh to Toulouse and hired a car to drive to Le Prielle, the travelling was an easy affair. All the Best to Simon, Paulette and the Boys.” – Bob and May, Scotland. June 2012

“Nous tenions à vous remercier de l’excellent accueil que vous nous avez réservé lors de notre passage dans votre demeure. Le cadre était très agréable et calme avec un gîte et un jardin superbes ! Vous avez magnifiquement rénové et décoré ce lieu. Merci encore et à très bientôt. Sincères salutations.” – Monsieur et Madame Sanfourche, May 2012 & July 2012

“Thanks to Paulette & Simon for a lovely 4 day break in the middle of the wine growing area around Madiran. It didn’t take us long to get into the French way of life – drinking wine, eating bread & cheese and talking. The accommodation was excellent. Our hosts very welcoming. We loved the medieval villages with their cafe’s. We should have done more sight seeing but it was all too easy to just chill & swim in their lovely pool. The Pyrenees are on our list to visit next time we are staying at Le Prielle.” – Adrian and Heather Hicks, Oxfordshire, England. May 2012

“Le Prielle is a great location for a getaway holiday in idyllic surroundings for relaxing or exploring. We visited a vineyard, tasted some local wines and explored some typical French villages close by. Accommodation is spacious and comfortable and it was great to have hosts Paulette and Simon who are very welcoming and have good knowledge of the area. We even got invited to a local village event where we were made most welcome.” – Bill & Pat Major, Oxfordshire, England, May 2012.

“J’ai passé 1 mois au gite Le Prielle dans le cadre d’un long séjour et j’ai été accueilli comme un ami par Paulette et Simon. Le cadre et le gite sont exceptionnels, l’équipement propre et complet, la literie confortable. De plus Paulette et Simon sont vraiment adorables et font tout pour nous être agréables. La piscine et la pataugeoire sont également bien appréciables! J’en ai vraiment un bon souvenir et ne manquerai pas de le conseiller autour de moi.” – A très bientot, Fabien et Famille, May 2012.

“Nous avons passé une semaine dans un des gîtes Le Prielle au mois d’août. Ce fut une semaine très agréable car les gîtes sont très grands et confortables. Lave linge, lave vaisselle, télé… J’y suis venue avec ma fille et mes deux petits enfants et tout le monde avait son espace. L’accueil est très chaleureux, la piscine bien agréable et le bassin pour les petits très pratique. Nous reviendrons bien volontiers.” – Annick Valdenaire, aout 2011

“We have been coming to the south of France for our holidays for 5 years and have always stayed with our friends. This year we decided to rent somewhere and sample the French life on our own. We booked into “Le Prielle” and didn’t know what to expect. Happily we were absolutely smitten with the setting, views and the standard of accommodation. We had a 2 bedroom gite, which was very spacious. It was very well stocked with equipment, and had all mod-cons, even English television which was great for our young children, and took the pressure off of us if we wanted to chill after a hard day’s sight seeing. We did swim in the outdoor pool, and we also relaxed around it, basking in the sunshine. The overall friendliness was a great comfort and we really felt at home, and consequently we were heartbroken to leave and go home to England. To summarise we will definitely be booking again for 2012, if you will have us? We would like to try the “Le Pigionaire”, gite 4 with 3 bedrooms in 2012 as the children would like their own bedrooms, and we like the look of it from the photos. So we will be in touch. Many thanks for your hospitality.” – The Newlands, July 2011

“Our decision to have a week’s holiday at Le Prielle was something of an experiment. We had booked two gites in order to accommodate members of the family. We were in for a surprise — a very pleasant surprise. The place turned out to be a veritable oasis, beautifully laid out, with a superb salt water pool and magnificent views towards the Pyrenees. The gites were comfortable, well furnished and excellently equipped. There were many toys to keep the children busy although they rarely played with them, as they were busy enough at the great paddling pool(s) Paulette and Simon Appleby turned out to be the most charming and certainly the most helpful of hosts. They were not only a mine of useful information but also provided us with a dinner that was more like a banquet, served outside the gites at tables well protected from the strong sunshine by strategically placed umbrellas. They rapidly became friends and mentors. We made good use of the BBQ and kitchens, cooking appetising meals accompanied by amazingly good local wines. Nearby Madiran has an excellent, though fairly expensive restaurant close to the church. Paulette and Simon recommended another restaurant a few kilometres outside Madiran, which turned out to be one of the best we’ve come across in France. Its cuisine is simple yet scrumptious, providing large portions at remarkably low prices. Tyler, aged 11, tucked into a dish of frogs’ legs with absolute relish. It was the first time he had tasted frogs and loved them, much to everyone else’s surprise. Patrick kicked off with soup and the landlady brought out an entire tureen filled to the brim with homemade vegetable soup. It proved too much for him so we had a plateful each… As for the wines, we bought some local Madiran at a supermarket (2008 vintage, costing less than four Euros). Frankly, we didn’t expect it to be more than a vin de table and supplemented it with a far more expensive Bordeaux claret. The Madiran turned out superior to the Bordeaux! We bought a case or two to take back with us! The week went far too quickly and was certainly one of the best holidays ever — especially en famille. June and I have had a house in Normandy since 1989, so we are true Francophiles. We shall treasure our week at Le Prielle and hope to return for a longer period.” – John Izbicki, Horsmonden, Kent, UK. July 2011.

“Just a quick note to say a huge thank you for the hospitality on our second holiday at your gites. This time we came with 5 other couples, all members of the Mazda MX5 Owners Club. As expected the gites were clean and the shopping that we had requested was all waiting for us on arrival. The evening meal was enjoyed by everyone, thank you. And the heated pools were terrific! Everyone enjoyed the holiday very much and we have all agreed to come back again. Please book us in again. We would recommend Le Prielle as an excellent base for any car club, group of friends or families, wanting to holiday together and explore terrific roads and the scenery that goes with it. Not to mention the food & wine…… Thanks again and see you soon.” – Nick Butler & Friends May 2011

Мы бываем во Франции уже несколько лет подряд и не по одному разу в год. В этот раз у нас была цель избежать гостиниц и ресторанов, насколько это возможно. За время пребывания в Ле Приэль впервые за всё время путешествий по Франции не было никаких даже мелких разочарований и неприятных сюрпризов. Девять дней в жите Полетт и Саймона были наполнены простыми радостями. Их дом расположен чрезвычайно удачно для тех, кто ищет уединения, но при этом не готов жертвовать комфортом и качеством повседневной жизни. При наличии пары супермаркетов и деревенских рынков в нескольких минутах езды всегда можно купить прекрасные французские продукты, включая местные специалитеты, и выбрать вино, представленное весьма широко, что было очень важно для нас. Хорошо оборудованная кухня позволяет готовить самим, используя местные продукты и вино. Следующая часть нашего плана на поездку тоже превзошла ожидания. Нам удалось посетить как исторические достопримечательности, так и виноградники Мадирана, Сент-Монта, Журансона и Арманьяка. Виноделы региона весьма радушно принимают гостей, которые интересуются попробовать их высококачественное, а в некоторых случаях исключительное по качеству вино. Мы даже съездили на один день в Биарриц, что заняло всего два часа по дорогам А65 и А64. Страна Басков – это совершенно уникальный регион! Всё это было бы невозможно, если бы Полетт и Саймон не сделали процесс урегулирования формальностей (условия контракта, оплаты и т.п.) таким простым и главное – доступным через интернет. Раньше все наши попытки найти подобное жилье в других регионах Франции заканчивались неудачей, поскольку условия были совершенно невыполнимы, по крайней мере, из России. Также мы хотели бы отметить, что наш жит представлял собой полноразмерный дом с тремя спальнями и ванной на втором этаже, гостиной, кухней и еще одной ванной на первом этаже. Короче говоря, это было по-настоящему здорово! Мы определенно рекомендуем остановиться в Ле Приэль, особенно иностранцам, которые хотят узнать Францию изнутри. Игорь, Ольга и Ксения Май 2011 Россия, Московская область

“Megan, Connor, Scott and I would like to thank you for the wonderful time we had during our recent stay at Le Prielle. Your willingness to help show us around the local Domains, and to come and collect us when we had lost all sense of direction was greatly appreciated, and we thank you for giving us so much time and help with the many questions we had. As you know, we have spent many holidays in France, all of which have been wonderful, but Le Prielle is without doubt the finest of the gites we have ever stayed at. Simon’s genius in heating the pool allowed us to enjoy many hours lazing and bathing, with the spectacular view, surely one of the most beautiful in France, adding to our enjoyment. The entire area is superb, and we have no hesitation in recommending Le Prielle as the perfect base from which to explore the region. It is certainly a beautiful, magical place and we look forward to seeing you all again. Best regards.” – Andy, Megan, Connor and Scott Graham Scotland. April 2011

“I just wanted to say a big thank you for once again making us feel so welcome during our recent visit. As usual the Gite was immaculately prepared, and being equipped with UK TV and a DVD, what better way to spend a relaxing evening with a glass of Madiran wine, in the comfortable surroundings of La Prielle after a day’s skiing at the nearby Pyrenees! We look forward to seeing you again very soon. This must be our fourth or fifth trip & each one has been great. Thanks!” – Andy Carter, East Grinstead, UK. Jan 2011

“Nous avons passés d’exellentes vacances chez Simon, Paulette, David et Peter. N’allez pas au Prielle si vous aimez le bruit ! C’est un endroit très calme et vraiment magnifique. Au Prielle on se détend, pas de stress. Pour les enfants il ya des jeux, mais c’est surtout la piscine que nos enfants de 8 et 10 ans ont adorés. Les propriétaires sont des gens très gentils, c’est la première année de nos vacances que nous avons été aussi bien accueillis ! Et Paulette fait des repas à tomber par terre !!! En ce qui concerne les visites à faire, ici non ne s’ennuie pas. Merci encore à cette charmante famille de nous avoir si bien accueillis. Et encore félicitations pour tout le travail de rénovation des gites, ils sont magnifiques . (ainsi que la literie).”

– La famille Le Roux de Bretagne. Patrick, Isabelle, Corentin et Jérémy, July & August 2010

“We have just spent 2 fabulous weeks at Le Prielle. Our gite, Le Pigionaire, was very spacious and comfortable with a great shower and a luxurious freestanding bath. Our 7 year old daughter loved all the toys/games and DVDs which were provided by our hosts. It was a real treat for her to feed Paulette’s chickens every day, to hold the recently hatched chicks and to eat freshly laid eggs. We all loved the opportunity to sample fruits (peaches, nectarines, plums) from the orchard. We chose this small complex of gites because we wanted our daughter to be able to have fun playing with other children but be able to have our own space and quiet at times. Le Prielle struck the perfect balance; the courtyard and gardens around the gites were perfect for the children to explore and play safely while the adults relaxed in peace. The biggest hit was the magnificent salt water pool (much nicer to swim in than chlorine), we spent many happy hours in and around the pool in the hot weather. Simon and Paulette’s five very friendly cats made it a real home away from home (although a lot furrier than our boys!). Many thanks to Paulette, Simon, David and Peter. Their knowledge of the local area and inexpensive activities was extremely helpful. They really went out of their way for us, booking activities and accompanying us to help translate on trips,e.g.wine tasting, kayaking, horse riding. Their food and wine recommendations were spot on (the ‘cep omelette’ at Relais D’Aydie was to die for!). They were the perfect hosts, there when you wanted but never intrusive. We won’t forget their delicious meal of local food and wines and an impromptu aperitif by the pool. Paulette’s beautiful painting of a sunset in the vines is hanging in our living room now and is a permanent reminder of a brilliant holiday. We will certainly return and would recommend Le Prielle to our friends and family.”

Freya, Paul and Kirsten Robinson, August 2010

“We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and can’t wait to endure the painful knees again!!! Our family have used this area as a base for our skiing trips for many years, and Le Prielle is a jewel we will treasure and will return to. Set in beautiful countryside with fantastic views towards the Pyrenees, our skiing “home” is a welcome retreat. We especially enjoyed the log burning stove!! Warm, comfortable and with privacy yet you always seem to be available for advice or when questions need answering. Thank you so much for making us feel so at home and making our stay a real pleasure. Beautiful food. Beautiful wine. Beautiful weather. Beautiful skiing. Looking forward to seeing you all again.” – Ian Jo Matt Kirsty Emma, Sussex, UK. Jan 2011

“From the moment we arrived we felt at home with the warm welcome from the Appleby family and the personal atmosphere of the gites. There is plenty to explore in the near and not so near surroundings, or when we felt like just doing nothing there was always plenty to stop us getting bored just hanging around the lovely swimming pool, the courtyard with table tennis table, or just wandering around the woods and grounds. We were five people, ranging from 4 to 74, and every one of us had a great time that we will never forget. We have not visited France often in the past, but now we feel like we’ve found a new home. Paulette and Simon’s efforts and enthusiasm for the gites and the area has certainly paid off. With these wonderful gites in a beautiful surrounding, friendly hosts, and warm baguettes for breakfast, what more could anyone want?!

Neil Boyd, Holland. June 2010

“С момента нашего прибытия мы чувствовали себя как дома с теплом приема семьи Аплби и доброжелательно атмосфера gîtes. Как раз это место где от суеты и от работы можно отдохнуть. Mесто очень красивый, вид прекрасный виноградники кукурузный поля. Всё это славами не передать – надо видеть. Вид из бассейне очень красивыи, я даже оленя видела – уних много бывает там. Мы у них в саду просто наслаждались как все красиво. Не далеко от них много мест интересних – замки, деревня с 16 века, ресторанчики. Это место для всех возростов – нас было 5 человек от 4-х до 74-х – каждый из нас восторге от отдыха. Hикогда не забудем особено мои отец – он был из Абхазии. Мы раньше не часто посещали Францию, но теперь похоже, что мы нашли новый дом. Спасибо большой заотдых!”

– Arsenti, aged 74, Abkhazia. June 2010

“Het was heel leuk vooral ook de ligging van de huisjes met een heel mooi uitzicht over het landschap. Er was veel te doen zoals het zwembad en de schattige dorpjes waar je leuk kon wandelen en bekijken. Al met al het was een relaxte vakantie waar we vast nog een keer terugkomen.”

– Inga, aged 15, Holland, June 2010

“Just a note to say thank you for our holiday at La Prielle, we had a really relaxing time. By the end of the week we could have easily stayed for another. We were so impressed with all your facilities and making us so comfortable, especially the location. I refer to it as my ‘Brgadoon’. Your knowledge of the surrounding area is exceptional. The gite was furnished to such a high standard and the attention to detail was amazing. Thank you again for making our trip to Madiran such a memorable one.We would definitely come back again.”

– Amanda Carter & family, May 2010, East Grinstead

“A lovely restful holiday in a quiet and peaceful location situated in the heart of the Madiran wine area. The gites are delightful and beautifully fitted out to the highest standard, with every amenity,and sun terraces with facilities for having a barbecue. We found the owners to be very friendly and accommodating and we certainly hope to return before long.”

– Mr & Mrs Stockall June 2010

“Nous avons découvert le gite de la grange sur internet qui semblait engageant. Sur place nous n’avons découvert que de bonnes surprises. Qualité du gite en termes d’espace et d’équipements en bonne état. Qualité du site bien perdu en campagne comme on peut le souhaiter pour des vacances ressourçantes. Qualité des équipements collectifs dont une piscine bien placée en terrasse. Qualité de l’accueil en termes de disponibilité et de discrétion. On peut donc souhaiter une bonne réussite à Simon et Paulette Appleby dans leurs entreprises.”

– Bruno Bonheur et Katherine Dieckmann, July 2010

“A great big thank you from all our family for the fantastic week in Le Prielle. We adored the beautiful tranquil surroundings and the gite was just perfect for us. The children loved the swimming pool and other activities which you provided for them and the extra toys and DVDs were very much appreciated. You made us feel so welcome to your home and nothing appeared to be a burden to yourselves. We look forward to visiting Le Prielle again but next time will definitely be staying longer (you have been warned!!!) Keep up the wonderful work and we wish you continued success in the years ahead. All the best.”

– Cormac & Martina Coyle & family, July 2010

« Le Prielle est un charmant coin dans les vignes :calme reposant avec un environnement très agréable ,de magnifiques vues tout autour de la propriété et adapté pour les enfants qui peuvent se promener en toute sécurité. Le gîte est très grand et très bien aménagé, confort idéale pour des vacances reposantes. Et le plus important : les propriétaires Simon et Paulette sont gentils et très accueillants,très prévenants auprès de leurs vacanciers.

En résumé,idéale pour se reposer et recharger ses batteries pour les grands et les petits. »

– La Famille Davis, Aout 2010.

“Le Prielle est un lieu calme et reposant idéal pour des vacances de détente. L’accueil de Simon et Paulette Appleby est très chaleureux. Ils savent être présents quand il faut tout en restant discrets. Les gites sont bien équipés et la piscine, très adaptée aux enfants, donne envie d’en profiter un maximum avec la vue qu’elle offre sur les Pyrénées. Nous avons passé une excellente semaine chez vous. Et vous remercions pour votre chaleureux accueil. Nous avons beaucoup apprécié votre belle piscine, le fait que les draps et linge de maison soient fournis et … la bouteille de Madiran ! Merci encore pour cette paisible semaine. Avec le petit tableau que l’on a rapporté, on ne vous oublie pas !”

– Isabelle et Thierry Adragna; Juillet 2010.

“Nous vous remercions pour le bon accueil et les attentions que vous nous avez réservés durant la location de « la Grange. L’endroit mérite le détour pour les amateurs de nature et tranquillité. Rencontrer du gibier aussi proche de la bâtisse était un moment surprenant et agréable. Les enfants ont apprécié la piscine avec les hirondelles qui virevoltaient pour s’abreuver. Félicitations pour le travail réalisé en si peu d’année et bonne continuation !

A bientôt,”

Colette, Louise, Simon & Yves. Juillet 2010

“My family and I spent a wonderfully relaxing week with our very amiable hosts, Paulette and Simon. The site and accommodation was extremely tidy and clean and well appointed. The pool was the star attraction and we also enjoyed having access to games such as badminton and table tennis which our 8 and 11 year olds played for the first time. Paulette and Simon regularly checked we were OK, giving us plenty of ideas and suggestions of what to do and their information room was full of local guides and leaflets that we could read at our leisure. The location is wonderful – peaceful and quiet, in the middle of the countryside but within easy reach of the highway if you want to explore the region. We would highly recommend this as a place to stay. Hope all is well with you and the boys.”

– Sue Cook, August 2010

“Thanks for being such wonderful hosts during our all-too-brief stay at Le Prielle. Being our first time in the Madiran area, we quite frankly didn’t know what to expect. From the moment we arrived (after programming the location from Google Maps into our GPS that took us right to your front drive), we knew we’d made the right choice. The gite was another pleasant surprise. It was spacious, bright, quiet and very comfortable. A great place for relaxing and enjoying the countryside. Needless to say, we were very pleased indeed when Simon took us round to some of the leading wineries on our first day. We had not heard of Madiran wines (along with their healthy properties) but were duly impressed. Great to find wines that taste so good and are also good for you in the mix. We’ve taken lots of pictures and will be sure to spread the word to our friends at our wine club. Madiran is truly a “must see” destination and we can think of no better place to enjoy it than Le Prielle! Looking forward to seeing you both again soon.”

– Matt & Sheila, October 2010, Canada

“We had a great time at Le Prielle. The Gite itself was absolutely beautiful and is a credit to all the hard work that Simon and Paulette have done over the last few years. The pool is brilliant and the surroundings stunning – we were all agreed that we had not had such a relaxing holiday in a long time and it was definitely the result of the lovely surroundings. Simon and Paulette (and family) were excellent hosts and made our stay extremely comfortable (including a fantastic wine tasting session at local vineyards). All in all, a thoroughly fantastic holiday and a great place to unwind.”

– Paul, Jacqui, Niamh and Ailis, August 2010

” Quel merveilleux cadre que la propriété Le Prielle; Plus d’un hectare de terrain totalement sécurisé pour les enfants au milieu des vignes , une magnifique piscine salée (sans chlore) avec vue sur la vallée, des gîtes qui, s’il ne sont pas luxueux, possèdent tout l’espace et le matériel nécessaire (lave-vaisselle, lave-linge, un barbecue au gaz, un fer et table à repasser, DVD & TV anglais ou français, Wifi…). Les propriétaires, Mr et Mme Appleby, sont extrêmement accueillants et se coupent en quatre pour que le séjour soit agréable. Ils proposent même parfois de les accompagner dans des activités extérieures pour les enfants (kayak, fête au village,…). C’est la deuxième fois que nous allons en vacances à cet endroit et nous avons pourtant l’habitude de ne jamais faire deux fois la même chose. Je trouve personnellement encore plus sympa de louer plusieurs gîtes avec des amis ou avec de la famille. En résumé, un excellent rapport qualité/prix”

– Philippe, Belgique, August 2010

“Simon and Paulette get it just right, offering a warm welcome, help and advice in a very friendly and un-fussy way. The kids absolutely loved the pool!”

– Pete Strauss & Family. August 2009

“Un accueil très chaleureux, simplicité et conviavilté sont les mots qui conviennent à notre sens pour décrire le séjour que nous avons passé à Le Prielle. Des aménagés avec beaucoup de gout, félicitations pour le travail de rénovation effectué. Nous avons apprécié le calme paisible et la beauté du site, d’autant plus que le soleil était de la partie. Vraiment merci pour tout, nous communiquerons sans hésitation votre adresse!”

– Estelle, Manu, Mélanie, Jérémy ‘Aout 2009-09-30

“From the moment we first arrived at Le Prielle Simon and Paulette couldn’t have been more helpful. Not only did they provide an excellent welcoming meal (the home-made pate was delicious) and they were both were more than willing to answer any question that we had. The accommodation was comfortable and spacious with each gite having its own private space. For those with young children, every precaution was made to ensure that not only were the large gardens enjoyable to explore but also safe – such as the fencing and key arrangement for the swimming pool to ensure that young people couldn’t get into harms way. There were also games within the grounds themselves such as table tennis, badminton, a rugby ball with posts etc. Simon and Paulette had a small room where there was an encyclopaedic number of brochures giving information on numerous activities and events taking place during the summer months. This information was extremely helpful in making our stay both informative, relaxing, and on occasions extremely exciting – such as the white water rafting. The quality of the French cuisine in the area was extremely high and not exorbitantly expensive, a definite plus if you want to enjoy the ambience of the French countryside. I would happily recommend Le Prielle as an excellent place to stay whether you like peace and quiet or whether you like to explore the French countryside. Whatever you decide it is guaranteed that Simon and Paulette will do everything to ensure your stay is the best that it can be.”

– Clive Darley & Family, Ipswich. August 2009.

“Un magnifique lieu de repos, de calme et de bonheur où le temps suspend son vol et permet à toute la famille de se poser, de se reposer et de profiter de soi, de sa famille et bien sur de tous les loisirs proposés par Simon et Paulette.

Un lieu de villégiature par excellence qui nous retrouvera prochainement.”

– Vincent, Maëlle, Gautier, Sabine et Eric juillet & aout 2009.

“Nous avons passés d’excellentes vacances dans le gîte de M. et Mme APPLEBY. Ce dernier est spacieux, pratique et calme. Les propriétaires sont acceuillants et disponible. Il y a beaucoup de place pour s’amuser. Les enfants ont a leur disposition plusieurs jeux (badminton, ping-pong, ballon….). La pisicne est très bien et très agréable.”

– Famille GOUTET. Aout 2009.

J’ai passe un agréable séjour dans ce très grand gîte. La température de la piscine est toujours très bonne et l’eau salée est très agréable. Tous vos animaux sont magnifiques j’ai particulièrement aime le lapin, le bélier nain & les 3 petits poussins – les deux jaune & le noir. Votre paon est magnifique et je me suis amusée a donner des surnoms aux chats. A bientôt Solene Lorant 10 ans.

Merci pour ce gîtes Annelle Lorant 8 ans. Merci Simon Lorant 4ans. Fondettes, France

– Juillet & août 2009.

Accueil vraiment charmant, un havre de calme savoureux au milieu d’une région magnifique, où culture et art de vivre sont omniprésents.

Nous avons adoré ! François Wohlhauser SUISSE. July & August 2009.

“Thanks for a thoroughly relaxing week in your idyllic corner of France. Our party of two adults and two pre-schoolers have had a great time. Your setting is beautiful and the recipe of a well equipped gite, large and child friendly pool and gardens, and miscellaneous kiddie toys went down well with all. Our three year old’s favourite activity was blackberry picking in the lane and our toddler was won over by the local pigs! When we managed to get up the energy to venture beyond your lane we thoroughly enjoyed the surrounding towns and vineyards. We hope to visit you again soon.”

– Thomas family, July 2009″

“Nous avons passé une semaine merveilleuse au domaine du Prielle ! Le gite “le chai” est spacieux, confortable et très bien équipé ; Simon et Paulette sont des gens charmants, discrets et attentionnés (surtout pour régler efficacement les problèmes matériels ou d’intendance).La propriété est isolée au milieu des vignes, elle est donc au calme et d’une tranquilité absolue.Les gîtes sont entourés de pré, verger et bien sûr, les vignes. Tout est prévu : table de ping-pong, terrain de badmington, de foot, de rugby (avec le matériel nécessaire – raquettes, ballons.. – à libre disposition), dinette et bac à sable dans la cour pour les petits.La piscine est superbe et aménagée pour tous les âges : pataugeoire et descente en pente douce pour le grand bassin.Enfin, la région est agréable: ballades en montagne, villes(tarbes à 40 km, lourdes à 60 Km, Pau à 40 Km,…) et villages pittoresques, gastronomie du terroir: foie gras du gers (tout près), confits… et vin de Madiran. la semaine est passée trop vite”

– Fabien, Florence, et leurs enfants Adèle (4 ans) et Elise (8 ans)/Aveyron/France. July 2009.

“After years of caravanning the time had come to try something different for our holiday and the idea of staying in a Gite had appealed for a while. So, once we had decided on the region we wanted to visit we set about finding suitable accommodation and very quickly decided that LePrielle, run by Simon and Paulette was the place for us. As first time Gite users and being used to the freedom that a caravan offers we were over the moon as soon as we arrived and saw exactly what Le Prielle had to offer, space! And lots of it.

Not only are all of the Gites very spacious but Le Prielle offers room to breath, with its lovely courtyard, gardens, surrounding vineyards and beautiful nearby villages and towns. The Gites offer every home comfort you could want, but most important for us had a very authentic ‘French’ feel to them thanks to the way that Paulette has furnished them. Having said that if the weather is kind then you would probably want to spend very minute outdoors, as we did, either relaxing in the courtyard, wandering around the gardens or relaxing by the fantastic pool which offers super views. Simon and Paulette are terrific hosts who looked after us very well. They were able to recommend various places to visit, none if which disappointed. Having done the journey to Le Prielle in our two seater sports car and discovering the amazing driving roads in the area, plus the fact that you feel 110% safe at the Gite we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this as an ideal destination for car clubs wanting to visit this part of France. There is no doubt that we will be back at Le Prielle very soon.”

– Nick & Jane Butler, Crowborough, East Sussex. June 2009

“Pour passer un moment à partager des vacances entre plusieurs familles avec enfants, ou en famille seule, ces gîtes sont merveilleux! Spacieux, confortables, pratiques, l’espace de jeux devant les gîtes qui sert aussi de terrasse pour l’aperitif des parents, est vraiment un bonheur.

C’est un endroit très calme mais équipée d’une très belle piscine avec une vue magnifique, jeux pour enfants, badminton, ping pong – personne ne s’ennuit! La piscine mérite une mention speciale car elle est filtrée à l’eau salée, ce qui est très agréable, et surtout elle a un petit bassin pour jeunes enfants.

M et Mme Appleby sont aux petits oignons pour leurs locataires. Leur très belle maison se trouve à un pas mais on ne la voit depuis les gîtes. On peut demander des repas (veranda ou sous la belle étoile) – un grand soulagement pour le jour d’arrivée ou départ aussi. Produits locaux et cuisine de Madame Appleby avec proposition du vin d’un vigneron independant du village. Excellent et on mange à sa faim!

Très bien placé pour les courses aux marchés des villages autour, également pour supermarché. Nous avons découvert cette région de verdure avec plaisir et compris pourquoi les proprietaires ont été suffisament seduits pour s’y installer.”

– Rachal, Florent, family & friends. July 2008

“A big belated thank you again for a wonderful stay with you in Gascony. Having enjoyed our stay so much last year we made the right decision to come back in 08 and see more of the region. The facilities were if anything better this year than last with the excellent addition of the sun facing patio and barbeque to the rear of the ccommodation. Even I had to admit that the new gas barbeques were a lot easier than the old ones although an element of danger was certainly lost. The additional two units also increased the choice of playmates for our children who at ages 10 and 8 are happy to play in the pool and run around in the fresh air rather than being dragged around a local town. Thankfully the market stalls meant that there was always something to keep them happy. Certainly my favourite was Vic where the choice of produce was second to none. Thanks for the recommendation in that regard. The better weather this time also allowed us to make use of the local lake side beaches which proved the idle place to laze around between meals. On the food front, Aydie proved popular again although the 3B’s despite its road side location was worthy of a mention. Still for me a bottle of wine and a table laden with fresh market food is as good as it gets. Many thanks for your hospitality and making it yet again a special holiday. Hope that we will be able to join you again in the not too distant future.”

– Stephen Baylis and Family, York, England

“A keen walking couple, this was our first visit to the Madiran region, looking for rolling countryside, tranquility and hospitable surroundings, we found it in full when we arrived at Le Prielle, the home of Simon, Paulette, David and Peter. The experience exceeded our expectations and proved to be the perfect break from our hectic home life. Our stay included visits to the local restaurants where the excellent art of rustic french country cooking has not been lost and perfectly complimented the fine Madrian wines. An ideal place for couples looking to relax. Within easy reach of the Pyrenees we will return for more GR10 adventures.”

– The Ritchies, May 2009.

“Six of us, 2 couples arriving in classic cars, and the third couple travelling by train, have just spent a lovely week at Le Prielle with Simon Paulette and the boys. Their hospitality was unsurpassed with delightful food and superb local wine. The Gites are well equipped and spacious, and are a credit to Simon and Paulette’s hard work in restoring them. Life in rural France is idyllic, away from traffic and the rat race with only the stress of new hatched chickens to worry about! Trips to Lourdes, Biarritz and St Jean de Luz are within striking distance are well worth visiting. Not to mention the purpose of our visit the Pau Grand Prix. A return visit is definitely on the cards.”

– David and Louise, Sheffield May 2009

“Paulette et Simon riment avec gentillesse, discrétion, tout en étant efficaces et attentifs au moindre besoin exprimé, c’est agréable!

Concernant leurs gîtes : les lieux sont calmes entourés de grands espaces, les enfants peuvent jouer dehors et leurs parents être tranquilles. Les gîtes sont aménagés de l’essentiel et sont agréables à vivre.

Au départ, nous avons choisi cet endroit car nous étions nombreux (16) et que les gîtes d’une aussi grande capacité sont rares à Madiran et ses alentours. Les gîtes correspondaient à nos attentes en terme de confort cuisine extrêmement bien équipée dans un des gîtes et belle pièce à vivre où nous avons pu être tous ensemble.

La région n’a pas été choisie au hasard : chaque année nous faisons une escapade dans une région différente pour rencontrer les viticulteurs et connaître leurs vins. Depuis 9 ans que nous voyageons, c’est une des années où nous avons été le mieux accueilli par les viticulteurs: ils ont tous passé du temps, beaucoup de temps avec nous, et ils ont été passionnés et passionnants … nous en sommes en tout cas ressortis littéralement impressionnés par les blancs de la région (Pacherenc et Jurançon) avec des rencontres de personnages que nous ne sommes pas prêts d’oublier!!

Le petit + aurait été le temps … qui ne nous pas gâté … Je ne vais pas lister nos adresses (sauf si on me les demande!) mais ce séjour a été réellement très réussi … avec un repas entre amis à Segos qui a bien clôturé notre semaine.

Les gîtes ont également bien contribué à notre plaisir!!!!”

– Gaelle, Marjo, Mélanie, Virginie, Stéph, Flo, Didier, Cyr, Fabrice,

Fred, Nico, David, Alain, Guigui, Thomas et Maxime!!!!

Avril 2009.

“Nous sommes un groupe de 11 amis œnophiles de la région de Bordeaux.

avons passés le week-end du premier mai 2009 dans les gîtes «Le Chai » et « La Grange ».

Les gîtes sont spacieux, calmes et agréables à vivre.

L’accueil est fort sympathique et chaleureux. Les petits déjeuners sont copieux.

Bravo aussi pour le dîner : nos hôtes furent très attentionnés.

La région est intéressante à découvrir.

Un bon moment entre amis à recommander … !”

– Avril 2009.

“Nous avons beaucoup apprécié notre séjour chez vous et tout particulièrement votre accueil et votre attention. Un grand merci pour la dégustation d’Armagnac…! Vos gîtes sont très agréables et spacieux. Vous êtes très courageux et vous souhaitons bonne continuation! N’hésitez pas à venir prendre un verre de…Bordeaux (ou plus !) si vous passez près de chez nous.”

– Elisabeth Dumartin et les dix autres amis bordelais.

Avril 2009.

“Nous avons passé des vacances merveilleuses à Le Prielle ! Le gite est spacieux, très confortable, et aménagé avec beaucoup de goût ; Simon et Paulette sont des gens charmants et discrets.

Nous avons été très agréablement surpris à notre arrivée de l’immensité des lieux : les habitations sont entourées de vastes espaces de verdure (pré, verger et bien sûr, les vignes) dans lesquels les enfants ont pu jouer et gambader à leur aise. Tout est prévu pour eux : table de ping-pong, terrain de badmington, de foot, de rugby (avec le matériel nécessaire – raquettes, ballons.. – à libre disposition) , vélos, dinette et bac à sable dans la cour pour les petits.

La piscine est pensée elle aussi pour tous les âges : pataugeoire et descente en pente douce pour le grand bassin.

La propriété est complétement isolée au milieu des vignes, à quelques kilomètres du petit village de Madiran, ce qui lui confère un calme et une tranquilité incontestables.

Enfin, la région est riche d’activités en tous genre : ballades en montagne, océan à 2 heures, villes et villages pittoresques…. et – pour les parents – foie gras du gers (tout près) et vin de Madiran. On ne trouve pas le temps de s’ennuyer!”

– Sabine, Bruno et leurs enfants: Nino (20 mois), Esteban (6 ans) et Josepha (14 ans).

France – Juillet 2008.

“In the same way that Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, my introduction to Le Prielle was completely by accident. I performed the obligatory searches of the region, looking for gîtes that would accommodate a family of 5 and stumbled across Paulette and Simon’s web page. Well, before I even got to the “Dates Available” page, I realised this was the place we would be going to!

We booked a three bedroom gîte and put down our deposit. Booking was very efficient and we had several emails with useful information prior to our arrival. Our accommodation was clean, simply furnished and un-cluttered with lots of space for children and adults to relax. The courtyard outside the gîte is a car-free zone – a marvellous idea which meant that I could quite happily leave my three children wandering about outside without any fear for their safety!

The swimming pool and surrounding gardens are also a delight and just begged to be enjoyed. We spent many hours just relaxing by the pool enjoying the paper, reading a book or just listening to the children messing about in the water. I am not usually a fan of “do-nothing” holidays but there are occasions when doing very little is an absolute must! After a few days we had forgotten about our hectic life of work, meetings, travelling, school runs, play dates and everything else that encompasses the modern UK lifestyle. I found I even had time to enjoy badminton and table tennis with my children – up until then, I didn’t even know I liked table tennis!

For those that are more active, rest assured, there is plenty to do in the surrounding areas and the gîte is stocked with plenty of leaflets for all sorts of activities: museums, restaurants, historical sites, vineyards to name but a few. I would thoroughly recommend Le Prielle to anyone wishing to come to the area; the gîtes are lovely, the restaurants and wines of Madiran are scrumptious and Paulette and Simon are such welcoming hosts!”

– Tom & Summer Brunnings. July 2008.

“Thank you for such a relaxing week – we all had a brilliant time.”

– Michele, Pete, Ross and Joe. July 2008.

“Both Simon & Paulette made my aunts & me most welcome during our stay in September. They took the trouble to make sure we were all comfortable & were very attentive to our needs; their hospitality is second to none!

The gites were well equipped and in pristine condition. Hats off to them both for the renovation of what was a derelict building, and I have seen the changes over the 2 years that I have been visiting Le Prielle.

A perfect area for both young & old to relax and enjoy a peaceful holiday, with plenty to explore. The views from the pool area of the Pyrenees are spectacular.”

– Pat, Rugby. September 2008 and 2007.

A few lines to say how much we enjoyed our 3rd stay at Le Prielle in its quiet attractive setting. We found the accommodation spacious, well equipped, with comfortable beds and even UK TV for a wet day.

Ideally situated in the beautiful countryside within easy reach of the coast, Pyrenees & many place of interest.

The large pool is inviting in the hot summer days. A short drive away we found some excellent restaurants serving good regional food, at very reasonable rates, try Le Relais d’Aydie, not forgetting the wine from the surrounding vineyards.

Our thanks to the hosts for their welcome & kind attention.

– Isabel and party, West Sussex. September 2008, 2007 and 2006.

“What a beautiful & peaceful holiday we had, once again, at Le Prielle. It is lovely to sit & sip tea in such beautiful surroundings, enjoying the warmth & tranquillity.

It’s is such a pretty place & so good for the soul to just be able to wander around the grounds, feed the hens, peacock, turkeys & pheasants.

Thank you once again to you both.”

– Mrs Ursula Robets, Haywards Heath. September 2008, October 2007 and September 2006.

“Le gite le Prielle, nous ne manquerons pas de le recommander ! Paradis des enfants, tranquillité des parents.

En couple, en famille, entre amis, tout est prévu pour que votre séjour soit une réussite.

Accueil chaleureux mais discret de Paulette et Simon, qui ont répondu à tous nos souhaits.

Le gite, est particulièrement bien aménagé, avec goût et confortable.

Nous y avons séjourné 3 jours et ce court séjour, nous a donné l’envie d’y revenir.”

– Josette-Gilles et Daniel – Paris/Seine et Marne – France. Octobre 2008.

“Just a quick email to say thank you very much for your hospitality when we stayed in your gite. The gite was very clean and served us very well for the fortnight.

I particularly enjoyed the FANTASTIC cycling in the area. It was so varied between flat in the wide valleys through gentle undulating hills, along beautiful ridges with stunning views and, the highlight of course, the real challenge of the Pyrenees. And to come back to Le Prielle after a good few hours cycling and to plunge into the pool was a delight!

Your individual attention, taking us round the vinyards for instance, was highly appreciated.

All in all it was one of the best holidays we have had and we would certainly like to return one day. Thanks once again.”

– Anthony Johnson and Harriet Gross

“Many thanks for a really great holiday. The gite was superbly presented and in a really wonderful location. The patio overlooking the vineyard was outstanding.

Visits into the Pyrennes, Biarritz and Lourdes were excellent as was the meal in the local restaurant which completed our week.

Our two teenagers thought that the pool, badminton, table tennis and table football – in the gite were great, but the views and the peaceful location are the main attraction for us.

We would not hesitate to recommend La Prielle to anyone. Thanks again.”

– Jill Nic Cara and Nathan, Mansfield, August 2008

“Le Prielle sits in a stunning location on the ridge above Madiran and enjoys views to the Pyrenees. The gites are spacious and comfortable inside and out. With the addition of a child friendly swimming pool they provide a peaceful and relaxing base to explore the countryside. The Pyrenees mountains are under two hours away so we could cycle up some of the climbs to Cols that feature in the Tour de France, and also enjoyed routes around Le Prielle.

Simon and Paulette have mastered the difficult trick of being readily available to share their extensive knowledge of the area and invisible when you want to relax.

Strongly recommended.”

– Steve and Deb Nicholls. Warwickshire August 2008

“Nous avons trouvé votre gîte parfait pour des vacances familiales reposantes au milieu d’un paysage splendide. Une mention particuliaire pour votre aceuil charmant et la magnifique piscine à l’eau salée (avec pateaugeoire!) Excellente cuisine également. Merci! Nous vous souhaitons une trèsbelle fin d’été, avec nos meilleures salutations.”

– Kristine et Didier Reynaud, Genève. July 2008

“After our visit (May 2007) we can confirm that this is a perfect place to stay if you are looking for a spot to relax either with or without a family. Exactly as described, the Gite was comfortable and well fitted out and the environment altogether peaceful. Simon & Paulette are superb hosts with an excellent knowledge of local foods and wines and have plenty of helpful advice if you are new to the area around Madiran. Le Prielle suited us perfectly and we cannot recommend it too highly.”

– Hugh & Sarah, The Cotswolds.

“We had a very pleasant relaxing stay at Le Prielle. We were staying in the area for a friend’s wedding and the Applebys were most helpful taking us to and from the venue. They even refused to take any money for the petrol! We found the swimming pool was a particularly attractive part of the property – many hours were spent there enjoying the lovely view. Thanks very much to the family for being so attentive – if we were to visit the area again I would have absolutely no hesitation in rebooking the gite.”

Mr & Mrs Thom, Cheshire.

“The Applebys have done a remarkable renovation at Le Prielle, turning an 18th century ruin into charming and spacious accommodations with all the amenities you’d need for a pleasant stay. Paulette and Simon were superb hosts, and were an excellent resource on the area. Don’t miss the pool and the spectacular view. I’m looking forward to a return visit.”

– Ron Blumenfeld, Fairfield, Connecticut

“Cher Paulette et Simon (aussi Peter et David, bien sur), Mon séjour était formidable. J’arrivais chez moi sans problème, et avec tous mes bouteilles !

Merci encore une fois pour votre hospitalité et votre amitié. Bonne chance cet été avec vos clients, et avec les rénovations ! Ma femme était étonnée à voir le photo avant.”

– A la prochaine, Amicalement, Ron

“La Prielle is in an idyllic location amongst the vineyards. The Appleby family are terrific hosts and ensured we had a splendid week. Our city children were delighted and amazed to be collecting eggs, feeding rabbits, catching frogs and visiting new-born goats in the neighbouring farm – leaving their parents free to fully test the health benefits of the local Madiran wine. The gite is fantastically kitted out for children with toys and videos etc. All in all a great holiday.”

– David + Penny Anderson, London

“Beautiful, spacious and well-appointed gites in a courtyard setting in a gorgeous rural area of France. The Applebys are wonderfully helpful with local contacts and recommendations. We will absolutely be back next year.”

– Mr J. Taylor, Saffron Walden.

“We spent a wonderfully relaxing holiday, with the genial Appleby family, in October. With plenty of fine food & wonderful wine to celebrate a family 40th birthday – so all ages were there & were well catered for. I even took my shirt off (a rare sight indeed) and relaxed pottering about in their vegetable patch, which they were more than happy for me to do! There is plenty of space & tranquillity, for large groups such as ours, for everyone to find their own peaceful space & truly relax. A great holiday & we have booked a return this year”

– Mr & Mrs Roden, The Lake District.

“We had the most wonderful stay at La Prielle. It was easy for the family to feel very much at home there. Rebooked already.”

– Mr & Mrs Carter, Sussex.

“Bonjour, Un petit mot simplement pour vous remercier de votre accueil et de votre gentillesse lors de notre ” week-end” . En vous souhaitant beaucoup de reussite et de bonne location……vous avez en main un tres beau site, et, de quoi apporter beaucoup de plaisir aux vacanciers. A une prochaine fois.”

– R Hocede

“We had a wonderfully relaxing and peaceful holiday in late June/early July 2007 at Le Prielle. The gite was perfect for our needs and well-equipped for the our little, 4-year old son with lots of toys provided and a wonderful swimming pool for him to splash around in. The Appleby family were the ideal hosts and often went the extra mile to help us get the most from our time in this idyllic part of rural France.”

“We returned to Le Prielle again in 2008 as we had such a lovely time in 2007. Once again we had a relaxing and tremendously enjoyable time and it’s no surprise to hear that they are already receiving bookings for 2009 and 2010.”

– Steve and Dominica, Ruislip, Middlesex

“Le Prielle is the perfect place for a relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable holiday.Simon and Paulette Appleby are the perfect hosts, there if you need them but invisible if you don’t. Nothing is too much trouble for them and their knowledge of the area means that they are able to recommend the best places to eat and visit. As it happens the best meal we ate on holiday was cooked by Paulette and Simon, agreed by prior arrangement for a special wedding anniversary.The location is perfect to enjoy the tranquility of the rural French countryside but also with plenty of interesting places to visit close by which would suit all family members. The gites are beautifully clean and very comfortable with plenty of games and DVD’s for children of all ages. The pool is a fantastic addition to the property and is excellently maintained. As a family of 7, at the gites, the pool and the Madiran area meant there was something for everyone and we all had a lovely holiday and one which we would thoroughly recommend.”

– Bob and Jackie Warren, Nottinghamshire, July 2007

“Without doubt one of the most relaxing and memorable holiday that the family has enjoyed in years.

The accommodation was clean and comfortable and was supplied with many extras particularly for the children (Emily 9 and Olivia 7) which kept them busy even when the weather was not going to script.

The hosts the Applebys could not have done more to help my whole family make the most of our stay. Paulette seemed to have the measure of all the local restaurants and directed us to those which suited our criteria.St Mont and Aydie were both hits with good quality local cuisine. As recommended by Paulette the cep omelet is to die for.

Further a field the deer park serves a good lunch and allows you to feed some of the still walking versions of the game after you have eaten your fill. Feeding the wild boar (of which there must have been 50) including the adorable stripped youngsters was the highlight.

Where Paulette did not have the answer to hand she went out of her way to help and organised a very successful mornings pony riding for the children.

All of the Appleby family made us very welcome without intruding on our family time.

Our children were particularly grateful to David and Peter, the Appleby’s children, for the Go Kart demonstration. Equally I know that the children derived much pleasure from more gentle pass times such a toad hunting and just splashing around in the stunning pool. The view from the pool across to the Pyrenees justifies the stay at Le Prielle alone.

In terms of things to do in the area there is plenty to see and do even if the weather means that the pool is off limits. The first week of the two was a bit on the wet side. This forced us to explore. If you are looking for low impact, low tech attractions (which I prefer) there is plenty to do.

We all enjoyed our day at the local Camel farm which can be found just off the main road. It‘s not every day that you get to dance with a pig!

Visit the place and you will see what I mean! Combined with a basic but very tasty and enlightening lunch at the le Routier transport cafe you have a full and pleasurable day.

In addition there are plenty of towers to climb, markets to visit and just beautiful views of the countryside to enjoy.

The Highlight for me, however, was the Course Landaise – Bull fighting, of a sort, but where the competitors show their skill by avoiding the bull rather than putting it to the sword. We happened upon the student contestants taking part in a local event where the bull clattered the cleary very brave, but also probably mad, Matador on at least one in 3 passes. For a man who likes his rugby I have to take my hat off to these guys. This is a tough sport.

I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending LePrielle to any one who wants to explore this region of France or even any one who just wants a fantastic holiday.”

– Stephen Baylis and Family, York, England

“We spent a most pleasant and relaxing week at Le Prielle during August 2007 as part of a larger family group. The accommodation is spacious and characterful and is located in a particularly attractive part of rural France and with a glorious view of the surrounding countryside. The excellent swimming pool was greatly enjoyed, as were facilities for badminton and table tennis. There are also some fine walks and interesting villages and buildings not far off. But perhaps most important of all was the way that we were made to feel entirely at home by hosts who were friendly and attentive without ever being intrusive. We would have no hesitation in rebooking should we visit the area again.”

– Michael and Sandy Bonnett, Cambridge

“.. We cannot say how much we enjoyed our holiday at Le Prielle. Paulette and her family have put their hearts into making this work and it shows. We felt welcome but not intruded upon, whilst being able to mix in with all that was around. They are a font of knowledge on the local area and wines!We went on holiday but ended up having a complete break from it all. The children have told us we’re going back and we couldn’t agree more. Thank you, we’ll see you next year!..”

– Stephanie Powell & Family, Hereford. August 2007

“Thank you so much for your hospitality, you really made us feel at home.

You have a beautiful property. The gites are very well equipped and the children really enjoyed going through the books and toys that were there. They also had a great time in the pool, running around in the garden, playing with the cats and feeding the hens. We all enjoyed the evening walks, and of course the badminton and table tennis games.

You also had a lot of information on anything that was to see or to do in the area and as far as the Bearn and the Pays Basque. It was very useful to organize our daily tours.

Did I forget to mention the wine? Very good indeed! Sorry for all the empty bottles we left behind.

I am sure that you will have many more visitors and that they will all have a great stay at Le Prielle.”

– The Bonnett and Tonnellier families, South Korea & Bordeaux.

“Le Prielle is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy this beautiful part of France. The Gite itself is in a tranquil setting, in a lovely rural part of the French countryside, a car is required to explore the vineyards and chateaux of the region. Simon and Paulette provided lots of information about places to visit. They are very welcoming people who want you to enjoy your time with them. The pool is in a lovely part of the garden with wonderful views of the countryside. We had a perfect holiday here. “

June & Ian Abernethy, September 2007