Mascaret Garden Home

CLEAN & COZY, with natural light & airflow. Next to the Gare St Jean train station (5 min), shops, grocery store, pharmacy. Mascaret Garden Home is perfectly situated for discovering Bordeaux, and for daytrips by train to the ocean and countryside! Enjoy relaxing in the organic garden with a glass of organic Chateau Jaugeret Bordeaux wine -- Our gift to you!

*5-7 nites. SPECIAL OFFER: 1 week (7 nites) => One nite free (-14%) for Ecobnb guests!!

THE SPACE IS PERFECT for meditation and yoga, writing and art, creative cooking, or just relaxing in a Zen haven of green biodiversity in the city! It is truly our home, and not a business run by a concierge. Ideal for artists, university professors, students, couples on a romantic getaway, friends & families, business travelers. The entire apartment and garden is yours to enjoy: I like to greet my guests at check-in, then I'm available if needed. Key box for late night check-in, and check-out.
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WHAT MAKES THIS SPACE UNIQUE?
Our home was built in 1900 in the Biarritz Style as a weekend home. The historical architectural style includes hand-sculpted “rocaille” vines and trees. When we bought the Mascaret home in 2007, it had been neglected for years. The latest renovations of Mascaret Garden Home have been: Redoing the terrace, and restoring the hand-crafted “rocaille” by a historical "Compagnon" artisan.

The Story of the Rue du Mascaret:
“Mascaret” is the word for the Atlantic Ocean “reflux tide” at the Spring & Fall Equinox, when the moon’s pull makes the tide flow upriver in a mini tidal wave. It’s a popular local event to watch surfers ride the Mascaret Tide from the shores of the Garonne River.

Now Certified Ecological:
The Mascaret home is now an “eco-lodge” and All Natural & Organic Products Showroom -- The renovation has been in the spirit of eco-construction, and the garden and cleaning products are all 100% certified organic and bio-degradable. We offer a complimentary bottle of organic Bordeaux wine from Château Le Jaugueret (or other) as our gift to you -- not available in stores. If you like, you can purchase a bottle to take home.

The Space:
The 50m2 (450 sq ft) 2 bedroom apartment has been renovated simply and in good taste. It’s naturally warm in winter and cool in summer with “French air conditioning” -- thick insulated walls, and keeping windows/shutters closed on hot summer days (no artificial air conditioning, but some mosquitos). In winter, the inertia electric radiator provides economic, cozy heating. With windows front and back, there is good airflow and natural light.

The Mascaret Garden:
The natural garden 80m2 (720 sq ft) is a delight all day long, and in the evening for "apero" cocktails and dinner in the garden, since the sky stays light long after sunset.
The organic natural garden has never known pesticides or chemical fertilizers. We've improved the soil year by year with compost, letting endemic "weeds" flourish -- a haven for birds and insects. You'll be amazed at the variety of wildlife -- We recently spotted a Peregrine Falcon! You are welcome to use the aromatic herbs and edible flowers in cooking or to make sachets. You'll enjoy relaxing in the peaceful garden with a glass of organic wine at the end of the day!
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GUEST ACCESS:
Upstairs neighbors: The 2nd floor apartment is rented year round. In spite of the phonic insulation between floors, you may hear some noise from upstairs. The main entrance is the garden gate to the street, through the garden to both apartments. The garden and patio on the ground floor are reserved for people staying in the ground floor apartment, as well as the tiny courtyard in back.
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EQUIPEMENT & PRODUCTS --
You've guessed... Everything in our home is 100% natural & organic !

LIVING ROOM:
WiFi fiber high speed internet, work/dining table, small HD flat screen television with 40 channels, 4 wooden chairs, couch and cushions, electric economic inertia radiator.

KITCHEN:
Savon du Marseille hand soap, sponges and dish brush, organic liquid dishwash, linen tea towel, hand towel, oven mitts. Natural gas stove & electric oven, refrigerator with freezer, electric kettle, Moulinex coffee maker. Everything needed to cook fine meals; place settings for 4 people. Mugs, glasses, wine glasses.

Help yourself to the organic products: olive oil, vinegar, mustard, ethical coffee, herbal teas, sugar & powdered milk, sea salt & pepper, aromatic herbs. Biodegradable cleaning products; Eco-Planète paper towels; paper napkins.

BATHROOM:
Organic products : Hand soap; lemon shower gel & shampoo; bath cleaning products; Eco-Planète toilet paper. Hair dryer; first aid kit; cotton bath mat.

LAUNDRY SPACE:
Clothes washer & dryer Class A; clothes line; biodegradable organic washing soap; white vinegar (softener). Steam iron, ironing board, lavendar spray mist.

BEDS:
The Ikea double beds are 140 x 200 cm, with firm, comfortable Ikea foam mattresses. This is a standard French double bed size, more narrow than Queen size. The pillows are organic recycled foam or feather/duvet. 4 pillows for each bed.

BED LINENS & TOWELS:
We furnish high quality linens in 100% cotton and 2 towels for each person, maximum 4 adults. No wash cloths (they wear out too quickly). Choose between natural wool blankets or synthetic comforters for each bed. Four beach towels; 2 beach bags. Extra pillows, blankets, towels.

FOR A GREAT VISIT, we have provided:
Bordeaux City Maps, Maps of the Bordeaux/Aquitaine region, a House Notebook with: House Rules, Information about Bordeaux, Activities, Daytrips, Emergency Phone Numbers.

DEBORAH & PATRIK's BEST ADDRESSES:
Our Fave Top Restaurants, 10 Things to Do & Must-Sees in Bordeaux.
Our favorite books & magazines in English & French.

HOUSE RULES:
In accordance with French law, the host may verify the identity of guests by requesting official identity card and/or passport.
SMOKING outside on the patio overlooking the garden is accepted.
No barbecues. No parties or loud music. No animals. Quiet time after 10 pm during the week; 12 midnight weekends.
Maximum 4 adults can sleep in the apartment; up to 4 evening guests permitted.
When leaving for the day, please make sure windows and shutters are closed, and front door and garden gate are securely locked.
If you break or damage something, let us know BEFORE leaving the apartment.

SECURITY:
Smoke detector in the living room. First aid kit in the bathroom. Emergency numbers with Pharmacy (Covid test) and SOS Medecin are listed in the House Manual. We (or a trusted friend) will be available day & night by phone in case of problems.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE:
Please respect our apartment with an eco-responsible spirit -- and treat it as you would a friend's home:
Leave the space “Broom Clean”: Light cleanup, leave sheets on beds.
Take out trash and recyclables; Use the composter bin.
Please use the bio-degradable cleaning products provided.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Your reservation means that you accept and agree to the House Rules. Non respect of House Rules may mean billing of one extra night, or use of the Security Deposit in case of damage.

Thank you!
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BELCIER / GARE ST JEAN TRAIN STATION NEIGHBORHOOD:
The neighborhood is a lively mixture of old and new, in transition. Quartier Belcier is in back of the Gare St Jean train station, traditionally a residential neighborhood with green spaces, schools, shops, cafés & restaurants, now also demolished houses and multiple construction sites.

Yes, there are prostitutes and immigrants, but this does not make it dangerous, and women can walk safely alone late at night. We would like the situation to improve, but for the moment "c'est comme ça"! The neighborhood is peaceful in the daytime, more lively at night with nearby nightclubs and their clients. Happily the apartment is insulated with double glazed windows, so your sleep won't be disturbed.

NOTATION OF THE PLACEMENT/ NEIGHBORHOOD:
Please note that if you stay at the Mascaret Garden Home, and then you give a poor rating (4*) on the location, WE WILL BE PENALIZED IN OUR OVERALL RATING, as if it was our fault! So if this kind of lively mixed neighborhood offends you, please don't come!
Thank you for your understanding.
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GETTING AROUND - DAYTRIPS - PARKING:

NEXT TO THE GARE ST JEAN TRAIN STATION (5 min walk) with: Train, tramway, Airport Shuttle, car & bike rental. Tourist Information Center inside the train station.
Nearby grocery store with organic products, restaurants, pharmacy (7 min walk). It’s easy to get to the historical Old City of Bordeaux by tramway (5 min walk + 7 min tram), bike (15 min), or by walking along the Garonne River Walkway (25 min). Bordeaux is unusual for a large city in that the city center is concentrated, and therefore very walkable.
Total: 12-25 minutes from Mascaret Garden Home to the historical Old City.

ENJOY THE ECOLOGICAL FRENCH TRAINS WITH 2 FABULOUS DAYTRIPS:
1) To the celebrated wine village of St Emilion (34 min by train);
2) To the beautiful resort village of Arcachon (and/or Dune de Pyla, Lacanau) on the Atlantic Ocean (40 min by train). Especially beautiful in off-season (even winter) with no tourists!

BIKE TRIPS - DAY HIKES: From Mascaret Garden Home -- Rent VTT bikes in town, or start hiking -- easy access to bike and hiking trails directly from the house.

PARKING: No free parking in front of house. Paid street parking, parking building nearby. Limited free parking (not guaranteed) on Quai Paludate. (See photos + map)