French Property News – August 2019

http://www.completefrance.com August 2019 French Property News 33

LOCATION

Athos-Aspis close to Sauveterre-de-Béarn.
Porthos, meanwhile, was very loosely based on
one Isaac de Porthau while Aramis, namely
Henri, Seigneur d’Aramitz, was the third black
musketeer from Béarn.
It was the latter’s uncle, the Comte de
Troisville, captain of the Musketeers of the
Guard, who called him together with his
cousins Athos and de Porthau to Paris, based
on their reputation for swordsmanship. It was
there they met the Comte d’Artagnan, which
led to a story ripe for plundering and
embellishment by Alexandre Dumas’ pen!
According to Dumas’ story, d’Artagnan is not
able to join the elite group of Musketeers
immediately after he leaves home to travel to
Paris. However, he befriends the three most
formidable musketeers of the age, the so-called
‘three inseparables’ and has many adventures
along the way, as well as getting involved in
affairs of the state and court in the early part of
the 17th century. Great fun and pure escapism!
Today you can still follow the trail of these
musketeers as they sped throughout France –
d’Artagnan is even included in the statuary
surrounding the Dumas memorial in Paris as
well as in Auch in Gers and at Maastricht.
But, as with all Dumas’ stories, it’s the energy
and pace as well as humour which are so
entrancing even today. An English playwright
who knew Dumas in later life described him as
“the most generous, large-hearted being... the
most delightfully amusing and egotistical
creature,” adding that “his tongue was like a
windmill – once set in motion you never knew
when he would stop, especially if the theme
was himself!”
Alexandre Dumas, it seems, was one great
storyteller for all of us.

Back where it all started

The Three Musketeers all came from the

region around Sauveterre-de-Béarn in the

Pyrénées-Atlantiques – not far from Athos-

Aspis – and it’s here where the most charming

blue painted home awaits new owners.

Adjacent to a magnificent château in the heart

of a vibrant medieval village, this 18th-

century gem is immaculate, beautifully

presented and retaining many original

features. Accommodation is spread over three

floors, living areas on the ground floor, four

generous bedrooms upstairs and an enormous

games room on the top floor. There’s a

beautiful town garden awash with summer

roses, plus ample parking, a garage,

underfloor heating and all modern necessities

• an enchanting place to live.

€199,499

€150,000

Béarn at its best

Built in 1708, this delightful village house is

set around an inner courtyard, ensuring

privacy, but there’s also a super flat garden

ideal for a swimming pool. Close to the

centre of Précilhon, a typical Béarnaise

village just five minutes from the medieval

riverside town of Oloron-Ste-Marie, it has

high gates opening onto the courtyard. A

staircase leads up to an open gallery typical

of this region, which gives access to one of

four bedrooms and the upper floor of the

barn. The house is charming and spacious, and

the bedrooms all have lovely countryside

views. Close your eyes and you can imagine the

musketeers clattering into the courtyard here

on horseback. Today there’s potential to create

rental accommodation in the barn – perhaps a

gîte – and it’s ideally placed to explore both the

coast and ski resorts.

Getty Imahe/iStcok photo