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La Casa Francesa Holiday Apartment, Sierra Nevada, Spain
La Casa Francesa has been recently restored and retains many original features such as chestnut beams and a stone feature wall. Built into the rock behind the property, it is refreshingly cool in the heat of summer and stays warm during winter.
Situated on the edge of the village in one of the oldest barrios (areas), it benefits from being close to shops, bars and restaurants but also has stunning, uninterrupted views towards Sierra de Gador and across the Contraviesa to the sea. The private south-facing terrace is ideal for ´dining ál fresco´ or sipping sundowners after a hard day lazing by the pool. The interior offers cool and comfortable accommodation with 1 double bedroom, a shower-room with hydro shower, kitchen with all modern appliances and large split level sitting and dining area. A double sofabed means the apartment can comfortably sleep 4.
The pool has a bbq, spaces with sun and shade, a pergola and fabulous dining table made from the house´s original front door. The land has some organic french vines, vegetable beds and we have just planted the first trees of our planned orchard by the chicken coop. This summer´s project is to create a Boules court behind the BBQ; we already have the Boules, which is a start.
La Alpujarra are a string of white villages threading through the Sierra Nevada National Park, each with their own identity and have inspired writers and artists throughout history; Gerald Brennan wrote ´South from Granada´whilst living in nearby Yegen. The area has more indigenous wildflowers than any other European region and we often see Golden Oriels, Booted Eagles and Gosshawks from the terrace.
Valor is a typical ´pueblo blanco´with white-washed houses and geranium-laden balconies; where you will often see farmers heading off to work on mules along with a goat or two. Famous as the birthplace of Aben Humeya who led a Moorish revolt against the Christians in 1569; the event is celebrated every September in a wonderful 3 day Fiesta - the highlight being a mock battle complete with Castle in the church square, the villagers dressed in traditional costumes and the best fireworks outside Sydney!
There are several bars and a couple of good restaurants where you can sample the local specialities. You will receive a free tapa with an alcoholic drink and a walk around the village at lunchtime cetainly beats cooking. There is also a bank with cash machine, 2 small supermarkets, a bakery and a pharmacy. The larger town of Ugijar is 10 minutes drive away and has a couple of bodegas, for that all important local wine, and many more shops.
Valor is on the GR7 so there are many walks in and around the village for all levels of fitness. For the experienced and adventurous try Mulhacen above Capiliera which is the highest mountain in Spain at 3,478m.
La Casa Francesa and Valor are the perfect place for walking, cycling, painting, photography, writing, birdwatching, astronomy . . or just relaxing.
For more information on this holiday apartment, please click on the contact links above and below
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