Muddy Stilettos

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



Need to prise those teens and tweens away from their screens and reclaim a slice of proper, old-school family time? Somewhere the sun reliably shines, the beaches are long and golden, and the only scrolling involves checking the surf report? We’ve found just the ticket: a chic-but-easy stay in Moliets, south west France, with<a href="https://www.summerfrance.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Summer France</a>.



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Tucked along the Landes coast (that’s the French Atlantic coast between Gironde (Bordeaux) and the Basque) Moliets sits just down from the buzzy surf hubs of Hossegor and Biarritz, yet feels wonderfully under the radar. Here you’ll find vast swathes of soft Atlantic sand, proper rolling waves, and fragrant pine forests laced with cycle paths, and barely an English tourist in sight.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



Moliets is where the French decamp for their active summer holidays. Think Devon or Cornwall, but with sunnier skies, warmer water (well, a bit), and better croissants. Days revolve around the outdoors: morning surf sessions, family bike rides through the forest, long lazy lunches, then back to the beach for sunset.



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Moliets may be French coastal, but the relaxed and low-key kind rather than glitzy. More sandy toes and salt-tangled hair than designer kaftans, but also anything goes so wear yours if you like! Teenagers can roam between beach, boulangerie and ice-cream shack with a refreshing degree of freedom, while parents can actually switch off. There’s a gentle, wholesome energy to the place: surf schools, golf, tennis, markets, forest adventures, and no pressure to do anything. We recommend cracking open a chilled rosé (while it is not the most famous area for wine, there are decent ones made locally).&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pillow-talk">PILLOW TALK</h2>



We stayed at the <a href="https://www.summerfrance.co.uk/holiday-rentals/france/aquitaine/moliets/villas-la-clairiere-aux-chevreuils/?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Villas La Clairière aux Chevreuils</a>, just a short cycle ride from the main beach and golf course. These villas have between three to five bedrooms; the larger villas sleep up to 12 people, and are designed to blend in with the woodland and natural surroundings. Cleverly designed so that there is plenty of privacy in the villa itself, perfect for larger groups of more than one family, or intergenerational holidays.



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Each villa has a private pool, terrace and garden. Outdoor tables are big enough so seat everyone for dinner, with a well-designed roof for shade without feeling covered. Think comfortable and well-thought out rather than super-luxe; all the rooms have doors out to the private garden which is not overlooked, and the pool with loungers and sun-shades is extremely inviting.



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If you&#8217;re in a smaller group, or have different needs, Summer France have a variety of villas on their books, for all sizes and budgets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



Our villa was brilliantly set up for proper, stress-free self-catering. From the non-negotiable&nbsp; dishwasher and washing machine (essential with sandy teens), and an enormous fridge-freezer ready to be stocked with rosé, ice cream and market haul, there was even all the kit you’d need to BBQ and cook outside by the pool, which is exactly how summer evenings in south-west France should be done. Let’s be honest, French supermarkets are always part of the holiday fun. Even a quick dash for milk somehow turns into a trolley full of Comté, saucisson and pastries “for later”.



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If you don’t fancy self-catering, Moliets is full of great places to eat. Expect a mix of French classics and international crowd-pleasers (yes, there are pizzas and burgers to keep the teens happy). Refreshingly, menus are largely in French, which only adds to the sense that you’re somewhere properly local rather than a British beach enclave.



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We liked Café de la Plage for post-beach suppers right by the dunes (relaxed, buzzy and perfect for moules, salads and barefoot sunset drinks), Billy’s for easy, no-fuss pizza and burgers, Le Meltin&#8217; when we wanted something lively and sociable (tapas, grilled meats and cocktails in a fun, beachy setting) and Un Singe en Hiver for a more classic French brasserie feel, with good wine and a proper sit-down family dinner on the village square, with bonus excellent live music once the plates had been cleared away. There may even have been dancing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spa">SPA</h2>



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Villas come with their own private pool, a total game-changer with teens and tweens. Take an early-morning dip while they’re still asleep, relax without battling for a sun lounger with a glass of wine during the golden-hour, and everyone can relinquish their phones if you remember to pack the pool floats. We found it hard to get the tweens out of the pool once they were in, which meant plenty of reading time.



If you do fancy a little spa time, Sourceo at Dax (30 min drive), a popular spa and aquatic wellness centre, offers two-hour entry to indoor/outdoor pools with water jets plus saunas, hammam and jacuzzis.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about-nbsp">OUT &amp; ABOUT&nbsp;</h2>



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Activity wise, it’s all about getting everyone moving, and trying fun sports alongside your kids. The beauty of Moliets was that everyone can get involved and there is something really joyous about the whole family trying something new together.



First up, ditch the car and hire bikes. We rented ours from Vélos du Golf and used them for everything from cycling to dinner to exploring miles of pine-scented cycle paths linking beach and village and the nearby lake (with handy café for refuelling ice-creams and wine). For an even easier option, Summer France can organise delivery of the bikes to the villa.



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Our next stop was <a href="https://adrenalineparc.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adrénaline Parc</a> for treetop trails and high-energy adventures that genuinely push the whole family out of their comfort zone. If you don’t make it past the first platform, I won’t tell – the teens were, predictably, far braver, but crucially, everyone had a go and we bonded in a way we might not have done.



For something gentler, paddle shaded waterways with <a href="https://www.cotelandesnaturetourisme.co.uk/offers/canoe-land-saint-michel-escalus-en-2210743/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canoe Land</a>, where you can meander along the river in a single or double canoe. Water fights and impromptu races entirely optional (but highly likely). This is also where you can get a lovely photo en famille, as they have a photographer stationed on the bank.



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Another day we had a fun morning catching waves in the rolling Atlantic surf. Book lessons with <a href="https://www.ecoledesurfdugolf.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Golf Surf School</a> on the main beach; all kit is provided, and they cater for complete beginners as well as those dreaming of being the next Caroline Marks. 



If your teens &#8211; or adults &#8211; fancy swapping surfboards for something slightly more sedate, tee off (or take a lesson) at the beautifully set <a href="https://www.golfmoliets.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golf de Moliets</a>, where fairways roll between forest and ocean. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, the course is a must for golfers, with friendly pros and excellent facilities. There’s also a family-friendly 9-hole course, ideal for practicing skills or playing a shorter round.



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Other activities include horse riding in Messanges or stand-up paddleboarding on the nearby lake Azur. Summer France can pre-book your surf lessons or rentals and deliver bikes/e-bikes directly to the villa.



ACCESSIBILITY



Moliets and the villas are surprisingly accessible for families with mobility needs. Many of the main beaches have boardwalks and ramps, making sand and sea access easier for wheelchairs or pushchairs.&nbsp;



Villas are thoughtfully designed with ground-floor bedrooms, wide doorways, and step-free access to terraces and pools, allowing everyone to enjoy the space comfortably.&nbsp;



THE MUDDY VERDICT



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Moliets is charming with low-key, safe vibe. A place where parents can genuinely switch off while their kids do the same &#8211; you’ll return refreshed and full of the joys of French living.



Good for: Families with teens and tweens, multi-generational groups, those craving active holidays, outdoor lovers.



Not for: Groups of late-night partying adults or those seeking an urban vibe might be better in one of the towns.



The damage: A week stay at Villas la Clairière aux Chevreuils costs from £2,606 / £217 pp based on 12 sharing a premium villa, including private parking and a welcome hamper.



GETTING THERE



Fly direct from London Stansted to Biarritz (year round) or London Gatwick to Biarritz cost from £72 pp return with EasyJet. Other options include arriving at Bordeaux or Bilbao airports or Dax train station (direct high-speed train (TGV) from Paris and a connection to Eurostar, and then a transfer to Moliets.



<a href="https://www.summerfrance.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">summerfrance.co.uk</a>



Words: Rachel Buchanan

Review: Family-friendly villa in Moliets, south west France

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