Papilio

We usually come to France for summer holidays, but this house and its host were just ace. We could unwind in a clean, spacious house with lovely views down the valley. The owner lives next door and was so helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. She and her daughter made us feel incredibly welcome, while also being considerate. I'd happily recommend them and the house.

The house itself was comfortable and had a nice view, but it wasn't worth the price. We weren't given toilet paper, towels, or cleaning basics like dish soap and a broom. There were ants in the kitchen, plumbing problems, and the hostess's dog was an issue for one of us because of an allergy. If you stay, I'd strongly suggest having a car. The nearest shop is about a 30-minute walk, and there are a lot of expenses. We were also unhappy with the hostess and house manager, who were rude when we tried to get our money back, calling one guest petulant and a “silly child.” The hostess wanted us to pay cash outside Airbnb, gave us house rules and then contradicted herself several times, and said the house was dirty when we left. She kept €100 that had been explicitly set aside for the damage deposit, even though nothing was broken.

Papilio would make an ideal Pyrenees holiday house. We had 11 people and were all comfortable. The house has views from every room, ensuite bathrooms throughout, and the best water pressure I've ever experienced, along with the lovely soft Luchon water. There's a huge garden with plenty for kids to do, plus off-street parking. A car is needed for the excellent supermarkets and Luchon market, both a short drive away. The nearby villages of Juzet de Luchon and Montauban are lovely to stroll to. Mountains surround the house, and you can hear goats grazing, cows, sheep, and the occasional rooster in the middle of the day. We even ate outdoors in winter. It's a beautiful house in an extraordinary setting.

We're staying in Papilio now and having a fabulous time. The house is beautiful, well maintained, and nicely decorated, and the garden is great for two families sharing a summer holiday. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to other families. Marni has been wonderful. She's helped with restaurant bookings and ideas for activities with the kids, brought extra sun-loungers, and even called the emergency vet when our dog hurt his leg. She makes sure we're settled while still giving us space. The garden is shared, which was clear from the start and has been normal in our past stays at French Gites. Marni and her daughter use just a small corner of the huge garden. She comes over to say hello, then leaves us to ourselves for the rest of the day and evening. It's a bit of a walk to the town centre, but we prefer the mountain views from here. I don't understand the petulant reviews from a run of dubious accounts, Tom Cruise? Really?!