Eco-cottage with pool in the natural retreat of the early Pyrenees

The house is surrounded by exuberant nature, all very pretty, and the cottage entrance is via a walled, lawned garden with a pub-bench dining table and colourful plants (different ones blooming according to the season), a lovely outdoor spot for meals. The garden is also a secure place for keeping a dog, this being one of our pet-friendly properties.

The Catalan couple who owns the property occasionally come to stay in the larger house behind the cottage, so we don’t offer it as a completely private place, although your privacy is of course very much respected. Otherwise, if you need anything, the friendly caretaker lives just a few km away.

The holiday home itself has been featured in Country Home magazines as a characteristic example of a Catalan Pyrenees dwelling which combines traditional materials with a modern sensibility towards the environment. The house suits the alpine atmosphere, comfortable but not luxurious – expect comfy sofas and beds, even dressing gowns for adults, but no delicate touches or carpets – above all it's ideal for those who want to delve into the exciting nature which is all around you here.

There is solar power and a conscientious use of electricity is encouraged, although the system is powerful enough to run a washing machine (although it cannot run hot water programs, only cold). There’s an oven, fridge, 4-ring hob and all you need to cook meals for seven people, but no microwave or dishwasher. A low-wattage hairdryer is provided but no electrical entertainment items. You’re properly off the beaten track here: a sideways shift on the map which shows the Boi Valley (a world heritage site with the Boi Taull ski resort) towards Andorra. Smugglers used to make their way past here from France.

There's 3G coverage that usually allows smart phone users to connect to internet, otherwise drive to Coll de Nargó for WiFi, or Tremp, where there's a cybercafé and a municipal centre with internet.

The natural entrance is through the garden to a spacious old dining room with large windows – just right for keeping an eye on children, if need be – and tremendous views of the wooded mountains. Old stable implements adorn the stone walls and rusticity in stone and wood is evident from the word go.

Appropriately enough, the kitchen communicates with the dining room on the ground floor. Up a flight of wooden stairs, a living room with sofas and a glass-fronted fireplace is a very agreeable place to sit around and read, chat and relax.

Young children love it up in their "play-and-bedroom" under the eaves, and most can manage the protected wood stairs up to the attic room, although we don't recommend it for toddlers due to the verticality of the steps up to this room.

Each bedroom, as well as the living room, has its own woodburning stove and firewood is included in the rental. 

In the summer, you can enjoy baking heat.

Active families will be in their element here. Rafting and canoeing can be arranged locally and below a Roman bridge you can swim in the river. It really is very picturesque. An hour by car takes you to the National Park of Aigues Tortes, an area of outstanding natural beauty, or to Andorra, a shopper’s paradise.

The Roman heritage of the area is to be found in a surprisingly good state of preservation and there are excellent examples of popular architecture, churches and medieval bridges.