In the 1980s, Serge Blanco was an elegant rugby player responsible for some of the most glorious moments in the history of the French national team. Today, this fan of sport and gastronomy owns the unspoilt, romantic Château de Brindos, where Sir Reginald Wright, an influential English senator, hosted tea dances in the 1930s. The château stands next to the largest private lake in France, a huge mirror, where water lilies meet mallards and a light nostalgic mist is floating in autumn. This is the perfect place for peaceful strolls and romantic stays, enjoying the gentle way of life of the Basque Country.