Castelnau-Montratier holiday farmhouse rental with walking, log fire, balcony/terrace, internet access, telephone, rural retreat

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La Borde Basse (farmhouse)

Home description

This old farmhouse was built in 1834 of the local Quercy white stone (which has given this area of the southern Lot its name of Le Quercy Blanc). We bought and modernised the house in 1987, and have been updating and improving it more or less ever since.

The house, with the barn and 5m x 10m walled pool, sits in 9 acres of garden, woodland, meadow and orchard on the flank of a little valley with amazing views to the South and West. The position is very peaceful, without being isolated, and there is plenty of room for children to enjoy themselves.

Other than an occasional tractor or the odd car in the distance this is pretty much a traffic-free zone, and you'll probably only hear the sound of birds and crickets, and - for a short time in the evenings – a chorus of mating frogs! La Borde Basse is the perfect antidote to a hectic life.

It is ideal for big family groups of mixed ages (lots of quiet shaded corners for those who want a break from the scrum), but it is just as nice if you're a smaller party, and you won't rattle around if there are only a few of you.

La Borde Basse	The pool, with the barn and games room on the left
Long lazy lunches on the terrace under the vines	Plenty of space in the comfortable sitting room

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/100351

The Midi-Pyrenees / Lot region

This region stretches from the tightly wooded valleys of the northern Lot right down to the Pyrenees, and includes not only the bustling city of Toulouse but a host of other towns like Auch, Lourdes, Foix, Rodez and Figeac.

The Lot département is almost entirely agricultural and very much the “real” France, where you won’t see many tourists except at the main visitor attractions. The capital of the Lot is Cahors (25 mins), with its amazing 13th C bridge and historic old quarter including the cathedral.

Further afield there are a mass of places to visit, like the Gouffre de Padirac (11/4 hrs), where you can take a boat along an underground river, the extraordinary pilgrimage village of Rocamadour (11/4 hrs) built on the side of a rocky gorge, the enchanting riverside village of StCirq La Popie (40 mins) which clings to a high cliff overhanging the tranquil river Lot, and many many more.

Castelnau-Montratier area

The attractive village of Castelnau-Montratier, with its pretty arcaded market square, is only 5 kms away (8 minutes by car). It has a small supermarket and numerous other shops, providing a good selection of food and services, just about everything you might need on a daily basis. There is also a post office, an internet café, a doctor's surgery, two banks, various cafes and a tourist information office, as well as a market every Sunday morning and on Wednesday evenings in July and August. Larger weekly markets are held in Cahors and Caussade (both 25 minutes).

There is a public tennis court in the village, and a golf course and riding stables are both within a 20 minute drive. You can also visit one of several local wine producers who will welcome you to taste the local Quercy wines.

How to get there

Flying - much the easiest airport is Toulouse (Easyjet), just 105 km or 1hr 20 from the house (if you stick to the speed limits!) Bergerac is only a bit further but it's a more scenic route, so 1 hr 45. Limoges, Bordeaux and Carcassonne are all 2 - 2 1/4 hours, mostly good fast motorways but not so scenic.

Driving - the longer ferry crossings (like St Malo & Le Havre, both about 6 hrs) bring you nearerest the house but can be more expensive. It's an hour further from Cherbourg and Roscoff, but Calais or Dunkirk are about 9 - 9 1/2 hours. NB - All driving times are indicative and do not include stops, long lunches on the way etc.

Rail - Let SNCF French trains take the strain! Nearest stations are Cahors (ordinary train) and Montauban (TGV), both 30 mins. If you are taking the Eurostar from London think about going via Lille instead of Paris - it's easier to change platforms in Lille than spend one hour plus traipsing across the whole of Paris from the Gare du Nord to the Gare d'Austerlitz. on the hot crowded Metro.

Activities near Castelnau-Montratier

Facilities

Further details indoors:
- Large comfortable reception rooms
- Big well-equipped kitchen
- Laundry room
- Access from the sitting room to covered terrace
- Vine-shaded table on larger terrace (off kitchen) for long lazy lunches
- Main bedroom with 6' (180cm) bed, dressing room off this with room for cot
- Second double bedroom has 5' (150cm) bed and washbasin
- Four twin-bedded rooms, one with washbasin
- Two good-sized bathrooms, each with bath, shower, bidet, washbasin and WC

Further details outdoors:
- Beautiful position with fantastic views
- 9 acres (7.75 ha) of garden, woodland, meadow and orchard
- 5m x 10m swimming pool enclosed by walls and a gate
- Access from pool to games room with ping pong and table football
- BBQ in the old pigpen by the fig tree
- Cars can be parked under cover in the shade

Further details

Changeover day is Saturday (flexiblility possible in low season)
30% deposit with booking, balance plus returnable £250 security deposit eight weeks before arrival
List of terms and conditions will be sent with booking form

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Low Season	1 May 10	20 Jun 10	975£ 975	0-	0-	1 Week
Mid Season	20 Jun 10	11 Jul 10	1250£ 1,250	0-	0-	1 Week
High Season	11 Jul 10	29 Aug 10	1750£ 1,750	0-	0-	1 Week
Mid Season	29 Aug 10	26 Sep 10	1250£ 1,250	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

Rental prices are in £ Sterling per week. Euros are also accepted at the exchange rate applying at the time of booking. Rates include bed linen and towels (but not pool towels) for two-week lets, and local calls.

Please ask about discounts for second weeks and low occupancy (except in High Season), and about out of season lets, although the house is not really suitable for winter lets. Flexible changeover days may be possible outside Mid- and High Season, subject to length of rental.

Guestbook for La Borde Basse

"We stayed at this lovely property for one week. We were a group of 5 children and 7 adults. We found the property a lovely size for this group, very well equipped, very private - lots of room for children to run around. The pool was lovely with an adjacent table tennis table and 'fuz' ball which were much enjoyed by our children. We really enjoyed the nearby town and took advantage of the local markets which were a great source of local produce. The house is lovely –it really does live up to the description and photographs! I would highly recommend it." Mrs S Crichton, July 2007

"We have returned to La Borde Basse after an interval of 6 years and have found it as delightful as before, with the bonus of a refitted kitchen. The combination of a lovely house, great open-air eating spaces, pool/games facilities and a gloriously peaceful and rural aspect with stunning sunsets beats all but very few of the summer properties we have rented in France and Italy over many years." Mrs M Smith, August 2008

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Send Enquiry

To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/100351

Contact details for the advertiser of home 100351
Name:	Fiona Morgan
Tel:	+44 (0)1460 52658
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
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Advertiser joined: Sep 2009