Sorry - no pets allowed Not suitable for children under 5 Not suitable for elderly or infirm No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Les Ecureuils is a lovingly restored, luxuriously equipped, character farmhouse in a tiny rural hamlet of only five houses in spectacular hilly countryside. The house is in the southern french style with the airy bedrooms downstairs and the expansive living area above, the whole farmhouse is beautifully furnished and equipped to make a very special home... not a 'run-of-the-mill' gîte.
From the house, quiet country paths lead in all directions giving fine walking for all levels of difficulty. In the garden, pick grapes, olives, walnuts, figs, damsons and pistachios in their season, or enjoy watching our family of red squirrels beating you to it! Just beyond the hamlet, the lane becomes a path where you can stroll down to the nearby river with fabulous views.
The area is particularly rich in wildlife and wild flowers, which attract many rare butterflies. Birds of prey are a common sight and sound over the valley below.
For the more energetic, there are several activity centres nearby, offering watersports, zipwires, aerial ropeways, kayaking, rafting and dry-skiing.
POOL AND POOL TERRACE
FULLY-EQUIPPED FARMHOUSE KITCHEN
KITCHEN TERRACE A FEW STEPS FROM THE POOL
VAST SALON SEATS 10+ AROUND FIRE
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/43849
The Midi-Pyrenees / Tarn region
At the crossroads of the turbulent history of Europe and the heart of the Cathar strongholds, the region has many historic bastide towns and villages including Cordes-sur-Ciel, Najac, Gaillac, Villefranche, Sauveterre and Monesties within a short drive. You can taste and buy delicious local Gaillac wines at the many domains and chateaux. The spectacular Aveyron and Viaur gorges are nearby, together with the Gresigne Forest National Park.
A 30-minute drive takes you to the regional capital of Albi, on the mighty river Tarn. This is a fine old city with its amazing cathedral, famous Toulouse Lautrec museum and wealth of shops and restaurants in quaint medieval streets. Historic Toulouse, an hour away, offers one of the best food markets in Europe, fascinating history combined with the 21st Century Space Park and the Airbus Exposition.
To the south, the Black Mountains and lakes with spectacular views of the Pyrenees make a great day trip, as does the amazing Millau viaduct to the east.
Beyond the Black Mountains, the famous ancient walled city of Carcassonne is a comfortable and rewarding day trip away further south.
Cordes-sur-Ciel area
Within 12Km is the picturesque medieval hilltop town of Cordes-sur-Ciel with its beautiful old buildings and narrow cobbled streets. Uphill are many restaurants and shops, together with museums, art galleries and a summer music festival. Downhill Cordes has a small but well-stocked supermarket, good butcher, superb patisserie, banks, pharmacy and a useful Saturday market. Also nearby is Laguepie (10 mins), overlooked by its ancient castle and on the confluence of the Aveyron and Viaur rivers; A very friendly french community providing all essential shops, a bank, pharmacy, restaurants, doctor, and a farmers' market on Thursdays and Sundays.
The local walking is superb. In any direction, right from the house, you can enjoy routes to accommodate all levels of fitness or difficulty.
Visits to the spectacular river gorges are a must, and an excellent way to enjoy the Aveyron is by canoe or kayak from St Antonin; There are boats for all levels of ability and family combinations to give a very good day out. Also near St Antonin is a fascinating cave complex. For the truly adventurous there is also a forest activity centre offering Spelo, canyoning, tree-top zip-wires and many other activities.
Canoes and kayaks, cycles and tennis are also available in Laguepie.
Our local lake near Monesties offers a sandy beach with BBQ and picnic facilities. There you can swim, sail, wind-surf, take a pedalo, walk or cycle.
The huge Cap Decouverte activity park (20 mins) offers all manner of opportunities including water skiing, zip-wires, dry-slope skiing, horse-riding, water chutes, motor boats, dry snow-boarding, rail tobogganing, cycling, skate-boarding, roller-blading and karting to name a few.
When you are exhausted by all this physical activity, the many historic bastide towns and villages offer a wealth of interest and peaceful exploration. The old centre of the regional capital of Albi has history aplenty, excellent shopping, culture, boat trips along the Tarn and great restaurants.
In addition to swimming and relaxing at the house, we can offer guided wine tours of the Gaillac region, or a wine-tasting with buying advice at home.
How to get there
Ryanair flies to Rodez, our nearest airport. Equally accessible is Toulouse, with a wide choice of budget and scheduled flights. For ferry crossing and a comfortable drive, we recommend Caen.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Rodez (75Km) or Toulouse (100Km): 75 km
Railway:
Laguépie: 6 km
Ferry:
Caen: 800 km
Activities near Cordes-sur-Ciel
Sports: Tennis in town Watersports Waterpark Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Log fire, Internet access, DVD player
General:
Central heating, TV, CD player, Telephone, Fax, Satellite TV, Wi-fi available
Single beds (4), Double beds (3), Cots (1), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 10, Sleeps maximum of 6
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private outdoor pool (unheated), Private garden, BBQ, Bicycles available
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: Indoors, you will find a huge, traditional farmhouse kitchen with exposed stone and beams but fully equipped with all modern conveniences. The massive table easily seats 8. The equally large and characterful salon is tastefully furnished and boasts an open fireplace. A wide-screen TV/DVD system with full surround-sound has a wide selection of music and a large DVD library. Satellite TV has all UK channels and radio stations. A further large table is ideal for spreading maps or guides, and has a PC with fast broadband internet connection and printer. Wifi access to broadband is available throughout, and by the pool for serious workaholics. The house is in the southern french style with the airy bedrooms downstairs and the expansive living area above. Even in the hottest weather, the bedrooms stay pleasantly cool. The master bedroom with superking double has an en suite bathroom, with walk-in shower area, two handbasins and wc. The two large guest bedrooms both have oversize twin beds (which can also be configured as superking doubles) and each guest room has an en suite washroom with private wc. The guest rooms also share a large shower room with walk-in shower and wet area, twin washbasins and a dressing area. The whole farmhouse is luxuriously equipped and furnished to make a very special home... not a 'run-of-the-mill' gîte.
Further details outdoors: Whether you choose the warm sunshine or cool shade there are wonderful views from the three terraces. Conveniently adjacent to the kitchen, and just a few steps from the pool, the upper terrace is perfect for outdoor dining. Your other choices include the landscaped pool area with its vine and wisteria-covered pool house, or the lower terrace with spectacular views over the valley below. A tranquil and peaceful rustic setting, in a walkers' paradise, with blue skies, and starry nights to die for.
Further details
Once you confirm your booking, we send you a simple and uncomplicated rental contract for signature and return with your deposit. We can also give much more detail and additional photos and are only too happy to chat on the telephone or by e-mail to answer any queries.
The pool is not fenced, so those with young children need to be cautious. Fencing would spoil the garden and the lovely views so we have opted instead for a fully compliant safety cover which, under French law, must be put in place whenever you leave the property and at night; it is the work of a few moments only.
Whilst we ask guests not to smoke in the house, 'la vie en plein air' affords smokers the opportunity to do so out of doors.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Low Season
14 Nov 08
2 May 09
975£975
0-
0-
6 Nights
Early Summer '09
2 May 09
27 Jun 09
1175£1,175
0-
0-
1 Week
High Season '09
27 Jun 09
5 Sep 09
1495£1,495
0-
0-
1 Week
Late Summer '09
5 Sep 09
31 Oct 09
1175£1,175
0-
0-
1 Week
Low Season
31 Oct 09
1 May 10
975£975
0-
0-
6 Nights
41
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
Changeover is usually Saturday but we can be flexible especially off-season.
We are equally happy to receive payment in euros or sterling at the prevalent exchange rate.
The pool is checked and cleaned frequently. Breakfast and/or evening meals can be available. A shopping service is also available for your arrival or during your stay, and extra cleaning, housekeeping services or linen changes can be provided by arrangement. We can fulfil most requests - please call us to discuss your specific requirements.
Guestbook
In ten years of renting in France, this is absolutly the nicest property we have visited......July 2007 (re-booked for 2008)
We loved everything about it; the warmth of the welcome, the fabulous farmhouse kitchen, the comfort and quality of the furnishings and the beautiful garden and pool....August 2007 (re-booked for 2008)
Thank you for a fantastic week. The kids were in tears as we left and we all wished we had booked a fortnight. We'll be back! .....August 2007
Availability
See below for next 6 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
Key:
11
12
Booked
11
12
Available
11
12
Unknown
11
12
Arrival/Departure dates
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/43849
Contact details for home 43849
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
Thomas Woodford
Tel:
+33 563 763462
Mobile:
+33 676 007719
Be aware of time-zones
Languages:
Advertiser joined: 24 Dec 2007 This property added: 24 Dec 2007
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