Sorry - no pets allowed Not suitable for children Not suitable for elderly or infirm No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Right in the very heart of Najac, one of the most beautiful of France’s “Plus Beaux Villages”, La Maison aux Volets Bleus is a recently and sympathetically restored village house. Deceptively spacious, it has a wealth of old beams, chestnut floors and vaulted cellars. Everywhere has been newly furnished and equipped to a high standard; squishy settees, blonde wood, modern bathrooms, new beds and bedding and the latest in kitchens. It provides modern comfort and convenience in a mediaeval setting with awesome views and close proximity to some of the most magnificent and unspoilt countryside in the whole of France.
Restaurants, shops and boutiques are all within walking distance with swimming, riding, kayaking and golf nearby. However, the main attraction must be the easy access to walks, and by car to this beautiful area, steeped in history, mediaeval villages and chateaux.
The house is not your typical rental but the lovingly restored home of its owners. A perfect base, ideal for walkers, photographers and lovers of La France Profonde.
morning view from the terrace
Aux Volets Bleus
sitting room looking towards the upper terrace
sitting room
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/56437
The Midi-Pyrenees / Aveyron region
The Aveyron is a beautiful, peaceful and sparsely populated region with more “Plus Beaux Villages” than any other. You will have a wonderful opportunity to explore an unspoilt and relatively undiscovered area of rural France. Within easy reach, are the caves of Roquefort, the Millau viaduct, the Gorges of the Tarn, the vineyards of Gaillac, Albi, Cordes-sur-Ciel, and many many more. There seems to be medieval architecture at every turn which, together with the stunning natural scenery, will provide you with many lovely memories of your stay in the Midi-Pyrénées.
Najac area
Najac is a superb centre for a wide range of activities. Down by the river is an excellent lido-style swimming pool complex, with tennis courts and kayaking and fishing on the river itself. There are many country and riverside walks, a number starting from right outside your front door, while nearby there is pony trekking and golf.
A well-stocked épicerie is only metres away from the house and the village has a fabulous boulangerie-pâtisserie, as you would expect! An excellent butcher is in the nearby next village but a travelling butcher’s van also visits. Half a dozen restaurants and cafes are within easy walking distance (the nearest being next door!), and many more in the area. A small traditional street market comes to the village square on Sundays during the summer and, on Thursday mornings, a much grander affair only 20 minutes away in the beautiful central square of the medieval “bastide” town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue . The large Sunday market in nearby St Antonin Noble Val (where Charlotte Gray was filmed) is also well worth a visit.
Surprisingly, hidden down by the river, the village also has its own rail station with trains going south to Toulouse and even north to Paris if the mood takes you.
In the peak summer months you will be right at the heart of busy village life with its cafes, galleries, boutiques and the local “Mairie” almost just across the narrow street. Outside of the main summer period the village takes on a different personality and becomes a charmingly peaceful haven, away from the real world.
How to get there
If travelling by air Najac is about an hour from Rodez airport (Ryanair, Air France) and just over two from Toulouse (Flybe, Easyjet, Air France, BA and others). Car rental Rodez :Europcar, Avis, Hertz Car rental Toulouse: Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, National There is a rail station in nearby Villefranche-de-Rouergue and also in Najac itself.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Rodez: 80 km
Railway:
Najac: 2 km
Activities near Najac
Sports: Watersports Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats
Single beds (2), Double beds (2), Dining seating for 6, Lounge seating for 8, Sleeps maximum of 6
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, BBQ
Further details indoors: At the front of the house, with double windows looking out on to the street, the new kitchen has fitted units including self-closing drawers, granite worktop, induction hob, built-in dishwasher and fridge. Fully equipped with everything you might need. A table extends to seat six comfortably. This room also has a cosy sitting area with a settee in front of the log burner. (Electric panel heaters are fitted in all rooms).
The spacious main sitting room at the rear has comfortable settees, easy chairs, well stocked bookcase, hi-fi and a small flat-screen TV (French programmes only). A DVD & video player are also available. A large arched window with double glass doors open out on to a tiled upper terrace with glass balustrade providing stunning uninterrupted views across the tree tops and the valley of the Aveyron river to the countryside beyond.
On the first floor front, a large double-bedded room has double glass doors to a balcony overlooking the street. Perfect for viewing parades at village fête time, or just watching the world go by. This bedroom has its own WC/wash room and separate shower-room on the landing. The new washing machine also lives here. At the rear a second double room with twin beds and an en-suite has a double window looking out on to those fabulous views.
On the second floor is a charming double-bedded attic room with traditional “chien assis” floor-level window overlooking the street and a modern Velux. This room effectively has its own en-suite bathroom as the other room on this floor is closed off and only used as storage for the owners’ clothes and other personal stuff.
Further details outdoors: From the upper terrace external stone stairs lead down to a large tiled lower terrace. From here the views of the floodlit ruined chateau above the village are breathtaking, day or night. All the views are in fact a priceless gift for anyone remotely interested in photography.
At the rear of this terrace, through a stone arch, is a covered sitting/dining area - from where a short flight of steps lead into a restored vaulted cellar - useful for dining or relaxing on those days when it’s just too hot outside - equipped with its own crockery, cutlery and glassware. Another cellar, used mainly for storage, houses the condenser clothes dryer and an overflow fridge and freezer for your use.
Beyond the lower terrace is a small gravelled area with a peach tree and below that a reclaimed garden area, not yet ready for use. At the bottom of the unfenced garden the land disappears steeply down through woodland to the river below. For this reason, (apart from all the stone steps ), we have to say the house is regrettably not suitable for children.
The house is very well equipped for outside dining and relaxing with tables, chairs, loungers, gas BBQ and sun umbrellas.
Your car may be parked outside the house during most of the year but in peak summer the street is open to residents for access only. However, there is plenty of parking space available just around the corner.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
June 08
1 Jun 08
1 Jul 08
500£ 500
8080
8080
3 Nights
July & August 08
1 Jul 08
1 Sep 08
650£ 650
0-
0-
1 Week
September & October 08
1 Sep 08
1 Nov 08
500£ 500
8080
8080
3 Nights
November & December 08
1 Nov 08
21 Dec 08
450£ 450
8080
8080
3 Nights
Christmas & New Year
21 Dec 08
4 Jan 09
650£ 650
0-
0-
1 Week
Jan, Feb, March 09
4 Jan 09
1 Apr 09
450£ 450
8080
8080
3 Nights
April, May, June 09
1 Apr 09
1 Jun 09
500£ 500
8080
8080
3 Nights
61
The owner's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion. Refundable £200 breakages deposit required with final balance payment, to be refunded within 2 weeks of your departure (subject to satisfactory property inspection)
30% of rental fee due at time of booking, with balance payable six weeks before your stay. 100% of rental fee due at time of booking for short breaks or if within six weeks of arrival. We can accept payments by cheque or bank transfer in GBP, Euros and $NZ
Guestbook
We shall definitely return to this splendid house and delightful village .A perfect place to explore the interesting area. Mr and Mrs U, Staffordshire Moorlands.
The house is absolutely perfect - you've thought of everything.The views are stunning & the situation perfect for exploring the area. We can't wait to come back. The Craigs, Northumberland
We visit France regularly from New Zealand and find Najac the very essence of all that is French. We especially love this house. A short walk takes you to anywhere in the village. We’ve already stayed here twice and can't wait until next year!! R & L H, Albany, Auckland, NZ.
A lovely house, beautifully fitted out and in the perfect spot. We'll be back. Mr & Mrs M. Cornwall
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/56437
Click to view availability for this property.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/56437
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