Sorry - no pets allowed Not suitable for children under 5 No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
An ancient olive tree centred in a beautiful courtyard welcomes you to idyllic Mas de Salayrac in the privacy, beauty and comfort of this classic French property deep in the countryside.
Relax! The pool is solar heated. Enjoy views down the spectacularly beautiful, untouched valley with scents of lavender. The pistachio coloured AGA nestles in the converted barn kitchen. Its stone barn houses the table tennis, hammocks, bicycles and indoor barbecue.
Read in a hammock under fruit trees to the sound of silence and buzzing bees visiting so many scented flowers. Play boule on the court. No worries.
The House and Terrace
The Courtyard
The Terrace Room with Queen Size Bed
The Blue Room with Kingsize Bed
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/52400
The Midi-Pyrenees / Tarn-et-Garonne region
Surrounding Salayrac are rolling hills and valleys, sweet rivers, soaring cliff faces, mixed woodlands and pastures and everywhere, sunlight and fresh air -- the epitome of French countryside – once named ‘les paumons de France’ or ‘the lungs of France’ for its fine quality, fresh air.
The region is known for its serene and beautiful landscapes dotted with exquisite villages, many of them perched on hilltops and boasting remarkable mediaeval architecture and fields of beautiful flowers. The most beautiful perhaps is St Antonin Noble Val (about 20 minutes SW from Salayrac) . It was used as the location for the movie, ‘Charlotte Gray’ (based on a book of the same name by Sebastian Faulks). It is market day every Sunday and not to be missed; a bustling memorable experience of buskers, cafés, and vendors’ tables piled high with zucchini flowers, fresh flowers, cheeses, duck breast, wines, books, terracotta, straw baskets, clothing, leather and jewellery, scented soaps, lavender, olive and walnut oils.
The café in the centre of the village, Place de les Halles is a great starting point for a coffee – remember to buy your croissant from one of the many vendors. Also not to missed are romantic fortress town of Najac (about 20 minutes NE from Salayrac) and Cordes Sur Ciel is magnificent (about 35 minutes from St Antonin). Albi, about 45 minutes from St Antonin, houses the brilliant Toulouse Lautrec Museum, an astonishing cathedral and bishops residence/gardens as well as some wonderful shopping.
The wine regions of the area are Gaillac and Cahors, both only 45 mins away and are beautiful places to explore for wine tasting and restaurants. Extreme sports such as rock climbing, etc can be done in the Gorges d’Aveyron and the centre is St Antonin Noble Val. Trout fishing, horse riding, canoeing and walking the trails of ancient pilgrim pathways are all activities available in the area.
Fetes and festivals are aplenty. Most of the villages have night markets or brocante markets throughout the summer. The local tourist offices in Caylus, Najac or St Antonin will be able to tell you about what is on.
The Gorges d’Aveyron offers many opportunities for extreme sports, rock climbing, hang gliding and so on. There are wonderful opportunities to explore hiking and walking beautiful trails. People are warm and receptive in this area, which helps to make your stay an even happier one.
St Antonin Noble Val area
The area is rich with many bastide medieval towns and villages. The most beautiful are perhaps Cordes Sur Ciel and Saint Antonin Noble Val, which offers shops, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, bank, pharmacies, PO, Cinema, boutiques, etc. together with many sporting facilities. The 1200 year old medieval Saint Antonin was used as the location for the movie, ‘Charlotte Gray’ (based on a book of the same name by Sebastian Faulks). The Lexos train station and St Projet's hilltop church are gorgeous sites used in the movie as well.
Not to be missed – and within short driving distances are some excursions by car: the romantic fortress town of Najac, or the city Albi, which houses the brilliant Toulouse Lautrec Museum, an astonishing cathedral (Knights of Templar historical value) and the bishops residence/gardens, not to mention some rather good shopping.
Extremely popular in the area are the market days (they close down by 12.30/1 pm). Try Sunday in Saint Antonin Noble Val and on Thursday at Villefranche-de-Rouergue. There are also several weekly night markets. Between Ginals & Cornusson, there is the ancient Abbey de Beaulieu, which holds contemporary art exhibitions and concerts during the summer and within energetic cycling distance from Salayrac. Most of the local villages have fetes or festivals throughout the summer (like Verfeil’s August ‘Fete de la Lune’). The local tourist offices in Caylus, Najac or Saint Antonin will be able to tell you about what is on.
Restaurants You will find our restaurant recommendations in the A-Z Guide at Mas de Salayrac.
Vineyards Approximately one hours drive from Salayrac brings you to two vine regions; Cahors and Gaillac. Their red syrah and dessert wines respectively are formidable! They are lovely areas to visit with undulating hillsides, some covered with vines and others with sunflowers – and the wine makers make you very welcome for tasting.
How to get there
Fly
•Toulouse, Blagnac Airport (1 hr and 15 mins) - www.flybe.com - from Birmingham - www.bmibaby.com - from Manchester - www.easyjet.com - from Gatwick and Bristol - www.britishairways.com - from Gatwick - www.aerlingus.com - from Dublin - www.airfrance.co.uk - from a variety of UK airports via Paris
•Rodez (1 hr and 15 mins) - www.ryanair.com - from Stansted - www.airfrance.co.uk - from a variety of UK airports via Paris
•Carcasonne: Approximately an hour south of Toulouse, it is another alternative with often very much cheaper fares.
Road: •This secluded and excellent property is approximately a day's drive from the Channel Ports/ferry - St Malo is approximately 770 km. - Caen is approximately 700 km
Train: •Caussade, Tarn and Garonne, is the best station for frequency. Lexos is closest.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Rodez: 83 km
Railway:
Lexos: 12 km
Activities near St Antonin Noble Val
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, Private outdoor pool (heated)
Single beds (2), Double beds (3), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 8, Sleeps maximum of 8
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, BBQ, Bicycles available
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: Downstairs you will find a south-facing barn conversion kitchen. It is open with exposed wood beams and marble countertops, the pistachio coloured Aga and separate scullery, plus a large American style fridge/freezer with ice dispenser, separate wine and drinks fridge, 2 dishwashers (!), a microwave and an eye-level fan oven. The table in the atrium seats six and the counter seats two.
Walk through the kitchen and navigate your way to the romantic bedroom and French kingsize bed with a tempurpedic mattress and organic Carre Blanc linens, with French doors opening onto the south facing terrace, pool and another ancient olive tree bac and gardens. Nearby you will also find the downstairs bathroom and quintessential laundry room.
Upstairs is a warm veranda looking out at the courtyard and ancient olive tree. Here you will also find the master bathroom equipped with two sinks or basins, a stand alone shower and a spacious, ceramic, deep bathtub - with views. There is a colorful yellow bedroom with a double bed and two single beds. It has a window looking down at the pool and out towards the countryside. Next is the cozy and soft family room with sofas to relax on while watching movies any night or the fireplace on extra-cold nights (not probable in the summer!). Finally there is the largest bedroom; French blue and white, lavender fresh, open and beautifully decorated. You won’t miss a wink of sleep on its heavenly tempurtheraputic king-size bed.
Further details outdoors: Play a game of boule on the large 10 X 5 metre court and then light up the barbeque. Mas de Salayrac is well equipped with outdoor tables, parasols, pool toys and of course acres of gardens, fields, woodland and fabulous views.
The courtyard entrance by the main house and the barn provides a lovely seating area. Walk into the barn from there and you will find rooms containing the gas grill, table tennis, open and cool space, plus dining tables, chairs, hammocks and shaded parking.
Follow the white gravel pathway around the house and step onto the expansive private terrace with its secluded 10 X 5 metre pool (1.5 metres deep throughout and solar heated). Now enjoy the gardens and find some peace laying out on one of the many sunloungers.
Further details
€¢ There will be a lovely welcome basket full of local goods waiting for your arrival! We recommend you stock up with basics in your way in at supermarkets in Caylus, Gaillac, and St Antonin. The boulangerie (bakery) in Verfiel is only 5 kms away and is stocked with excellent fruit and vegetables, local specialties, wine and English papers. • There is a house book where you can find detailed instructions and answers to your questions - FAQs! Check out the restaurants recommended in our in-house book at Parisot (10 mins), Segalar or Najac Pizzeria (20 mins) and many others. • Two friendly French speaking neighbors share the driveway road to the hamlet of Salayrac. We have plenty of shaded parking in the barns. • The heated swimming pool has a safety alarm that is activated to make the terrace area safe for young children. • Gas and electricity are included. Firewood and bbq briquettes are not included. There is also a gas bbq. • Please note there is a no smoking policy within the house. • Though the property is not fully wheelchair accessible, downstairs rooms can be accessed avoiding a staircase.
Conditions
€¢ Refundable £200 security deposit required at time of payment. • There is a non-refundable £250 Firewood and Aga surcharge, should you wish to use either. • Though the property is not fully wheelchair accessible, downstairs rooms can be accessed avoiding stairs. • We understand that some guests may wish to smoke, but we ask that all smoking take place out of doors.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Early Summer
2 May 08
27 Jun 08
1200£ 1,200
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1 Week
High Summer
27 Jun 08
29 Aug 08
1400£ 1,400
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1 Week
Late Summer
29 Aug 08
26 Sep 08
1200£ 1,200
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1 Week
21
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion. • Refundable £200 security deposit required at time of payment. • Rest of the year at 1200 euros per week, inclusive of use of Aga and heating. • Acceptable payment methods are check, money order, bank transfer and PayPal. • The rental week starts and ends on Saturdays, however, special arrangements can be made.
Guestbook
Salayrac and its peaceful surroundings, has been a lovely place to relax and unwind. The weather has been wornderful, hot and sunny 13/14! We all enjoyed the pool particularly when the temps. hit 37 C!! We have also enjoyed exploring the area, many hilltop villages, canoeing at Saint Antonin is highly recommended, the girls loved the galettes/crepes at a number of places, the food at the Auberge in Parisot very good, as was the Air-Con in the restaurant! We hope to stay again, Peter, Ginny, Georgie + Allie Russell and Grandpa.
Thank you very much for letting us stay here. It was really fun, we loved our bedrooms, the swimming pool and the restaurants in Najac. Canoeing in Saint Antonin was brilliant! Thank you again, The Mogridge Family
We have had a fantastic holiday, and loved our time at Salayrac! One night there was a big storm with lots of lightning and the electric went off. The next day we found the peach tree had snapped in half, with the hammock on the floor. Mostly it was hot and sunny! Thanks, Janet, Steve, Gill, Ted, Bryany, Matt, Sam and Ellie.
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/52400
Click to view availability for this property.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/52400
Contact details for home 52400
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
Paul Harkness
Mobile:
+33 (0) 6 75 67 65 37
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Languages:
Contact Notes: Email
Advertiser joined: 7 Mar 2008 This property added: 7 Mar 2008
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