We have a special couples' rate on our property between 6th and 20th July and between 17th and 24th August. The rate is £400 per week with a minimum stay of 5 nights at £58 per night.
With a terraced garden boasting incredible views over the Monts d'Ardeche, this house built into the mountainside in the village of St Pierreville is perfect both for a relaxing holiday of sunbathing and al fresco dining in a peaceful rustic setting and an ideal base from which to go hiking, biking, kayaking and swimming.
In hot weather you can cool off at a lovely river beach a short drive away. Kayaking is available on the River Eyrieux or you can cycle 'La Dolce Via' running alongside it. You can also cycle the Via Rhona along the Rhone valley. You may want to tackle the more challenging mountain cycle routes near our house in St Pierreville.
The walking around St Pierreville is fantastic and varied in length and difficulty. It is a perfect base for hikers as well as bikers.
There is an Outdoor Adventure Centre on the banks of the Eyrieux river between St Sauveur and Les Ollieres, complete with zip wires and rock climbing possibilities.
It is a 5 minute walk into the village where guests will find a butcher, a baker a small shop/newsagent and a mini market. There are several good bars and restaurants and a Sunday morning market throughout Spring and Summer selling fresh local produce, mountain cheeses, olives, local honey and jam plus nougat from Montelimar. You can relax with a drink in the square and listen to live music when you have finished your market browsing. There is often an interesting exhibition to wander round in the small gallery on the square.
All rooms in our house look out over the valley, the chestnut woods, the village below + the mountain ridge.
On the ground floor is a comfortable lounge/diner with a wood burner + a well-equipped kitchen with w. machine, dishwasher, fridge freezer, microwave and cooker + a cloakroom with toilet and washbasin.
On the first floor there are 2 bedrooms and a shower room with washbasin and separate toilet.
On the second floor is a converted attic double bedroom with en suite.
From this floor the back door leads to the first of the terraces which is gravelled with a small herb garden. Here there is a selection of loungers and garden furniture to use on any terrace. There are 5 terraces in all.
Steps lead up to a second terrace with decking and a garden area. The views from this terrace are fantastic and it is a great place to sit and sip a drink/eat a meal.
Another set of steps lead up to a third terrace where there is another small seating area under a cherry tree. This also has fantastic views and they get better the higher you go!
Steps lead up to a fourth terrace with plenty of space for loungers and/or games.
The topmost terrace can be used for parking a vehicle and there are also parking spaces in front of the school just down the road.
A set of boules and a badminton set are available for use on the top 2 terraces. All of the terraces are great places to sunbathe.
It is important to note that because our house and garden have a large number of stairs and steps, people with limited mobility may find it difficult.
There are board games in the house and plenty of fiction plus books and maps of the area. There are also folders of information about the house, walks in the surrounding area and activities.
Having your own transport is essential since the nearest town is 14 kilometres away.
Excursions within driving distance are to Mont Gerbier, Mont Mézenc, Lac St Martial, Lac d'Issarles,The Ray Pic waterfalls, The Gorges d'Ardeche.
The city of Valence is just under an hour's drive away.
Directions to and from the house can be made available on request.
We love the fantastic views and setting and the peace; the lovely light and mountain air: our friendly and welcoming village; that there is plenty going on in season; the beautiful starlit skies and minimum light pollution; the great local produce in shops, markets and restaurants; that we can walk to local shops, bars and restaurants and don't need to get in the car; the great local wines and chestnut beer; that we can go walking straight from the house; that there is plenty to do for our grandsons with kayaking, tennis and swimming. There is a village multisports court behind our house and also a recreation field with goal posts. We have tennis & badminton raquets available.
Whatever your holiday preference, whether it is active and outdoors; enjoying the peace and the views; a combination of the two with some sight-seeing thrown in, the house with blue shutters in Le Couvent is a great base for enjoying and exploring the Ardeche region.
