Holiday farmhouses between St Victor Rouzaud and Pamiers, Ariege, Mid -Pyrenees, France
2 Gites and Separate B&B, 1 hour from Toulouse or Carcassonne, Stunning Views
Ideal for Couples, a Family for Self Catering or Bed & Breakfast
B&B, Self-Catering Gite and 1 Bedroom Apartment
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St Victor du Fau, a typical Ariegeoise farmhouse built in the 1800s has been charmingly restored by its present owners, the Spencer family. Deceptively modest in size from the front of the property, on entering the front doors, the rooms are large and bright. The house has been modernised and brought into the 21st century whilst retaining its charm and many original features. Set in a gentle valley amongst the rolling hills at the end of a half-mile drive, only 8kms from the important, medieval town of Pamiers, St Victor du Fau is an ideal holiday location for guests seeking peace, calm, in a rural location, yet only minutes from very good local amenities. The roads around the property were used as part of the major cycling race 'Le Tour de France' in the summer of 2006. The farmhouse is situated in the middle of 50 acres of open farmland & about 12 acres of woods on a 'Reserve Nationale' (national park). It is in a conservation area and has its own outstanding natural beauty.
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| Rental periods | Farmhouse Gite self catering up to 4 Per Week |
La Fitte & Beech B&B Per Night Single/Double |
L'Ecurie 1 bedroom Apartment self catering up to 2 Per Week |
| 1 November - 19 December 2008 | N/A | 50 - 60 Euros | £185 |
| 20 - 30 December 2008 | N/A | 50 - 60 Euros | £32.15 per night (min. 2 nights) |
| 31 December - 31 March 2009 | N/A | 50 - 60 Euros | £185 |
| April 2009 | N/A | 55 - 65 Euros | £195 |
| May 2009 | £475 | 55 - 65 Euros | £220 |
| June 2009 | £550 | 55 - 65 Euros | £260 |
| 1 - 10 July 2009 | £590 | 55 - 65 Euros | £280 |
| 11 - 31 July 2009 | £695 | 60 - 70 Euros | £320 |
| August 2009 | £750 | 60 - 70 Euros | £390 |
| September 2009 | £550 | 55 - 65 Euros | £260 |
| October 2009 | N/A | 55 - 65 Euros | £195 |
| November 2009 | N/A | 50 - 60 Euros | £185 |
| 1 December - 31 March 2010 | N/A | 50 - 60 Euros | £185 (except 20-30 December) - £210 per week |
Notes on prices
Price for gites incl. gas, electricity, bedlinen, CH, bath and swimming towels. For B&B - continental breakfast included in the price. Full English or European breakfast possible. Hire of swimming towels - 1 Euro each - bath towels not permitted by pool. Extra bed in La Fitte Room, 10 Euros extra/night inc. breakfast. Gite and B&B guests are welcome to use the owners 12m x 6m swimming pool. Good long Winter let discounts for L'Ecurie, 1 bed apartment.
Changeover day
No specific changeover day for B&B guests or for the gites, except in August which is a Saturday. Arrival between 3pm - 8pm. Please inform us of a late arrival. Day of departure no later than 10.30am please. These times are for Gites and B&B guests alike.
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Very Large 2 Bedroom Ariegeoise Farmhouse - Gite
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Bedroom 1: Large double bedroom with king size French bed, wooden floors and high ceilings. Overhead fan. Door to private balcony with table and chairs and wonderful views. En-suite bathroom with 'rain forest' walk-in shower, wc and washbasin. Bedroom 2: Large bedroom, 2 single beds (adult sized). Wooden floors and high ceilings, views to back and side of house, forest and fields. Floor fan. En-suite shower room with sink and wc. Very large sitting room, wood burning stove, two 3 seater sofas. Large mahogany Victorian table and chairs. Satellite, plasma TV, DVD, VCR and music system with Ipod connection. Kitchen: Large farmhouse table and chairs and cosy corner with a sofa. Smeg range oven and gas hob, plus microwave, Le Creuset pots and pans, generous amount of crockery, cutlery and tableware. Downstairs wc with washbasin. Utility room: Washing machine, dishwasher and American fridge with ice maker and cold water. Outside terrace and use of owners large pool. Wifi enabled. |
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L'Ecurie - Ground Floor 1 Bedroom Apartment - Gite
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1 bedroom apartment on the ground floor. Own private entrance and parking outside. The accommodation comprises a double bedroom, en-suite shower room and kitchen/diner. The bedroom has a kingsize cherrywood sleigh bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers. Views from the bedroom over the front garden and fields adjacent. There is an ensuite shower room with walk-in shower, wash basin and WC. Central heating and floor fans. The spacious farmhouse kitchen living room has a large sofa, kitchen table, chairs, double sink and drainer, electric oven/gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, kettle, toaster, coffee perculator, British satellite TV, CD player. Ample crockery, cutlery, pots, pans, plus glassware. Clothes airer for drying clothes or outside line in the garden. The views from the kitchen are to the back of the farmhouse towards the woods and the hills across the valley. 2 electric radiators. Long winter lets available - (please enquire) and pet friendly. |
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Notes on accommodation
If you want a 'home from home' holiday - you'll have it here. We provide our farmhouse gite and L'Ecurie with all the comforts you would expect on your holiday. Suitable for adults and children plus the elderly, although there is a staircase to the bedrooms upstairs plus the en-suite bathroom of Bedroom 1 (double room) in the farmhouse. Babies and children of any age are welcome. Use of owners 12m x 6m swimming pool, in conformity with the French law, adjacent to the house. Wi-Fi capability for both gites and B&B bedrooms. For more information on the accommodation, please look at our own website, click on link below. Pets are negotiable for B&B guests. Please ask on booking. No specific changeover day for farmhouse gite rental except in August when we ask from Saturday to Saturday. For B&B guests there no specific changeover day throughout the year.
In the barn adjacent to the farmhouse is a full size snooker table which our guests are welcome to use at their leisure.
Accessibility
For cyclists, the surrounding area is clearly suitable for cycling. Le Tour de France cycle race passed by the top of the drive during the race in 2006. The house is situated only 10 minutes from junction 3 on the A66 at Pamiers but is situated in an extremely peaceful area.
Bikes can be stored in the barn and they will be very secure.
This is an ideal location for travelling around the Ariege - many tourist attractions and water sports are all within a 50 minute driving radius.
Outside
There are 50 acres that belong to the property where our guests are welcome walk through the fields and beautiful woods. At the bottom of the woods is a stream and an abundance of pretty flowers which grow on its banks. Throughout the meadows in Spring, there are wild orchids and other pretty wild flowers. The farm is situated on a nature reserve and therefore no hunting allowed. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty. There are many local national footpaths just outside the property and St Victor Rouzaud is the nearest village approximately 3 miles away. It is on the Chemin de St Jacques which is an ancient pilgrims route from Arles in France to Santiago in Spain. Outside south facing terrace with table, chairs, parasol and BBQ. The swimming pool has outstanding views across the valley towards La Bidoun (an equestrian centre) where one can watch the horses slowly amble across the fields. There is a general feeling of total peace and quiet plus birdsong at St Victor du Fau.
Coast/Beach
The beaches of the Mediterranean, Gruisson or Narbonne Plage are approx 1.5 hours away. The Atlantic coast with the coastal resorts of Biarritz and Hossegor are approximately 3.5 hours away by car. Either coast has lovely long sandy beaches and wonderful seafood restaurants. The Ariege River at Mercus, a 15 minute drive has a safe bathing beach and water sports available, including water ski-ing. The fresh water Lac de Mondeley has a sandy beach and not far from the farmhouse.
Golf
The Ariege Golf Club is a 30 minute drive at Le Bastide de Serou. It is a beautiful 18 hole golf course and has a pleasant clubhouse. Non members are welcome and clubs, shoes etc can be hired. There is also a small restaurant which serves traditional cuisine at about 13 Euros per head.
Skiing
Ski-ing is possible 1 hour away at the ski resorts of Ax Bonascre (75km of piste) or Les Monts D'Olmes, Ascou Pailhes and Guzet. It is possible to take a train from Pamiers, all the way to Ax and then up to the ski resort via a cable car to the top. All these resorts can be also be reached by car with 4 wheel drive or a normal car with wheel chains. The cross country ski-ing and racquette walking (snowshoes) resort of Plateau de Beille is a 45 minute drive and has breathtaking scenery, has stunning walks (even out of the winter season) and a lovely auberge with breathtaking views. At Chioula, one is able to hire snow shoes and there are beautiful walks. All the resorts mentioned have bars and restaurants. Please contact for ski website addresses for further information on the largest downhill ski resort in the area at Ax-Bonascre – ‘Les Trois Domaines’.
Travel
Nearest airports: Toulouse or Carcassonne, both about 1 hours drive. Pau and Perpignan are approx 2 hours drive. Private plane flyers can take advantage of the local light aircraft airport of Les Pujols, a 15 min. drive. BA, Easyjet, Flybe, Air France, BMI Baby and Jet2 all fly into Toulouse from the UK. Ryanair flies into Carcassonne, Perpignan and Pau. Driving from the Brittany coast takes about 9 hours & from Calais about 10 hours. A car, motorbike, or bicycle is preferable to reach the farm.
Distances
St Victor Rouzaud our nearest village 5km (on the route of 'Chemin de St Jacques de Compostelle'). Nearest town Pamiers - 8km. Good local amenities, bars and restaurants. Mirepoix 30km beautiful medieval town. Foix capital of the Ariege 15km away. Toulouse the ‘rose’ city, so called because of the coloured bricks used in the architecture is an about 50 minutes away. The medieval walled city of Carcassonne is about an hour and a very interesting place to visit.
Further details
The village of Mas D'Azil a 15 minute drive, has a prehistoric museum and one of the largest grottos in the world. The town of Pamiers has some interesting sites, including the Clocher des Cordeliers (one of 3 bell towers) and the Promenade du Castella (path that follows the line of an old castle). Gabriel Faure the French composer/classical musician was born in Pamiers. There are a number of concerts organised connected to his music throughout the year.
Pamiers has 3 open air markets per week selling locally grown fresh and seasonally produce from the farmers who live around the Ariege and on Sundays a flea market. There are many auberges, restaurants and cafes in the area around us which we are happy to supply details of.
Across the valley from us is an extensive equestrian centre where hacks or tuition can be arranged at special rates for anyone interested in exploring the magnificent local area on horseback. Kayaking, canyoning, water skiing or canoeing is also available nearby. Walking, trekking, local land rover treks through the Pyrenees also can be arranged. Art lessons with a local British artist can also be arranged.
The hilltop artist town of Carla Bayle is a 15 minute drive as is the circular village of St Martin D'Oyde, made famous by the ex-Prime Minister of England, Tony Blair, as he and his family stayed there for their holiday in 2001.
The medieval town of Mirepoix with its 'couverts' is a 30 minute drive and has a lovely open air market each Monday morning.
A local mobile baker comes to St Victor du Fau to deliver (baguette and wholemeal) bread, croissants and other delicious pastries each Monday and Thursday afternoon (although like many of us, he takes his holiday sometime in August).
The surrounding hills are ideal for ramblers, walkers, cyclists, bikers, photographers and people who enjoy watching bird and wildlife. There are many local 'Grande Randonee' walks in the vicinity which we are happy to provide details of.
Booking notes
Gites: 30% deposit required on booking, balance payable 6 weeks before arrival plus £500 (farmhouse), £150 (for apartment) refundable security deposit against damages/cleaning charges. B&B: £30 or 45 euros is payable as a deposit on booking. Balance is payable on arrival. Price includes Continental breakfast. An option of Full English or European breakfast (ham, cheese and egg) are available for an extra 5 euros. Evening meals possible. Pets negotiable for B&B & L'Ecurie guests. Open all year.
Guest comments
'Lovely location, nice food and relaxing stay. Enjoyed having the pets around. Thank you both for your kind hospitality' - July 2007.
'After 1141kms to get here it had to be pretty special to make it worth it - and it was. Thanks so much.' - May 2008
'Beautiful setting and affiable hosts. Glorious weather, lovely pool and wonderful birdsong to wake up to. Who could ask for more?' July 2008.
'A wonderful house and pool in a great setting. Jeff & Sara were very welcoming and friendly. We felt very much "at home." The horse rinding that Sara recommended was brilliant as was our 2 days of canoeing - definitely worth doing'. August 2008.
'We enjoyed very much our stay in this peaceful farmhouse. We discovered all the villages surrounding Pamiers, Toulouse & Carcassonne. Sara & Jeff, thank you from all of us'. August 2008.
For booking and further information
Sara Spencer
Tel/Fax: (France) + 33 (0)561 607721
Mobile: (France) + 33 (0)6 17052517
English & French spoken
Email: Click here
Owners Website: Click here
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in November 2005,
and has advertised this property with us since August 2006.
Property Ref FR1426
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on Owners Direct Website.