House in La Bastide de Serou, Ariege, France
Stunning Chateau Keepers House
Foothills of Pyrenees, Close to Well Served Village, Perfect Family Getaway
Sleeps 17 (7 Bedrooms)
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This ancient chateau keeper’s house is finer than many as the Marquis resided here in the 1800's after the great fire in the chateau nearby. Almost all of the fixtures and furniture have survived from that time as the house had been in the same family for over 100 years. Full of antique furniture, paintings and china the house remains foremost a family home,well tested by our 4 children. The Sunday Times called the Ariege ‘France without the GB stickers’ and it really offers an authentic glimpse of rural France. Visit wonderful markets serving locals rather than being full of tourists. We have a tennis court, full size table tennis, table football and basketball. The area is unspoilt but packed full of things to do. The mountains are on your doorstep with panoramic picnics, endless walking and biking options, skiing 1 hour door to door, caves, knights and castles. Hidden dens in the garden, swimming and campfires by the river will keep the children busy while you relax on the terrace.
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| Rental periods | ||
| July / August | £1550 | |
| May / June | £1450 | |
| September | £1450 | |
| Rest of year winter October - April | £1650 | Including full heating |
| Christmas / New Year | £1750 | Including full heating |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds.
Changeover day
Saturday preferred but any considered.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Bedroom 1 the 'dorm' with 4 single beds Bedroom 2 huge king size bed Bedroom 3 small double bed Bedroom 4 kingsize bed, small single, wrought iron cot Bedroom 5 large double (extra long) Bedroom 6 small double Bedroom 7 kids attic room 2 singles |
| Bathrooms: | Downstairs WC with sink. Ist floor bathroom with bath, WC and sink. 1st floor bathroom with large walk-in shower, WC and sink. En-suite WC/sink to bed 3. Large 2nd floor bathroom with bath and shower may be available for end July. All newly fitted. |
| Kitchen: | Range cooker with 2 ovens and grill. 5 hobs plus warming plate. 2 fridges, freezer, dishwasher, microwave. Slow cooker, bread machine. processor, blender, hand whisk and Actifry. This is a gourmets kitchen with everything an accomplished cook could need. |
| Utility Room: | Washing machine, drying racks. Ironing board, iron, hoover etc. |
| Living Rooms: | TV lounge - 3 sofas. Large TV with satellite TV and Sky plus recorder. DVD player. WIFI with free unlimited broadband internet. Portable iPod deck. Drawing room. Antique card tables, recliners, wood burning stove, library with books, magazines and DVDs. |
| Other: | Kitchen has large rectory table seating 12 and further dining table for 8. Large antique glassware and larder cupboards. Lots of crockery. Large white plates for fine dining. Spectacular hallway with original tiled floor, toilet, coat rack and shoe trunk. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Towels and bedding fully inclusive. All beds have new made to measure orthopaedic mattresses. Linen and towel change/clean weekly on request for extra charge. |
Notes on accommodation
The house has full central heating for those wishing to rent outside summer for skiing and walking etc. There is no air con but this is not required as being at 500m means that even in summer there are no hot and sticky nights. There is a trout river 10 metres in front of house. This is usually about mid calf level but in winter, spring and after rain it can be higher and faster. The lovely front terrace is however completely securable from the river and the small, quiet road.
The tennis court is also fenced and therefore provides a further all weather enclosed area for toddlers to run, bike or scoot. Although a beautiful old building it has been full of holidaying children for the last 100 years and has a wonderful ambience for a family holiday. Children are therefore very welcome and the property because of the ample accommodation is perfect for 2 families, reunions or large family get together’s as there is space enough to get away from each other when 5 minutes peace is needed.
- hob/stove,
- oven,
- fridge/freezer,
- fridge,
- microwave,
- dishwasher,
- washing machine,
- iron/ironing board,
- satellite tv,
- tv,
- internet access,
- central heating,
- cot,
- high chair,
- barbecue
Accessibility
All bedrooms are upstairs accessible only via a curved wooden staircase.
Outside
There is a lovely enclosed private terrace at the front of the house with garden furniture, sunbeds, outdoor lighting and grape vine. There is an original summer house at the kitchen end with BBQ and working brick oven and wrought iron arbor. The terrace adjoins a huge flat grassed garden with lots of mature trees including greengage, plum and fig. The large fir conceals an inner space perfect for den building and a hammock offers shaded repose. Full sized fenced tennis court - some rackets available. Full sized table tennis table in its own room above the garage - balls and bats available. Sheltered table football. Full basketball net and space for boules on public space outside house. Ball/boules available. Dartboard in summer house. Older children can adventure upstream of the river and discover where kids before them use stones to dam the flow creating bathing pools. Fishing off the bridge and banks in front of the house. There is little light pollution and stargazing is a must.
Coast/Beach
The Mediterranean is under 2 hours away and we have made many day trips to the typically French resorts of Narbonne Plage and Gruissan. The beaches are sandy and well served by all amenities.
Closer by there is the sheltered beach at Lac Mondely just 10 mins from the house. Idyllic, unspoilt and often empty.
Puivert is 1 hour away where there are lots of facilities including piers for jumping off, cray fishing, cafe, village and pedaloes and kayaks for hire.
Golf
There is a beautiful unspoiled, uncrowded and reasonably priced golf course within 10 minutes of the house. This is a real bonus in rural France. There is a driving range, pro-shop, putting green,9 and 18 hole courses, a bar and restaurant.
Skiing
We are within 45 minutes of skiing at Montcalm but a further 15 minutes will take you to the wonderful family resort of Ax les Thermes. We ski here daily throughout winter holidays and parking allows you to stop right under the main telecabine so no lugging children and skis or taking buses. There are sufficient canons to allow late skiing. It is ideally suited to families wanting a friendly often completely queue free, laid back holiday away from the bustle and crowds of the Alps.
Travel
Carcassone and Toulouse airports are about equidistant from the house at approximately 1 hour 10 mins by car. Car hire is highly recommended although the facilities are good enough in the local village for bike only holidays if you are keen on cycling. The nearest train station is Foix.
Distances
The ancient walled village La Bastide de Serou is a few minutes by car, 10-15 by bike or a beautiful and easy hilltop 1 hour walk. It is very well served for a small village with a cafe/bar, restaurant, swimming pool, children’s playground, free mini golf, tennis, rugby pitch, library, post office, doctors surgery, pharmacy, bank, butchers, small supermarket selling fresh milk, bakers, weekly market and a wonderful organic epicerie - a real treasure. 15 minutes to amazing medieval Foix.
Further details
Within 5 mins:
Doorstep fishing and river swimming.
National horse riding centre where the proprietor is always happy to arrange one off lessons, pony treks, Shetland rides for little ones and trekking for more serious riders. This is a well equipped, professional outfit.
Within 10 minutes: Golf
Supervised pool. Our older children are able to cycle alone to the pool as the roads are quiet, swim as there is a lifeguard, buy an ice cream and return home with a wonderful feeling of independence.
Monthly cinema. Mini golf. Playground.
Eco museum with treetop walking adventure.
Mondely Lake with beach, swimming, cafe and toilets.
Within 20 minutes:
Medieval Foix with cobbled alleys and a fabulous castle. Large outdoor pool. Summer spectaculars with jousting knights and fireworks. Jazz festivals, artisan fairs and Friday market. LaBouiche-travel through underground cave in small boats. Reptile farm. Trout fishing farm - catch almost guaranteed even for kids. Major supermarkets, Decathlon, hospital. Panoramic picnic areas, mountain auberges. Mas D'Azil prehistoric cave. Dinosaur park. Bowling, cinema and karting
Within 30 minutes:
Famous Niaux cave offering a guided easy torchlight 800m hike along a glacial riverbed to view vast cavern of prehistoric art.
Mirepoix - medieval bastided town.
Parc prehistoric - a wonderful themed park where kids can try their hand at cave painting and spear throwing. Lots ot do in lovely setting.
Waterskiing centre and river canoeing.
St Girons. Lovely riverside town with fabulous Saturday market.
Approx 1 hour: Skiing.
Carcassone world heritage listed walled city - will enchant would be knights and princesses.
Toulouse - the pink city. European city of culture. Museums, cathedrals, bike hire. Cite d'espace - very popular modern and well done space museum on Toulouse peripherique. Corbieres - vineyards, tasting and buying.
Within 2 hours:
Andorra - duty free shopping, huge skiing area. Mediterranean
Booking notes
Prices are for the whole property per week in UK Pounds.
25% booking deposit is payable on secure booking. Full payment 12 weeks prior to departure.
For booking and further information
Melissa Hubbard
Mobile: (UK) + 44 (0)7879 463 843
Email: Click here
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in March 2008,
and has advertised this property with us since May 2008.
Property Ref FR3527
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