Chateau Carriage House, Recently Converted Into Self Contained Gite With Solar Heated Saltwater Pool
Large Secure Pool and Gardens, Countryside Valley only 3kms from all amenities
Sleeps 5 in 2 bedrooms + double sofa bed.
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A peaceful and spacious property, in a green and rolling Pyrenean valley. With all amenities at 3kms away (grocery stores, bakery, butchers, bank) and the regions capital city of Foix at 20kms with hypermarkets etc, we consider ourselves to be rural and yet still with all facilities close to hand. Walking, cycling, horse riding and skiing opportunities are all on the doorstep, as is the chance to simply relax by the heated pool, in our own child-friendly gardens, or by the wood burning stove. The area as a whole is steeped in natural history with prehistoric caves, and Cathar castles all around, plus (of course) the Pyrenees mountain range. The areas capital town of Foix is a short 15 minute drive away, hosting it's imposing castle and abundance of restaurants, bars and shopping. The tax free shopping of Andorra is just over an hour away.
New for 2011, we have installed a new solar/wood powered heating system wich provides all hot water - including for the pool!
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 24 September 2011 - 24 March 2012 | €475 | 2 | ||
| 24 March 2012 - 23 June 2012 | €595 | 2 | ||
| 23 June 2012 - 9 September 2012 | €895 | 7 | ||
| 8 September 2012 - 3 November 2012 | £595 | 2 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in euros. Discounts available for stays of longer than 2 weeks.
Changeover day
Please contact owners.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Bedroom 1 with double bed, wardrobe and drawers, en-suite bathroom and radiator. Bedroom 2 with 2 bunk-beds and a single bed, wardrobe and drawers, radiator, en-suite bathroom. |
| Bathrooms: | En-suite bathroom to bedroom 1, with low-flush wc, basin, bath with shower over. En-suite to bedroom 2, with low-flush wc, basin, shower cubicle with multi-massage jets. |
| Kitchen: | 5 ring gas hob, large oven and grill, fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave and plenty of worktop space. Open plan access onto the dining and living area. |
| Utility Room: | Exclusive use of dedicated washing machine and an ideal area for push-chair, bike, ski storage. |
| Living Rooms: | Huge open plan living/dining area - 50 square meters, with patio doors to the decked patio and gardens. Cast iron wood burner, sofa and double sofa bed, dining table and chairs. Satellite TV, DVD and CD player. |
| Other: | Free Wi-Fi internet access to every room. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
The gite is cleaned at change-over. Towels other than pool towels are provided, as is bed linen. Other cleaning services by request. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge/freezer fridge microwave dishwasher washing machine iron/ironing board satellite tv tv internet access central heating cot high chair barbecue private pool (for sole use of guests) pool heating shared pool |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
The property has been renovated to a high standard with eco-friendly materials. It is very well insulated and cool in the heat of summer, warmed in the depth of winter by the environmentally friendly wood burner (and wood from the forests around us). The walls are finished in a variety of natural finishes, from hemp-and-lime to local gypsum plaster. The wooden floor in the kitchen and living space is locally sourced and from sustainable forests.
Accessibility
The carriage house is ground floor and suitable for most people, yet the infirm or wheelchair users may find the split-level steps of the accommodation an issue. The bedrooms are also up 4 steps.
Outside
There is a private decked patio area directly from the patio doors of the gite. The large lawned garden houses the solar heated, saltwater pool which is decked around and furnished with sun loungers and chairs. Pool security is provided both by safety enclosure, and a pool alarm. Both measures comply with the latest French regulations and provide peace of mind. We have mature walnuts, figs, plumbs, apples, hazelnuts, greengages, pears, peaches and cherries all growing - help yourselves! (The woods we are in also offer more delicacies including cep and morrille mushrooms.) The gardens also have children's swing, climbing frame and trampoline, and are secure.
Coast/Beach
The beaches of the Mediterranean are a 2 hour drive away, but much closer are many freshwater Pyrenees mountain lakes, many with supervised beaches. The closest being at 15kms, Lac de Mondley, which 'The Times' rate as the 2nd 'hottest' European beach for 2010!
Golf
There is the regions 18 hole golf course at 4km, famed for its views of the Pyrenees. This course provides excellent playing conditions in stunning surroundings. Tuition is also available.
Skiing
Cross country skiing is near at only 20km, and the resorts of Ax en le Therms is an hour away, followed by Andorra.
Special interest holidays
Courses in plastering with either English or French materials, Moroccan Tadelakt, and rendering with hemp-and-lime are available.
Travel
The international airports of Carcassonne and Toulouse are both 1 hour 15 mins away, served by Ryanair, Easyjet, Jet2 etc, and many guests have also found Gerona in Spain a convenient airport too. A car or other transport is recommended.
Distances
Nearest bar and restaurant 1.5km.
Village with everything from tobacconist to post office and library at 3km.
Major town of Foix at 20km, St Girons at 25km.
Equestrian center (national home to the Merens breed) at 1.5km.
Andorra at 100km.
River fishing at the bottom of the lane, birdwatching from the window.
Mountain walks and cycling all around us.
Foraging for mushrooms etc.
Further details
Within 5 mins:
Country walks, fishing and river swimming.
Cycle hire and new family-orientated cycle track which runs from Foix to St Girons, mostly along the old railway track
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.
Within 10 minutes: Village with shops, bakery, butchers, wholefood store and supermarket, bank, post, bar and restaurant, news agent... Golf. Monthly cinema. Mini golf. Playground.
Eco museum with treetop walking adventure.
Lac de Mondely 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 weekly markets. 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.
Booking notes
Please contact owners.
Guest comments
"I really look forward to coming next time, I cannot remember the last time I relaxed this much, THANKYOU." R Norris, Bath UK
"We were looking for some quiet and calm time with the kids, and here, sat close to the fire, we had really wonderful hours. We finished 2009 in this beautiful home and started 2010 playing in the snow, and this was an amazing day with the kids. Thankyou for sharing this place with us as qwe say in Catalan 'Moltes gracies i felia 2010!!!" Xavier and Teresa, Barcelona
'To Joe and Lila, this has been our best holiday ever. Love Lucas and Dede' aged 8 & 5, London
Owner profile
About the owner
We are a family of 4 with children aged 8 and 11, who decided to try life in a very different setting to the one we were in.
We wanted to offer our children more space and freedom to grow up in that we felt we could provide where we were in the UK, and to take on new challenges ourselves.
Year purchased: 2007
Why the owner chose a home in this location
We didn't know too much about this area before we came here on holiday, but when we did we knew we we had found somewhere with just about everything we had dreamed of.
We spent considerable time looking around the Pyrenees for a new home, we settled on this area partly because of its stunning scenery and relaxed pace. Having grown up in Sheffield and loving the countryside around there, this area to us offers a similar beauty to that of the Peak District and north Derbyshire, but with the backdrop of the Pyrenean mountains too.
Once decided on an area, the criteria we set for a house included having village facilities at hand yet still being rural and with easy road access, but most of all somewhere with a sense of space we could enjoy and offer to others.
Unique benefits of the property
Our children and those of our guests enjoy the freedom this relaxed, rural setting gives whether its riding bikes down the lane or exploring the gardens and area.
The 4 distinct seasons we enjoy are also something we are lucky to experience every year.
The pool offers a great focus for summertime, either for exercise or just relaxing in and watching the eagles and kites soar in the blue sky above.
The change autumn brings makes walking in this area at its best in those months, every day the scenery changes and the heat of summer eases.
In winter the Pyrenees become an international focus for all manner of winter sports, from skiing to snow-shoeing.
Spring brings the burst of life back to the woodlands and fields all around with cuckoos, wood-peckers, and orchids popping up all around.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR4337
Sean Marshall
Mob: (France) + 33 637 534 477
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in January 2009,
and has advertised this property with us since January 2009.
Property Ref FR4337
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