Intimate, Hand-Crafted Home with Splendid Views
Beautiful Terrace, Walled Garden, 3 Minute Walk to Village Square
Sleeps 2 (Open Plan Bedroom/Sitting Room)
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Situated at the edge of this beautiful medieval village in the Gorges of the Aveyron river, this unique (blue lime-washed) house is a very short walk from the main square with cafes & restaurants, bakery, & amenities. The house is accessed directly from the street. Behind, facing the river, is a private garden set below while a floor level elevated walkway leads to a stone terrace overlooking magnificent views of the Gorge of the Aveyron flowing at its base. The terrace, with built-in stone benches & teak table offers a perfect setting for morning coffee or al fresco dining. Both floors enjoy wonderful views through ample windows, filling the space with natural light (emphasized, upstairs, by a skylight above the cathedral style ceiling with exposed oak beams). The freshly renovated interior walls are of exposed brick, stone, & colombage (beam & stucco) providing a rustic atmosphere, while new radiant heating keeps the place snug and warm in all weather.
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| Rental periods | Price per week (1-2 Guests) |
| October - April | 420 euros |
| May - September | 520 euros |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in euros.
Additional days can be calculated by dividing the weekly rate by 7. Discounted long winter lets by special arrangement.
Changeover day
Negotiable. Note that Check-in time is after 4pm. Check-out time is 10am.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | The upstairs bedroom-bathroom-sitting room is adorned with a granite column, sound-insulated, tongue-in-groove French walnut flooring, and exposed brick and colombage walls. One double bed, sofa, a small "office" corner with built-in desk. |
| Bathrooms: | En-suite bathroom with shower (into which is built a tiled bench), wc, sink, radiant heater. |
| Kitchen: | Cooker, fridge, washing machine. |
| Utility Room: | Vacuum cleaner, basic cleaning accoutrements. |
| Living Rooms: | The downstairs kitchen-dining room-lounge has exposed Oak beams, a seamless color-washed cement floor, dressed stone door & window surrounds, custom-made shelving, racks, & cupboards, & a Stereo radio/CD player/iPod dock. The open plan is casual & rustic. |
| Other: | This is a charming hideaway for a visiting writer or honeymoon couple who wish to enjoy an informal holiday in a lovely setting with original art, a private garden, & access to natural beauty. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Towels and linen are included. Weekly cleaning. Additional services by arrangement. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge/freezer washing machine room fans barbecue |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
Heating is by thermostatically controlled electric radiators.
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible.
Not appropriate for young children or the infirm.
Outside
The terrace includes a built-in barbecue, teak patio furniture with a large sun umbrella, as well as built-in benches and serving counters. In summer additional shade can be provided by a tarp covered pergola. Outdoor cold water shower in the private garden.
Coast/Beach
The broad and beautiful Aveyron river is a 10 minute walk from our front door. Kayaking and canoeing outfitters abound in summertime and there are many picnic and swimming sites along the river. In season, a local public swimming pool is a 5 minute walk. Splendid hiking and biking trails are everywhere, as well as fishing opportunities for avid anglers. The walls of the Gorge are famous among rock climbers and cave exploration is available nearby as well as two climbing schools.
Travel
The airport of Blagnac at Toulouse is an hour and a quarter drive from St Antonin and connected by major motorway. The airport at Rodez is about the same distance and, likewise, has many connecting flights from Paris, London (Stansted), Dublin, etc. A car is essential in getting to and from St Antonin, although taxis are available to connect to the nearest train station in Caussade (20 minutes). Many English visitors journey by car from channel ports some 8 hours by modern motorway.
Distances
Within a half hour's drive of St Antonin a variety of extraordinary villages are to be seen: Cordes sur Ciel, Penne, Bruniquel, Najac, then, but a little farther afield are Montauban, Toulouse, Carcassonne, Moissac, all places of outstanding historical interest, architecture, and beauty. This is a region of immense culture, great wines, wonderful cuisine, where everyday is an adventure for the mind and all the senses.
Further details
St Antonin, at the confluence of two rivers, dates to pre-Roman times and boasts the oldest city hall (now a museum) in France.
It offers a variety of traditional shops, as well as a renowned Sunday market where fruit, vegetables, cheeses, wines and local crafts are offered in festive spirit, often enlivened by costumed musicians. There are a wide range of restaurants and bars to tempt passing shoppers into slowing their pace to enjoy the simple pleasure of a spontaneous glass of wine and conversation. All the essentials are to be had in the village: banking, pharmacies, medical service, an excellent cinema with the latest films, supermarkets & bakeries...
Booking notes
A deposit of 200 euros will confirm your booking, with the balance due in cash euros upon arrival.
Discounted long winter lets by special arrangement.
Owner profile
Bonnie & Bruce Bishop
About the owner
Bruce and Bonnie Bishop are a California couple who moved to Mallorca, Spain in the mid-80s. There in the magical, mountain-surrounded village of Soller, they raised their son, Brook and spent several years renovating a 450 year old stone farmhouse and integrated into Mallorquin life. In the 90s they returned to California to care for Bruce's mother, Ruth. In 2000, they discovered the village of St Antonin-Noble-Val in SW France where they bought a abandoned 'townhouse' overlooking the gorge of the Aveyron River. They spent the next 7 summers re-making it into a jewel of a holiday home. They currently divide their time and work between Spain, France & California. Bonnie is an educator specializing in 2nd language learning and Bruce an artist-builder. Both love sharing their homes.
Year purchased: 2000
Why the owner chose a home in this location
We bought in St Antonin because it is so beautiful. A registered Cite Medieval , it is rich in architecture and has maintained its medieval character, yet has an active contemporary life. The Sunday market of St Antonin is renowned and draws vendors and customers from all the region. The village unaccountably boasts a superb cinema with the latest releases. Picnicking alongside or kayaking on the river is delightful. Hiking, climbing (world class) and cycling are popular pastimes. Galleries abound as artists are drawn from all over the world to live in and around St Antonin.
And then we found Maison Bleue, this perfect little house whose position, super convenient to the village center and enjoying spectacular vistas knocked our socks off!
Unique benefits of the property
What makes this property unique is the surprise you get when entering what appears to be a pretty but unassuming house on a normal village street.
First is the impression of harmonious hand crafted elements, from the hand-made double front door to the cupboards and counters of solid beautifully grained wood, the custom ceramic knobs, the sculptural spiral staircase.
But then you open the back door and a dressed stone walkway leads you above a private garden to a terrace overlooking a magnificent view of the wall of the gorge with the Aveyron River below: Breathtaking!
This terrace is like a light-filled living room complete with birds and the distant sound of the river, a wonderful place to sit, sip, converse, read, reflect in sun and shade.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR4484
Contact Name:
Bruce
(UNITED STATES) +1 5627992022
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Property Ref FR4484
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