Fine Old Stone Maison de Maitre with Pool
Peaceful, Private Location with Lovely Country Views
Sleeps 10 + Cot. (5 Double Bedrooms)
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Situated on the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela, in the Quercy Blanc region of limestone plateaux and fertile valleys, La Chave is located 9 miles south west of Cahors and 60 miles north of Toulouse. The nearest village, Montcuq, is a 12 min drive away with all the local shops you need and a colourful Sunday market. This charmingly restored old house, untouched for over a century when we bought it in July 2000, is full of character and atmosphere. South facing, with large windows, it is extremely light and sunny. Peacefully situated, with lovely rural views, the house is private but not isolated. Decorated in soft colours with contrasting woodwork, it is simply but comfortably furnished as a family home, with many period country pieces and has pale sanded floors with Moroccan rugs and Kilims. Outside, enclosed in the old kitchen garden is the large 12 x 6m private salt water swimming pool which catches the sun all day.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 9 June 2012 - 30 June 2012 | £700 | 7 | ||
| 30 June 2012 - 14 July 2012 | £1000 | 7 | ||
| 14 July 2012 - 25 August 2012 | £1750 | 7 | ||
| 25 August 2012 - 8 September 2012 | £1000 | 7 | ||
| 8 September 2012 - 22 September 2012 | £700 | 7 | ||
| 22 September 2012 - 6 October 2012 | £500 | 7 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds, or pro rata per night over 7 nights, in June and September. Gas, electricity, logs, linen (except pool towels), cleaning and local phone calls are all included. In June and September, 10 day breaks are possible, please enquire. In late season, prices reflect the number of guests so £500 for 4, £600 for 6, £700 8-10
Changeover day
Bookings in high season run from Saturday 4pm to Saturday 10am to allow time for cleaning. Earlier arrival may be possible by arrangement, please enquire. In June and September, 10 day (plus or minus) breaks possible - please ask.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | First floor: master bedroom south facing, 5ft double bed with en-suite bathroom. Bedroom 2, south facing, 5ft double bed. Bedroom 3, west, twin beds. Attic: Bedroom 4, very large room with 3 single beds and cot. Attic: Bedroom 5 with 5ft double bed. |
| Bathrooms: | En-suite bathroom to master bedroom with bath and WC. Shower room with WC. Attic bathroom with WC. Ground floor laundry room with shower and WC. All bathrooms have a heated towel rail. Endless supply of hot water. Hairdryer supplied. |
| Kitchen: | Spacious well equipped kitchen, Smeg range cooker, with 5 gas burners and electric oven, family size fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, electric kettle, toaster, good stock of utensils and pans plus a large table and chairs and high chair. |
| Utility Room: | Washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and ironing board. Second fridge. Sink, shower and WC - especially convenient before and after swimming. |
| Living Rooms: | Sitting room with comfy sofas and chairs and wood burning stove, Hi-Fi and TV with English channels. DVD player with good selection of films. Telephone set to receive all incoming calls and free local out going calls. |
| Other: | All bedrooms are a good size and have chests of drawers and wardrobes or hooks for clothes hanging. There is a reading lamp, bedside table and 2 pillows for each bed. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
House thoroughly cleaned at changeover and for those staying 2 weeks, mini clean (2hrs) on middle Saturday. Linen included except swimming towels. Extra cleaning available on request and paid for locally. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge/freezer fridge microwave dishwasher washing machine tumble dryer iron/ironing board satellite tv telephone central heating room fans cot high chair barbecue private pool (for sole use of guests) |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
The layout of the bedrooms on 2 floors allows flexibility for both smaller and larger parties, especially for 2 families wanting to share. Children, including teenagers love getting away from the "grown-ups" in the charming attic rooms! Due to the many changes of level, and the very old farm buildings, the property is not recommended for toddlers, or those with mobility problems. If in doubt please discuss. Guests are requested not to smoke in the house. For safety there are 2 smoke alarms situated on the lower and upper stairwell, and 2 fire extinguishers.
Outside
Enclosed by mellow stone walls in the old kitchen garden is a 12 x 6m private, south facing, saltwater swimming pool, with alarm and underwater lighting. Saltwater is more buoyant for learners and very soft on the skin. Open from June to September it is surrounded by stone paving with parasols, comfortable sun loungers and lovely views. The terraced garden provides many levels on which to sit and relax and is attractively planted with mature box hedges, mixed borders and containers, and boasts 7 fig trees laden with fruit in September. The garden is host to all sorts of wildlife including red squirrels, swallow-tail butterflies, hummingbird hawk moths, hoopoes, owls and courting frogs! Stargazers will love the clear night sky.There is a large 3-sided barn (hangar), ideal for outdoor living, playing table tennis, reading in the shade, or sitting over leisurely meals cooked on the built-in BBQ. For younger children, there is a wooden sandpit with lid and sand castle toys. Very popular!
Golf
Very pleasant 9 hole golf course situated in stunning countryside only 15 mins away. Particularly friendly for families and beginners. Buggies and golf clubs for hire, or borrow our clubs and trolley from the house. Attractive clubhouse, pro shop and pool can all be used by non-golfers. Delicious meals available too.
Travel
Toulouse and Bergerac Airport -approx 60 miles. Rodez Airport approx 65 miles. Carcassonne Airport approx 100 miles. Car hire essential. From Calais approx driving time 10 hours. From Caen approx driving time 8 hours 30 mins. From Le Havre approx driving time 8 hours.
Distances
Montcuq 8 miles. Cahors 10 miles. Lauzerte 11 miles Rocamadour, Cordes sur Ciel and St Cirq Lapopie all make an interesting day out and can be reached in just over the hour. The Quercy Blanc landscape is on a smaller scale than neighbouring areas, with white stone farmsteads scattered on hillsides, and fertile valleys producing sunflowers, melons, asparagus and other delicious fruit and vegetables.The famous Cahors vineyards are all around, and welcome visitors to taste and buy.
Further details
The Lot region lives up to it's promise, 'Une surprise a chaque pas', a surprise at every step! Round every corner is a different view, every valley producing different crops, vines and vegetables, making visitors feel very much a part of the French countryside. The small farms use any available family member wearing any favourite old hat to help pick the asparagus or melons, to sow the tobacco or spinach and to pull up the weeds. For shopping, Montcuq and Cahors have excellent supermarkets and colourful weekly markets. Montcuq has several good butchers and bakers, 2 restaurants and all the local shops you need. It also has a large leisure lake with sandy beach, play equipment and several tennis courts. Tennis and riding also available just 3km away, boating and canoeing on the river Lot and excellent walking all around.
Booking notes
To make a booking please contact me preferably by phone or e-mail. Booking is reserved on receipt of a 25% deposit. Balance due 8 weeks before start of holiday, together with refundable damage deposit of £200 per week booked. For complete peace of mind, we advise guests to cover the risk of cancellation and delay with their own holiday insurance.
Guest comments
'That house! You dream of places like this. It's right out of Conde Nast Traveller.'
Heaven on a stick! Pool worthy of a hotel! Coming back? Absolutely!
'I can't say enough good things about La Chave and the region, it's just an amazing place!'
'After 7 years, we have finally found somewhere that lives up to the marketing, La Chave!'
'It's always a little risky booking something you can't touch and can't see beforehand, but La Chave is the real deal!'
So often the kitchen facilities in large houses are woefully inadequate for the number of guests, but your kitchen with its huge range of pots and pans made cooking a pleasure.The thoughtful touches for children were very much appreciated.
We had the most wonderful time at your gorgeous house, it really is quite stunning. Everything was perfect and I wouldn't change a thing!
Magical time at La Chave, revived, restored, in this corner of heaven, thank you!
House swap
House swap considered in June or September, preferably with pool or near beach. Italy, Greek Islands, Turkey or Croatia, sleeping 4-6.
Owner profile
About the owner
I like to keep busy and enjoy meeting people. I did B&B for 9 years in our Hampshire barn, taught English to French businessmen one to one, and arranged garden tours for French speaking visitors. I love gardening and have made a charming garden of mixed planting in France but have to be content with just pots in Portugal! Although my husband normally flies, I usually drive to and from both France and Portugal, and am always adding to and changing the furnishing details, keeping the properties fresh and interesting. Both places feel like home from home. Having had a large family I am used to making a home welcoming and comfortable and enjoy renting our lovely holiday homes to others.
Why the owner chose a home in this location
Having had ancestors who came to England from Bergerac in 1686 I was interested to see the area they came from. The pace of life is slow and there is time for everything. I love the peace of the location and I love Montcuq, the charming local village, with boules pitches through the middle, and old men in berets playing every afternoon. Cahors is great for shopping of all kinds and has a stunning fortified bridge over the river Lot. Fantastic produce is grown all around, melons, asparagus, walnuts, figs, plums. Vines are everywhere and tastings are encouraged at all the vineyards. Duck and foie gras are the local delicacies and there are markets somewhere every day of the week Canoes and bikes can be hired and there is tennis and horse riding nearby. Good walking in all directions.
Unique benefits of the property
I fell in love with La Chave in 2000 and am only the third owner of the house since 1880. I bought it from an old bachelor farmer who had not touched it for years so a lot of renovation was required both inside and outside. The pool now sits in the old kitchen garden which makes a perfect enclosed space, and the old 3 sided barn makes a huge summer living area. The property is great for extended families as the accommodation is on 3 floors allowing more space and the garden is on different levels too so there is always a quiet corner to read.The property is part of a tiny village and shares the no through lane with just 2 other houses. Private but not isolated! The French in this part of France are so friendly and helpful and welcome you warmly to the area, I love it.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR855
Contact Name:
Lindy Ball
(UNITED KINGDOM) +44 01725519529
Alternate Contact Details:
07747620552
Owners Website: Click here
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Property Ref FR855
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