|
|
|
Georgette A restored stone cottage in a rural hamlet, with spectacular views over the wooded mountains of the Cévennes National Park of Southern France. Algues, Nant, Averyon (12), Midi-Pyrenees, France |
|
Property Ref: HW0395 |
|
Accommodation type: Detached French holiday cottage |
Location: Rural / Mountains |
Local amenities: Swimming, tennis, fishing, canoeing, climbing, hang-gliding, parascending, hiking, caving |
|
Sleeps up to: 6 |
Nearest large town: Millau |
|
|
Bedrooms: 2 (1 double, 1 twin) |
Nearest Railway Station: Millau/Montpellier (TGV) |
English Speaking: Yes |
|
Other rooms: The upper lounge has a single divan bed and also an extra single mattress to be placed where required |
Nearest airport: Montpellier(1.25hrs) Rodez(1.25hrs) Nimes(2.5hrs) Toulouse (3.25hrs) |
Pets allowed: No |
|
Heating: 2 Wood burning stoves on lower and upper floors. Portable electric heating. Bathroom heating |
Nearest Port: Sete |
Short Breaks: |
|
|
|
 |
|
Property Description |
Facilities |
|
|
The house is set in the hill-top hamlet of Algues, which is located 800 metres above sea level near the edge of the wild and beautiful Parc National des Cévennes. Rural tranquillity is assured here, with a beautiful uninterrupted outlook for miles over the wooded mountains of the Cévennes. This 18th century Averyonnais building was originally used as a chestnut store and drying house. The owners have fully restored it using local stone to provide a comfortable, traditional and distinctive two-storey home with two bedrooms to sleep up to six guests. With a roof from the local slate, solid chestnut shutters, exposed beams, rough crépi walls and traditional ornaments and furnishings, the home has plenty of simple rustic character and is deeply rooted in its region. As the house is south facing, it gets plenty of light, and all rooms have spectacular views. |
The house has a large garden with a barbecue and a sitting area under a plum tree, and two terraces, one at the front and one at the back, giving plenty of opportunity for outdoor living. On the ground level, the dining area has a tiled floor, a large oak dining table with seating for up to eight, and an oak buffet. At one end of this floor is the well-equipped and traditional kitchen, while at the other end is a cosy sitting area with a glazed fireplace, specially designed to draw heat into the upper level. Also on the ground floor is the shower room and toilet. The two bedrooms are upstairs. One has two single beds; the other has a double bed and a cherry-wood child's bed. Also on this level is a second living room, which has large sliding doors that make the most of the great views. Comfy chairs and a divan surround a wood-burning stove. This room also has a dining table, making it an ideal spot to breakfast in the morning sunshine. |
|
|
Location and Amenities in detail |
|
Six kilometres away by road, St-Jean-du-Bruel has 800 inhabitants and flanks the River Dourbie. This is the nearest village to Algues, although for the hardy it can be walked to in about 30-45 minutes, along the path, down the mountain, and through the woods. The market here is on a Thursday and a Sunday morning. St-Jean-du-Bruel has 2 cafe/bars, a mini supermarket, and various specialist food shops, as well as the regular services of a butcher, baker, pharmacy and post office. It boasts one of the region’s most well-loved restaurants, the Hôtel du Midi-Papillon, run by four generations of the Papillon family. The succulent and delicious old-style French country cooking inspired John Ardagh, the French editor of the Good Hotel Guide, to name the restaurant as one of his favourites. This is not fast food - allow two to four hours to indulge in the Papillon’s gastronomic delights. In the summer and on weekends, book in advance.
|
The Averyon region is a timeless corner of rural France, sandwiched between four popular tourist regions. The natural features and landscape are stunning with deep gorges, dramatic rock formations and large other-worldly plateaus. As many of the roads are winding up and down mountains it can take a little longer to get to places, but it usually worth the extra time. Visitors come to canoe, swim or fish in the rivers Tarn, Dourbie and Jonte, which run through magnificent gorges. It’s a half hour’s drive to the fortified medieval village of La Couvertoirade. Used originally for rest and recovery for those returning from the Crusades, it is now is the home of many artisans. Millau, an hour away, at the edge of the Tarn river, has a healthy hang-gliding scene and a good range of shops. It is most recently overlooked by the Viaduc de Millau, the newest and most stylish arrival to the French autoroute system. Millau hosts a market on Wednesday and Friday morning, with Friday being bigger and busier. Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, home of the world renowned Roquefort cheese, is also just an hour away. Visiting the caves where the cheese is stored is a must. Try the different types of Roquefort, as only one or two varieties get exported. The Mediteranean is under 2 hours away, so summer days are hot with cool evenings. Spring is warm and gentle, with the autumn full of rich colour. Montpellier, just 10 kilometres from the Med coast, is a cosmopolitan and vibrant city well worth a visit. Plan to spend half a day on the beach and half shopping. Mt Aigoual, in the heart of the Cevennes and an hours drive north-eastwards, is a favourite location for cross country skiing in the winter time, and good for mountain walks and blueberry picking. Go on a clear day, as the views are sublime and you can see the coastline, 100 kilometres away! |
|
Tariff
|
|
Travel Information: Car a necessity. Only 4 hours from Paris on the TGV to Montpellier (regular service) Booking Information Rentals are weekly. Changeover Saturday Mid to long-term rentals are available by negotiation. Rental fee is payable in Euros or pounds sterling by cheque, bank transfer or with credit card through Paypal. A 25% non-refundable booking deposit is required and the full amount is payable four weeks before the rental period, unless the booking is made less than 4 weeks before the rental date, when the full amount is payable. A breakage deposit of £75/€100 is payable, which is refundable after satisfactory completion of the rental. Firewood is not included in the rental price. Book direct with the owner: Dominique Pahud Telephone: +44 (0)117 908 5223 Please remember to mention holiday-web.co.uk when making your enquiry Property Ref: HW0395 This email and telephone contact must only be used for genuine booking enquiries. It is not permitted to be used for unsolicited email or telephone sales.
|
Just 5 minutes
walk from the house is one the area’s most famous historical sites, the
Château d'Algues, the 13th century dwelling of Irene de Rogues, which is
now in ruins.
The next village of Nant, seven kilometres
from St-Jean-du-Bruel, has a market on Tuesday and has a swimming pool
as well as a patissier who makes delicious handmade chocolates. Nature
provides the best sporting facilities, with rivers to swim, canoe or
fish in and hiking trails through the mountains and woods, where in the
autumn mushrooms can be collected.