Maison Des Etoiles

Surrounded by the rural landscapes of beautiful Aveyron and Tarn-et-Garonne, stay in a 300-year old house with a gorgeous swimming pool overlooking the countryside near Najac, one of France’s classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Embrace the slow pace of life as you relax outdoors, potter around delightful markets in historic villages and towns and experience the beauty of the Gorges de l’Aveyron.Dating back to 1725, Maison Des Étoiles is part of a historic hamlet that has been sensitively restored over several years by its dedicated owners. Original features have been retained whilst adding modern touches to bring the auberge into the 21st century with all work carried out by local artisans. Appreciate Maison Des Étoiles’ rich heritage as you admire original oak, walnut and stone materials alongside antique furnishings curated especially for this house. High quality bedlinen and designer towels have been added for guests’ convenience alongside air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV, DVD player and a Wii. The well-equipped kitchen is fit for a chef (which can be arranged!) whilst the 300-year old bread oven has been wonderfully converted into a characterful summer kitchen with a fridge to keep your drinks chilled. Beneath the wood beams upstairs, discover two large pretty bedrooms including the master with a king-size bed and a gorgeous little terrace overlooking the fields, the perfect spot for a glass of local Cahor wine. Sleeping 4-6 guests, there is a good quality sofa-bed in the lounge and two family bathrooms; one with a shower and one with a bath and shower. Just a very short walk away is the swimming pool with its stone terrace, summer kitchen and undulating vistas. There are other picturesque spots for relaxing or dining outdoors whilst the most adventurous can make the most of the endless walking, jogging and cycling trails straight from the estate. Explore the region and come across historic market towns, idyllic villages and the glorious scenery of rural France. Najac is around a 20-minute drive away with its charming lanes and impressive 13th century château, home to an atmospheric Sunday morning market and weekly summer night market. The handsome bastide town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue is another great highlight of the area, also loved for its wonderful markets. Look out for seasonal delights such as delicious cheeses, chestnuts, prunes, figs, foie gras, mushrooms, truffles and so much more.Discover the riverside villages and wild landscapes of the Gorges de l’Aveyron, including Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, a mecca for outdoor adventurists, keen cyclists and hikers. Furthermore, venture south and visit the Tarn’s Triangle d’Or with Cordes-sur-Ciel, Gaillac and Albi, all incredible destinations within an hour by car. Features: Maison Interiors -    Lounge with double sofa-bed -    Dining area -    Kitchen, fully-equipped -    Master suite with king-size bed, sitting/coffee area and doors leading to small terrace-    Bedroom with queen-size bed and sitting area -    Bathroom with bath, shower, sink and WC -    Bathroom with shower, sink and WCBoth bedrooms feature characterful sloping ceilings and wood beams Outside Grounds-    Swimming pool (5x8m, depth: approx. 2.4m) with safety alarm (closed from 8pm although later hours can be arranged). Open approximately May to October -    Poolside covered terrace-    Sun loungers-    Summer kitchen -    Various areas for sitting and/or dining -    Barbecue-    Garden (with steps and some terraced levels)-    Boules set-    ParkingFacilities-    Wi-Fi-    Air-conditioning-    Heating-    TV-    DVD player and DVDs-    Outdoor sound -    Nintendo Wii and games -    A wide variety of books-    Children’s games-    Washing machine/dryer Location: On the border of Aveyron and Tarn-et-Garonne, Maison Des Étoiles is 13km north of Najac, officially classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. This location is perfect for guests wishing to experience the slow pace of life of remote France whilst enjoying local markets, delicious gastronomy and the beauty of the Gorges de l’Aveyron. Maison Des Étoiles enjoys a rural setting, part of a historic hamlet (including the owners and their dog next door). There are walking, hiking and cycling trails straight from the estate.  The nearest village, around 7km away, is home to a couple of restaurants, café-bar, pharmacy and a boulangerie alongside an attractive lake with water based activities in the height of the summer. You will find a grocery store in another small village, 9km by car, whilst there are good-sized supermarkets just outside La Fouillade and Villefranche-de-Rouergue. Driving through the Occitanie countryside, Najac (13km) is an idyllic spot for lunch with views of the village’s beautiful 13th century château. The village hosts a lovely seasonal market on Sunday mornings as well as a summer night market on a Wednesday evening where tables are laid out on the village square whilst locals and visitors alike enjoy good Aveyron gastronomy alongside local wine and music. To the north, Villefranche-de-Rouergue (17km) is a small bastide town dating back to the 13th century with an impressive cathedral and wonderful town square that hosts the Thursday morning market, the largest in the region. Spend time exploring the town’s cobbled lanes and pretty shops before stopping off in a picturesque café-bar for lunch. In the summer months the atmospheric night market takes place on a Sunday evening – not to be missed! The owners will give you information about other markets dotted across Aveyron, Tarn-et-Garonne and Tarn from the much-loved Sunday morning market in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (26km), also known for its leather goods, to the highly regarded markets in historic Gaillac and Albi, both around an hour away.   The wild landscapes of the Gorges de l’Aveyron are a paradise for outdoor adventurists, starting in Bruniquel (50km), another one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, and flowing as far as nearby Villefranche-de-Rouergue. The river passes gorgeous villages such medieval Penne (42km) and Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (26km) and there are glorious cycling and hiking routes as well as opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, climbing and more. Tarn’s iconic Triangle D’Or is also waiting to be visited to the south from hilltop Cordes-sur-Ciel (34km) to Gaillac (56km), known for its historic vineyards, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Albi (57km) with its exquisite architecture and magnificent cathedral. Terms & Conditions: ? £1000 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation at least 2 weeks prior to arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. 4.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. Can sometimes be flexible (on request). 10.00 a.m. Can sometimes be flexible (on request). Yes. Yes, changed once for stays of 14 nights. On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Please note there are already two border collies on site. Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges. The house sleeps 4-6 guests over two double bedrooms and one double sofa-bed in the lounge. A cot, highchair and baby monitor can be requested in advance. Please note that the private swimming pool is closed from 8 p.m. although later hours can be arranged. Friday - can be flexible (on request only). Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Strictly not allowed. In the case of smoking, the security deposit will be forfeited and cleaning fee of £500 will be taken. 7 nights. Yes. French Visitors Tax is included. Yes, changed once for stays of 14 nights. The pool is open approximately May to October. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. Licence number: -