| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
Property |
Location |
|
| |
Auvergne Cottage |
Aurillac, Auvergne, France |
|
| |
| |
One-off feature |
|
| |
You will find peace, tranquillity and glorious views at this comfortable Auvergne cottage, where you walk out of the door into the heart of the mountains. There are log fires, a terrace and a balcony a garden and friendly neighbours. The perfect French escape! |
|
| |
| |
Property Info |
|
| |
Accommodation Type:
| Cottage |
|
| |
Property Setting:
| Mountainous / Village / Rural |
|
| |
Holiday Type:
| Relaxing / Family / Sports & activity |
|
| |
Bedrooms:
| 3 |
|
| |
Guests:
| 6 |
|
| |
Catering:
| self-catering |
|
| |
| |
General Info |
|
| |
The house is delightful, two typical Auvergnat homes built on a hillside and joined together to make one. The interior is charming with pictures on the walls, traditional wooden shutters on most of the windows and attractive, comfortable furniture. There is magnificent walking and other activities in the area include paragliding, rock climbing, riding, walking with donkeys, cycling along the old railway lines and Montgolfier ballooning in Aurillac! |
|
| |
| |
Details on the area surrounding the property/accommodation |
|
| |
Walking, through tracks in woods, or on the mountains is available all year round. In the summer there are wild raspberries, strawberries and myrtilles to be picked on mountain walks, while in the Autumn there are cepes and chanterelles to be found. There is fly fishing for trout in the nearby Jordanne and in neighbouring Valleys. In the next village, there is "Neige et Nature," the local organisation that arranges visits to local cheese makers, horse riding outings and the hire of mountain bikes. Paragliding is taught and practiced from the peak at Puy Mary. Dawn expeditions to spot chamois in the mountains are also arranged. For sightseeing there are a number of small chateaux within easy driving distance and Salers, a beautiful medieval town built from black volcanic rock, about 30 kilometres away, is worth a visit.
For cooling off in the summer there is swimming in the nearby river, particularly at a spot where a small waterfall provides a natural shower!
|
|
| |
| |
Getting there & away/local amenities |
|
| |
Getting There:
| By Car: The house is about 560 miles from Calais by road. Apart from the last 30 miles or so it is possible to drive this on motorways. By train: The most direct route is to Paris, then south to Clermont Ferrand and Aurillac. By Air: to Rodez, then a 2-hour drive to the cottage. |
|
| |
Nearest airports:
| Rodez 80 miles |
|
| |
Nearest train station:
| Aurillac 18.5 miles |
|
| |
Nearest ferry terminal:
| Calais 560 miles |
|
| |
Nearest bus stop:
| Mandailles 1.25 miles |
|
| |
Car Hire:
| Optional |
|
| |
Nearest restaurant:
| Mandailles |
|
| |
Nearest shop:
| Mandailles |
|
| |
Nearest market:
| Aurillac |
|
| |
| |
More info |
Enquiry info |
| |
| |
 |
Name |
Property owner |
| |
 |
Contact Phone No. |
+44 (0) 20 7267 8936 |
| |
 |
 |
| |
|
| |
Accommodation details |
| |
| |
Activities Nearby |
Birdwatching / Climbing / Cycling / Fishing / Walking
|
|
| |
| |
Interior Facilities |
Cot / Highchair / Dishwasher / DVD player / Internet Access / Log Fire / Television / Washing Machine
|
|
| |
| |
Interior Details |
There is a cellar/workshop at ground level, where wood for the log fire is kept. Above this is the door to the kitchen. This one big room still has all the charm of the old days with its wooden beams and fireplace. In this room there is also the original long table and benches, easy chairs and cupboards and a well-equipped kitchen area. Stairs lead up to the next floor where there are two bedrooms and shower room. Each bedroom has a good and comfortable double bed, though one can be split to make 2 singles if needed, and there is a loft/platform area above the two bedrooms. The main sitting room has a large wood-burning stove [which also ducts warm air upstairs if it is needed], a stereo system, television and VCR. There is also a second shower room on this floor. Upstairs there is one large bedroom, full of light, and an en-suite WC.
|
|
| |
| |
Exterior Facilities |
Balcony / BBQ / Garden / Parking / Terrace
|
|
| |
| |
Exterior Details |
There is a terrace with a marvellous view over the mountains, a gas fired barbecue, table and chairs.
|
|
| |
| |
Further Details |
If you are looking for peace, tranquillity and glorious mountain walks then the Auvergne will be a place you will love. Geologically it is a volcanic region and for this reason its beauty is preserved by the French as a National Park. From the house there are stunning views of the mountains. Raymond is a tiny hamlet set well off the main road. Caravans and lorries are forbidden to cross over the pass above at Puy Mary, so that even in the height of summer when some people do find this secluded valley and make for the mountains, it remains quiet and peaceful. The medieval centre of the market town of Aurillac, 30 kilometres away, is a delightful area with good shopping for food and fashion. Closer to home is Mandailles, with a boulangerie/epicerie and two restaurants. Behind the cottage is a farm where you can get fresh goats milk, yoghurt and goats cheese, and a travelling shop arrives twice a week in the hamlet.
|
|
| |
| |
Conditions of Rental |
The cottage is available from Easter to November. Our 2012 rate is £250 a week, £350 a week in July. These rates are exclusive of electricity, charged according to use (there is a meter to be read at the beginning and end of your stay), but includes wood and water. You would need to take your own sheets and towels, as these are not provided with the accommodation. We ask for a deposit of 50% on booking and the remainder to be paid four weeks before you leave for France. Rental runs from 2pm on the Saturday you arrive, to 10am on the Saturday you leave.
|
|
| |
| |
Other Information |
Child Friendly
|
|
| |
| |
What visitors have said about Auvergne Cottage |
| |
| |
Felt very privileged to see deer, a mountain hare and chamois at quite close quarters.
We have really enjoyed our stay here. The whole area is beautiful, but this particular end of the valley, and the wonderful view across the mountains from the front of the house, especially so. We are delighted that we have not seen a single British number plate all week, and that the region is so unspoilt by tourism. It could not be more of a tonic to London life. Thank you for your generous attitude towards letting out your home and all the invaluable advice about the house and the area. We have had a wonderful week, and hope to return to Cantal another time.
GB & TP, UK 
|
The cottage is delightful-a perfect blend of antique charm and modern comfort and practicalities. Now I sit at the ancient table-the door wide open to the hills, bells chiming evocatively and accentuating the sense of peace. It has been a perfect holiday and thank you for sharing with us your enchanting cottage in the Auvergne.
S&P M, UK 
|
The house is in the best valley of the region and in the best location for walking-a double whammy really. We find it very comfortable, and the new part is a great asset. Lovely spacious bedroom and a terrace to spend the early evenings on. The real bonus for us was the many walks that can be done from the doorstep-no car needed. We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here, and the countryside around. Many thanks for the opportunity to stay in your delightful cottage.
IP, UK 
|
We can only add to the many effusive tributes to the house and the area. The house has been immensely more comfortable than we’d expected, with so many homely touches. We’re full of admiration for all that you’ve done to blend old and new so effectively-it’s clearly been a labour of love and we feel very fortunate to have enjoyed the fruits of your labour! The region too has exceeded our expectations and, like many of our predecessors, we’ve completely fallen for it. In short, a week we shall remember fondly for a VERY LONG TIME.
A&A WB, UK 
|
We have come for our 4th holiday in the Auvergne [over 7 years] and this is the best location for us as walkers and lovers of the mountains. The gite itself is great. Very well equipped and everything works. Loved the log fire in the old house. We loved Mme Ladonne’s goat’s cheese [toasted], milk and yoghurts. The contrast between the old and new house really works and we loved the artwork. Weather was neatly divided. Excellent the first week, then not all that excellent in the second week. Still, that’s the mountains in September for you. Overall, a memorable holiday. Thanks.
J & B D, UK 
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
 |
| |