‘Les Portails’ is a converted farmhouse with an open sided barn located in a tiny hamlet, conveniently situated for local produce, sporting facilities and sites of historical and cultural interest. Behind the distinctive arched wooden gates feast your eyes on the rolling hills of the Aveyron countryside and absorb its natural beauty and tranquillity.
The house has been carefully restored and furnished substantially in local traditional style retaining features such as exposed beams whilst offering high quality modern facilities. The large enclosed garden, which is not overlooked, is mostly laid to grass punctuated with trees, which can offer welcome shade in the sunny summer months. The swimming pool is located in the garden a few yards from the house and has its own patio for lounging in the sunshine.
A GREAT PLACE TO RELAX AND UNWIND OR HAVE AN ACTIVE HOLIDAY IF YOU PREFER.
The farmhouse has a ‘pigeonnier’, an attractive feature from bygone days when pigeon droppings were prized and sold for profit. There are no longer any pigeons and none of the accommodation is in the pigeonnier!
Accessible directly from the garden, the kitchen has a traditional fireplace with a wood burning stove, a large family dining table and chairs. The kitchen was completely refitted in 2013 with large built in oven, dishwasher and washing machine, induction hob and granite worktops. There is a large freestanding fridge/freezer and combination oven with microwave and grill. The kitchen is comprehensively equipped with cookware and plenty of tableware for eight people. This modern facility will suit those who just want to make a quick snack as well as the most enthusiastic of cooks.
The master bedroom opens off the kitchen with its own window onto the garden. This room has a double bed, wardrobe and bedside tables. Attached is the ensuite, which has a bath with shower over, basin, bidet and WC.
The first floor sitting room is directly accessible from the kitchen, via a locally crafted wooden staircase. It has beautiful views over the garden and hillsides and direct access to a terrace located on the south side of the house. The terrace also has stunning views and an electric awning to protect you from the sun. There is a sofa bed and other easy chairs in the sitting room as well as TV,DVD, HiFi and broadband internet and WiFi. The terrace has a garden table with chairs to seat eight and also has a separate external staircase leading to the garden.
The second and third bedrooms and the family shower room are individually accessible from the sitting room via a short corridor. Bedroom two has a double bed and bedroom three a double bed and two single beds. Each has ample hanging and cupboard space. The family shower room has an enclosed shower, basin and WC.
The open sided barn is directly accessible from the lane and is large enough to accommodate two or three cars. It is also a useful covered space for your children to play out of the sun or if you have a showery day. The traditional ‘cave’ opens off the barn and contains a large spare fridge/ freezer, bicycles and children’s toys.
‘Les Portails’ offers easy access to airports at Toulouse (2hrs - Aer Lingus, BA, easyJet, Jet 2 and Flybe), and Brive (2hrs - CityJet). Brive (2hrs Ryanair)
The A20 AutoRoute is just over an hours drive away and there are a multitude of non-motorway options for reaching the house.
The Aveyron is one of the largest Departements in France and is the least populated. The area is rich in historic, cultural. geographical and geological sites of interest, including the breath taking Gorges of the Aveyron and Tarn. Among the many nearby towns and villages to visit are Albi, Belcastel, Cordes, Conques, Najac, Rodez, Roquefort, Sauveterre, St Antonin, St Cirq Lapopie and Millau with its famous modern bridge. There are colourful local markets and wonderful local food and wine. Both local independent shops and supermarkets are available in Villefranche de Rouergue, eight miles away or more locally at La Fouillade (5 miles) and Sanvensa (2 miles). There are plenty of restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets within fifteen minutes drive from the house.
There is a wide variety of sporting activities locally including canoeing, horse riding, fishing, tennis and golf. There are many possibilities for walkers in the unspoilt countryside. There is horse riding at Najac as well as canoeing. It is possible to take longer trips along the river from Lagepie to St Antonin.
There is a basic tennis court in Sanvensa and more in Najac, which also has a large open-air swimming pool. Albi and Rodez have excellent eighteen hole golf courses and there is a basic par three nine hole course with a driving range in Villefranche.
