Self catering holidays
South west France
Guirot bas Farmhouse for up to 9 people with pool
Amidst the
bastides of Aquitaine
Guirot bas
is situated in 35 acres of nature reserve in the vallée du mail, a valley of
mixed prairie and woodlands in the department of Lot et Garonne.
The
department abounds with tree covered hills and fertile valleys. Two of the most beautiful rivers in France
flow through it.
The
prefecture of the department is the old Roman town of Agen, some 20 km south of
the property, with the market town of Villeneuve sur lot, 11 km north.
This 13th
century English built town has 2 Hypermarkets, several Supermarkets, a variety
of Shops, Restaurants and Bars, with farmers’ Markets 3 times a week.
The ancient
fortified town of Pujols, which stands at the open end of the vallée du mail,
has a farmers’ Market on Sunday, several artisanal boutiques and an excellent
restaurant. The village of St. Antoine
de ficalba is 1.5 km away and has a baker, grocer, hairdresser, bar/restaurant,
post office with public telephones and a Church with Sunday Services, and an
ancient Donjon.
There are
many and varied activities to be enjoyed close by, Horse Riding in the valley,
Canoeing and Boating on both rivers and the Canal du Midi, which flows through
Agen. There are3 Golf Courses, all
within a short drive, Tennis in Villeneuve sur lot, and the Grottes de fontirou
are at the closed end of the Vallée du mail.
Within our 35 acre estate you will find Walking Tracks, a trout stream
running through the lower part of the property, and plenty of natural Wildlife.
There is
exclusive use of the 10 by 5 meter filtered Swimming Pool, 2.2 meter deep end
and 1.2 meter shallow. Access to the
pool is via child proof gates, and lighting for midnight dips has been
installed. Badminton, Swing, Darts and
Mountain Bikes for riding along our many tracks, one of which leads to the
Chateau de fontirou and the Grottes.
It is a
wonderful place for a countryside holiday.
The
farmhouse is
beautifully restored, with exposed beams and stone walls, the oldest part of
the building was constructed by the Knights Templars for their cattle and
fodder.
The
farmhouse has 4 Bedrooms and an old farmers bed on the mezzanine, and can
accommodate 9 – 11 adults and a baby.
On the
ground floor there is a large living room with traditional fireplace,
comfortably furnished, with Satellite TV.
The front door leads onto a covered terrace with lovely views over the
valley. Here you can enjoy a barbeque
and dine outside at the large table.
In the
living room, there is a superb stone archway leading into the dining room with
a long table and comfortable seating for 10 to 12 people.
From the
dining room you can enter the large, fully equipped, kitchen. The kitchen has microwave, dishwasher,
electric kettle, coffee maker, gas cooker/oven, double bowl sink unit, and plenty
of utensils. There are large open
shelves and 2 kitchen cupboards, with a full range of crockery and cutlery,
also a large fridge with separate freezer.
Next to the
kitchen is the utility room with washing machine. Iron and ironing board are stored in the boiler room at the end
of the dining room. Cleaning equipment
is stored in the kitchen and in the utility room.
There is a
shower room with spacious shower cubicle, and a hand basin. There is a separate WC.
There are 2
bedrooms on the ground floor, 1 double and 1 twin .
On the
first floor there is a large bedroom with 4 single beds; with views over the
swimming pool and the valley. A large
mezzanine with double bed, bookshelves filled with a variety of books, hand
basin, and bathroom with WC. There is a
large window with views of the valley.
Another double bedroom leads of the mezzanine. Duvets, pillows, dishcloths, bed linen and towels are all
provided.
Distances from nearest airports: Bergerac-
75 km; Bordeaux- 155 km; Toulouse- 125
km
Prices Guirot Bas 2008 :
Including electricity, water, gas, bed-linen, bath towels, and winter
heating.
1 Jan to 5 april
£415
5 april to 28 june
£515
28 june to 12 july
£695
12 july to 26 july
£795
26 july to 30 aug
£935
30 aug to 1 nov
£515
1 nov to 31 dec
£415
Prices are based on 8 people; add 5% per additional person.
Less 5% for 2nd week
10% discount for up to 7 people
15% discount for up to 6 people
20% discount for up to 5 people
25% discount for up to 3 people
For stays of over 2 weeks, change of linen is provided free (otherwise
€10 surcharge for single beds, €20 for doubles)
Payment in Euros is acceptable at the prevailing exchange rate.
Availability
(Blue squares are already
booked)
|
12 April |
19 April |
26 April |
3 May |
10 May |
17 May |
|
24 May |
31 May |
7 June |
14 June |
21 June |
28 June |
|
5 July |
12 July |
19 July |
26 July |
2 August |
9 August |
|
16 August |
23 August |
30 August |
6 September |
13 September |
20 September |
|
27 September |
4 October |
11 October |
18 October |
25 October |
1 November |
Gazéle farmhouse for up to 12 people with swimming
pond
Gazéle is a
restored farmhouse on 12 acres, in a
little valley in Lot et Garonne, surrounded by tree covered hills and farmers’
fields. Woodland walks to ancient castle,
huge caves and other treasures cross the property.
The large
market town of Villeneuve sur lot with its 13th century gates to the
city, is just down the valley 7 km away.
There are hypermarkets and several farmers’ markets weekly. The town also offers high quality
restaurants, cafés en terrace, and shopping around the central square with its
recently restored fountain. The square
is also the setting for an evening gourmet market and concert every Wednesday
in the summer. The ancient fortified town
of Pujols and Penne are also nearby, both popular for their architecture and
the quality of the local artisans.
Other
activities are close at hand, the valley boasts a riding club and a
vineyard. Tennis, golf, canoeing, and
swimming lakes can all be found within a 20 km radius. The village of St. Antoine de ficalba with
its grocer, baker, post office, bar/restaurant and hairdresser is only 3 km
away.
The
farmhouse itself
sits by a stream (Gazéle means ford in Occitan), on 12 acres of hillside
containing fields, an overgrown orchard, mature trees, small caves, woodland,
its own drinkable spring water and friendly rabbits.
Gazéle can
accommodate up to 12 people in 5 bedrooms the largest bedroom holds up to 4
single beds), the large 80 m2 dining room has a well equipped kitchen with
stone and wood breakfast bar. There are
2 living rooms on 2 floors which connect to 4 of the bedrooms (2 double and 4
twin), and the 2 bathrooms and separate WCs.
The house has Satellite TV, DVD, washing machine and dish washer. Duvets, dishcloths, pillows, bed linen and
towels are all provided.
In the garden there is a stone oven, a
barbeque, garden furniture, swings and bicycles for adults and children.
The man
made swimming pond looks like a lake edged with water plants and flowers
(lilies, water mint, irises). There is
a large 13 by 8 meter swimming section 2 meters deep (free from plants), a
paddling pool area, a wooden jetty for diving, and a 10 meter long mountain
stream with waterfall. The pond is fed
by the spring, and the water is kept crystal clear thanks to a planted reed bed
filter, no chemicals are needed.
Children love it and spend a lot of their time catching tadpoles. A healthy environment with no harmful chemicals. Temporary barriers to limit access for
toddlers are available on demand. For
more photos of pond see our piscines naturelles section.
For more
info on natural pools try http://www.gartenart.co.uk/
Agen –
Bordeaux is 135 km by the autoroute.
There are international airports at Bordeaux and Toulouse. The Eurostar, from London to Lille connects
with the TGV high speed train to Agen from Bordeaux.
Prices Gazele 2008 :
Including electricity, water, gas, bed-linen, and bath towels.
1 Jan to 5 April
£425
5 April to 28 June
£515
28 June to 12 July
£715
12 July to 26 July
£795
26 July to 30 Aug
£995
30 Aug to 1 Nov
£515
1 Nov to 31 Dec
£425
Prices are based on 10 people sharing; add 5% per additional person.
Less 5% for second week
10% discount for up to 8 people
15% discount for up to 7 people
25% discount for up to 6 people
35% discount for up to 3
people
Payment in Euros is acceptable at the prevailing exchange rate
Availability
(Blue squares are already
booked)
|
12 April |
19 April |
26 April |
3 May |
10 May |
17 May |
|
24 May |
31 May |
7 June |
14 June |
21 June |
28 June |
|
5 July |
12 July |
19 July |
26 July |
2 August |
9 August |
|
16 August |
23 August |
30 August |
6 September |
13 September |
20 September |
|
27 September |
4 October |
11 October |
18 October |
25 October |
1 November |
Booking
procedures and conditions.
Making a
booking
A booking
is confirmed when the completed booking form and deposit have been received at the
address shown on the booking form and confirmed in writing. Reservations made by email or phone will be
made firm if the completed booking form and deposit are received within 8
working days following the call.
Payments
The booking
form must be accompanied by 25% of the rental charge. We will acknowledge receipt promptly. The 75% remainder will be due not less than 8 weeks prior to the
start of your holiday. When a booking
is made within 8 weeks from the start of your holiday, full payment is required
with the booking form. Cheques should
be made payable to D. MacRae Smith.
Directions
Directions
to the property will be sent to you upon receipt of your final payment.
Arrival
and departure
The rental
period is from 5 pm Saturday to 10 am Saturday. You are asked not to arrive before 5 pm. On your departure you are asked to vacate the property not later
than 10 am. In order for cleaning to be
carried out.
We cannot
be held responsible for any situation arising from arrival or departure outside
the stated time. Please leave the
property in a clean condition.
Non-availability
of property
If, for any
reason beyond our control ( e.g. Fire damage ) the property is not available on
the stated date, all rental paid in advance will be refunded in full. The hirer will have no further claim.
Complaints
We cannot
accept responsibility for events or persons outside our control
(e.g.
Exceptionally bad weather, or the actions of carrier companies ).
We shall
make every reasonable effort to rectify domestic problems.
Cancellation
If you have
to cancel your holiday, for whatever reason, your deposit will be forfeited,
but if written notice of cancellation is received not less than 8 weeks before
the holiday starting date, the hirer will not be held liable to pay the balance
of the rental.
It is
strongly recommended that your insurance policy includes cancellation
provisions.
Further
conditions
Any damage
to the property or contents should be reported to us as soon as possible.
The property
may be used only by the number of people accepted and stated on the booking
form. Caravans, tents or other
additional accommodation may not be used on the site.
Hirers are
obliged to permit reasonable access, so that any maintenance required can be
carried out. We reserve the right to
terminate without notice or refund in case of breach of these conditions.
Accidents
Please
ensure that you and your party have adequate insurance covering accidents, loss
and damage, as the use of all the facilities is at your own risk and we cannot
accept responsibility for any such occurrences.