Location: Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Midi-Pyrenees, France, Europe (Toulouse (TLS) 70 kms, Albi 40 kms, RDZ & CCI airpts 145 kms)
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 8)
Castelnau de Montmiral is a magnificent 13th century bastide (fortified town) perched on a hilltop with views over the fields and vineyards of the Vere valley, in the Tarn region. Castelnau was chosen by the government in 1991 as one of the most beautiful villages in all of France.
Our restored, three-story house has four bedrooms (two with queen beds and two with two twin beds each) and two baths, as well as a living/dining room with fireplace, full kitchen and a balcony overlooking the village esplanade, with sweeping views of the countryside. The house is fully furnished, with a well stocked kitchen, linens, towels and a small collection of CDs and books, including local guidebooks and maps.
The house is on Rue de la Porte Neuve within the village walls, a short walk from a boulangerie, a patisserie and two small hotels with good restaurants. There is a market every Tuesday morning offering fresh local produce, meats and cheeses, as well as local handicrafts. Castelnau de Montmiral also has a pharmacy, post office, hairdresser, and doctor's surgery. A painting school is based in the village, as the architecture and countryside offer ample inspiration for artists. The village is also home to a beautiful church, Notre-Dame-de-L’Assomption, which is home to the 14th century Cross of the Counts of Armangac, studded with 310 jewels.
The area surrounding Castelnau de Montmiral is rich in cultural, gastronomic, and outdoors offerings. The village is in the heart of the Gaillac wine region, which has been producing excellent wines for more than 1000 years. There are dozens of wineries in the countryside offering degustation (tastings).
The town of Gaillac is just 13 kilometers (eight miles) away, with its Musee des Beaux Arts, natural history museum, and tenth-century Abbaye St. Michel, on the banks of the Tarn River. Gaillac hosts a large, colorful market every Friday morning. The city of Albi is less than half an hour away, with its elegant squares, many cafes and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum and the impressive Cathedrale de Ste. Cecile.
The village of St. Antonin Noble-Val is half an hour north of Castelnau, overlooking a gorge with the Aveyron river below. This is home to a popular Sunday morning market, as well as hiking, canoeing and kayaking trips and good fishing opportunities.
There is also a lively performing arts scene in Gaillac, Castlenau and the surrounding bastide towns, with theater performances, jazz, and classical music festivals throughout the spring and summer months.
The area offers many outdoor diversions as well - hiking in the adjacent Gresigne forest, and swimming, boating and fishing in the lake at the Base de Loisirs, just two kilometers from Castelnau. The country roads around the village are excellent for cycling and running, and there are facilities for golf, tennis and horseback riding nearby.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Linens Provided: Ample linens and towels for 8 guests. Linens changed and cleaned in between rentals.
- Off Street Parking: 6 free parking spots at the back of the house on the esplanade
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed: two queen beds
- Twin/Single Bed: four twin beds
- Entertainment
- CD Player
- Music Library: Small collection of classical/jazz/pop CDs
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Well equipped kitchen with microwave, blender, coffee maker, etc.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: We cook often when we stay at the house.
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Balcony: Balcony with umbrella, chairs and table - big enough for a meal for 6 people
- View/Location
- Mountain View: Sweeping views across the Vere Valley
- Communications
- Telephone: Free local calls.
- Suitability
- Kid Friendly: House has stairs but is suitable for kids - we have stayed here with kids aged 3 to 18.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Wine Tasting - dozens of vineyards in the Gaillac region are within a few minutes drive. There is a painting and printmaking school in the village and cooking classes are a possibility as well.
Rate Details (In Euros/US $)
High Season: June 1 through August 31:
€700/week .. €1300/2 weeks .. €2400/month.
Low Season: September 1 through May 30:
€450/week... €800/2 weeks. €1500/month
Nightly Rentals available .. €120/night (3 night minimum)
Payment By Check/Wire - US Dollars or Euros (at current Exchange rates)
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
- The House (on right) - Castelnau-de-Montmiral, France House Rental
- View from Balcony - Castelnau-de-Montmiral, France House Rental
- One of the four bedrooms - Castelnau-de-Montmiral, France House Rental
- The kitchen
- Les Arcades - main square in Castelnau
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #108240
There have been 1682 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2006.
Date last modified - June 11, 2009
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Michael & Pam Serisawa ,
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p. armstrong , berkeley, ca. usa