Location: Cordes-sur-Ciel, Midi-Pyrenees, France, Europe (1.8 km. from Cordes, walking distance to Les Cabannes)
Accommodations: Cottage, 1 Bedroom + Convertible bed(s), 1.25 Baths (Sleeps 2-4)
Keywords: Cottage
El Palomar (the dovecote) is a very special and romantic little cottage that sits on three acres of land. You feel as if you were in the countryside, but you are really walking distance from Les Cabannes and a four minute drive from beautiful Cordes-sur Ciel.
The house is compact and charming. Once a train waypoint, it has been beautifully restored and has a charming country kitchen that opens out to a "terrasse" with stone walls that has a large table for dining "al fresco" and a small table and chairs for just sitting and sipping drinks during the pleasant afternoons and evenings. The kitchen has a refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave and a clothes washer/dryer. It is completely equipped with dishes, flatware and cooking utensils. It also has a small toilet for guests.
From the kitchen, you go up to the main living area that has a sofabed for two people, and comfortable chairs. Then up to the garret sleeping area, with a heavenly iron framed bed and a full bathroom. There are linens and towels and feather duvets. The house has electric heating and there is also an air conditioning unit in the bedroom for when the summer nights get too warm.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Washer
- Dryer
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Stove
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Convertible Bed : Double sofabed in livingroom
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV : Great Britain chanels
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Communications
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Not Suitable for Children
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Shopping
- Boating
- Swimming
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Restaurants
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Wine tastings
Rate Details (In US Dollars, Euros)
Low Season ... November 1 - April 30 ...... $450/week.
Mid Season ... May 01, 2008-Jun 30, 2008 .. $550/week.
High Season .. Jul 01, 2008-Oct 31, 2008 .. $675/week.
Not included in rent:
100 EURO cleaning and linen fee
1 EURO per person per night tax
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2005
I am a Chopra Center certified meditation, ayurveda and yoga instructor. I live in Puerto Rico but spend months at a time at "El Palomar", my cottage in France. I purchased this cottage as a complete ruin and lovingly restored it to the vision I had when I first saw it. It is my refuge. The area is beautiful and the people are wonderful.
Why the Owner Chose Cordes-sur-Ciel
I went to this area in France to take a painting course. The beauty of the area and the wonderful friends I made there made me start looking for a home I could buy. When I saw "El Palomar" I knew I had found it. It was just four stone walls and a crumbling roof but from the moment I saw it I knew what it could be. It took me two years but my dream has come true and it is exactly as I imagined it.
The Unique Benefits of this Cottage
I love just staying there and "living the French life". I go to the Cordes market every Saturday and the sit at the café at the "place" chatting with friends who stop by the table to say hello... There are so many beautiful little towns around, it's nice to go for day trips once in a while. There is a lake nearby where my friends and I have picnics. Every other Wednesday night during the Summers, Les Cabannes (the town where it is located) has a dance on the main road. Everyone sits on long tables that are set up on the sidewalks, there is music and food and dancing! Alternate Wednesdays the mayor gives open-air movies at the square. There are Summer concerts, festivals... so much to do!!
Property Photos
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- Front of house - Midi-Pyrenees, France Vacation Rentals
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- Charming country kitchen - Midi-Pyrenees, France Vacation Rentals
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- Living room - Midi-Pyrenees, France Vacation Rentals
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- Living room angle
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- Al fresco dining on the "terrasse"
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- Drinks on the "terrasse"
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- Steps to bedroom
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- Bedroom
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- Bedroom armoire
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- Saturday market at Cordes sur Ciel
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- Entrance to Cordes sur Ciel
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- Cordes sur Ciel
Traveler Reviews (7)
A true gem!
Guest: brian T.
(PHOENIXVILLE, PA, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11
Review Submitted: 08/31/11
El Palomar is a beautiful and quaint place to stay next to a charming and mysterious medieval city surrounded by a peaceful and breathtaking countryside. It is perfect for a couple looking for a slow but enjoyable vacation. There are a few places to eat and visit within walking distance or a short drive, and there are many towns and places nearby worth exploring (between 30 to 60 minutes) driving. The cottage itself is delightful; it is quaint but still comfortable. If you stay here, Your biggest problem will be deciding whether to go out and explore beautiful towns or stay in and relax in a provincial paradise. We stayed for 1 week. It felt like enough time, but we easily could have spend 2 weeks there without getting bored. We did not speak French. There were some people who spoke English, but most of the time we got by with about 5 phrases we learned from our Lonely Planet French Phrase Book. As long as you're adventuresome, language shouldn't be a major problem. After one week near Cordes, my wife and I were planning how we could move there. What better review can be there than that!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.
Charming Picture Perfect France Cottage
Guest: Val
(Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 05/21/11
Review Submitted: 08/06/11
We spent two weeks in this wonderful cottage and it was everything the listing said and more. It is oozing with charm and had everything we needed to make our stay comfortable. Bed was so comfortable, it was the best sleep I had experienced in a long time. Enjoyed waking up in the morning and walking to the bakery in the village for our morning croissants and then back to the cottage to have them in the courtyard or the cozy kitchen. Enjoyed roaming the beautiful countryside each day and exploring some of the charming villages and towns. Went to Albi twice and the market in Sainte Antoine which was huge and had everything you could possibly need to cook a great meal. We usually ate at the same restaurant at the top of Cordes , the medieval city just a few minutes away. Truly a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the French Countryside in comfort. We felt right at home and could have stayed much longer.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Idyllic stay in Cordes-sur-Ciel
Guest: Cynthia
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 06/12/10
Review Submitted: 06/29/10
My husband and I spent a week in "El Palomar" this month. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate but our accomodation more than made up for the cloudy skies. The "gite" is beautifully and carefully decorated and fully equipped. I particularly loved cooking in the Provencal kitchen, and on sunny days we dined El Fresco outside the front door. We were within easy walking distance to Cordes Sur Ciel and enjoyed a taste of French life in a mediaeval city. I recommend this "gite" highly.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers.
EL PALOMAR
Guest: MarAl
(Yonkers, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/15/09
Review Submitted: 03/27/10
Our six weeks at Camille's romantic cottage were delightful, and months later we are still talking about our stay there! Her sense of design and good taste are evident throughout, and the place is immaculate and comfortable. We slept "comme un loir" as they say in France, so soundly because of the wonderful bedding and the distance from the road. We walked to the village of Les Cabannes to the "boulanger" to buy our croissants and bread, to the Post Office, etc., and even to the magnificently preserved medieval hilltop village of Cordes sur Ciel. We took many wonderful excursions by car through the nearby countryside, covered with colorful vineyards and punctuated by still more picturesque stone villages. If you want an excellent location, comfort, and an unforgettable romantic vacation, Camille's beautiful home is the place to stay!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.
Guest: Sandy Payette
(Ithaca, NY USA)
Date of Stay: 09/08/09
Review Submitted: 09/08/09
El Palomar is a unique and beautiful stone cottage in a truly beautiful area of Southwest France. Camille has a wonderful sense of design and has created an atmosphere that is charming and comfortably elegant with the colors and textures of Provence country homes. The first floor is a cozy country kitchen with all of the modern amenities, including an induction cooktop range. Wow, we never saw water boil that fast! The entire second floor is a nicely appointed living room that is bright and airy all times of the day. We loved the third floor bedroom with its beamed ceiling, great armoire and comfortable bed with nice linens. We have to say that anyone who stays in this wonderful home will keep taking pictures of it to send back to family and friends! The location is perfect for walking. On a regular basis we took short walks to the local boulangerie and to the center of Cordes sur Ciel, a spectacular bastide and one of the best medieval hill towns in the area. We also took many longer walks in the countryside passing through fields of sunflowers, tiny villages, and vineyards. There are many notable small towns within a short drive to explore including Penne, Bruniquel, and St. Antonin. Most local villages have market days. Albi is a very nice mid-sized city that’s about a 30 minute drive from El Palomar that features an amazing gothic brick cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi) and the Musée Toulouse Lautrec. Also, Albi has many nice restaurants and stores. Camille was completely gracious in providing us information about the area and introducing us to her delightful friends who live near El Palomar. Catherine and John were extremely generous and made us feel very welcome. Overall, we found El Palomar to provide the perfect mix of relaxation, walking, touring, and exploring. We of course won’t forget the fresh food and great wines too!We are so thankful to Camille for sharing her wonderful home. It’s a real gem!
Recommended for:
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/22/08
Review Submitted: 06/22/08
We've highly appreciated staying at your cottage which is more than romantic, it is a trip through centuries. We've felt at home with space inside and outside the house, confortable and clean. The area is also fantastic and quiet. We dream to come back soon.Jacinthe, Québec
Recommended for:
Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/08
Review Submitted: 06/22/08
We've highly appreciated staying at your cottage which is more than romantic, it is a trip through centuries. We've felt at home with space inside and outside the house, confortable and clean. The area is also fantastic and quiet. We dream to come back soon. Jacinthe, Québec
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #158314
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