Luxurious Stone Farmhouse nr Albi, Private Pool, huge Park, close Amenities
- Farmhouse12917 sq. ft.
- Sleeps: 7
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 2
- Min Stay: 5–7 nights
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleep 6. Glorious Landscape, Peaceful Surroundings
Bedrooms
Owner
Joan RAFFIN
- Languages:
- english, french
About Joan RAFFIN
John and I met in London 25 years ago and discovered a shared passion for food, gardens, architecture and travel. Joan is a garden designer and writer with a taste for the unusual and a taste for adventure. John, a chartered surveyor whose life has touched many parts of the world, has always enjoyed tackling 'projects'.
Joan RAFFIN purchased this Farmhouse in 2001
Why Joan RAFFIN chose Vénès
France is country in which we both spent happy times in our youth and we thought to recapture some of that spirit. Not previously knowing the South-west, we stumbled upon the Tarn and discovered a Hobbit like romantisicm within its rolling landscapes, lakes and ancient hilltop villages. When we discovered La Bailesse, it really was love at first sight, Once the centre of a vast farm, it had been unoccupied for years and just seemed to reach out to us for help. We were so lucky to find it and our fabulous neighbours who have welcomed us into their community without reservation. This warmth extends right throughout the region.
What makes this Farmhouse unique
La Bailesse is a magical property nestling within the cradling arms of soft, surrounding hills. It revels in nature and is an oasis for our birds and butterflies, the red squirrels and wild orchids. Guests who might arrive somewhat stressed, quickly lose themselves to its charms and fall headlong into relaxation. The character of the architecture, the gigantic, ancient oak trees, the welcoming ambiance, the landscaped pool, the lovely views, the space and calm make this an exceptional destination.
Amenities
Featured
- Swimming pool
- Internet
- Fireplace
- TV
- Washer & Dryer
- Children Welcome
- Parking
- No Smoking
- Heater
Bathrooms
- Bathrooms: 2
Safety features
- Deadbolt lock
- First-aid kitKitchen
- Smoke detector
- Fire extinguisherKitchen.
- Carbon-monoxide detector
- Exterior lighting
Location Type
- RuralSet amongst beautiful wide rolling countryside of farmland and woods
- VillageVillage with traditional restaurant, a good grocery store/delicatessen/bread/vegetables, post office. Pizza restaurant nearby. All in walking distance.
General
- coin laundry
- HeatingOil fired central heating.
- Linens ProvidedHigh quality bed linen is provided and replaced weekly. Beds are made up before arrival.
- Washing MachineYour own washing machine in a separate private laundry room. Starter pack of laundry soap provided.
- Clothes DryerTumble dryer available on supplement
- FireplaceWood burning stove, first lighting included
- ParkingFree parking space on the property
- InternetFree w-fi.
- Towels ProvidedGood quality towels, replaced weekly. Pool towels for use on the property are provided.
- Wireless InternetFree wi-fi.
- Wood StoveWood burning stove in the sitting room.
- Iron & Board
- Hair Dryer
- Paper Towels
- Basic Soaps
- Toilet Paper
- Living RoomTV, DVD player and library. Books and games. 2 large sofas, armchair, pouffe, desk, bookcase, coffee table, lamps.
- Baby Gate
Kitchen
- Dishwasher12 places
- RefrigeratorFamily sized fridge/freezer.
- StoveElectric 4 ring hob
- OvenElectric fan assisted oven
- MicrowaveFull size
- Grill
- Coffee MakerElectric coffee maker and a manual plunge cafetière
- ToasterElectric
- Blender
- Pantry ItemsWelcome pack of local produce. Starter pack of cooking oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, herbs, tea bags, dishwasher tablets, washing up liquid, kitchen roll. Bottled water.
- Dishes & UtensilsA generous range of quality matching tableware, plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, knives, forks, spoons. Lots of baking and oven ware, wide range of utensils.
- KitchenFully equipped modern electric kitchen with fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine. Large range of utensils, cookware and tableware, glasses. Tablecloth and place mats.
- Kettle
Dining
- Dining Area
- Child's Highchair
Entertainment
- TelevisionLarge flat screen TV and DVD player.
- StereoCD player.
- DVD Player
- BooksNovels, reference books, guides, childrens' titles.
- Foosball
- GamesBoard games and cards, also for children.
- Games for Kids
- Ping Pong Table
- ToysTable tennis bats, badminton racquets
- Video LibraryDVD library, also with childrens titles.
Outside
- Lawn / Garden2 hectares of exterior space. Perfect for children to run around or for quiet strolling. Landscaped gardens and wild spaces, plus a small woodland.
- Bicycles2 road bikes, 2 off road, 1 racing style, 2 helmets.
- Beach Chairs
- Porch / VerandaLarge covered outdoor space with dining table for 10 beside boules terrace.
- Deck / PatioLarge private dining terrace with lovely countryside views and fabulous sunsets. Direct access from kitchen. Dining table and chairs seats 8, charcoal barbecue.
- Outdoor Furniture
Suitability
- wheelchair inaccessibleFamilies with children, couples, adult friends
- Long-term Renters Welcome
Pool / Spa
- Outdoor Pool
- Heated Pool
- Private Pool10 x 6 metre. Shallow roman steps to enter. Salt filtered, can be heated subject to weather conditions. Underwater lighting.
Notes
- This property benefits from an exceptional situation in wonderfully landscaped grounds in a rural setting with no near neighbours. As s a bonus, it has easy access for shopping and for visiting tourist attractions. We, the owners, live on site and know the area very well, so we are able to give you help and advice at any time. We live in a completely separate part of the property which is private from the farmhouse. We offer: Wi-fi internet access. A weekly cleaning service is available if required. We can make you special meals by request. Loan of bicycles. Lots of space in gardens for children to play. Books and DVD library. Pool toys. We can organise visits, rambles and sporting activities if you wish to add some extra experiences to your holiday.
Policies
Cancellation Policy
100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.
Damage and incidentals
You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.
House Rules
Children allowed
No pets
No parties/events
No smoking
Max guests: 7 (sleeps up to 6 adults) - 1 baby under 12 months allowed1 baby under 12 months allowed
Minimum age of primary renter: 30
6 Reviews
Relaxing and peaceful location with fabulous views and sunsets
Just returned from a really great holiday at this lovely Gite. This was such a peaceful and restful location. Our hosts were extremely welcoming and helpful, the house was very comfortable with everything you needed. The living room was spacious with comfortable sofas to relax on in the evening. The kitchen was well stocked with cooking equipment and a BBQ was also provided. The outside seating area is great with a beautiful view across the fields and the most amazing sunsets night after night. There is plenty to do in this area - walking, cycling - including a very safe path for cycling with children which is flat and goes for miles. Lots of beautiful towns and villages with their regular markets and fabulous fresh produce to explore. A very large intermarche is just a couple of miles away and the local shop which you can walk to has fresh bread and croissants plus any other essentials you may need. A really great holiday location - the Tarn is a beautiful area.
Thank you so much for your comments, we're delighted that you share our affection for this lovely place.
Tarn glory
We had a wonderful stay in Joan and John's gite in rural Tarn. It really was a get away from it all week in the middle of fields and rolling countryside, even if the weather wasn't always playing ball !! Joan was a great host and was there to answer any queries we had. Very relaxing and just what we needed.
Martin & Sue Wilkinson
Charming Gite in beautiful Tarn
We had a wonderful holiday, the Gite is well equipped, a real home from home, set in beautiful countryside and well situated to explore the surrounding area. We visited Albi and Lautrec, and also did a walk around Hautpoul. The village shop is an easy 10 minutes walk away, fresh bread and croissants for breakfast are a must. Joan is a wonderful host, making us feel very welcome. Highly recommended.
It was a real pleasure to share our home with your lovely, enthusiastic family. I enjoyed sharing sunset watching with you and was thrilled to see you swimming during the extended 'Indian summer'. You are welcome back any time.
Idyllic holiday
Shabby chic, white washed floorboards, exposed beams, flagstone floors, beautifully maintained swimming pool, picture perfect views, scent of lavender, vast gardens, every mod-con, comfortable beds, thick sheets and towels and when the children finally stopped jumping into the swimming pool total, ear-ringing silence! Our four children didn't want to go out and visit the area as they loved the house and pool too much! But when we did there is plenty to see. Local shop and café-bar/restaurant in walking distance. Amazing boulangerie 10 minutes drive away in Lautrec. Fantastic local market in Realmont 10 minutes in the car. The local mountain zoo was the best day out for the children. Good value, freshly made pizzas 10 minutes walk across the fields and lovely local restaurant 20 minutes walk across the fields. And a very warm welcome from the owners. Highly recommended.
Thank you so much for taking time out to write ths lovely review. It's a huge pleasure for us to share this beautiful and varied area of south-west France and we're delighted that you had such an enjoyable time.
Map
This is a paradise area, unspoilt and unknown, hosting an incredible number of discoveries.
Nearby ALBI, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famed for its immense 13th C rose brick cathedral, sited imposingly above the river Tarn. Next door, the TOULOUSE LAUTREC museum houses a vast collection of works by this Albi born painter. ALBI and its narrow cobbled streets rich with history, has to be explored.
CASTRES, an intimate medieval market town is a short drive away. You will be enchanted with its Venetian style river frontage and formal gardens designed by Le Notre, the creator of Versailles. The Goya museum has a huge collection of Spanish art and many music festivals take place in the streets and classical churches. Fabulous local markets and restaurants cater for your culinary desires.
The enchanting hilltop village of LAUTREC, 5 minutes drive, is famed for it's pink garlic, street festivals, live music, restaurants and shops to buy local blue Pastel dyed clothing and fabrics.
The elegant hill-top village of CORDES SUR CIEL, with outstanding views is packed with galleries and local crafts. The famous Jardin de Paradis hillside garden is a delight.
The region is steeped in CATHAR history with crumbling ruins amongst tumbling waterfalls and vast, tranquil lakes. There is a choice of tourist and sporting facilities to suit all tastes, with extensive walking, canoeing, lakes, rivers, all within easy reach
TOULOUSE with elegant architecture and museums is one hour away. CARCASSONNE, the CANAL DU MIDI, historic chateaux and fortified villages, make this a paradise for painters and photographers.
Four golf courses, riding, canoeing and adventure parks invite sports enthusiasts, while walkers can explore the Haut Languedoc National Park.
Other Activities: adventure parks, canoeing, rafting, swimming pools, quad, go-kart.