Location
The properties are approximately a day's drive from the Channel Ports and just over an hour from Toulouse Airport. Rodez airport is on average 1 hour 15 mins and Carcassone 2 hours to most of the properties.
This area was at the heart of ‘The Hundred Years War’ and touched by the Cathars, Huguenots and the Knights Templar. All properties are just short drives from Medieval towns steeped in this history and still enjoy a quiet simplicity, together with friendly local people who have a warmth to match their lovely countryside. The area is unspoilt by the over-crowding of tourists experienced nowadays in many parts of France.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Nearby are Medieval villages, Bastide towns, Chateaux, Abbeys, Churches and magnificent natural sites of outstanding beauty; whether it be wooded valleys or the meandering River Aveyron with its dramatic gorges.
ACTIVITIES
Horse riding, canoeing, fishing, bird watching, rail trips, rock climbing, wine tasting, museums, pot-holing, tennis and of course walking. Golf is available at Albi (18-hole delightful course), where there is also a water-park for children. An afternoon's excursion by canoe through the Aveyron Gorge is considered a 'must' by nearly all guests.
A number of local villages and towns have interesting and colourful markets. (NB: Be sure not to miss the local market in St Antonin held on Sunday mornings and Villefranche on Thursdays).
EXCURSIONS BY CAR
Within short driving distances, excursions can also be made to a number of fascinating towns and villages including Cordes,a medieval bastide town whose history includes the Cathars and Huguenots; Albi with its Toulouse Lautrec Museum; Najac, voted one of the most beautiful villages in France; Cahors, for its wines; St Antonin Noble Val fabulous in its own right and film location for ‘Charlotte Gray’; Montricoux the Château, an old seat of the Templar Knights and Bruniquel all of which are well worth a visit. The larger towns house excellent restaurants to cater for all budgets.
GETTING HERE
From the French ports it is virtually motorway for the whole of your journey and should take less than a day to drive. See www.viamichelin.com for route map and estimated time for your journey.
Flying
Toulouse (1 hr) has flights from many major and regional airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, Dublin, Cardiff, Southampton, Birmingham and Manchester.
Rodez (1hr 15m) - Flights from Stansted
Carcassone (2 hrs) - Flights from Stansted