Spacious and Comfortable Stone House with Pool

Petits Châtaigniers details

Home description

Set in 2 acres with lovely views over the Ardeche (Meridionale) countryside "Les Petits Châtaigniers” is a spacious, comfortable stone house on the edge of the charming village of Payzac in the Ardeche Meridionale.  It lies between Les Vans and Joyeuse. Close to the border of the Gard region.

Payzac can be found on the edge of the Cevennes mountain range within the Monts de Ardeche National Park, in an area of outstanding beauty. Majestic mountains, sheltered valleys, clear rivers, shady forests, incredible gorges and rock formations and sunny vine covered hills make every walk, cycle ride or trip in a car a joy and a pleasure.

Fifteen minutes drive will take you to the department of Gard and just over two hours will bring you to the Mediterranean coast.

Accommodation detail

Ground floor:

• Kitchen - is new and fully equipped with a traditional kitchen range with double electric ovens and gas burners, griddle and wok, fridge /freezer, microwave and dishwasher.
• Living / dining room - a large, light, sun-filled room with plenty of comfortable seating, an extending dining table which seats 10 and an open fireplace.
• TV room - which has satellite television, DVD and video.
• Bathroom - is a spacious room, in which there is a washing machine. 
• Separate toilet

First floor:

All the rooms are comfortably furnished and have lovely views over the surrounding countryside. 

• Bedroom one - has a double bed and an en suite bathroom.
• Bedroom two - has a double bed and a balcony.
• Bedroom three - has two single beds and can be changed to accommodate a further single bed.
• Bedroom four - has two single beds.
• Shower room - with shower, toilet and hand basin.
• Office area  –   with internet access.

A travel cot and high chair are available for use.

Outside:

There is a sheltered vine covered dining terrace which has furniture and a built in barbecue.  The alarmed pool is 10m by 5m, by the side of which are sun beds and other furniture. Shaded sitting area by the pool under mimosa trees.

There is a table tennis table, area and equipment for badminton, short tennis, volleyball, boules and a boules pitch.

About the location

Payzac enjoys a beautiful, sheltered position and from the Church there is a 360 degree panorama of mountains, valleys and hamlets.  The village has its own small bar, shop and bakery.  Every Sunday morning in the summer there is a tiny market of produce made and grown locally. It also has a large festival to celebrate the “pleine lune.” Payzac sits between the medieval towns of Les Vans and Joyeuse.  Both are very attractive and interesting places with old buildings, cobbled streets, markets and market squares, museums, restaurants, churches and a castle.  The whole area is dotted with beautiful villages, each with their own character and charm.

In summer, the main activities focus on the numerous rivers. The water is clear and clean, ideal for bathing, playing, fishing and boating.  The River Chassezac is at the bottom of the valley, less than ten minutes away. It is beautiful to behold and fantastic to use. Other unforgettable rivers include the Ardeche with its magnificent gorges and famous Pont D’Arc cut out of limestone.  There is also the incredible La Baume with its steep sides and crystal waters.

If you are not keen on the rough and tumble of outdoor activities there are a number of interesting things for you to do and see within a short drive from Payzac.  Including:

• Roman Villa, Amphitheatre and Aquaduct near Nimes.
• The fantastic caves at Orgnac (Grand Site de France) Son & Lumière, museum.
• Vinimage. Discovery of Ardeche Wines at Ruoms.
• Bambouserie and steam train ride. Anduze- St. Jean de Gard.
• Thermal baths at Val les Bains and Fumade les Bains.
• Outdoor musical festival at La Baume.  Music by the river.
• Festival Pleine Lune at Payzac
• Galleries, museums and exhibitions in most towns.
• Wine, gastronomic, medieval and chestnut festivals
• Markets in all towns.  Evening and speciality markets (Antiques, African, Pottery)
• Unforgettable views from Brès, Samzon, Banne, Payzac and your bedroom window.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

Activities near by

Badminton, Boules, Canoeing, Canyoning, Caving, Cycling, Fishing, Flying, French tuition, Go karting, Hiking, Horse riding, Kayaking, Mountain biking, Paragliding, Rambling, Riverside activities, Rock climbing, Shopping, Sightseeing, Spa, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Tree adventure park, Via Ferrata, Walking, Wine tasting

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

By Car

It takes about 10 hours to drive from Calais to Payzac.  Most people follow the A7 Autoroute (Route du Soleil) which runs next to the slower but cheaper N7 (Route Nationale) Exit at Loriol – Privas, Aubenas, Lablachere, Payzac.  Or exit at Montelimar – Le Teil, Aubenas, Lablachere, Payzac.

By Air  

Ryanair flies into Nimes airport which is one and a half hours easy and pleasant drive away.  They fly from Luton,  Liverpool and East Midlands airports. There are several car hire firms at Nimes airport. If you follow the links from the Ryan Air site you can stay the preceeding night at a Swallow hotel close to Luton airport for a very reasonable price and also have free parking for a week. This type of offer may also be available close to other U.K. airports.

Montpellier is a two hour drive away.  Ryanair, British Airways and Air France arrive here from several U.K. airports. Easyjet  now fly from Gatwick to Montpellier. 

Avignon airport is expanding to take budget airline traffic  (Flybe) mainly from southern airports like Southampton and  Exeter and is a two hour drive from Payzac.

Marseille airport is about two and a half hours away.  BMI baby fly there from Birmingham. Air France have flights from other U.K. airports.

Rail

The TGV runs to Nimes - 1.5 hours and Valance, Montelimar and Avignon – all about 2 hours away.
The closest motor rail stop is Avignon.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.