Home description

The carefully restored cottage is both picturesque and comfortable, with wonderful views over the pretty village and surrounding valleys and hills. On four floors with two small terraces at the rear it provides a tranquil retreat in which to enjoy reading, painting, walking, bird-watching, etc. There is little traffic and lovely walks around the small village which has a working farm, church and 8 other houses.

Saint Austremoine is just 5km away from the small mediaeval town of Lavoute-Chilhac which has all essential amenities, several restaurants, and canoes and kayaks for hire. The larger mediaeval towns of Langeac, Brioude, and Le Puy offer much to see and to do.

This beautiful, unspoilt and relatively undiscovered area offers swimming, canoeing and kayaking in the River Allier, walking, cycling, horse-riding, local markets and museums.

The Auvergne is renowned for its chateaux and romanesque churches.

House brochure and further information on the region on request.

Accommodation detail

La Maison en Haut retains all the charm of an old auvergnat farmhouse with the addition of modern comforts. The stone-built terrace, with pots of geraniums and garden furniture, is shaded by a parasol, and there is a barbecue on the lower paved terrace. Martins, swallows and redstarts nest in the adjoining barns in the spring and summer, when there are many wildflowers along the lanes and in the fields.

The house is on four floors, and accommodates up to six people. Original features of the house are the exposed beams, the main wooden staircase, quaint windows and some auvergnat furniture. The old oak front door leads from the stone-built terrace into the

• Main room with original wooden floor, large antique dining table, benches and dresser. There is also a comfortable modern settee, wood-burning stove in the large hearth and armchairs in the library corner.
• Well-equipped kitchen on this floor.  The staircase leads directly from the main room to the second floor.
• Double bedroom has a large French-style double bed and lovely views 
• Small single bedroom leads off the landing, which is furnished with a large table and shelves with board games and puzzles.
• WC with washbasin.
• Three single beds in the room on the upper floor, with beautiful view down the valley to the mountains beyond.  This room  also houses the video player and an antique auvergnat cot.
• Bathroom with shower and washing machine is on the ground floor.
• Second WC.

There are lots of books on all floors and quiet places in which to read them.

Outside:

Young children enjoy the play-house under the stone staircase and there is access to a field above the house for games.  The small village is fun for children to explore and the communal bread oven, the fountain and the church are all visible from the house.

About the location

Saint Austremoine is in the Haute-Loire, one of the four departments which, with the Allier, Puy de Dome and Cantal, form the region known as the Auvergne. South of the dramatic volcanic area of the Puy de Dome, Saint Austremoine, at 600 metres, is in a green hilly area of woods and fields which the river Allier meanders through before cutting its way through the Gorges de l'Allier south of Langeac. 

A relatively undiscovered area, the local roads and towns are quiet, though busier on market days and in August. The mediaeval towns of Brioude, Langeac, Saugues and St Flour are all within easy reach as are the Mountains of the Margeride and the Livradois-Forez national park.

Visit the scientific park 'Vulcania', take a train trip through the beautiful Gorges de l'Allier, visit the pilgrim sites of La Chaise Dieu and Le Puy.

The Auvergne has more chateaux than any other region in France, and wonderful romanesque churches. The markets supply local cheeses, charcuterie and 'aligot' (an auvergnat potato dish), as well as Le Puy lace, Laguiole knives and bric-a-brac.

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

How to get here

The property is 90 kms south of Clermont-Ferrand.

• Airports:  Lyons, 3hrs, Clermont-Ferrand, 1.5hrs, St. Etienne, 2.5hrs, Rodez 3hrs.
• Train: The nearest TGV (high speed train) station is St. Etienne, 2.5hrs. The nearest mainline station is Langeac, 20kms.
• Ferry/Road:  Le Havre - Saint Austremoine 652kms. Calais - Saint Austremoine 800kms.  Paris - Saint Austremoine 510 kms. There are many pleasant places for an overnight stop in the Loire region if driving from Calais or Le Havre.

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

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Facilities

Facility	Details
Type	Cottage (Self-catering)
Bedrooms	1 single, 1 double, 1 triple
Bathrooms	1 bathroom(s)
Separate toilets	2
Capacity	6
Suitability	Suitable for children, Touring motorcyclists welcome, Unsuitable for the elderly, Unsuitable for wheelchair access
Changeover day	Saturday

Facility	Details
Internal facilities	Board Games, CD player, Electric heaters, Hairdryer, Radio, Telephone, VCR, Wood burning fire or stove
Kitchen facilities	Electric oven, Fridge-Freezer, Gas hob, Ironing facilities, Microwave, Washing machine
External features on site	Barbecue, Scenic views
Other

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Additional price information

Arrivals between 5 and 7pm, departure by 10am.

10% discount for second week. A 25% non-refundable deposit secures the booking, the balance to be paid 8 weeks before arrival. There is a supplement to cover electrical costs above 85kw per week (85kw is sufficient for normal summer use for 5-6 people for one week) and extra firewood is charged at cost.

NOTE: Young children require careful supervision on the outdoor terrace and steps, and on the wooden staircases inside.

The owner cannot be held responsible or liable for any accident, injury or damage from whatever cause which may occur while clients are temporarily resident at the property. Clients are strongly advised to take out appropriate health, travel and cancellation insurance.

General Information:

• All linen and towels are supplied including six swim towels. The cost of gas and water is included, as is 85kw of electricity, which covers normal summer consumption for 5-6 visitors. A bag of barbecue fuel is supplied and some logs for the occasional fire.
• On arrival visitors will find dry goods supplies for a simple meal, a bottle of wine, fruit juice, coffee, tea, milk and sugar.

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