B&B in the Heart of Najac in the Midi Pyrénées

La Chambre Jaune details

Home description

L’Ancienne Maison du Notaire is situated in the heart of Najac. The house was probably built in the fifteenth or sixteenth century. Formerly three separate houses, they were amalgamated in 1776 to form one large establishment to house the Notaires offices and living accommodation. We have discovered, in an old chest in the grenier, legal documentation dating back to 1810 and carrying the seal of the Emperor Napoleon.

The main part of the house has been sympathetically restored and now has two large and elegant bedrooms, on the first floor dedicated to Chambre d’Hote. The first floor landing which houses a comprehensive library is accessed by a large wide staircase. Both bedrooms have lovely en suite facilities and are supplied with large fluffy towels and hand made soaps and shampoos from our local Savonnerie.

Continental breakfast is normally taken on the south facing balcony or in our cosy breakfast room on the ground floor. We offer croissant, local breads, fresh coffee, a selection of teas, home made marmalade and jams, local honey and fresh country cheeses and yogurts.

Parking is available either nearby in the square or in the Route de la Gare a few minutes walk from the house.

L’Ancienne Maison du Notaire nestles in the heart of this Bastide village. Classified as one of France’s most beautiful villages, Najac is a wonderful hotchpotch of medieval houses, which stretch along the ridge high above a horseshoe bend in the Aveyron River, from the market square to its magnificent castle. Its narrow streets are worth exploring, with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside around almost every corner.

The house has a south facing balcony, which is an excellent spot for sunbathing or relaxing under a sun shade with a glass or two of the local Gaillac, Cahors or Marcillac wines, and enjoying the spectacular vista of the wooded hillsides of the Aveyron Gorge.

Najac boasts a wide range of restaurants, all within easy walking distance of the house, and they offer a wide range of local cuisine, from gourmet to crepes, at a wide range of prices.

The castle, La Fortesse Royale, is well worth a visit. It is a must. It is a magnificent example of 13^th century military architecture and has an exhibition with a model of the castle as it was in its heyday. The view of the surrounding countryside from the top of its tall turret is breath-taking. It is possible, on a very clear day, to see the Pyrénées. 

And from the house, there are extensive walks through the woods or down to the riverside meadows below the castle and along the river banks.

Accommodation detail

This south facing room has a spectacular view of the oak and sweet chestnut tree lined hillsides of the Aveyron Gorge.

All the bed linen for the comfortable king sized bed is Egyptian cotton.

The lounge area is spacious and has both a settee and lounge chair. There is a large selection of books to browse through and tea and coffee making facilities are available in the room. Rugs cover the original polished wood floor.

The room is centrally heated, so that it is snug and warm in the cooler evenings.

The lovely fully tiled green en suite bathroom has a bath with temperature controlled shower, WC and wash basin. Large fluffy towels are provided with a heated towel rail to keep them warm and hand made soaps and shampoos from our local Savonnerie. A hairdryer is available.

About the location

Najac and its castle are situated high on a ridge above the Aveyron River. Although technically in the department of the Aveyron, the village is actually at the crossroads of four departments. The Tarn is a few kilometres to the south at Laquépie and the border with Tarn et Garonne is just across the river to the West. The Lot is some twenty kilometres to the North.

The cathedral cities of Albi, Cahors, Montauban and Rodez with their wide variety of shopping facilities and tourist sights, are all within an hour’s drive from Najac.

The market towns of Villefranche de Rouergue, St Antonin Noble Val (where the film “Charlotte Grey” was shot) and Cordes-sur-Ciel are again within easy reach as are the Domains of the AOC vineyards of Gaillac, Cahors and Marcillac, and the Aveyron Bastide towns of Sauveterre de Rouergue, Belcastel, and Villeneuve.

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

Activities near by

Boules, Canoeing, Fishing, Gourmet dining, Kayaking, Mountain biking, Pottery, Rambling, Riverside activities, Rock climbing, Sightseeing, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Tree adventure park, Walking, Wine tasting

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

How to get here

Rodez is the most accessible airport for Najac. Ryanair have flights from Stansted into Rodez from March 30^th through to the end of October. The journey from the airport takes about an hour. Many airlines, including British Airways and Easyjet from London Gatwick, fly into Toulouse Blagnac airport from many parts of the UK and Eire. The journey time to the house from there is about one hour forty minutes. Directions to the house from both Rodez and Toulouse airports can be supplied.

Najac is served by regular rail services from Toulouse in the South and Figeac and Paris to the North. There are no taxis at the station, but pick ups can be arranged to take you to the house.

By car from the North it is advisable to travel South on the A20 autoroute and exit at Junction 59 at Caussade. Again directions from the autoroute can be supplied.

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