Home description

We are happy to welcome you to our charming, C18th country home: Les Buis sleeping 6.  Set in a peaceful hillside location, amidst 40 acres of woods, fields and landscaped gardens, the house looks out over a beautiful lake valley. This is a very calm, rural setting far removed from the stresses and strains of urban life, with little to disturb the tranquillity or pollute the environment. 

The house has been retored with love and respect for the materials and details found in traditional stone houses. It offers for an ideal summer holiday retreat,  or for longer winter stays a cosy and comfortable family home.

The free-form swimming pool has pretty landscaping and is in a perfect setting with views across the valley. In addition to enjoying the swimming pool, there are table-tennis and table-football. A path leads down to the lake below, where you can fish for wild carp, or simply walk and explore the surrounding countryside.

You might of course prefer simply to relax in the sun with a good book and watch the sun go down with a glass of chilled rose. 

Situated between Bordeaux and Toulouse and just 20 minutes from Agen in the Lot and Garonne, the properties are easily accessible by train, plane or car. It is located just outside the Medieval village of Saint Maurin, 2 minutes away by car or an enjoyable walk. At the centre of the village are the remains of an important C12th Abbey, a very lovely open, oak-beamed, medieval market square and a café/restaurant. Additionally, the village has a well stocked local shop selling fresh bread, milk and most essential requirements, a post office and there is a weekly visit from a travelling butcher. 

Wednesday nights throughout July and August, Saint-Maurin hosts a night market, where you can choose from a variety of local food products, which can be eaten in a convivial atmosphere at long trestle tables - drinking and dancing go on until late to music from local musicians.

Accommodation detail

Les Buis is a charming, sympathetically restored, traditional Quercy stone house, which offers spacious and comfortable accommodation for up to 6 adults. The house features original tiled floors, large oak beams and lots of character. Two delightful covered terraces offer shelter both from the sun and, 'should it rain', the ability to sit or eat outside no matter what the weather.

The free-form pool sits in a lovely landscaped surrounds, with splendid views across the lake valley. There is a pleasant walk through our fields and woodland down to a large lake in the valley below.

The Main House sleeping 6 in 3 bedrooms

This is a spacious, comfortable and welcoming home, with oodles of character offering 160 sq. metres of internal living space on two floors. In addition there are two charming oak beamed external terraces. The house has gas central heating on the ground floor, a wood-burning stove and electric heaters on the lower floor.

The front terrace has wonderful views across the valley - a perfect place to watch the light change, the sun go down and enjoy an evening aperitif, before moving to the larger side terrace, which provides a delightful sheltered dining space. There is a large BBQ.

Ground Floor

The front door opens into a charming entrance hall and from there:

• A recently modernised and well equipped kitchen with a range cooker, large fridge/freezer, microwave and dish-washer. This in turn opens into:
• A very well restored large open-plan living/dining room featuring a fireplace with wood-burning stove, high oak beamed ceilings, stone walls, terracotta floors, traditional evier, antique furnishings and comfortable seating.
• The main bedroom on this floor is spacious and well furnished, with a marble-topped wash stand with hand-basin, large armoire and chest of drawers.
• The bathroom is newly decorated in white with black mosaic detail with double hand basin, bath with shower and glass shower screen.
• There is a separate wc.

Lower Ground

Stairs lead from the entrance hall to the lower floor which has high ceilings and a glazed door leading to the rear garden. There are:

• 2 attractive well proportioned double bedrooms: 1 with double bed and 1 with twin beds (90cm), which can be joined to form a large double. Each room has a hand basin.
• A newly decorated shower room with walk in shower and hand basin.
• There is a separate wc.
• A large utility room with a washing machine and ample storage space.

About the location

Hameau de Fouyssac sits 1.2km above the small village of St-Maurin with its 12th century Abbey. Throughout the summer, 'Café de L'Abbaye' in the heart of the village holds weekly food and music evenings, where all generations mix, dining and dancing in the open-air, in the oak-beamed medieval market place. The friendly local village shop sells fresh bread and caters for most essential needs.

This is a hospitable region, on the borders of the Lot & Garonne and the Tarn & Garonne and home to many well-known Bastide towns and villages. The landscape is perfect for peaceful out-of season walking and fishing holidays, with riding, golf, tennis and many other pursuits within easy reach.

20 minutes from Agen (capital of Aquitaine) & Moissac, one hour from the beautiful city of Toulouse, one hour from Bergerac and under two hours to Bordeaux and Carcassonne, it is an area with a rich local culture and history.

The local area is steeped in history. Dotted with the many fortified bastide towns and villages such as Lauzerte, Montcuq, Penne d'Agenais and Villeneuve–sur-Lot built by such renowned figures as Richard the Lionheart, it is the cradle of Henry IV of France.

The landscape is one of contrasts. Nearer to Cahors, with its bustling Saturday market & famous Valentre bridge, the rolling hills give way to a more stony and rugged landscape. From here you can follow the Lot river to Figeac. En route, is St-Cirq-Lapopie, a stunning medieval village, perched on the side of a rocky outcrop and one of the most beautiful villages in France. The dramatic Aveyron Gorges are not far away nor are the caves at Lascaux with their pre-historic paintings.

The food - This area is often referred to as the Garden of France, with many producers large and small offering an abundance of delicious local products. There are cheeses, mushrooms and truffles; duck and meat products; local wines and spirits; plums, melons, apricots, tomatoes and many other fruit and vegetables which grow so abundantly here. Enjoy exploring and shopping in the colourful weekly markets in the centres of Cahors / Valence d'Agen / Villeneuve sur Lot and Moissac or in the small local farmer's markets, often advertised at the entrance to villages. You can really taste the freshness and flavour in the food, so sorely lacking in much of the produce on sale in the UK.

Shopping - You can buy your essentials in St-Maurin or Bourg-de-Visa (8kms). There are numerous large supermarkets and out-of-town shopping on the outskirts of Agen and other towns in the area.

Eating out - You can enjoy eating out at all levels. From small local cafes offering cheap but wholesome regional dishes to the Michelin starred restaurant at Puymirol, ten minutes away.

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

How to get here

Airports

• 1hr drive: Toulouse (BA, Air France, EasyJet, Flybe) Bergerac (RyanAir, Flybe)
• 1hr 45: Bordeaux (BA, Flybe)
• 2hrs Carcassonne (Ryanair)

Trains

• 4-4.5 hr train journey TGV Paris or Lille to Agen

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

To top of page ^

Facilities

Facility	Details
Type	Country house (Self-catering)
Bedrooms	2 double, 1 twin
Bathrooms	2 bathroom(s)
Separate toilets	2
Capacity	6
Living Area	160 m²
Suitability	Adults only, Non-smoking, Suitable for children over 12 only, Unsuitable for wheelchair access
Linen	Linen and towels included
Changeover day	Saturday

Facility	Details
Internal facilities	Board Games, CD player, Central heating (gas), DVD player, English satellite TV, Exclusive rental, Hi-fi system, Broadband Internet Access (Wi-fi), Owner on site, Radio, TV, VCR, Wood burning fire or stove
Kitchen facilities	Cooker, Dishwasher, Fridge-Freezer, Gas oven, Ironing facilities, Microwave, Range cooker, Washing machine
External features on site	Barbecue, Fishing lake, Garden, Scenic views, Swimming pool (exclusive use)

To top of page ^

Additional price information

25% Booking Deposit with Booking Form
Deposits are payable in either £sterling to our UK Bank A/C or €uros to our French A/C. 

75% Balance is payable 8 weeks in advance in €uros to our French A/C

Security Deposits £600 / €700
Payable in advance to our UK Bank A/C or if you are from the eurozone in €uros to our French A/C

Please note:

• Security deposits will be held for a maximum of 7days  following departure
• Excessive cleaning for houses will be charged at the rate of €15 per hour, deductible from security deposits.
• Refunds payable by transfer in €uros or £ sterling.

Arrival & Departure Times

• Arrival not before 4.30 PM. Departure no later than 10 AM
• Bed Linen and towels are included. Swimming towels are not available.
• Out of Season rentals - We welcome long out of season rentals. Please contact us re: prices, which are by negotiation depending on the length of stay.

Children

This is a very peaceful environment and regrettably, due to our experience of younger children running out of control and damage done to our property, we can no longer accept children under 12.

To top of page ^

• Home
• Accommodation
• Property for sale
  • Buying in France
  • Selling in France
  • Living in France
  • Property services
• Holiday Guides
  • Why go to France?
  • What to visit
  • Where to stay
  • The French Regions
  • Getting to and around France
  • Facts and figures
• Inspiration
  • Top City Breaks
  • Holidays on a Budget
  • Visit a theme park
  • Experience Magical France
  • Get active!
  • Just inspire me!
  • Owners Advice Guides
  • FAQs
  • Property services
• What's new?
  • Latest press coverage
  • Useful Links
• Services
• Advertise with us
  • What we offer
  • Pricing
  • Testimonials
  • Register now