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Berniol - Farmhouse Holiday Rental in Dunes, Tarn-et-Garonne, France

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$1,178 - $2,094 Per property per week (Rates)

Capacity 5

Bedrooms 3

Bathrooms 2

Separate toilets 2

Suitability Non-smoking, Suitable for children over 6 only, Suitable for the elderly

Property highlights Barbecue, Garden, Scenic views, Swimming pool (exclusive use)

Access  No public transport available, Car Essential, Taxi from train station Car hire

"Stay number XIII, June 26th - 11th July 2010 Thank you for another wonderful holiday!  Said it ..."

Read more 11 reviews
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  • Berniol from the garden
    Berniol from the garden
  • Berniol's swimming pool, terrace and barbecue area
    Berniol's swimming pool, terrace and barbecue area
  • The living room
    The living room
  • The comprehensively equipped kitchen
    The comprehensively equipped kitchen
  • Master bedroom with en suite bathroom
    Master bedroom with en suite bathroom
  • Second double bedroom
    Second double bedroom
  • Third bedroom
    Third bedroom
  • Main family bathroom
    Main family bathroom
  • 'Berniol' and its grounds from the air
    'Berniol' and its grounds from the air
  • Diplome d'Honneur for our gardens and grounds
    Diplome d'Honneur for our gardens and grounds
  • Part of Berniol's delightful garden
    Part of Berniol's delightful garden
  • Local fields of sunflowers
    Local fields of sunflowers
  • Sunflowers in July
    Sunflowers in July
  • Grapes on Berniol's vines
    Grapes on Berniol's vines
  • The Mairie in nearby Dunes
    The Mairie in nearby Dunes
  • The Bar Tabac in Dunes
    The Bar Tabac in Dunes
  • The weekly market in Valence d'Agen
    The weekly market in Valence d'Agen
  • Spice stall in Valence d'Agen market
    Spice stall in Valence d'Agen market
  • Fromager's stall Valence d'Agen market
    Fromager's stall Valence d'Agen market
  • Cepes on sale in Valence d'Agen market
    Cepes on sale in Valence d'Agen market
  • Auvillar's historic Halle aux Grains/Grain Market
    Auvillar's historic Halle aux Grains/Grain Market
  • Ancient arcades in Auvillar
    Ancient arcades in Auvillar
  • Plant and flower festival in Caudecoste
    Plant and flower festival in Caudecoste
  • Microlight flights from Caudecoste airstrip
    Microlight flights from Caudecoste airstrip
  • Karting at Caudecoste circuit
    Karting at Caudecoste circuit
  • Mediaeval doorway to Moissac Abbey
    Mediaeval doorway to Moissac Abbey
  • The Pont Valentre at Cahors
    The Pont Valentre at Cahors
  • Boating on the River Baise at picturesque Nerac
    Boating on the River Baise at picturesque Nerac
  • Bordeaux - ancient and modern
    Bordeaux - ancient and modern
  • Monumental fountains in Bordeaux
    Monumental fountains in Bordeaux
  • Repas gourmand - Fine dining of the region
    Repas gourmand - Fine dining of the region
  • Choosing a fine Sauterne wine
    Choosing a fine Sauterne wine
  • Toulouse - la Place Capitole
    Toulouse - la Place Capitole
  • FIne example of an 'Hotel Prive' in old Toulouse
    FIne example of an 'Hotel Prive' in old Toulouse
  • Berniol's 11m x 5m swimming pool
    Berniol's 11m x 5m swimming pool
  • Relax in the shade of Berniol's lovely Lime tree
    Relax in the shade of Berniol's lovely Lime tree
  • The main house from the gardens
    The main house from the gardens

Where is it

Tarn-et-Garonne
 

Traditional Farmhouse with newly remodelled Swimming Pool

'Le Paradis en France Profonde'

Set in 2 hectares (5½ acres) of rolling park and oak woodland, 'Berniol' is a 250-year-old single storey traditional farmhouse, or 'fermette', which has been tastefully modernised and furnished to provide a very comfortable, fully-equipped holiday home away from home.

The property is surrounded by beautiful, mature gardens and grounds, which were recently awarded a Diplome d'Honneur in the 'Concours des Maisons Fleuries' organised by the local municipality.

Located barely 2km from the 13th century bastide village of  Dunes, close to the point where the départements of Tarn et Garonne, Lot et Garonne and Gers meet, 'Berniol' is a haven of tranquillity set amongst the vineyards of the Côtes du Brulhois and the fruit orchards of the Garonne valley. Berniol provides the ideal base for a relaxed holiday away from the stress of modern life and is a perfect starting point for touring the picturesque countryside and numerous historic towns and villages of the Midi-Pyrénées region. For those who prefer a more active holiday, Gascony offers an excellent choice of outdoor pursuits and sightseeing opportunities.

The ancient stone-built village of Dunes overlooks the fertile valley of the River Garonne to the east and and to the south-west it enjoys commanding views towards the rolling hills of the département of the Gers, with its many fortified farmsteads and hilltop villages. Gascony is steeped in a rich history dating back to the Visigoths and the Knights Templar, the Hundred Years war, the Wars of Religion, and, more recently, the activities of the German troops during WW II.

Boat trips and kayaking are popular activities on the rivers Lot, Baïse and Aveyron, and cruises along the Canal Latéral a la Garonne or the Canal du Midi are unforgettable experiences. The fascinating and unique 'Pente d'Eau' at Montech, which replaces a flight of five conventional canal locks, warrants a visit and boat trips can be arranged to experience first hand the phenomenon of ascending or descending the quirky 'Water Slope'.

The variety of natural beauty of the region is breathtaking, with the spectacular mountains of the Pyrenees to the south, the Garonne, Lot and Tarn valleys and the Gorges d'Aveyron to the east, the plateau of Les Causses and the rolling green hills of the departement of le Gers offer endless possibilities for touring.

Holiday Accommodation at Berniol

Indoors

  • Living Room - spacious and comfortably furnished with 2 large sofas, TV, DVD/VCR, CD/Cassette music system, log burning fire, dining area with table and seating for 6. A library of DVDs, paperback books and touring information booklets and brochures is provided. A large selection of traditional board games, jigsaw puzzles and games is also available for 'kids' of all ages to enjoy.
  • Kitchen - comprehensively equipped with electric oven, hob, combination microwave, fridge freezer, washing machine, dishwasher and all small appliances, utensils, crockery, glassware, cutlery, herbs and spices.
  • Master Bedroom - with king-size double bed, en-suite shower room with WC, large walk-in wardrobe and lovely views over gardens/parkland.
  • Second Bedroom - with double bed, wardrobe and view to rear of property.
  • Third Bedroom - with single bed, cupboards/hanging space and view to rear of property.
  • Main Bathroom - with luxury modern bath, shower, WC, hand basin and heated towel rail.

Outdoors

  • 11m x 5m swimming pool close to house - with approved pool alarm.
  • Newly designed and reconfigured pool layout for 2012 season!
  • 2 hectares of gardens, parkland and oak woods, with superb views over neighbouring vineyards and rolling wooded countryside.
  • Outdoor barbecue and spacious dining area overlooking pool and grounds.
  • Poolside sunbathing terrace with sun loungers, parasols and seating.
  • Shaded seating area beneath magnificent Lime tree.
  • Beautifully planted garden and terraces.

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About Dunes in Tarn-et-Garonne, Midi Pyrenees

  • A vast selection of restaurants, brasseries and bistros offering cuisine to suite all palates, tastes and budgets.
  • Outdoor markets in Valence d'Agen, Agen, Moissac, Lectoure, Montauban, Lavit and Beaumont de Lomagne.
  • Local wine producers offering the opportunity to taste and purchase their produce. Tasting and purchase of Armagnac.
  • A multitude of historic towns and charming fortified hilltop villages dating back to the time of the Knights Templar and the 100 years war.
  • Superb shopping in Agen, Villeneuve sur Lot, Cahors, Montauban, Toulouse and Bordeaux
  • Museums in Donzac, Agen, Toulouse and Bordeaux.
  • Art Galleries in Agen, Moissac, Albi, Toulouse, Bordeaux.
  • Visits to the Aerospace Museum (Cite de l'Espace) and to the Airbus Industrie plants, including A380 'double decker' airliner assembly hall (by prior booking only) in Toulouse.

Annual Local Events

  • Fête de Dunes (Village Celebrations) - mid August in Dunes.
  • Journées Occitanes (Celebration of Occitan language, culture, music and dance) - mid November in Dunes.
  • Marché Gourmand in Saint Maurin on Wednesday evenings throughout July and August.
  • Marché des Potiers (Pottery and ceramics fair) - early October in Auvillar.
  • "Au Fil de l'Eau - une Histoire" son et lumière spectacle (depicting the history of the area and the importance of the canal to the town) - early August in Valence d'Agen.
  • Fête de Valence d'Agen (town celebrations and fireworks) in early September.
  • Marchés Nocturnes in Valence d'Agen, Caudecoste and several local villages throughout the summer.
  • ….. and many, many more throughout the summer, each one as enchanting as the others but, above all, great fun to experience!

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

How To Get To Dunes in Tarn-et-Garonne, South West France

  • Just 2Km from the 13th century bastide villages of Dunes, 'Berniol' is situated approximately halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse. We are 800Km (500 miles) from Le Havre, 950Km (600 miles) from Calais and 25Km (15 miles) from Agen. Conveniently, the property is only 10 minutes drive from Exit 8 of the A62 'Autoroute des Deux Mers'.

From the major ferry ports the French motorway network is largely complete, enabling visitors to drive to Berniol in just under a day. However, if you have time to spare, take the excellent Routes Nationales and explore the towns and villages along the way - a much more pleasant option and no Autoroute tolls to pay!

  • Location - Agen 25km, Valence d’Agen 12km, Auvillar (officially classified as ‘One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France’) 10km, Moissac 25km, Cahors 75km, Toulouse 90km, Bordeaux 120km.
  • By Road - Nearest motorway access at Exit 8 on the A62 Bordeaux – Toulouse ‘Autoroute des Deux Mers’ - 10km.

Local Airports:

  • Agen from Paris Orly.
  • Toulouse From Paris CDG & Orly, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Belfast, Dublin, Shannon, Brussels, Bremen, Frankfurt, Hamburg & Munich.
  • Bordeaux From Paris CDG & Orly, London Gatwick, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Luton, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Southampton, Cork & Dublin.
  • Bergerac From Paris Orly, London Gatwick, Stansted, Belfast City, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool, Nottingham, Southampton, Brussels Charleroi & Rotterdam.
  • Carcassonne From London Stansted, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool, Nottingham, Cork, Dublin, Brussels Charleroi & Oporto.

Local Train Station:

  • Agen TGV services to Agen from London St. Pancras or Ashford via Lille or Paris.

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

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Guest Reviews Of Berniol

Jon Champs & Paul Roghan
8/31/10

Stay number XIII, June 26th - 11th July 2010

Thank you for another wonderful holiday!  Said it all before, so over to "Petkins"....................

Thanks for keeping up with our hectic lifestyle of reading and lazing by the pool, and for my fabulous birthday meal at Le Carre Gourmand. The curse is broken!

5/5

Anne, Richard, Francesca and Alicia Clark
8/31/10

Thank you for being such excellent hosts and providing such a wonderful place to recharge our batteries. We have not slept so well in ages! Our oldest daughter particularly appreciated your historical recommendations and we all enjoyed exploring the area. The market at Valence d'Agen on Tuesday morning was excellent, but we should have bartered a bit harder!

It was a joy to stay at 'Berniol' - what a wonderful place to live.  Cannot blame you for leaving the UK!  We'll be back! With very best wishes from, Anne, Richard, Francesca & Alicia.

P.S. The wonky 'whirlygig' works just fine!! (comment refers to newly and hurriedly installed rotary washing line)

5/5

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Fiona Macpherson, Chris & Nikki Bouman, Sally Widers
8/31/10

Thanks for a very relaxing week and all the helpful hints about the surrounding area.  We can recommend visits to various hilltop villages to the south (ask Ian), Larressingle for kids and Monflanquin to the north is beautiful.

The swimming pool was a real luxury and Nikki (aged 5) enjoyed having next door neighbours she could drop in on all week!

Nice to experience a decent shower in France too! (we have come across far too many broken ones in the past)

4/5

Val Bowen, Michaela & Charlotte Lazenby
9/8/10

The 'Ladies from Leeds' are here again!!!
5th visit for me and, as usual, we've had a wonderful time - although eaten far too much cheese!

We will be back.

5/5

Laura Craston
9/9/10

We have holidayed in France for many years and have had some wonderful holidays but nothing comes anywhere close to the fabulous times we have had a Berniol ( we're at 4 and counting!) Beautiful countryside, wonderful pool and gardens. The house is beautifully decorated and appointed - a real home from home. Ian and Michael are perfect hosts and we now consider them as friends.

Berniol is ideally situated with many of the 'Dordogne-shire' tourist attractions within driveable distance, Bordeaux and Toulouse are just over an hours drive away. Or you could just slob out by the pool and enjoy the fabulous summer weather.

As a last point, If you are checking out Berniol on a satellite map website please don't be put off by the apparent closeness to the motorway. You don't see or hear it from the house!

5/5

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Ann & Peter Fenwick
9/23/10

Many thanks again for such a wonderful stay at Berniol. The weather was glorious and we really enjoyed swimming every day in your swimming pool. It is a lifestyle we could easily get used to!

Thanks you especially for arranging the visit to the A380 assembly factory and going in the Concorde used by Valery Giscard d'Estaing. What amazing planes, both from the past and the present!

We will return home to Sussex full of pleasant memories of wonderful scenery, delicious meals and the best hospitality possible.

Very many thanks again, love to you both.

5/5

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Chris McNabb
1/5/11

This has been our 8th stay at `Berniol` in as many years and that should speak volumes in itself.

The owners, Ian and Michael do all they can to make you feel welcome and at home at `Berniol` and will be as involved with your stay as you want them to be, an excellent source of information on restaurants, shopping, local sights and local history. On each visit we have made new friends and acquaintances, seen new things and visited new places. The quiet here is quite amazing, although the toll motorway can be seen from the property ( just!) it is rarely heard and not intrusive in the least, it is also about fifteen minutes away to the nearest entry so excellent for accessing Bordeaux, Toulouse, Cahors or Bergerac.

The property is delightful, set in rolling French countryside aside vineyards, with gardens, a small wood and an open air swimming pool all within the property. This is the perfect getaway for those wanting to escape, the nearest village is Dunes, which is about 2 miles and that has a bakery, small supermarket, post office, bar and excellent restaurant. The village is quite historic and like many of its type in the area, well worth a wander! Do go to the Restaurant `les Templiers` and ask Ian about other local gastro haunts!

Enjoy the property, it`s peace and tranquillity, the superb hosting and affability of the owners and the rich heritage and history for which the area is so renown, take in the slower pace of life and enjoy the superb local food and wine, relax and eventually, like us, return time after time, thanks Boys, see you again soon!

Chris` deux

5/5

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Helen Tully
7/25/11

Berniol, the owners (Ian, Michael and Jackson), and the surrounding area was just wonderful. We stayed for 1 week and got to see plenty of the surrounding villages Valence D'Agen, Agen, Auvillar, Donzac and Dunes. We even managed a trip to Toulouse for the day.

On the days we stayed at the cottage we spent the day relaxing by the pool, playing boules, and walking the beautiful gardens picking fresh fruit from the trees. An extremely relaxing holiday - wished we could have stayed longer, would certainly consider returning to explore some more.

4/5

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Jo & Leigh
8/18/11

Relaxing, beautiful, peaceful environment to spend a week away from work!  Fabulous hosts, lots of wonderful food and great restaurants within easy driving distance to eat at.  House and pool very well equipped and comfortable; and vineyard close by that provides some fab wine.  Journey from Toulouse - 1 hour easy drive.  Watching shooting stars and satellites in the night sky was quite special!  Can't recall if it was my 5th or 6th visit but it certainly won't be my last.  Thanks Ian and Michael for a great week (as always).

5/5

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Jack Foster and Bruce McIlveen
9/4/11

After London and Paris, we badly needed to re-connect with the solitude of country life. We couldn't have asked for better than Berniol. A bucolic country French home with charm by the wine-barrel full. It seemed to have it all. A beautiful large pool, meals poolside, cocktails in the parlour, movies that we never seem to have time to watch at home, walks to the village of Dunes where we had the most incredible French cuisine. (Paris eat your heart out.) Two weeks went by like two days. We left re-charged to say the least. And you know what? These people DO live better. Kudos and thumbs up. We'll be back.

5/5

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Natalie Macmillan
10/27/11

We had a fabulous week at Berniol in August 2011 with our two girls Ella (8) and Hannah (6).

We really can't recommend this place highly enough; we all decided at the end of our week that if we could change our plans and stay for a second week rather than moving on to our next location we would have done - with no hesitation at all from any of us.

Highlights for us were the huge swimming pool, the beautiful gardens and that Ian and Michael are on hand when you want them to be (tips for outings, firewood for the barbie or the loan of an essential ingredient for that night's meal) but otherwise leave you to your own devices.

If you can drag yourself away from the pool, there's plenty to do in the area, but we quickly settled into a pattern of relaxing by the pool and cooking fabulous French food with a few trips out to the local bastide towns. Next time we'll check out the local restaurants which get rave reviews in the guest book.

5/5

Read more
 

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Facilities at Berniol

Facility Details
TypeFarmhouse (Self-catering)
Bedrooms 1 single, 2 double
Bathrooms 2 bathroom(s)
Separate toilets 2
Capacity 5
SuitabilityNon-smoking, Suitable for children over 6 only, Suitable for the elderly
Linen All bed & household linen included
Changeover day Saturday
Facility Details
Internal facilities Board Games, CD player, Central heating (electric), DVD player, Electric heaters, English satellite TV, Exclusive rental, Fans in rooms, Hairdryer, Hi-fi system, Internet access (broadband), Owner on site, Radio, TV, VCR, Wood burning fire or stove
Kitchen facilities Combination microwave, Cooker, Dishwasher, Electric hob, Electric oven, Fridge-Freezer, Ironing facilities, Microwave, Washing machine
External features on site Barbecue, Garden, Scenic views, Swimming pool (exclusive use)

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Availability at Berniol

Changeover day: Saturday

Availability last updated on: - Saturday, April 28, 2012

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Rates

Accommodation rental period Tariff
28 April 2012 - 1 June 2012 €900.00 per property per week
(£732 $1178)
2 June 2012 - 6 July 2012 €1,250.00 per property per week
(£1016 $1636)
7 July 2012 - 31 August 2012 €1,600.00 per property per week
(£1301 $2094)
1 September 2012 - 5 October 2012 €1,250.00 per property per week
(£1016 $1636)
6 October 2012 - 2 November 2012 €900.00 per property per week
(£732 $1178)
22 December 2012 - 4 January 2013 €1,350.00 per property per week
(£1098 $1767)
6 April 2013 - 7 June 2013 €950.00 per property per week
(£772 $1243)
8 June 2013 - 5 July 2013 €1,300.00 per property per week
(£1057 $1702)
6 July 2013 - 30 August 2013 €1,600.00 per property per week
(£1301 $2094)
31 August 2013 - 1 November 2013 €925.00 per property per week
(£752 $1211)
21 December 2013 - 3 January 2014 €1,375.00 per property per week
(£1118 $1800)

Additional price information

  • Credit Card payment via PayPal accepted
  • Rental period runs from check-in at 18.00 hours on Saturday to check-out at 10.00 hours the following Saturday.
  • An optional house cleaning service is available during your stay at a cost of €15 per hour. Let us save you the drudgery so that you can enjoy your holiday to the full!
  • Rental includes exclusive use of the fully-equipped farmhouse and swimming pool;  all bed linen, bath and pool towels, tea towels and tablecloths is also included.
  • A complimentary ‘Welcome Pack’ of basic groceries, fresh fruit, local wine and provisions is provided on arrival. 
  • All electricity consumed during the rental period is included.
  • Daily pool cleaning, tidying of terraces/poolside and regular garden maintenance are included.
  • Please note: Smoking is only permitted on Berniol's exterior terraces and in the grounds.
  • We regret that the property is not recommended for families with very young children.

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Email the owner

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To contact owner directly

Ian Lister

(Advertising since December 2002)

Tel: + 33 (0)5 63 29 11 27

Languages spoken by owner English, French

If requested by the owner you can print out a booking form here .

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