£900
(€1068)
Per property per week
Farmhouse, sleeps 11, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Contact the owner
Contact the owner directly
Tim And Lizzie Drake
(Advertising since November 1997)
Tel: + 44 (0)208 994 8544
Tel 2: 0778 925 1837
Please mention French Connections.
The house from the pool (and flower beds) (1 / 19)
Tennis court (2 / 19)
The lawn and view across the pool (3 / 19)
The view from the master bedroom terrace (4 / 19)
The terrace overlooks the pool (5 / 19)
View from the pool (6 / 19)
Tennis court from courtyard (7 / 19)
A classic sunset view (8 / 19)
Master bedroom with ensuite, and door through to terrace (9 / 19)
Second double bedroom with views of the walnut trees (10 / 19)
Main kitchen (11 / 19)
Bread oven (12 / 19)
Bread oven (13 / 19)
Bread oven at night (14 / 19)
Rounders field next to house (15 / 19)
Sitting room (16 / 19)
Principal sitting room (17 / 19)
Wisteria clad terrace (18 / 19)
Drone shot of of self-contained property, with outbuildings (19 / 19)
Farmhouse with exclusive use of pool and tennis court, and stunning valley view, near Cazals, Lot, Midi Pyrenees
Sleeps 12 + 2 cots, . 5 bedrooms. Farmhouse, with it own pool and tennis court, and stunning views across the valley. This delightful house is a much loved family home, set in a wonderful position, facing south, sitting amongst forty acres of its own fields, woods, and fruit trees.
Description:
Situated about 25k northwest of Cahors, and 6K from the attractive little town of Cazals, Bel Arbre is a little piece of heaven with its own, very special tranquility. It is welcoming at every season, each of which is different and delightful. The area is rich in both history, and local produce (which is abundant in local markets). It is close to Les Arques, with its restaurant La Recreation, made famous by the recent book From Here You Can’t See Paris. Close by, at Pomarede, Chez Jeanne still does an excellent five course lunch, including wine, for €14.
Set on a hill, the ground slopes away to the floor of a valley to the south, meaning that from the pool and the house, there are incredible views. Surrounded by barns and 40acres of its own woods, it is very private with plenty of space for games, wildlife spotting, walks full of wildflowers and undisturbed relaxing. By night, being up high and so far from any light pollution the Milky Way covers the sky. Detailed maps of local walks are provided.
The farmhouse was converted from two adjoining houses. One great advantage is that two families can live there together, but with a degree of separation, with their own bathrooms and kitchens.
An old bakehouse overlooks the pool and has been converted to provide a barbeque and dining area. The long table and benches are extremely convivial, and wonderfully shaded when the midday sun is at its hottest. It also catches the last rays of the setting sun, as it sinks amongst the pine trees.
There is private all weather tennis court close to the house, tucked behind one of the barns. The swimming pool is 11 x 5 meters, and has a springboard. It has a roller cover to comply with French law, which needs to be supervised at all times by adults, to keep kids safe.
Outside the wide terrace is paved with terracotta tiles. The old bakehouse and terrace surrounding the pool are well lit at night. There is an all weather table tennis table in the courtyard, where you can also play boules (supplied).
There is a small sandpit for children, and two bicycles for adults. Plenty of mown grassy space surrounds the house, and several paths lead in different directions from the garden to the fields and woods. There is a large courtyard with extensive barns, including an open barn for covered parking.
WEST WING
The spacious kitchen/dining room has a large convivial refectory table, is well equipped including a microwave and dishwasher. There is a small laundry room with a washing machine and tumble drier. There's also a separate cloakroom and WC.
The kitchen and dining room look through an open plan fireplace into the well furnished sitting room. Both rooms have double French windows to the terrace and pool. There is a bookcase in the dining room, full of a mixture of loved books, informational books, local interest books, children's books, and books left by guests to add to the richness of choice! There are also games and puzzles for the odd rainy day.
Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The principal bedroom (with ensuite bathroom) has a kingsize bed, and a door leading to a wisteria-clad terrace overlooking the pool, and superb views to the south. A second bedroom has four bunkbeds, and a third, a double bed..
There's a telephone in both the kitchen and the main bedroom. Outgoing calls are local only. There's positively no TV, but the local bars will feature most sporting events of pressing importance (except cricket!).
EAST WING
Downstairs, the large, open-plan L-shaped living room has a piano. There's a small kitchen area, with fridge freezer, which opens onto the terrace. Upstairs there are two double bedrooms and a bathroom. One has a double bed, with an additional single bed for flexibility, and the other has a king sized bed.
NB All of the bedrooms are on the first floor, not in the eaves, which have a tendency to be hot in the summer.
SURROUNDING AREA
Much of the forty-odd acres is a mixture of chestnut, oak, and pine woodland, with some fields cultivated by the local farmer. Near the house, (seasonal weather permitting), you'll find cherries in early June, plums at the end of July, and August, apples and figs in September, and chestnuts and walnuts in October. In autumn there are also many different varieties of fungi, including cepes, in the fields and woods. The pharmacist in Cazals is happy to identify these for you and advise on edibility (as are most of the customers in the pharmacy!). In Spring there's also a wide variety of orchids, some rare.
The nearest village, (apart from Les Arques) is Frayssinet-le-Gelat, about 3 km away, which has a very good baker and a shop which sells a little of everything. Cazals has a good food market on Sundays, selling local produce, and there is a larger one at Prayssac, some 12k away, each Friday morning.
There are good restaurants in the area, particularly La Recreation, 3k away in Les Arques. Converted from the old school house, it is excellent, with a warm friendly atmosphere, and a special menu for children. In addition, there is the highly rated Le Gindreau, in St. Medard, about ten kilometers away.
But perhaps just as delicious is the traditional cooking of the southwest which can be found close by, in the snug little auberges of Cazals, Goujounac and Chez Jeanne in Pomarede, which rely on seasonal, often home grown, produce.
Cazals has an good food market every Sunday, selling local produce, and there is a larger one at Prayssac, some 12 k away, each Friday morning.
If you feel the need, Bel Arbre provides a great base from which to explore all the Lot has to offer - including walking, riding, canoeing and fishing on the river, visiting cave paintings, medieval villages, markets, vineyards, and a little zoo at Padirac. There's a nine hole golf course at Cenac (about 35 minutes away, on the Dordogne).
SLEEPING CAPACITY:
Sleeps 12 + 2 cots (5 Bedrooms)
BEDROOMS:
Bedroom 1 has a Kingsize double bed, with ensuite bathroom, and wisteria clad terrace. Bedroom 2 has 4 bunk beds. Bedroom 3 has a double bed. Bedroom 4 has a double bed and Bedroom 5 has a king sized bed. There are two cots.
KITCHEN:
The Main Kitchen has a hob, oven, dishwasher, sink and fridge and freezer, and is well appointed. The second kitchen has a cooker, fridge, freezer, sink and microwave.
UTILITY ROOM:
The Main Kitchen has a hob, oven, dishwasher, sink and fridge and freezer, and is well appointed. The second kitchen has a cooker, fridge, freezer, sink and microwave.
LIVING ROOM:
The sitting room is well furnished, with a CD player, but definitely no TV. The French windows give out onto the terrace and pool.
OTHER ROOMS:
The adjoining house has a comfortable L shaped room with second sofa, chairs and bookcase.
CLEANING/TOWELS ETC:
Bedlinen is provided (but not for the two cots that are available). Hand towels are provided, but not pool towels.
OUTSIDE:
Outside, the wide terrace is paved with terracotta tiles. The old bake house and terrace surrounding the pool are well lit at night. There is an all-weather table tennis table in the spacious courtyard. The extensive barns include an open hangar for parking. There are two bicycles for adults. Plenty of mown grassy space surrounds the house, and several paths lead in different directions from the garden to the fields and woods.
Much of the forty-odd acres is a mixture of chestnut, oak, and pine woodland, with some fields cultivated by the local farmer. Near the house, (seasonal weather permitting), you'll find cherries in early June, plums at the end of July, and August, apples and figs in August and September, and chestnuts and walnuts in October. In autumn there are also many different varieties of fungi, including cepes, in our fields and woods. The pharmacist in Cazals is happy to identify these for you and advise on edibility (as are most of the customers in the pharmacy!). In Spring there's also a wide variety of orchids, some rare.
The nearest village, (apart from Les Arques) is Frayssinet-le-Gelat, about 3 km away, which has a very good baker. Cazals has an excellent small supermarket, bank and pharmacy etc and a busy food market on Sunday mornings, selling local produce. There are other weekly markets nearby. There are many good restaurants in the area, particularly La Recreation, 3k away in Les Arques. Converted from the old school house, it is excellent, with a warm friendly atmosphere, and a special menu for children. In addition, there is the highly rated Le Gindreau (which now has two Michelin stars) in St. Medard, about ten kilometers away.
But perhaps just as delicious is the traditional cooking of the southwest which can be found close by, in the snug little auberges of Cazals, Goujounac and Pomarede, which rely on seasonal, often home grown, produce.
If you feel the need, Bel Arbre provides a great base from which to explore all the Lot has to offer - including walking, riding, canoeing and fishing on the river, visiting cave paintings, medieval villages and churches, markets, vineyards, and a little zoo at Padirac. There's a nine hole golf course at Cenac (about 35 minutes away, on the Dordogne).
What Guests have said about Bel Arbre
"The house is so well equipped and beautifully furnished that we have all felt very much at home. Were it not for the lovely local scenery, and exciting places to visit, we could easily have spent all our time lapping up the idyllic atmosphere here."
"Divine. Felt like home immediately, and was even more idyllic, restful and private than we had hoped."
"The restaurant in Les Arques was as good as any of the best London restaurants, and extraordinarily good value."
"So much to do, and so little time. We couldn't do everything, and will have to come back again - wonderful house, superb swimming pool and tennis court, with fantastic views. Please may we return sometime soon. Thank you very much for everything."
"What a magical, lovely place, filled with delights."
"The children got so much out of the holiday, whether seeing lizards, running around the house, swimming, or exploring the woods - and at the end of the day, what a relaxing view, beside the barbeque, drink in hand."
"Our second visit to Bel Arbre was as special as our first, but not long enough."
"Enjoyed, the lizard, bee, butterfly and pyramid orchids, the great tits nesting outside the back door, and the cherry trees laden with fruit. Peaceful house and grounds, and a wonderful kitchen."
"We've had a brilliant time - the house, the pool, the views, the area - what a lovely part of France, and wonderful to stay in a house that really feels like home."
"It'll be hard to drag ourselves away from this wonderful place - we've had a blissful two weeks here, and are very grateful for this chance to enjoy your lovely home."
"A very fine time - just the four of us in this fantastic location. The boys had a whale of a time exploring, supper beside the pool, looking down the valley, and with the sun setting on your back, listening to the beetles and the owls - perfect."
"Beautiful house and pool - we've loved the surrounding area, visiting local churches etc - everyone very friendly. Have discovered some lovely places - frescos in tumbledown churches, and sublime Romanesque architecture. Closer to home, have enjoyed superlative meals at La Recreation in Les Arques."
"It is everything we hoped for, and more. Thank you for providing such an idyllic and well thought out house to stay in. I shall miss that heavenly view from the bedroom window."
Local amenities
Nearest bakery: Frayssinet Le Gelat (lot) Outstanding
Nearest supermarket: Cazals (lot) On Sunday Mornings
Nearest market: Cazals (lot) - On Sunday Mornings
Nearest pharmacy: Cazals (lot)
Nearest bar: Frayssinet Le Gelat
Tourist information: Cazals (lot)
Les Arques on the map
Property 168 –
Nearby place of interest
How to get to Bel Arbre
For full directions please contact the owner. Detailed maps will be supplied on booking.
Airports:
- Bergerac 1.25 hours by car
- Toulouse 1.5hours by car
- Brive 1.25 hours by car
Stations:
- Cahors 40 minutes
- Gourdon 30 minutes
Access options
Car Essential, Taxi from train station
Nearest airport
The nearest serviceable airport is Bergerac [EGC]
Stayed here? Add your review >
This property is absolutely lovely. A place to relax in the countryside surrounded by woodland with magical views. For the more energetic there is tennis, table tennis an a large pool to enjoy. The house offers all that you need for your stay. Local towns offer markets and good value restaurants such as the Auberge in Cazals just a few miles away. A visit to the restaurant at Pomerede is essential... Chez Jeanne is a roadside restaurant offering five courses for €14; it is a real experience.Guest rating:
| Property type | Farmhouse (Self-catering) |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
| Bedrooms |
4 double bedroom(s) 1 quad bedroom(s) 2 cot(s) |
| Occupancy | 11 |
| Suitability | Suitable for children, Suitable for the elderly, Unsuitable for wheelchair access, Non-smoking |
| Linen | Linen included |
| Kitchen facilities | Dishwasher, Freezer, Fridge, Cooker, Ironing facilities, Microwave, Tumble dryer, Washing machine, Gas hob, Electric hob, Gas oven, Electric oven, Fridge-Freezer |
| Internal facilities | CD player, Exclusive rental, Hi-fi system, Owner not on site, Telephone, Central heating (oil), Radio, Hairdryer, Board Games, Wi-Fi Broadband Internet, Internet Access, Piano |
| External facilities | Garden, Scenic views, Swimming pool (exclusive use), Barbecue, Tennis Court, Courtyard |
| Activities nearby | Bird Watching, Boules, Canoeing, Cycling, Fishing, Golf, Gourmet dining, Hiking, Horse riding, Rambling, Sightseeing, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Tree adventure park, Walking, Wine tasting, Wine touring |
Changeover day: Saturday
Last updated on: 18th March 2024
| Available | Booked/Unavailable |
|---|
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| Accommodation rental period | Price |
|---|---|
| 31 August 2024 – 30 November 2024 |
£900 Per property per week
(€1068 / $1185) |
Additional price notes
- Christmas, New Year and Long Lets - Price on application
- This includes gas, oil and electricity, and outgoing local telephone calls, bedlinen and towels (not swimming towels or cot linen)
- A charge of £50 per week is payable towards the cost of central heating, if required.
- Arrival is after 16.00 hours (4.00 o'clock) on the Saturday you arrive and Departure is by 10.00 on the Saturday you depart.
- £500 breakages deposit payable in advance