An 18th-century cottage with glorious views of the Tarn-et-Garonne, Maison Catalpa is such a peaceful holiday home with a heated swimming pool, set in picture-perfect gardens with trailing wisteria, summer roses and jasmine, only 4km from one of France’s classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.
Maison Catalpa is an idyllic place to stay for so many reasons. Sit out on the south-facing terrace beside terracotta pots of red geraniums and gaze at the beautiful scenery around you or seek shade from the warm summer sun by the vine-clad patio, both wonderful spots for al-fresco dining with family or friends. As you stroll around the vast gardens, admire swathes of lavender by the pretty stone steps, soak up the scent of rosemary, discover the fig trees, then relax beneath the huge Catalpa tree by the tranquil swimming pool. Surrounded by a hectare of gardens and woodland, there’s a true sense of seclusion across this special home.
Inside is just as delightful across the characterful interiors with the comfortable lounge and open fireplace, rustic dining room and farmhouse kitchen leading out to one of the dining terraces. The library upstairs features hundreds of the owners’ books which guests are more than welcome to read. Meanwhile, the satellite TV, board games, boules, table tennis and croquet mean hours more fun for every age.
Up to 18 guests can stay in this welcoming French abode across the house’s six main bedrooms (each sleeping 2 guests), in the separate Pigeonnier bedroom with two four-poster beds and beautiful views (4 guests) or making use of the sofa-bed in the library (2 guests). Many of the bedrooms have a private or en suite bathroom and each room is so charmingly decorated with antiques and old-style furnishings. A 15% discount will be applied for groups who do not require use of the Pigeonnier Annexe - please enquire at the time of booking.
Within 4km you can be dining beneath the arcades in a pretty bastide village and pottering around its Saturday morning market. A little further afield, enjoy the larger market in Moissac, then hire bikes to cycle by the Tarn River or Canal du Midi before visiting the stunning cloisters at Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Moissac. Montauben is another historic town not to be missed – stop off for lunch in its impressive, red-bricked Place Nationale.
Discover other picturesque villages such as Montcuq and Tournon-d'Agenais or head even further north to idyllic gems dotted along the Lot River including the captivating town of Cahors, a food and wine-lovers paradise with its restaurants, markets and vineyards producing some of the finest Malbec wines in the world.
