On the border of Aveyron and Tarn-et-Garonne, Maison Des Étoiles is 13km north of Najac, officially classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. This location is perfect for guests wishing to experience the slow pace of life of remote France whilst enjoying local markets, delicious gastronomy and the beauty of the Gorges de l'Aveyron.
Maison Des Étoiles enjoys a rural setting, part of a historic hamlet (including the owners and their dog next door). There are walking, hiking and cycling trails straight from the estate.
The nearest village, around 7km away, is home to a couple of restaurants, café-bar, pharmacy and a boulangerie alongside an attractive lake with water based activities in the height of the summer. You will find a grocery store in another small village, 9km by car, whilst there are good-sized supermarkets just outside La Fouillade and Villefranche-de-Rouergue.
Driving through the Occitanie countryside, Najac (13km) is an idyllic spot for lunch with views of the village’s beautiful 13th century château. The village hosts a lovely seasonal market on Sunday mornings as well as a summer night market on a Wednesday evening where tables are laid out on the village square whilst locals and visitors alike enjoy good Aveyron gastronomy alongside local wine and music.
To the north, Villefranche-de-Rouergue (17km) is a small bastide town dating back to the 13th century with an impressive cathedral and wonderful town square that hosts the Thursday morning market, the largest in the region. Spend time exploring the town’s cobbled lanes and pretty shops before stopping off in a picturesque café-bar for lunch. In the summer months the atmospheric night market takes place on a Sunday evening – not to be missed!
The owners will give you information about other markets dotted across Aveyron, Tarn-et-Garonne and Tarn from the much-loved Sunday morning market in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (26km), also known for its leather goods, to the highly regarded markets in historic Gaillac and Albi, both around an hour away.
The wild landscapes of the Gorges de l'Aveyron are a paradise for outdoor adventurists, starting in Bruniquel (50km), another one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, and flowing as far as nearby Villefranche-de-Rouergue. The river passes gorgeous villages such medieval Penne (42km) and Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (26km) and there are glorious cycling and hiking routes as well as opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, climbing and more.
Tarn’s iconic Triangle D’Or is also waiting to be visited to the south from hilltop Cordes-sur-Ciel (34km) to Gaillac (56km), known for its historic vineyards, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Albi (57km) with its exquisite architecture and magnificent cathedral.
The Region
A relatively new addition to France, the Midi-Pyrénées was created to surround the cultural capital of Toulouse in the late 1970s. You might think that its relative youth would mean the Midi-Pyrénées is short on character or identity, but remember, this is France we’re talking about – the whole country is steeped in history and tradition.
Encompassing parts of Gascony, Languedoc, the Gers and several others, you’ll get a varied slice of the whole French experience here, not least if you stay at one of our beautiful chateaux in the Midi-Pyrénées!
