Mas De Beauce
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Overview
History lives and breathes at this 14th century villa in Midi-Pyrénées. A winding lane through a dairy farm delivers you to this manor house, an achingly beautiful retreat to simpler times in Aveyron. The original stone walls aren’t just a facade; inside, the rough-hewn kitchen and stairs in the tower testify to the years that have passed. Climb up past the tiny chapel to the lookout tower, where the rolling hills unfurl beneath you.
Nods to the past are everywhere, from the medieval-style art on the walls to the antique sewing machine in one of the bedrooms. Even the modernized bathrooms have walls of rough stone. The formal dining room recalls a moodier time, with stone walls and floors, heavy wooden doors, and intricate textiles. For some time in the sun, head out to the stone patio shaded by the trees.
The nearest village is Auzits (1 km), but you'll want to head to Firmi (7 km) for supplies. Natural beauty is everywhere - if you're up for an hour's drive, consider the caverns at Peche-Merle. The nearest city of note is Rodez (30 km), where the local airport lies. Try the fouace (a sweet bread) for breakfast!
What you should know…
- This is the deep countryside - you’ll need a car rental to get around!
- Because of the stone and brick, this home tends to be chilly in the winter.
Property Features
Interior
The manoir can sleep up to 8 guests in its 4 double bedrooms 3 of which have en-suite bathrooms.
- Ground Floor
The ground floor has a fantastic high ceilinged entrance hall, comprising of a large dining area at one end and the main sitting room at the other. There are some lovely examples of exposed stone walls and beautiful old wood beams. Intriguingly there is a walk in fireplace which you actually have to walk through to reach the modern kitchen, pantry and utility room! The sitting room end of the main hall leads into a comfortable study/single bedroom with en-suite bathroom.
Just off the hall is the beautifully crafted spiral staircase that leads to the master bedroom on a mezzanine level decked out with beautifully crafted wood floors, two single beds, and an en-suite bathroom with its own stone fireplace.
- First Floor
Continue up the spiral staircase, to the first floor you will find 2 further bedrooms, one double and one twin and another cosy study. Attached to the study is a charming consecrated chapel (ideal for intimate wedding ceremonies) and another bathroom.
Take one more flight of stairs and you will reach the old watch tower. Nowadays this is a small room with a window boasting breathtaking views.
Outside Grounds
Access to the chateau is via a working dairy farm. The herd are taken to pastures nearby out of sight to graze by day. There are, however, two donkeys who call the property home. Their names are Paco and Rabanne, a mother and son who are both very friendly and gregarious! The sunset terrace overlooks the private swimming pool (10mx5m) and valley beyond. There is a wood/charcoal BBQ and an indoor raised chimney in the kitchen to make barbecues when the weather does not allow the outdoors. There is also a "big" "outdoor gas griddle.
Location
About the surrounding area of Mas De BeauceRodez/Marcillac or Toulouse Airports are all nearby. There are farmer's markets that sell produce and outdoor markets where you will find provençal fabric and gifts, herbs and spices, baskets, small pieces of furniture, pottery etc.
Boulangeries are found in Firmi, Cransac, St. Cyprien and St. Christophe le Vallon. Strangely, there are no shops in Auzits! Fruit and vegetables, charcuterie, meat, cheeses, other basics and flowers are all available in Firmi.
The nearest large supermarket is Geant in Decazeville. Marcillac is the nearest wine-producing region. However, you can find wine everywhere.
The nearest shopping is approximately 4 km away - about 7 minutes by car.
There are many, many options around the area, from village markets and shops to a supermarket just 15 minutes away - but it all has to be done by car.
Two well known tourist attractions are the village of Belcastel, beautifully situated above the river, and Conques, which is also very picturesque, perched on a hill above the river Dourdou, grouped around the magnificent Romanesque church of Ste Foy.
Figeac, less than an hour away, is at the confluence of the Lot and Célé rivers and a pleasant old town to walk around.
The Célé flows from there between narrow limestone cliffs dotted with mills and little waterfalls and on through a lovely valley.
Further afield you’ll find Najac, which has a truly romantic setting high on a cliff that plummets straight down to the Aveyron river, where a single street of medieval houses leads to the keep of the great fortress castle.
Villefranche-de-Rouergue, a delightful 13th century bastide with a central square, which, unusually, has a huge church tower built into the square itself.
Beyond Villefranche de Rouergue, you can visit the Abbey of Loc-Dieu, near Martiel, in a region with many dolmens. The small city of Millau is the site for the world's tallest bridge, the viaduc de Millau, opened by President Chirac in December 2004. Between Entraygues and Estaing are some of the loveliest river stretches in France.
There are numerous places to walk or cycle through quiet country lanes and wild, unspoiled countryside. You can water ski on the Lot river at Cajarc or hire canoe/kayaks at bases on either the Lot or the beautiful Célé river and find places to swim and picnic. For those who like to fish, there is a small lake within a short drive and lots of other places on both rivers.
The Peche-Merle cave is a beautiful grotto near Cabaretes with marvellous cave paintings. Further west is St Cirq-la-Popie, an old village high above the left bank of the Lot with narrow streets that climb up to the ancient château and church, where the view is dizzying.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Rodez
(22 km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Auzits
(1 km) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
Rodez
(30 km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Auzits/St Cyprien
(1 km) |
||
| Nearest Bar/Pub |
St Christophe
(2 km) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
N/A
(Over 100 km) |
||
| Nearest Golf |
Rodez
(15 km) |
||
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! And if you want to discover the best of what the region has to offer, our Midi-Pyrénées travel guide is here to show you where to go, what to eat and how you can make the best of your break with some amazing activities.
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesKids Activities Close-by
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
Onsite Facilities
- Child-Safe Pool
- DVD
- Fenced Grounds
Services Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
Extras
Oliver's Extras
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- Babysitting/childcare services
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
This traditional styled French rural farmhouse is an ideal venue for any small celebration, wedding ...
Read moreEvent information
This traditional styled French rural farmhouse is an ideal venue for any small celebration, wedding or event. The rolling hills surrounding the villa provide the perfect setting for a panoramic view of the sunset and endless skies for evening stargazing.
The Mas can host an indoor reception for 30 guests, whilst the gardens can easily host up to 100 guests for an al fresco event on the terraces. A caterer and party planner can be arranged to assist in creating the perfect occasion that you and all your guests will remember. There is also a small chapel on site to host a more traditional ceremony.
There is also additional accommodation in the neighbouring villages.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information about rates and availability. The property is available for events during the warmer seasons (Spring, Summer & Autumn) only.
| Security deposit | £500 or €750 charged to clients' credit card prior to arrival and refunded four weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | £500 or €750 charged to clients' credit card prior to arrival and refunded four weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
| Energy costs included? | Included in the rental price. There may be a charge for the low seasons. |
| Linen & towels included? | All linen and towels are included in the rental price. |
| Pets welcome? | No. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Changeover day | Saturday. |
| Smoking Allowed? | Outside only. |
| Insurance | It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property. |
| Other Ts and Cs | The pool is not heated and is usually open from June to September. Children under 16 should be supervised by the pool. |
| Other Ts and Cs | The owner requires an agreement to be signed upon booking confirmation. |
| Minimum stay | 7 nights. Short-breaks of minimum 3 nights may be possible with prior agreement outside July, August, Christmas and New Year for €300/night. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 8 people:
| Rental period | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Aug 24th 2019 - Aug 31st 2019 | £2,075 |
| Aug 31st 2019 - Sep 21st 2019 | £1,400 |
| Sep 21st 2019 - Mar 14th 2020 | £1,110 |
| Mar 14th 2020 - May 16th 2020 | £1,400 |
| May 16th 2020 - Aug 29th 2020 | £2,075 |
| Aug 29th 2020 - Sep 19th 2020 | £1,400 |
| Sep 19th 2020 - Feb 24th 2021 | £1,110 |
Please note that prices may not be 100% accurate for dates outside of the current calendar year. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
How long have you owned the property?
Since 2006
What was it about the property that you first fell in love with?
It’s a very old building from the 14th centur...
Owner Profile
How long have you owned the property?
Since 2006
What was it about the property that you first fell in love with?
It’s a very old building from the 14th century, and has been left almost intact (apart from installing modern plumbing, electricity, a proper kitchen etc.). The views are spectacular, it’s very quiet and rural and there are lovely villages all around. And it’s a lesser-known corner of France.
Are there any interesting stories in its history?
In the tower, there are many ancient papers and documents pertaining to the history of the building and above the fireplace is an ancient, sculpted coat of arms which belonged to the family that first built it.
For anyone coming to stay is there anything they should really do?
There are numerous places to walk or cycle through quiet country lanes and wild, unspoilt countryside. You can water-ski on the Lot river at Cajarc or hire canoe/kayaks at bases on either the Lot or the beautiful Célé river and find places to swim and picnic. For those who like to fish, there is a small lake within a short drive and lots of other places on both rivers.
Reviews
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Very nice!
Unique venue. beautiful setting.
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This House is Incredible!
The house was amazing, loaded with history and atmosphere, beautifully positioned with near 360 degree panorama and benefitted in our view from being next to a working dairy farm. Our daughter (particularly) made friends with the farmer's wife and they didn't mind us mucking around with their dogs and cats and calves. (She loved the donkeys in the surrounding field too).The house and incredible array of outbuildings, orchards and terraces is generally better outside than in as downstairs inside is very dark, better for evenings and winter time I imagine. The pool was a real plus in a hot week and has stunning views. This is a very relaxing place to be, quirky and interesting with more than enough places to explore within 30-45 minutes drive. We’d happily go again.
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Family tranquility
Loved feeding the donkeys and listening to them braying. Family boules matches and barbecues on the terrace, watching the stars and the putting the world to rights. Watching the swallows skim the water, the quiet, the tranquility, the beautiful surroundings.
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Most memorable holiday
We arrived Saturday afternoon - the latest stop on our ventures through France. We already had immeasurable memories but then we came to Mas de Beauce and had two of the most memorable weeks ever. We had the warmest of welcomes from John and Jilly who showed us around the house and garden and since then the house held us in its spell. The laughter and sounds of happy children have filled the rooms and their swimming improved beyond measure. Coming back after days out felt like coming home! A cool retreat from a blazing hot sun, we had just one grey day. We enjoyed the still and the quiet, a must amidst the humdrum of working lives. We sat, we talked, we cooked, we dined and reminisced.
I am sure we all left this special place with our own individual memories. It is intriguing, fascinating and envelops you in its past - we would love to return. -
Amazing house, wonderful area
A magical week with great company and two excited children. We gorged ourselves on blackberries, apples, damsons and stewed pears from the garden... and some failed elderberry jam! (which ended up as cordial).
We enjoyed the huge sky and the wildlife, the grass snake in the greenhouse is over 1m long! We saw hedgehogs, humming birds and a bat in the living room.
Ollie (7) bonded with Rabanne the donkey and wanted to take him home, not sure the promise of a stick insect was enough to console him.
Amazing house, wonderful area...we all absolutely loved it!.
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Honoured Guests
We have dined like Kings and felt privileged to be part of the Mas de Beauce, Thank You.
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.