Aveyron
Aveyron Gites
Nearest Airport: Rodez |
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Ideal for one or two families with children and/or babies.
Sleeps up to 8 plus one or more babies At a Glance
Local airport: Rodez (less than an hour) or Toulouse (1.5 hours)
Rural, stunning views
Heated, enclosed pool
Eco-friendlySPECIAL OFFER - 10% OFF ALL BOOKINGS MADE BEFORE THE END OF JAN 2010 What we think…
If absolute peace and tranquillity is what you are after then a week or two here in the stunning Aveyron countryside will fit the bill! These two gîtes (the other is called Viaur) are very comfortable and well equipped for a family staying with babies and children but it really is the setting and the ambience that sets them apart. The space, the gardens, the peace and the fresh air is what a holiday here is about. You really get an impression that no one is in a hurry. The relaxed pace of life is catching and provides the perfect antidote to hectic family life back home! The two gîtes sit side by side and have been created out of an old barn. Part of the barn housed the cows whilst the remainder was a hayloft and tractor shed.
The Aveyron
The Aveyron sleeps 8 plus babies in two double bedrooms and two twins. The layout and character is much the same as Viaur although for a number of reasons this house is not as perfect for children who are a bit wobbly on the stairs.
A greener holiday
The owners of this house are very environmentally aware and have implemented a fantastic recycling and composting scheme (see photo in gallery). This house is also cleaned without using harsh chemicals. Outside, there is a well stocked herb garden, strawberry and raspberry patch which you are free to help yourself to. Coquilcot and Rose are the resident free range hens who make up part of the farm’s menagerie which also includes ponies, a cat and a dog! When it’s time for bed…
One of the double bedrooms is downstairs - ideal for people with mobility problems – as well as a shower and downstairs loo. The (un-gated) staircase leads up to three further bedrooms and a family bathroom.
The master bedroom plays host to a fabulous antique French bed. All the rooms have fabulous views over the countryside beyond which simply reinforces the tranquillity of this setting. Many of the windows have shutters which is great for those who prefer not to be woken at the crack of dawn or for daytime naps. Two of the three upstairs bedrooms have access onto a raised terrace with views over the fields to the side of the property. Whilst this is a lovely touch you may find that it is not ideal if you have wobbly toddlers (see parent point below). Both the Aveyron and Viaur have radiators in everyroom to take the edge off the colder late autumn and early spring evenings. Kitchen
The living accommodation downstairs is open plan and spacious. The kitchen wraps around one corner and is well stocked with plenty of large pots and pans and all the equipment you could need for preparing family meals. For meals eaten inside, there is a large farmhouse kitchen table. Double doors lead out onto the garden, with views of the hammock and the children playing outside in the enclosed garden. Sitting room area
The sitting room area is very comfortable and has plenty of character acting as a reminder of its former life as a cow barn. The gite is equipped with a CD player and radio as well as a TV and video and there are plenty of kiddies videos to choose from for those quieter moments of the day.
Baby and Toddler friendly!
Travel cot
High chair
Booster seat
Baby monitor
Backpack for hiking
Adult bikes with child seat *
Potty
Toddler loo seat
Baby bath
Plastic step
Changing mat
Rigid paddling pool
Armbands and rubber ring
Fishing/butterfly nets
Baby toys
Toddler toys
Outdoor games – football, badminton, boules, trampolene with safety net
Indoor games – dominos, memory games and puzzles
Cupboard locks where necessary
Hand blender
Plastic cups, cutlery and crockery
Garden shade
TV and video are available on request
*Please note that much of the listed outdoor equipment is available on request. *Bikes are available for hire at the property - payable locally (€30 for 1 week or €10 per day for both bikes) The property is managed by the owner who lives on site with her daughters, so you can be assured of a restful holiday, safe in the knowledge that help is at hand should you need it. Outside
Eight acres of land surround the two gîtes giving the properties amazing views and a great sense of space. Ponies graze gently in the fields within view and there are a wide variety of flora and fauna that have made this quiet spot their home. The buzzards fly over head and the nearby stream provides a rich environment for all manner of wildlife. The owners grow their own organic vegetables, and you are welcome to help yourself to the herbs and fruit which also grow in the garden. The actual gardens that are attached to the gîtes are enclosed but there is plenty of land to explore beyond. Parent Point: This gîte has a flight of concrete steps which run up the outside to a lovely little terrace which is accessible from two of the upstairs bedrooms. This may not be ideal for toddlers. This garden is without doubt a Mecca for children! With acres of land to explore, a large sandpit, swings and a little play house, this is certainly a holiday which will be full of happy memories. The pool is set within the land and is enclosed and heated making it ideal for little ones. There are plenty of local walks or bike rides which are mapped out for you. A Baby Back Pack is provided or a couple of bikes with a baby seat depending on which mode of transport you choose. And beyond
The nearby village (less than 5 minutes by car or a 20 minute walk) has everything that you could need. There is a small supermarket, artisanal boulangerie and boucherie as well as a fantastic epicerie, 2 cafes, 2 restaurants and much more besides. During the summer this village plays host to a small, local market so there is no need to go far for local colour! Reassuringly there is also a doctor located here. For more adventures you could plan a family outing to Najac, a village that is classed as ‘one of the most beautiful villages in France’ with its fabulous castle and interesting shops, including an organic grocery shop. There is a train station here, restaurants, cafes, a bookshop and a summer market. Alternatively you could venture into the medieval bastide town of Villefranche de Rougergue to visit the fabulous weekly market or choose one of the other numerous pretty towns and villages. If the wilderness is more you cup of tea then the Viaur River is worth visiting. Its path through the uninhabited countryside makes it one of the cleanest rivers in France and is ideal for swimming, paddling, fishing or rock climing. It has a river path which makes it a great choice for parents with a pram. Keep your eyes peeled for the kingfisher! Near Villefranche there is an unusual stunted oak forest on the dry limestone Causse. The dolmens here are over 4000 years old and are certainly worth a look. In addition there are pre-historic cave paintings within easy reach and the Cap Découverte at Carmaux is a new multi-activity centre which offers the longest ski slope in Europe, 35 kms of cycle paths, huge indoor and outdoor skateboard parks and a lake with a beach for swimming. As you can see, we do not think that there will be time to be bored! Getting there
Rodez or Toulouse airports are within easy reach of the Aveyron Gites, a journey that is easily do-able in under a day from the UK. Alternatively you may choose to drive and we can suggest some places to stop overnight. Before booking, please read about Realistic Expectations. You should also read our Terms and Conditions.
| Arrive |
Depart |
Time |
Carrier |
| Toulouse |
Bristol, Gatwick |
1.5 hours |
Easyjet |
| Toulouse |
Gatwick |
1.5 hours |
British Airways |
| Rodez |
Stansted |
1 hour |
Ryanair |
| Toulouse |
Birmingham |
1.5 hours |
Flybe |
| Toulouse |
Manchester |
1.5 hours |
BMI Baby |
| Toulouse |
Belfast, Leeds, Manchester |
1.5 hours |
Jet2 |
Gallery 
The master bedroom.
The enclosed gardens.
The recycling and compost scheme.
The sandpit.
The play area.
The lovely pool.
The heated enclosed pool.
The ever popular hammock.
The kids cabin.
Paddling locally.
One of the two resident hens.
One of the outbuildings.
No shortage of garlic.
Local pony riding.
Inside the cabin.
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