Accommodation

The entire property is let out as one unit, including the Main House and the Pool, set around a courtyard. The Summer House and large barn, which form the two sides of the courtyard, are used by us for storage only and are not let out at all. The property provides a calm and private escape to the countryside for up to 4 people in two double bedrooms.

Overview

The rental property, Les Deveses, is a converted farm house and adjoining cottage set around a south facing courtyard, a pool, and seven acres of grounds, some of which are tamed and the rest completely wild.
It lies in the middle of one of the least inhabited bits of countryside in Western Europe, roughly two kilometres from the village of Cassagnes, and three from Pomarède. You can see a satellite image and map of the property location on the Travel/Maps page.

Nature surrounds us and we have deer eating grass just below the swimming pool in the morning, red squirrels stealing the hazel nuts, nightingales performing after dusk, owls hooting at night, and just down the road you might see wild boar crossing the road on the way to raid the farmer's maize fields.

The pleasure of sitting out on a warm summer night is enhanced by the sight of the stars above against the blackness of space. Being underpopulated, means we have low light pollution, and you can see the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon with your naked eye.

The region is ideal for amateur astronomy. (There is also an observatory at Fumel, 20 minutes away: Observatoire de Lagrolère, GAP 47, Tel 05 53 70 82 81).

The Buildings

Let out for 2 to 4 people, you have exclusive use of the buildings around the courtyard and the pool, during your stay.

The Main House, Summer House and a large barn form three sides of a south facing courtyard, with a low stone wall above the pool forming the fourth side. The views are to the south, overlooking a small valley. The Summer House and large barn are not part of the rental and neither is the large agricultural hangar which is set back some way from the accommodation, behind the large barn. All of the latter are mainly used for owner storage.

We do have a small appartment tucked away on the other side of the large barn that we occasionally use, but this is not visible from the courtyard or pool areas, and with separate access from the road. It does not overlook the pool or courtyard, and your accommodation remains completely private.

We provide maintenance for the pool during your stay, and very occasionally need to mow lawns around the house, but this is done as discretely as possible.

The Main House

2 Bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms (2 double beds), kitchen/salon, Satellite TV, Home Cinema, Broadband Internet

The bedrooms are on the ground floor and each has a shower, toilet and wash basin ensuite. Each bedroom has a french window on to the courtyard/terrace.

The first floor is a large open plan sitting room, dining room and kitchen.
There is a basic surround sound system with a television, DVD player, and UK Freesat satellite TV receiver.
The main dining area has a large redwood table which can easily seat 4 people. In the kitchen there is a smaller breakfast table with 4 seats. The kitchen has all the usual facilities and appliances.

Outside on the courtyard patio is a small wrought iron table for tea/coffee.

The Summer House

The Summer House is used for our storage and is not let out at all. Umbrellas, candles, lamps, barbecue equipment and pool accessories such as lounger cushions, sun umbrellas etc. can be found in the Summer House annexe.

The Barn

The large stone barn marks the Eastern side of the courtyard. The doors on the courtyard side will remain locked during your stay as it is mainly used for storage of gardening equipment etc. There are no windows on the courtyard side of this barn.

The Agricultural Building

There is a large agricultural building set well away from the main accommodation and pool areas. This is used for storage by us and will remain locked during your stay, unless access is required by us for use of gardening equipment such as lawnmowers etc.

Outside

The 10m by 5m pool is set below the level of the courtyard and is surrounded on three sides by walls and gates. A 1.2m high mesh fence, which is almost invisible from the pool area, drops down below the pool and completes the enclosure of the pool and surrounds.
The pool has a salt water purification system which means there is no smell of chlorine. The salt level is nothing like the ocean however.
It has a regulation pool alarm, although we caution all guests that parental control is the only way to guarantee childrens' safety near water.
There is a large teak table with 4 seats and umbrellas. Poolside seating comprises sun loungers for all the occupants and the poolside chairs.
The courtyard and areas surrounding the house are mainly mown grass. There is a one acre flat field to one side of the house, which is mown a couple of times a year, and down the hill in front of the house are several more acres of similar terrain: slightly tamed, but mostly wild!
Because of raiding roe deer and the neighbours' goats, we have built fences and gates discretely around the courtyard. These should automatically swing closed, but please try to make sure they are closed if you leave the courtyard unattended, and especially at night, as the deer get up earlier than most of us in the morning!

The Pool

10m by 5m overlooking valley, large pool surrounds

The Grounds

7 acres of countryside, Deer, Owls, Milky Way, Orion etc!

List of Facilities

Broadband internet with WiFi, UK or French satellite programmes (one or the other), television, DVD/CD player, surround sound system, electric oven, gas hob, microwave, cutlery and crockery for 4, washing machine, drying facilties, vacuum cleaner, barbecue