Under The Thatch

Maison Rouge is a sumptuous holiday property in France, meticulously decorated and furnished, with panoramic countryside views, and is just a short stroll from fine local food.

At the same location as the larger Maison Bleue (pool), and Maison Verte (no pool), Rouge has its own private pool for your exclusive use, separate driveway and entrance etc.

We particularly love the traditional pigeonnier 'reception' tower, floodlit tennis court, and luxury furnishings. You can walk to the village for your fresh croissants in the morning, and come come to a game of boules every evening.

Rouge is particularly nice as the open-plan living area has three sets of double French doors onto the patio and gardens - which gives you the impression you are living close to the garden and views.

What generally makes Maison Rouge stand out from the crowd of French holiday property is the attention to detail on the interior furnishing, and each of the three bedrooms has its own en-suite bathroom.

Restored and furnished by Hugh Child & Gwenda Griffith (co-author of the first Welsh interiors book), we felt that Maisons Rouge, Bleue & Verte were ideal first members for Under the Thatch international!

Gwenda and Hugh have had great fun furnishing Maison Rouge, using antique and modern pieces from around the world to create a relaxed country atmosphere.

You can tell that decorating this project has been a labour of love, and nothing has been done on the cheap.

Maison Rouge is the place to stay if you enjoy peace & quiet, beautiful landscapes and fine French country food and wines; great times can be had here.

Located in “the golden triangle” between Cordes, Albi and Gaillac, a short drive will take you to some charming and historic towns, or borrow the bicycles (supplied) to nip down to the village to get fresh bread and cakes.

Maison Rouge is a ten-minute stroll from the pretty village of Cahuzac-sur-Vère which has three boulangeries, a patisserie, a wonderful boucherie and grocery stores.

The village also has an auberge and an excellent restaurant - also recommended are the two restaurants in the amazing medieval village of Castelnau-de-Montmiral (5km), often referred to as one of the prettiest villages in all France.

Or only 10km to the market town of Gaillac (10km), world famous for its wines.

Slightly further away are the towns of Cordes-sur-Ciel and Albi. Cordes-sur-Ciel (12km) is perched precariously on a rocky outcrop and dates back to the 13th century. Its quaint cobbled streets and chic artisans' shops make for a great day out.

Albi (30-minutes) is built alongside the River Tarn. It has a stunning cathedral and is most famous as the birthplace of the painter, Toulouse-Lautrec.

Click here to explore more about the area, and to see a selection of suggested activities exploring chateaux, fine dining, food and antique markets, local events and sports from rural donkey riding to paragliding!

Click here to see extra and larger photos on my facebook profile.

How to Arrive?

Maison Rouge is just 20 minutes away from the main A68 autoroute and 50 minutes away from Toulouse International Airport. Click here for a drop-down list of all airports that have flights to Toulouse. The main UK ones are:

Easyjet from Gatwick and Bristol

Flybe from Birmingham (seasonal).

British Airways from Gatwick

After Toulouse the next nearest airport is Carcassonne, approx 1 hr and 45 min drive (Ryanair fly here from Stansted, East Midlands, Liverpool, Dublin, Shannon).

Nearest train station is Gaillac (10km, linked from Toulouse).

If travelling by car consider car ferry via St-Malo, Caen or Bilbao (Santurtzi).

Click here to see the exact location.

THE PROPERTY COMPRISES:

Maison Rouge is on one ground-floor level, and thus more suitable than most properties for people of poor mobility.

The property is in the grounds of the eighteenth century farmhouse that its owners use when they are in France, but has its own private entrance, driveway, and pool (not shared). The tennis courts and the pigeonnier (a reception area) are shared with Maisons Bleue & Verte.

The property is fully centrally heated.

SITTING ROOM: The open plan main room has a sitting area with comfortable sofas, a dining area, and doors out to the terrace and pool.

TV & CD player. DVD player and VHS player. Basic Sky satellite package (so some UK TV channels).

KITCHEN: Impressive double height ceiling with exposed oak roof structure.

There is a modern and practical oak country kitchen open-plan to the dining area. Everything you'd expect including microwave, dishwasher and washing machine.

Cloakroom toilet.

DOUBLE BEDROOM 1: with generous size en-suite off containing bath and separate shower cubicle.

DOUBLE BEDROOM 2 : Double bedroom with en-suite of a good size containing bath.

TWIN BEDROOM : Twin bedroom with en-suite of a generous size containing bath and separate shower cubicle.

OUTSIDE:

Patio area.

Pool with outside shower and wc. There is an alarm that conforms to safety regulations. The pool is approx. 30' x 16'. When activated the alarm will let you know if a child enters the pool, however guests are reminded that they are responsible for their own pool safety and that of their children.

You have a very nice lawned and private garden area as well as access over a few acres of landscaped grounds shared with Maison Bleue & Verte. The informal gardens are typically ablaze with colour - and delicate perfumes from roses and lavender fill the air all summer long

Historic pigeonniere tower to the front (shared with Maison Bleue and Verte) is useful as a formal reception area. Young children must be accompanied as it contains an unprotected well (has doors etc to the building).

Hard Tennis court (shared with Maison Bleue). Bring own racquets and balls.

Bicycles, helmets and boules provided.

Table Tennis table.

Parking for up to 3 cars in your own private parking & entrance.

Maison Rouge can be booked with its sister properties, Maison Bleue & Verte , at the same location to sleep a total of 20 guests.

Please note that the pool could present a potential danger to children. There is a pool alarm, but guests are responsible for their own safety and that of their children.

Like all Under the Thatch accommodation, this property is entirely non-smoking inside.