Under The Thatch

Maison Verte completes our trio of French properties in the Tarn Valley. Like its sisters Maison Bleue (sleeps 8) and Rouge (sleeps 6), Verte is a top-quality holiday rental, and beautifully furnished.

If you are comparing the three, Verte probably has the best bedroom (with superkingsize bed, Juliette balcony, walk-in wadrobe and spacious en-suite), and the more rustic interior, but it doesn't have a pool. This fact is reflected in the lower prices for this accommodation.

The interior is just as good as its sister properties, there is the same wonderful attention to detail (genuine linen curtains, hand-embroidered bedlinen, antique furnishings etc) and you have free access to the tennis courts, boules, and loan of bicycles.

You have access to gardens both front and rear, fine views over open countryside, and a wood-burning stove for cosy nights in front of the fire.

I particularly loved the traditional pigeonnier near to your private entrance. This 'reception' tower is a vernacular gem that reflects the local building traditions.

You can walk to the village of Cahuzac-sur-Vere for your fresh croissants in the morning in under ten minutes along a quiet country lane, or take a bike and be there in 5 minutes. You'll soon slip into the local (slow!) pace of life here, and I can vouch for the quality of the bread and pain-au-chocolat!

What makes this trio of conversions stand out from the crowd of French holiday property is the attention to detail on the interior furnishing. Everything is good quality, and nothing has been done 'on the cheap'.

Restored and furnished by Hugh Child & Gwenda Griffith (co-author of the first Welsh interiors book), we felt that this threesome were ideal first members for Under the Thatch international as the properties were so exceptional.

Gwenda and Hugh have had great fun furnishing Maison Verte, 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 the gardens are equally beautiful and managed daily.

Maison Verte 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.

It is a quiet place with a genuine sense of retreat, yet just minutes from local medieval towns, villages, markets and bistros.

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 Verte 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 and with more amazing architecture.

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 (really one of the best I've ever seen!) 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 Verte 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 airports 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 Verte is attached to eighteenth century farmhouse that its owners use when they are in France, but has its own private entrance, driveway, parking and gardens.

The tennis court and the pigeonnier (a reception area) are shared with Maisons Bleue and Rouge.

The property is fully centrally heated and has a wood-burning stove.

SITTING ROOM: The open plan main room has a sitting area with comfortable sofas, a dining area, and French doors both ends - so you have a choice of gardens and terraces to enjoy.

TV (basic Sky package, so some UK channels). DVD & CD stereo.

KITCHEN: A simple, modern kitchen with everything you'd experct including fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washing machine. Doors out to covered terrace and barbeque area.

Master BEDROOM 1: With a huge superkingsize 4 poster bed, choice of two 'Juliette' balconies with wonderful views, a large walk-in wardrobe and with en-suite off (bath and shower cubicle).

A truly fabulous room. Fling open the French windows, lie in bed and breath in the landscape and scent of lavender from the gardens below.

DOUBLE BEDROOM 2 : Double bedroom with country pine furniture and two fitted cots. Views to the front and over the countryside.

TWIN BEDROOM : Twin bedroom with great open views.

BATHROOM : with shower in cubicle and bath.

OUTSIDE:

Patio area to the front with small decorative pool. Quality patio furniture.

Covered terrace to rear, with barbeque and quality patio furniture.

Large lawned and garden area for your exclusive use.

Further acres of landscaped grounds shared with Maison Bleue and Rouge.

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 Maisons Bleue and Rouge) is useful as a formal reception area. Young children must be accompanied as it contains an unprotected well (has doors etc to building).

As Verte is the nearest property to the pigeonniere you are the most likely property to make use of it.

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

Bicycles, helmets and boules provided.

Table Tennis table.

Parking for up to 4 cars

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

Please note that the small pond on the front terrace could present a potential danger to children. You can easily keep children away from this area (and in the rear gardens) but guests are reminded that they are responsible for their own safety and that of their children.

Like all Under the Thatch properties, Maison Verte is entirely non-smoking inside.