| Summary |
Farmhouse, with pool, tennis court and stunning views nestling in a tranquil and particularly pretty part of the Lot 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sleeps 11+2 cots Bel Arbre is a delightful house and much loved family home, set in a wonderful position, facing south, sitting amongst forty acres of its own fields, woods and fruit trees Physically situated about 25 k northwest of Cahors, and 6 K from the attractive little town of Cazals, Bel Arbre is in reality a little piece of heaven with its own, very special tranquility. It is welcoming at every season, each of which is different and delightful. The area is rich in both history, and local produce (which is abundant in local markets). It is close to Les Arques, with its restaurant, La Recreation, made famous by the recent book “From Here You Can’t See Paris”, now available in paperback. Approx. minimum and maximum prices for one week - £500 to £2200. |
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| Property Name | Bel Arbre | |
 House and pool from the southwest lawn | ||
 Pool looking to the southeast, with valley below | ||
 Tucked behind barn, but close to the house | ||
 Kitchen and sittingroom patio , bakehouse on left | ||
| Bedroom(s) | 5 Bedroom(s) Sleeps 11 | |
| Nearest Town |
Cazals, Midi-Pyrenees, France |
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| Pool | Yes | |
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| Detail |
To the south, the ground slopes away to the floor of the valley a hundred feet below, so that from the pool and the house, there are glorious views. The farmhouse is made up of two adjoining houses, and the thick walls make it cool in summer, and warm in winter (the central heating is terrific). One great advantage is that two families can live there together, but with a degree of separation, with their own bathrooms and kitchens. An outstanding feature is the old bake house which overlooks the pool, next to the house. This has been converted to provide a barbecue area at a lower level, on the entrance stones to the old oven (still more or less intact), together with a dining area. The long table and benches are extremely convivial, and wonderfully shaded when the midday sun is at its hottest. It also catches the last rays of the setting sun, as it sinks amongst the pine trees. The swimming pool is 11 x 5 meters, and has a springboard, and a bubble cover for spring and autumn, when nights tend to cool the pool down. The pool is surrounded by a childproof safety fence, with two entrances. There is also an all weather tennis court, close to the house, but tucked behind one of the barns. The House West Wing The spacious kitchen/dining room has a large convivial refectory table, is very well equipped, and has a fridge-freezer and dishwasher. There is a tiny laundry room with a washing machine and tumble drier, and a separate cloakroom and WC. The kitchen and dining room look through an open plan fireplace into the well furnished sitting room. Both rooms have double French windows to the terrace and pool. There is a bookcase in the dining room, full of a mixture of loved books, informational books, local interest books, children’s books, and books left by guests to add to the richness of choice. There are also games and puzzles for the odd rainy day. Upstairs there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. One bedroom has four bunk beds and another single bedroom has a wonderfully cosy lit bateau. The principal bedroom (with ensuite bathroom), has a double bed, and a door leading to a wisteria-clad terrace overlooking the pool and superb views to the south. There’s a telephone in both the kitchen and the main bedroom. Outgoing calls are local only. There’s positively no TV, but the local bars will feature most sporting events of pressing importance (except cricket!). East Wing Downstairs, the large, open-plan L-shaped living room has a piano. It also has a small kitchen area, with fridge freezer, and opens onto the terrace. Upstairs there are two double bedrooms, one with twin beds, one with a double bed, and a bathroom. General Information All three bathrooms have baths with showers. Two have bidets. The furniture is largely antique and traditional. Outside the wide terrace is paved with terracotta tiles. The old bake house and terrace surrounding the pool are well lit at night. There is an all weather table tennis table in the courtyard. There is a small sandpit for children, and two bicycles for adults. Plenty of mown grassy space surrounds the house, and several paths lead in different directions from the garden to the fields and woods. |
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| Location |
Much of the forty-odd acres is a mixture of chestnut, oak, and pine woodland, with some fields cultivated by the local farmer. Near the house, you can expect to find cherries in early June, plums at the end of July, and August, apples and figs in September, and chestnuts and walnuts in October. In autumn there are also many different varieties of funghi, including ceps, in the fields and woods. The pharmacist in Cazals is happy to identify these for you and advise on edibility (as are most of the customers in the pharmacy!). In Spring there’s also a wide variety of orchids, some rare. The nearest village, (apart from Les Arques) is Frayssinet-le-Gelat, about 3K away, which has a very good baker, and a shop which sells a little of everything. Cazals has good shops, and an excellent food market on Sundays, selling local produce, and there is a larger one at Prayssac, some 12k away, each Friday morning. If you prefer, a ten minute cycle ride will take you to the farm of Philippe Moreau, who makes foie gras, cassoulet, and confit de canard. There are good restaurants in the area, particularly La Recreation, in our village, Les Arques. Converted from the old school house, it is excellent, with a warm friendly atmosphere, and a special menu for children. In addition, there is the Michelin starred Le Gindreau, in St Medard, about ten kilometers away. But perhaps just as delicious is the traditional cooking of the southwest which can be found close by, in the snug little auberges in Cazals and Goujounac, which rely on seasonal, often home grown, produce. If you feel the need, Bel Arbre provides a great base from which to explore all the Lot has to offer - including walking, riding, canoeing and fishing on the river, visiting cave paintings, medieval villages, markets, vineyards, and a little zoo at Padirac. There’s a nine hole golf course at Cenac (about 35 minutes away, on the Dordogne). It's lovely! What Guests have said about Bel Arbre "The house is so well equipped and beautifully furnished that we have all felt very much at home. Were it not for the lovely local scenery, and exciting places to visit, we could easily have spent all our time lapping up the idyllic atmosphere here." "Divine. Felt like home immediately, and was even more idyllic, restful and private than we had hoped." "The restaurant in Les Arques was as good as any of the best London restaurants, and extraordinarily good value." "So much to do, and so little time. We couldn't do everything, and will have to come back again - wonderful house, superb swimming pool and tennis court, with fantastic views. Please may we return sometime soon. Thank you very much for everything." "What a magical, lovely place, filled with delights." "The children got so much out of the holiday, whether seeing lizards, running around the house, swimming, or exploring the woods - and at the end of the day, what a relaxing view, beside the barbeque, drink in hand." "Our second visit to Bel Arbre was as special as our first, but not long enough." "Enjoyed, the lizard, bee, butterfly and pyramid orchids, the great tits nesting outside the back door, and the cherry trees laden with fruit. Peaceful house and grounds, and a wonderful kitchen." "We've had a brilliant time - the house, the pool, the views, the area - what a lovely part of France, and wonderful to stay in a house that really feels like home." "It'll be hard to drag ourselves away from this wonderful place - we've had a blissful two weeks here, and are very grateful for this chance to enjoy your lovely home." "A very fine time - just the four of us in this fantastic location. The boys had a whale of a time exploring, supper beside the pool, looking down the valley, and with the sun setting on your back, listening to the beetles and the owls - perfect." "Beautiful house and pool - we've loved the surrounding area, visiting local churches etc - everyone very friendly. Have discovered some lovely places - frescos in tumbledown churches, and sublime Romanesque architecture. Closer to home, have enjoyed superlative meals at La Recreation in Les Arques." "It is everything we hoped for, and more. Thank you for providing such an idyllic and well thought out house to stay in. I shall miss that heavenly view from the bedroom window." |
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| Map | Click here to see a map of the property's location | |
| How to get here |
MICHELIN MAP REFERENCE: 79, POSTAL ADDRESS: BEL ARBRE, 46250 LES ARQUES Cazals is situated West, north west of Cahors, which is situated on the River Lot (take a line in from Bordeaux on the west, and up from Toulouse to the south, and where they cross - it’s more or less there). FROM TOULOUSE (THE SOUTH) Leave Toulouse on A62 (direction Bordeaux, Montauban). At junction 10 take A20 (direction Montauban, Cahors, Limoges ) Leave A20 at Cahors (south)and take the N20 bypassing Cahors. (If you’re already on the N20, stay on it). At Northern outskirts of Cahors, at a large roundabout, take the D811(direction Mercues, Fumel). After about 16 km., turn right onto the D660 (direction Les Junies, Goujounac, Frayssinet-le-Gelat) Pass through Goujounac. At Frayssinet-le-Gelat turn right at the mini roundabout onto the D673 (direction Cazals ). After about 3K turn right, onto the D46 road, signed to Montgesty and Les Arques. After forty yards, take the right fork to stay on the D46. Exactly 1 kilometer down the road, on the right, is Bel Arbre. A low wall separates two gravelled driveways. Take the track to the right, and you’re there! FROM THE NORTH If you’re coming down the new A20E motorway, get off at junction 56 and follow signs to Gourdon, on the D801. From Gourdon, go south west, following directions to Fumel on the D673, through Salviac to Cazals. At the square in Cazals, carry straight on towards Frayssinet le Gelat and Fumel. Pass the plan d’ eau on your right, and go through Montclera. About one and a half kilometres towards Frayssinet le Gelat, turn left down the D46 road, signed to Montgesty and Les Arques. After forty yards, take the right fork to stay on the D46. Exactly 1 kilometre down the road, on the right, is the first big field you come to – you can park there. The field borders the short track up to Bel Abre. |
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| Prices |
Prices and Booking Information 10th May – 14th June £775 PER WEEK 14th June – 12th July £1275 PER WEEK 12thJuly – 30th Aug £2200 PER WEEK 30th Aug - 6th Sept £1700 PER WEEK 6th Sept - 20th Sept £775 PER WEEK Off Season £500 PER WEEK (Christmas, New Year, and long lets poa.) All prices are per week, Saturday to Saturday Bed linen and tea towels(apart from swimming towels and cot linen)are provided |
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| Prop. Ref. | 1201 | |
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| Unknown please enquire - ALL DATES REFER TO NIGHTS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||