Notes from the host
Maison de Maitre
A lovely stone built house in the medieval village of Clairac, this renovated house looks over the River Lot to the Benedictine Abbey of Clairac. The village, with its sand river beach, boulangeries, restaurants, bar, bank, chemist, supermarket, delicatessen, doctors surgery and weekly market, are all in easy walking distance, which means the car is not necessary for daily living - but with delightful walks along the river and surrounding countryside, you can combine the best of both town and country living. The house has a riverfront garden as well as a large south-facing back garden with private pool. The interior of the house has been renovated throughout and benefits from large, light filled rooms with views either looking out over the river Lot to the Abbey of Clairac or to the gardens at the back. The house comprises a well equipped kitchen plus laundry room with oven, hob, fridge freezer, microwave, coffee machine, toaster, kettle, utensils etc., washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, iron and ironing board. There is a downstairs reading/music room , CD player with CD’s, bookcase and books and walk in closet. There is a small office, with a desk and chair, internet access (WiFi) and pamphlets and flyers on places to visit. There is also a downstairs toilet. The hallway opens into a large living/dining area of 60m.sq. dominated by a lovely open stone fireplace and open beams. There are sofas, chairs, low tables, a TV/DVD, English and French channels (and a selection of films) a dining table and chairs for 8 with indoor and outdoor plates, glasses, etc. There are 3 sets of french windows that open out to the covered terrace and garden/pool area. A lovely winding wooden staircase leads to the upstairs where you will find a long, wide hallway and 4 light filled double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Bedroom 1 overlooks the river and has a double bed and en-suite shower room and dressing room; bedroom 2 has a double bed and overlooks the garden, it also has an en-suite shower room and dressing room. Bedroom 3 overlooks the garden and has a double bed and walk in cupboards and bedroom 4 overlooks the river and has 2 single beds, a sofa bed and a walk in cupboard. All bedrooms are equipped with bedside tables, lighting etc. and all linen and towels are supplied. There is a family bathroom with bath and shower. A balcony runs the full length of the back of the house with a door from the landing and stone steps leading down to the gardens below. The house is fully centrally heated. Outside, the front riverside garden is ideal for fishing (subject to obtaining a licence) or just watching the boats go by. The back garden has a covered terrace with BBQ, lighting and table and chairs for 8. The pool is fully secured, with pool furniture, sun umbrellas and lighting etc. There is a swing and slide set for the youngsters and off-street parking at the end of the garden. There are adult and children's bikes. For the babies we have a cot, high chair, baby bath and ring and bowls and cutlery. Fishing is from your own riverfront garden, (Carp, Catfish Barbel and Chub, licences are available locally at very reasonable rates) golf; horse riding; boating; canoeing, kayaking, walking, cycling and tennis are just some of the activities available nearby. The area is full of pretty XIII century Bastide towns set around market squares and host to weekly markets & also weekly night markets during the summer season. (Laparade on Tuesday night is a must!) For days out this area of France has a greater variety of scenery than almost anywhere else, the surf beaches and sand dunes of Arcachon; the Cathar country of Carcassonne; the mountains of the Pyrenees, the mediaeval and bastide towns of Nerac; Monflanquin; Pujols; Bonaguil; Rocamador; Moissac and Cahors, to name just few and coupled with the rolling countryside, orchards and sunflowers of the Lot. Whether your ideal holiday is wine tasting, visiting chateaux, eating out at wonderful restaurants, walking and cycling, touring or just relaxing by the pool reading your favourite novel or sitting in front of the river 'gone fishing' style and watching the world go by, we are sure you will find it all here. If you would benefit from a cosy autumn or winter getaway, the house is fully centrally heated and has a magical open fire place.
