La Baronne

La Baronne is a hidden treasure for families and groups to enjoy. Approached by its own private road, the house stands in a secluded spot in the countryside on the edge of a slope with glorious views across the countryside.

The view from the veranda takes in the wooded valley in which Le Risseau de Baronne flows.

There are two buildings: The Main House (pictured above) sleeps up to 8 in 4 bedrooms, and there is a Barn adjacent to the Pool which the Owners have made into a recreation space for the pool area.

A sympathetic renovation of the house was undertaken a while ago and most of the original timbers preserved. The Owners recently renovated the Barn to include a high-quality kitchen and Shower room for use around the pool and in the recreation area.

The area abounds in birdlife, with Barn Owls frequently seen, and corncrakes heard close to the house: For anyone wanting an Escape to the Country in quality accommodation, La Baronne makes an excellent choice

The House - sleeps up to 8 in 4 bedrooms

Driving down the 400m private road to La Baronne you leave the outside world behind: There is gravelled parking ample for 3 cars, and the verges are unguarded so turning space is not a problem.

Up the steps is the timbered veranda with superb views to the south, and the main entrance to the house is just off this veranda. A simple table and chairs are kept here so the enjoyment of the view can be maximised over breakfast in the fresh morning sun.

The first room is the simple farmhouse style Kitchen, with a mixed fuel (gas/electric) hob, oven, Fridge/freezer and dishwasher. There is a useful stock of gadgets and utensils including a coffee machine.  The Kitchen window shares the same view as the veranda outside, making time in the kitchen a pleasure.

The Kitchen opens into the Sitting & Dining Room, with a large oak Dining table that comfortably seats 8 immediately through the door.

 The Sitting area has armchairs, sofas and a chaise longue arranged around the large open fireplace and the television in the corner. An interesting selection of ornaments and antique furniture complement the room.

From the Dining area a short passageway leads to a Bathroom:
This has a bath with shower attachment,  basin and WC. 
The passageway also leads to the Master Double bedroom with large windows overlooking the garden, and a smaller window enjoying the tremendous southerly view.

Back in the Sitting area, stairs lead down to the Lower floor.

Off the small Hall are the following rooms: 

Large Double Bedroom with large built-in wardrobe.
Small Twin bedroom with storage.
Shower/Utility room with shower, basin & WC. The Washing machine & Tumble drier are located here.
Large linen cupboard
Small utility store.

The outside door from the Hall leads out onto the gravel terrace: A large marble-topped iron table and ornate iron chairs are on the terrace, and besides this, is a small building that houses a gas barbecue.

The fourth bedroom is a self-contained ensuite, found just before you go up the steps to the main door. Besides a normal entrance door, there are opening double doors, and the Owners very much enjoy using this room in hot weather with the doors open watching the night creep in and getting the full experience of a rural morning without having to get out of bed.

The Barn
The Owners have renovated The Barn to create an open plan flexible space over two very large rooms for use by the family when poolside, and also as a shaded recreation area.

A high-quality Kitchen with two ring electric hob, microwave, fridge and utensils has been installed, and there is an excellent Shower room with a basin and WC. 

These facilities are also very convenient for the pool as the sun deck extends to the wall of the Barn, and are considerably closer than the house.

The first room includes a Dining table and a large L shaped sofa arranged around a large screen television with a DVD player.

The second room, very much larger, is completely open plan, other than the Kitchen.

There are table football and table tennis tables, and plenty of shaded space (approx 70 sq m) to arrange and enjoy as guests wish.

The space around La Baronne amounts to around 1.5ha (4 acres) with a ring of trees around the slopes at the edge of it giving tantalising glimpses of the countryside beyond. It is not until you are on the veranda beside the front door that the glorious view reveals itself.

A gravelled Terrace is immediately outside the door from the Lower floor, and this has a large marble-topped table for outdoor dining, which is west facing, makes this the place for evening meals. At the other end of the terrace from the house is a small building that houses a gas barbecue along with a selection of barbecue implements.

Other features around the garden demonstrate the delightful country cottage style of La Baronne: The original well and water pump is still at the bottom of the steps up to the veranda along with climbing roses, and a short distance away is a weeping willow tree under which there is a large wooden picnic table.

The Swimming Pool measures 12m x 5m and has a hardcover. Water purity is maintained with salt. There is a poolside shower. A broad terrace around the pool is paved, and this is complemented with a large decked area between the edge of the terrace and the Barn. Sun loungers, shades and poolside furniture are available for guests.

There are miles of quiet countryside to explore around La Baronne, either by foot or on bicycles which can be hired locally. The nearest villages, St Nazaire de Valentine and Miramont de Quercy are small sleepy villages but with little shopping or other practical services for guests.

Essential shopping and banking can be done at Bourg de Visa (5km), and Lauzerte (6km) has a supermarket together with various other shops and a selection of restaurants.

The entrance to La Baronne is through a vineyard, and the area, especially towards Brassac and Castelsagrat, is mainly vineyards and fruit orchards which show their glorious blossoms in the spring, and are hanging with quality fruit later in the year. The countryside in this area is rolling and very scenic to explore.

Several of the wineries have tastings available, and direct sales also available: A large farm shop near St Nazaire is attached to some of the orchards.
Otherwise, the freshest of produce can be bought at local markets, with Lauzerte markets being on Tuesday and Saturday, and other towns around the area having markets on other days: A list is in 'The Area' information at the top of this page.

Much of the produce finds its way to restaurants, and eating out in this area is generally of a high standard, and reasonably priced: Look out especially for delicious duck dishes.

La Baronne is situated midway between the valleys of the rivers Lot and Tarn, and both offer many attractions: The Lot has many vineyards of the Cahors AOC, and medieval villages such as Montaigu de Quercy, Tournon d'Agenais and Penne d'Agenais to explore. Along the river are Villeneuve Sur lot, Puy l'Eveque. Prayssac and Cahors, all with their own historical connections to medieval and Roman France. Just south of Villeneuve Sur Lot is Pujols. a medieval village, which along with Lauzerte, is listed in 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France'

Along the Tarn is Montauban, noted for its local pink stone buildings, Moissac which has superb architecture and stone carving at L'Abbé de Saint Pierre, and Agen the regional capital, a large town with a full range of facilities.

The major cities of Toulouse and Bordeaux are also within reasonable driving distance.