Demeure Belle Vue

About this property

On a clear day you can gaze as far as the Pyrenees from the south-facing garden overlooking the idyllic Lomagne countryside.

This historic holiday home is for guests seeking authentic French charm and gorgeous views in a truly beautiful part of southern France loved for its rural landscapes, pretty villages, bastide market towns. Demeure Belle Vue consists of two houses set within private grounds in a tiny ancient flower-filled village.    

Step through the large wooden door of the larger 3-bedroom limestone house and admire the characterful lounge and dining area with windows opening out to the garden with distant mountain vistas. The bespoke open-plan kitchen is stylish with everything you may need – we especially love the breakfast bar with its espresso maker for your morning coffee.

The bedrooms here all feature queen-size beds and en suite bath or shower rooms. One of the upstairs bedrooms has a black iron bed perfectly positioned facing the window to make the most of the glorious views alongside a romantic bathtub for soaking as the sun sets.

Both houses have been part of this village for centuries – indeed the smaller house is built within the fortified walls! Alongside an attractive lounge and open kitchen, there is a unique double bedroom downstairs with old stable doors within the walls opening to a flower bed on the edge of the village.

The grounds are across two levels including the south-facing garden, an atmospheric pergola for al-fresco dining by the plancha and a wonderful corner terrace with an outdoor lounge overlooking the idyllic scenery.

The owners have furnished and decorated the house to their exact taste with William Morris printed linen, high-end towels from Paris and ancient furnishings collected over their lifetime. A local bottle of wine, biscuits, jam, tea and Nespresso pods await your arrival.

Wandering through the old village is like a step back in time as you admire old houses and a pretty church – it is remarkable how well the local residents have preserved this special place. Just 2km away is a slightly larger village with a restaurant, boulangerie, café-bar, green grocers and occasional marchés nocturnes in July/August. In the height of the summer there is an open-air swimming pool, mini-golf and other leisure activities at the local Base de Loisirs.

Elsewhere, come across delightful little villages and market towns including Beaumont-de-Lomagne, Mauvezin and Saint-Clar, famed for its white garlic. Furthermore, Sarrant, one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ is only 5km away by car.

A little further afield, experience the charm and beauty of the heart of the Gers countryside as you soak up the historic ambience on market days in Fleurance and Lectoure, both around half an hour away, or venture to the trio of picture-perfect Gers villages, Fourcès, Montréal and Larressingle, all reached in just over a 60-minute drive. 

In the Tarn-et-Garonne, very close to the Gers border, Demeure Belle Vue is located within a small rural village around an hour north-west of Toulouse, close to historic market towns and picture-perfect villages of the Lomagne region.

The tiny flower-filled village perched on a limestone rock enjoys beautiful views of the surrounding countryside as far as the Pyrenees on a clear day. Strolling around the wonderfully preserved village is liking taking a step back in time as you admire old houses, the village church and mairie. Demeure Belle Vue is on the edge of the village – the main south-facing fenced garden is raised above the country road passing below whilst the smaller house features a bedroom with an old stable door that is set within the fortified walls! Visitors have to leave their cars outside and only residents are permitted to drive within the village. Car parking is around 50m from the property.

There is a restaurant, bakery, green grocers, café-bar and characterful main square in another local village just over 2km away. Just outside this village is a seasonal Base de Loisirs with a public swimming pool and water slides alongside mini-golf, ping-pong, trampolines and pétanque, usually open in the height of the summer. Furthermore, if staying in July/August, check to see if there are any marchés nocturnes taking place in this village on summer evenings during your stay.

Furthermore, Sarrant, one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, is only 5km away with its rich heritage and half-timbered houses. In the other direction is the bastide town of Beaumont-de-Lomagne (12km), home to restaurants, shops, a large supermarket (on the outskirts) and attractive medieval houses. The wooden market hall dates back to the 14th century and the bustling market takes place on a Saturday morning.

A little further afield, visit the medieval village of Saint-Clar (17km) famed for its white garlic – the weekly market takes place on a Thursday morning beneath the historic market hall. Mauvezin (11km) is another historic detour with a Monday morning market on its impressive village square whilst further north is Auvillar (37km), yet another one of France’s classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ with a unique 19th century circular market hall and incredible views of the surrounding countryside.

Crossing back over to the Gers department, experience the historic markets of Fleurance (24km) and Lectoure (32km). Look out for delicious regional produce including foie-gras, duck, Agen prunes, melons, delicious cheeses, Armagnac, local wine and other seasonal delights.

The trio of idyllic Gers villages, Fourcès, Montréal and Larressingle are just over an hour away whilst the handsome riverside town of Condom (53km) is also worth a visit for its excellent restaurants and beautiful architecture.

Closer to home, activities nearby including hiking (the Chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle passes near Fleurance), horse-riding, wine-tasting alongside summer sailing at Lac de Thoux Saint Cricq (17km) and water-skiing near L'Isle-Jourdain (28km).

Accommodation

Larger House Interiors

Main Floor (some steps)
-    Open-plan living room with woodburning stove and windows overlooking the south-facing garden
-    Open-plan dining area with table for 10 guests and French doors leading to garden
-    Open-plan kitchen with island and breakfast bar, well-equipped including fridge, freezer, oven, microwave, gas hob, hot drawer and Nespresso coffee machine
-    Utility room with washing machine, dryer, supplementary freezers and wine fridge
-    Bedroom with double bed (160x200cm) and open-plan bathroom with walk-in shower, sink and separate WC
-    Guest WC and sink

First Floor

-    Lounge area with TV and board games and study area (separated by a screen)
-    Bedroom with double bed (160x200cm), gorgeous views, sitting area, walk-in wardrobe and partially open-plan bathroom with bath, walk-in shower, two sinks, and separate bidet /WC
-    Bedroom (sloping ceiling) with double bed (160x200cm) and en suite bathroom with walk-in shower, sink and WC

Smaller House Interiors

Main Floor

-    Open-plan lounge with armchairs, wood burning stove and dining table
-    Open-plan kitchen, well-equipped

Upstairs (via spiral staircase)

-    Mezzanine lounge with sofa and reading corner with 2 child-sized beds (80cm x 180cm)

Lower Floor (via spiral staircase)

-    Bedroom with double bed (160x200cm) and stable door within the village wall opening to a flower bed sloping down to the country lane outside. En suite bathroom with walk-in shower, sink and WC

Outside Grounds (on two levels)

-    South-facing garden with distant mountain views and pergola and dining table for 10 guests
-    Separate garden with corner terrace and outdoor lounge
-    Plancha-style barbecue

Watch this space for a small raised splash/plunge pool that the owner is hoping to install for late Spring 2024 – more details to follow.

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Log burning stove (and logs)
-    Heating
-    TV
-    DVD player
-    DVD library (adults and children)
-    Board games
-    Baby play pen
-    Toiletries
-    Hairdryer
-    Washing machine and dryer