Chateau Des Romains

About this property

In the ‘Golden Triangle’ of the Tarn, Château Des Romains is a beautiful residence surrounded by acres of woodland and vineyards so typical of this part of south-western France. You are less than a 10-minute drive from the perched village of Cordes-sur-Ciel which peeks above the clouds on a misty day, and just half an hour from the important medieval city of Albi.

Once a historic winery, parts of this handsome home date back to Roman times. In recent years, the château has been sensitively restored, retaining so many original features whilst benefitting from the modern comforts you would expect. The lounge, with its stone fireplace and Art Deco furnishings, looks out towards the forest whilst the rustic dining room features original tomette tiles and exposed stone allowing it to retain warmth in the winter and stay cool in the summer. Step into the bespoke kitchen and you will soon realise that the owners are keen cooks with its elegant design, impressive appliances and sociable central island.

An oak staircase leads upstairs to five en suite bedrooms, three doubles with their own shower room and two king-size doubles each featuring an Italian stone bath. This allows up to 10 guests to comfortably and peacefully sleep at Château Des Romains, an inviting home with books, plenty of puzzles and games and an overall welcoming atmosphere.

The château is in a hillside position with tranquil rural views. The salt-water swimming pool awaits within a walled gated garden called Pompei, adding to the characterful ambience, and you can gaze at the château’s Roman watchtower as you swim. This is also a fantastic area for al-fresco entertaining by the barbecue, relaxing beneath the shaded pergola or simply sunbathing in the summer sunshine. Stroll through the newly planted olive grove and wildlife meadow and, if you are feeling active, wander up the woodland’s private path towards the remains of a Roman chapel before walking through the vineyards and forest beyond.

Cordes-sur-Ciel is only 8km away, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of France’s classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Potter around its medieval lanes with restaurants, galleries and artisan craft shops, and enjoy its Saturday morning market. There are plenty of summer festivities to look out for in the village whilst garden-lovers should take time to visit the Jardin des Paradis.

To the south, head France’s oldest vineyards in Gaillac, a picturesque historic town just 20km by car, and admire the beauty of the important medieval city of Albi, yet another UNESCO World Heritage site, both by the banks of the Tarn River.

Embrace the slow pace of life in local villages, seek out joyful markets and wine tasting opportunities, then experience a wealth of outdoor adventures from walking and horse-riding to mountain biking and golf. Venture to the idyllic village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val on the Aveyron River for kayaking/canoeing and its Sunday morning market. Bring back delicious regional delights to prepare in your elegant kitchen and serve al-fresco surrounded by the beautiful Tarn countryside.

Château Des Romains is located in the ‘Golden Triangle’ of the Tarn with Gaillac and Albi to the south and Cordes-sur-Ciel only a 10-minute drive away. This region is also known as ‘Tuscany in France’ thanks to its beautiful landscapes of rolling hills and vineyards.

The château is surrounded by private woodland which guests can explore – follow a trail all the way to a Roman chapel or beyond towards hills, forest and vineyards. There is a tiny village 500m away and within 8km you will reach the perched village of Cordes-sur-Ciel, passing rural scenery and woodland as you drive along the pretty country roads.

Cordes-sur-Ciel is classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ and a unesco World Heritage site, home to a Saturday morning market and the picturesque Jardin des Paradis. Admire how perfectly the bastide village has been preserved as you wander around its narrow lanes and medieval gateways. Pop into art and craft shops across the village, dine in charming cafes and restaurants and look out for festivities taking place across the summer.

Wine-lovers will be especially keen to visit Gaillac (20km), home to France’s oldest vineyards with some dating back to pre-Roman times. The town itself enjoys such a lovely setting on the Tarn River and features interesting museums as well as the Maison des Vins and the historic Abbey Saint-Michael. Gaillac hosts food and wine events and concerts during the summer months whilst the Friday morning market is also a joy to explore.

Albi (29km), another unesco World Heritage site, is also a must-visit if you can find the time. It is a small medieval city perched above the Tarn River with an impressive Gothic cathedral, atmospheric covered market, plenty of inviting restaurants and a museum all about the life and artwork of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

Elsewhere, this part of south-western France offers wonderful walking opportunities, mountain biking trails as well as horse-riding, swimming in lakes and cycling (bikes can be hired and delivered to the villa). In the summer, venture to Tarn-et-Garonne’s Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (23km), yet another idyllic village, popular for canoeing and kayaking on the Aveyron River. For the less active of guests, the Sunday morning market in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val is well worth a visit or just potter around the pretty village and its canals.

Accommodation

Château  Interiors

Ground Floor

-    Entrance hall
-    Living room with stone fireplace
-    Dining area
-    Open-plan kitchen, fully-equipped including integrated coffee machine and wine-cooler leading to a breakfast hall which opens into the garden
-    WC

First Floor

-    Landing and snug reading area
-    Office area
-    3 x bedrooms with double bed (1.4x2m) and en suite bathroom with shower, sink and WC
-    Bedroom with king-size double bed (1.6x2m) and en suite bathroom with double stone bath, sink and WC
-    Bedroom with king-size double bed (1.6x2m) and en suite bathroom with stone bath, sink and WC

Outside Grounds

-    Salt-water swimming pool (11x4.5m, depth: 1.4m) with safety alarm. Open approximately May to October
-    Large terrace for al-fresco dining
-    Barbecue
-    Pergola with al-fresco lounge 
-    Walled garden
-    Badminton/tennis rackets
-    Walled orchard
-    Olive grove with newly-planted saplings
-    Meadow 
-    Private walking path to Roman chapel (and beyond)
-    Woodland
-    Parking (several cars)
-    Entrance gates
Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Heating
-    Smart TV with satellite box and English channels
-    Outdoor games (badminton/tennis rackets)
-    Puzzles and board games
-    Books
-    Washing machine and dryer (cellar)