About this property
Maison Darroze was built in 1843, a charming rural farmhouse forty minutes outside of Toulouse and 7km from the attractive town of Villefranche de Lauragais. With nine bedrooms spread over two wings, Maison Darroze can sleep up to eighteen guests. With living spaces and bedrooms in both wings, Maison Darroze is perfect for two families or groups of friends that might appreciate a little private time as well as sharing their holiday. The farmhouse is nestled on a hillside, close to verdant woodland in the wonderful Haute Garonne countryside.
Villefranche de Lauragais enjoys a bustling weekly market where you can pick up fresh produce, and there are plenty of country restaurants nearby. Villefranche de Lauragais was originally built by the Count of Toulouse though partly devastated in 1355. Its church of Notre Dame de l’Assomption dates back to 1271. There are also lakes in Languedoc with watersports, and the Canal du Midi, which connects the Atlantic with the Mediterranean, is very popular for water adventures and its cycle path. This is a rich gastronomic region with plenty of foie gras and cassoulet going on. Toulouse, a city of colour, is 40km away from the villa and boasts a fascinating heritage and art de vivre. Its Old Quarter is a heavenly jumble of coral-coloured shops, music venues and churches, all nestled between the Garonne River and the Canal du Midi.
Both wings of Maison Darroze enjoy traditional decor and furnishings, ceiling beams, feature fireplaces and plenty of space. The exterior of the building enjoys a lot of red brick detailing. The discreet owners of Maison Darroze live in the gatehouse at the entrance to the grounds and are available to help if required. The property is split into two self-contained but adjoining wings, with the west wing sleeping ten guests and the east wing sleeping eight guests. The west wing is comprised of a large reception hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, games room, guest toilets, a mezzanine library, the main bedroom suite and four double bedroom suites. The east wing is home to a living room, dining room, kitchen, guest toilets, the main bedroom suite and three double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.
You will discover a cavernous living room with a double height aspect, an enormous feature fireplace and a television, another cosier living room, also with a feature fireplace, a dining room for twelve in the west wing and for ten in the east wing and two large kitchens. The leisure room in the west wing enjoys exercise equipment, table tennis, table football and access to the garden. Both living rooms enjoy televisions, DVD players and CD players for your entertainment. Some of the bedrooms have the flexibility to be set up as twins or double beds, and beds can be added to one room to accommodate two extra children.
Both wings open onto terraces for alfresco dining, pre-dinner drinks or family games. Maison Darroze sits in wonderful, extensive landscaped grounds sprinkled with towering trees, mature shrubs, flower-filled, scented tubs, illuminated pathways and stone benches under shady trees. The large heatable, salt-water swimming pool enjoys an Italian-style pool house with a changing room and shower room. And with some swings for children, a pretty fenced pond, and wonderful views of the surrounding fields, you cannot fail to relax here.
Maison Darroze enjoys a very peaceful, rural location in Haute-Garonne, roughly half an hour southeast of Toulouse. It is surrounded by flourishing agricultural land nicknamed the Pays de Cocagne. The town of Villefranche de Lauragais originally grew through the cultivation of cereals and livestock and became prosperous in the 17th century. It enjoys numerous ancient buildings, including its Gothic-style church and beautiful half-timbered houses from the 15th to 17th centuries. You can follow the Canal du Midi on foot or by bike to the hilly green fields surrounding the town. The town hosts plenty of festivals, including a garden festival in April, a votive festival in August, Occitania music, dance, folklore and cinema festivals from September to November and a fair on the third Sunday in November.
Toulouse's ochre rooftops and blushing pink spires have earned this magnificent city the name 'La Ville Rose.' With its facades of pink brick and its violet flower, it is a pretty place. Beyond the old town, the university city of Toulouse sprawls into France's fourth-largest metropolis. It is a busy city that lives life at a hectic pace and is invigorated by its waterways. The French aeronautical history continues in the Airbus factory outside town, and little tourist trains take visitors from Saint Sernin to the Cite de l'Espace. With boat trips and paddle yoga on the River Garonne, thriving food markets, charming eateries and smouldering jazz, techno and rock scene, Toulouse offers much to see and do.
If you want to head to the coast, you can go to the 2,500-year-old City of Art and History, Narbonne. It boasts a rich heritage, once the capital of the Narbonne region of Gaul. In the historic centre, two buildings are listed as Historical Monuments, the Cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Pasteur and the Archbishop's Palace. The cathedral's axial chapel is distinguished by a splendid 14th-century alterpiece in polychromatic stone, its Treasure Room offers a rich collection of gold and silver artefacts and tapestries and its Gothic cloister is wonderful. There are plenty of other ancient buildings, some of which offer panoramic views of Narbonne, the coast, the Corbieres and the Pyrenees. You can take a stroll towards the Canal de la Robine and the charming Promenade des Barques where you can take a ride in an electric boat. There are some amazing museums to visit, and August sees the lively Trenet Festival with music, shows and street art.
Accommodation
The Villa
Maison Darroze is a large villa, made up of two self-contained wings, in the countryside of France's Languedoc, and close to Toulouse.
West Wing (sleeps 10)
Ground Floor
- Reception hall with seating and access to the terrace
- Spacious living room with a fireplace, TV, and mezzanine library with access to the main bedroom
- Dining room with seating for 12, wine fridge and bar, and French doors to the terrace
- Fully-equipped and modern kitchen with a breakfast area
- Leisure room with exercise equipment, table tennis, table football, and access to the garden
- Two guest toilets
First Floor
- Main bedroom with double bed or twin beds (180 or 90 x 200 cm), en-suite bathroom, and lockable access to the library
- Bedroom with double bed or twin beds (180 or 90 x 200 cm) and en-suite shower
- Bedroom with double bed or twin beds (160 or 80 x 200 cm) and en-suite shower
- Bedroom with double bed or twin beds (160 or 80 x 200 cm) and en-suite shower
- Bedroom with double bed (140 x 190 cm) and en-suite shower
- Guest toilet
East Wing (Sleeps 8/10)
Ground Floor
- Living room with a fireplace, TV, access to outdoor terrace with dining space for 6
- Dining room with 10-seater table and French doors to outdoor terrace with dining space for 10
- Well-equipped kitchen
- Two guest toilets
First Floor
- Main bedroom with double bed or twin beds (180 or 90 x 200 cm), en-suite bathroom with separate shower, and French doors to a private balcony with outdoor furniture
- Bedroom with double bed or twin beds (180 or 90 x 200 cm) and en-suite bathroom
- Bedroom with double bed or twin beds (160 or 80 x 200 cm), en-suite shower, dressing/seating area, and door to balcony with outdoor furniture
Second Floor
- Bedroom with double bed (180 x 200 cm), TV (only for DVDs), Velux windows, and en-suite shower*
*Beds for two additional children can be added to this room, on request only*
Exterior
- Large landscaped gardens with various pathways, seating, and views of the surrounding countryside
- Several outdoor terraces with seating and dining options
- Built-in charcoal barbecue
- Heatable saltwater pool (Size: 12 x 6 m, Depth: 1.5 m) with Italian-style pool house, changining room, shower room, and surrounding sun loungers
- Fenced pond and swings
- Private parking
- Gatehouse where owners live (see T&Cs for more info)
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi connection
- Heating
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Tumblr dryer
- Stereo
- Cot & highchair (on request)