France Vacations

Luxury Villas

From the first glimpse of La Plaine along its long lavender-lined approach, one thing is obvious: the 7-year restoration of this simple French farmhouse with barn attached was definitely a labor of love. Every light fixture, each side table, the re-pointing of each original sun-baked brick, reflects the exquisite taste and loving attention to detail of its owner.

This hilltop two-acre property (circa 1832) in the Tarn (at the border of the Tarn-et-Garonne) offers splendid views in every direction: green rolling countryside, a patchwork of farm fields, distant hilltop villages with church spires and a gracious chteau on the far horizon.

A grand light-filled entrance hall welcomes guests, and also doubles as a second dining area that seats 20 comfortably around a long antique table that the owner found at a Parisian flea market. La Plaine sleeps eight guests in four bedrooms, each with a beautifully finished en suite bathroom and its own door into the garden. A lovely pool also takes advantage of the vistas, while maintaining total privacy.

Nearby Albi, known as one of the “rose cities”, because of its distinctive rose-brick Romanesque architecture, features the home and museum of the famous artist Toulouse-Lautrec and the renowned 13thC cathedral of Ste. Cécile, as well as some excellent restaurants and boutiques. Also just 20 minutes away, Montauban, another “rose city”, was the home of the painter Ingres, and, like Albi, is an art, food and architecture lovers’ dream.

Sleeps up to 8 adults in 4 bedrooms, each with full bathroom and ceiling fan. Ground floor: bedroom 1 (Queen, 63") master with dressing room, fireplace and large en suite bathroom (separate tub room, shower, sink, toilet and bidet); bedroom 2 (Queen, 63") and en suite bathroom (tub, sink and toilet). Second floor: bedroom 3 (Twins, 36") and en suite bathroom (tub, sink and toilet); bedroom 4 (Queen, 63") and en suite bathroom (shower room, sink and toilet).

Large modern kitchen with spacious dining area, living room, fireplace and entertainment center. A quiet study with fireplace, ceiling fan and entertainment center.

Two acres of well-tended grounds with terrace off the sitting room and a pergola for relaxing or outdoor dining. A pool (33" x 16.5" with automatic pool cover for safety) and covered terrace. Two  barbecues, one a poolside fireplace and BBQ, the other near the kitchen. Two-car garage.

Fully equipped modern kitchen; satellite TV (with Sky box that receives the BBC and CNN), VCR, DVD (with large selection of movies on DVD and VHS) and CD player; high-speed Internet; maid service and caretaking maintenance. The housekeeper will shop and prepare food (and babysit) and her husband can act as chauffeur when required.

• Exceptional décor, but entirely welcoming and comfortable.
• High-quality en suite bathrooms for all bedrooms.
• Exceptional restaurants and wineries nearby.
• Access to grounds from every bedroom.
• Spectacular views of the gently rolling countryside, ideal for walking & cycling along well-marked routes.

Exceptional restaurants (some Michelin-starred), art, history and architecture of Albi (20 min); shopping and street markets in nearby Gaillac and Montauban (both 20 min); the impossibly picturesque town of Cordes sur Ciel (45 min) and quaint local village of St. Urcisse (10 min); the beautiful fortified village of Puycelsi (20 min); the Sunday morning market at St. Antonin de Noble Val in the Gorge de l’Aveyron (45 min). Toulouse (sites & airport, 1hr); and this is not to forget tasting Gaillac wines or visiting a lavender-oil distillery.

Superb cycling and walking routes nearby; clay tennis court available in St. Urcisse; horseback riding; canoeing and kayaking on the River Lot.

France Villas Vacations

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