GENERAL:

Les Chataigniers is a 'courtyard farm' with the spacious stone farmhouse and outbuildings arranged around the shaded courtyard [19mx18m]. It is situated on the south-east corner of the hilltop hamlet, Campels, at 500 metres altitude with an open panorama over its eight acre [approx.] meadow and woods in the steep valley below. Old hen house ENTRANCE Big Barn Workshop Club House Terrace & Pool COURTYARD Open Barn Main House Deck S Annexe M E A D O W [c.8 acres] Across the valley to the east is the village of La Salvetat- Peyrales reached in half an hour by a well kept footpath through the woods and across the small river [Le Vernhou] or down the road - five minutes by car (for the fresh baguettes/croissants in the morning). The countryside is predominately cattle farming [for the famous Aveyron veal] on the hill tops with chestnut, oak and beech woods in the steep valleys. The region is known as the Segala - 'pays des cents vallees'; sparsely populated, un-industrialised and unspoilt. The climate is affected by the Atlantic/Pyrenees, the Mediterranean and the Massif Central/Alps; Campels is in the western foothills of the Massif Central at an altitude of 500m which gives it cooling breezes in the hot summer sun. On some days, the clarity of the atmosphere can give views of the Pyrenees some 150 miles to the south - a particularly exciting sight at sunset. Click to see more on the Accommodation.

HISTORY:

We can provide evening gourmet dinners [at additional cost] on most weekdays served to you either on the dining deck or in the dining room if your party would like to escape the kitchen but 'eat in' on a few evenings. Advance notice is needed.

VILLAGES / TOWNS -

Some of the facilities nearby:

Campels: Post box [daily collection], mobile baker, butcher and grocer call on set days each week.

La Salvetat-Peyrales: 4kms. - Our local village and canton administrative centre:Butcher, baker, grocer, tabac/newsagent, clothing shop, garage, doctor, dentist, restaurant, bar, bank - Credit Agricole - open four mornings per week, post office, gendarmerie, fire brigade, information centre, catholic church, mobile fishmonger once a week and street market/cattle market first Wednesday in the month.

Rieupeyroux: 15kms. - A small agricultural town: 2x supermarkets, greengrocer, ironmonger, gift shop, clothes boutique, hairdresser, electrical shop etc, two banks with cash dispensers, hotel/restaurant, 2x bars, garage, indoor swimming pool, cinema [French language films]. Street/cattle market third Wednesday each month. Small local food produce street market every Sunday in the summer.

Villefranche de Rouergue: (pictured above) 25kms - Medium size attractive bastide town on the river Aveyron with lively street market every Thursday . 3x hypermarkets, many other shops, hospital, hotels, restaurants, bars, several banks with cash dispensers, disco etc. etc. Train station with convenient, and attractive direct line to Toulouse which follows the river Aveyron.

Rodez: 53kms. - Departement d'Aveyron capital. Attractive large town with many hypermarkets and small boutiques. Train station, Airport [daily to Paris].

Albi: 50kms. - Large town on the river Tarn. Many hypermarkets, small boutiques etc. Train station and small airport.Toulouse-Lautrec museum.

Toulouse: 135kms. - Major city with every facility. Capital of the Midi-Pyrenees region. Home to the Airbus Industrie. Train station [TGV] and international airport [daily to London and Birmingham].

ACTIVITIES:
Below is just a taster of the activities within easy reach of Les Chataigniers.

Walks: From the door of Les Chataigniers there are some magnificent short/medium/long walks; well marked and maintained.

Biking: Traffic is negligible on our attractive country roads; a paradise for mountain biking - on the road or up and down the many farm tracks. The 'Tour de France' passed through La Salvetat-Peyrales on 17th. July 1999.

Water sports: Windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing, canoeing, 'white water' etc. at Levezou [about 34 miles - 55kms] - five lakes totalling 1,800 hectares created by hydroelectric dams.

Horse-riding: There are stables in nearby villages - superb ride-outs through the peaceful Segala countryside.

River: Le Viaur, 15 minutes drive - Swim in it; boat with the children in it; picnic beside it, safe and uncrowded. L'Aveyron river - gorges and white water canoeing [Najac about 12 miles - 20kms drive]; Gorges du Tarn [ Several sites - east of Rodez] - Equipment available for hire at many locations..

Fishing/Hunting: The many valleys contain rivers where fishing is available. There is a strong 'hunting with a gun and dogs' culture for wild boar, deer, hare etc.

Animal park: Pradinas about 12kms. away - 15 hectares with a selection of wild animals.

Bastide towns: Within 40 minutes drive each, you can find the four bastides of the Rouergue: Najac, Sauveterre de Rouergue, Villefranche de Rouergue and Villeneuve d'Aveyron. Each very different but stemming from similar roots in time.

Days Out: There is a large variety of 'sites' to be visited within easy driving distance: Cordes - last stand of the Cathars; Conques - picturesque pilgrims town on the pilgrimage trail of Santiago de Compostela; Roquefort - home to the delicious blue cheese processing; and many others too numerous to include here.

FETES:
During the summer season, all villages and towns hold excellent fetes/fiestas and Son et Lumieres - open air events with eating and dancing.

GUIDE BOOKS / MAPS:
We recommend that you purchase Michelin map No:235 -'Midi-Pyrenes' 1cm:2km- it covers the likely area that you might explore. The local tourist offices have an abundance of good free information which we try to provide you with at Les Chataigniers. They are also very helpful in pointing you towards the activities you want.

LINEN/MAID SERVICE:
Bed linen and room towels are provided and a maid service [for end of stay clean-up or during your holiday period] can be provided at additional cost, if required.