Description
Set in the grounds of our property, the studio is fully equipped with a private garden area and additional sun terrace with stunning views of the Pyrenees. A perfectly tranquil base from which to explore the surrounding area or simply relax and enjoy the views and usually glorious weather. Janet and Paul, who previously catered for hundreds of guests at the studio since 2007 via the Chez Nous website before Covid 19 interfered, look forward to welcoming new guests to their quiet hamlet holiday retreat and are happy to answer any questions on 00 33 561 896393, or via the email and Whatsapp links.
We are part of a quiet hamlet called 'Chaudepisse', consisting of five properties about a kilometer from the main village. Our elderly neighbours are friendly but have no English. The main farm house used to keep cattle but the farmer has now retired and all the adjacent land is left as pasture and for the wildlife to enjoy.
Parking is in front of the studio. There are outside lanterns over each door that you might wish to leave on if you go out after dark. All the shutters can be manually closed and fixed as you wish, although you may find there is little need. The garden area around the studio is all yours, front and back, to enjoy with garden furniture and barbecue equipment kept in the small storage shed by the kitchen door. An artisanal bakery is two minutes down the hill for fresh baguettes and pastry delights and if required we are happy to obtain basic items ready for your arrival such as milk, butter, tea/coffee, a pizza or salad items etc. - especially useful in our experience if you are on a late flight into Toulouse or after a long drive. All linen and bed sheets are changed after a week if requested.
Local market days are Wednesday morning in Boulogne-sur-Gesse – particularly lively – which supplies good local produce and Saturday morning in the historic medieval fortress town of Aurignac. Both are under 15 minutes by car with all the amenities and restaurants you'd expect of a tourist attraction. There is a small bistro in Cassagnabère-Tournas about a 20 minute walk away if you prefer not to drive. The larger Saint Gaudens - semi-prefecture of the Haute Garonne department - holds its market on a Thursday with a massive LeClerc hyper market on the outskirts if you prefer. This is around 20 minutes drive from the apartment on the largely traffic-less roads. All the local towns and villages are of course unique in their differing ways for this sleepy part of France set in rolling countryside approaching the foothills of the Pyrénées.
Further afield there is the fascinating monastery of Saint Bertrand de Comminges, the 'gateway' town to Spain of Luchon, and of course Auch, Tarbes and Toulouse are enticing day visits, the latter by train if preferred. Then there is the natural beauty of the Pyrénées with their magnificent lakes and scenery including the majestic Pic du Midi, accessible by cable car, all about an hour by car. The 'dome-shaped' Pic du Midi can in fact easily be seen from the terrace area in the corner of our field adjacent to the studio.
Over the years we have had many couples return two, three and even on four occasions, so we like to think our humble self-catering studio should still please most who appreciate good value and simple pleasures.