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La Brisée

Castelnau-de-Montmiral, South West France

  • 12-14
  • 7
  • 4

Accommodation

At a glance

  1. Sleeps 12-14
  2. 4 Double Bedrooms
  3. 3 Twin Bedrooms
  4. 4 Bathrooms
  5. WiFi
  6. Table Tennis
  7. Small Party Rate (up to 8 people)
  • Ground Floor: Cloakroom. Open plan kitchen (large fireplace, oven, microwave, dishwasher) leading into dining area/living room (TV, DVD, CD) with doors to patio. WiFi. Utility room (washing machine). Central heating throughout the house (payable locally).
  • First Floor: Principal double bedroom with en suite bathroom. Second double bedroom. Third double bedroom. Shower room (accessed only from 2nd and 3rd double bedrooms). Two twin bedrooms. Double bedroom. Shower room. Bathroom.
  • Second Floor: (low ceiling) Children's room with two single beds (A/C). Please note there are some low beams in this room so it is only suitable for older children/teenagers.
  • Outside: Separate barn (table tennis). In-built barbecue. Private parking. Spacious lawn area with children's swing and boules pitch. Grounds (11 acres) extending into woods behind the property.
  • Private swimming pool (10m x 5m) with Roman steps, surrounded by large terrace with covered dining area.

Situated in the beautiful and tranquil countryside of the Tarn region, La Brisée enjoys a privileged location on the edge of the Forêt de la Grésigne, the ancient oak forest that covers some 8000 acres. Befittingly for the setting, La Brisée was originally a hunting lodge which has now been transformed into an elegant and deceptively spacious abode, ideal for family gatherings or groups of friends wishing to holiday together.

Much care has been taken with the renovation of the property and the result is an interior that combines the best of its rustic origins with the clean and simple lines of modern day décor.

Downstairs, the rooms flow from one to another, creating a spacious open plan layout that is perfect for entertaining. A huge open fireplace separates the modern kitchen from the dining area, which boasts a long oak table to seat 14 people.

A comfy corner sofa sits atop the flagged stone floor at the other end of the long spacious room, where French windows allow access on to the side terrace.

Upstairs, the bedrooms and bathrooms have been thoughtfully laid out to give large parties maximum privacy. The bedrooms are each individually furnished and decorated and range from a lovely twin bedroom with white painted furniture to the principal double bedroom with original features such as exposed stone walls and a high vaulted ceiling. The clean and simple décor is continued in the modern bathrooms.

Careful thought has also been given to the grounds of La Brisée to ensure that there is somewhere for the adults to relax and the children to play. The pool area, on a slightly raised level to one side of the house, is surrounded by a large terrace and with the adjoining covered dining area is a perfect place to sunbathe.

On the opposite side of the courtyard is a games room with table tennis to keep the younger members entertained. A flat lawned area, with swings and a boules pitch, provides more space in which to play, with the wooded grounds (4 hectares) to the rear of the property offering an opportunity for exploration.

The Forêt de Grésigne beckons across the fields with its network of trails through the trees whilst in the valley, watersports and other activities are available at the local leisure lake. A short drive (5 minutes) will bring you to the charming bastide town of Castelnau-de-Montmiral where you will find a number of shops and restaurants under the arcades around the main square.

In the opposite direction, the country roads eventually arrive at the River Aveyron, although a detour to visit the picturesque perched villages of Puycelci and Bruniquel is highly recommended.

  • Please note: By default, parties paying the small party rate will have use of three doubles and one twin room, two bathrooms (one en suite) and one shower room. Alternative configurations are possible if requested in advance.
  • Please note that there is a local tourist tax to pay: £2.40 per night for guests aged 18 and over.

Pricing & Availability

Additional Pricing Information

All Prices are per property, not per person.

Please note that all visitors to France aged 18 and over are required to pay a Tourist Tax. We collect this tax prior to your holiday and remit it on your behalf. The notes above specify the amount per person per night which will be added to your booking.

Please note: By default, parties paying the small party rate will have use of three doubles and one twin room, two bathrooms (one en suite) and one shower room. Alternative configurations are possible if requested in advance.

Location of La Brisée

Locality

Great Things to Do Near La Brisée

Eat an informal family lunch

in the Bistro behind the Ancienne Auberge in Puycelci. In summer there is a lovely terrace outside. For those wanting a more sophisticated meal, the restaurant in the main hotel is superb.

Visit the Chateau de Mauriac just outside Gaillac.

This is a stunning château to tour where the owner displays his sculptures and works of art.

Children will enjoy

a visit to the miniature railway at Gaillac to view the working model trains.

Hire horses for trekking

or take a guided horseback tour or even a lesson at the stables in the Forest of Gresigne.

Relax by the pool at La Brisée,

sit on the covered terrace, or simply take in the view across to the Forest of Gresigné. It is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday.

Spend the morning at one of the local markets,

a great experience for everyone. Castelnau has a summer market on Tuesdays, Gaillac on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays and St Antonin Noble Val has a good Saturday morning market.

Follow the country lane from La Brisée

and explore the Forest of Gresigné. There are beautiful walks and trails and the wildlife and wild flowers are stunning. If you are lucky you may even spot a wild boar!

Sip an aperitif at the Petit Creux Bar

high up in the village square in the beautiful bastide village of Puycelci and watch the sunset.

After the morning market in Castelnau,

have a leisurely lunch at the Hotel Des Consuls in the medieval Place des Arcades in the middle of the village. The set menu costs only about 12 euros for four courses and wine and is simple but always tasty.

Join the local villagers

to celebrate at one of the many local fetes in the summer. Puycelci has a Paella festival in July and Castelnau has three days of entertainment in August. There is something for everyone and the whole community comes to join in.

The stable on the Route de Penne

just outside Bruniquel offers trips through the local countryside on donkeys or in a horse drawn cart.

Visit the old town of Gaillac,

famous for its wine production. Explore the cobbled streets or drink coffee in one of the bars. The square is always bustling especially on Fridays, the main market day. The Tarn river is a breathtaking sight and it is well worth visiting the Abbey and the museums next to the river. The tourist office is also located here and is very informative.

Take the train or car to the elegant Rose City of Toulouse.

Experience the beautiful architecture, visit the museums or wander around the shops. Restaurants abound in the main Capital Square and Place Wilson or have a crêpe from one of the stalls in the side streets.

Teenagers and children will enjoy a day at the Space Museum

just off the motorway on the way to Toulouse. Here you can tour rockets and experience walking in space or marvel at the observatory.

Explore the old city of Albi,

wander through the cobbled streets and browse in the lovely shops, take a boat trip or visit the cathedral which dominates the city. The salon de thé in the square opposite the Cathedral is well worth a visit.

Visit one of the local vineyards

and sample the fantastic local wines. Gaillac is well known for its red and rose wine. Most vineyards offer tours and tasting.

For the more adventurous,

canoeing at St. Antonin Noble Val is great fun. You can hire boats from EVASION in the centre of town. Take the half-day trip and explore the breathtaking Gorges de l'Aveyron. Stop for a packed lunch in one of the little coves en route.

Tour the local bastide villages.

The most famous is probably Cordes sur Ciel about twenty minutes away - well known for chocolate and lace. It is perched high up on the hilltop with spectacular views. It is well worth the hike up the hill to savour all the little shops and restaurants but there is a bus from the town square at the bottom of the hill for the less able!

Visit Les Abbatoirs in Toulouse

This art gallery houses over 2,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art from World War II to the present day. Admission is around 7 euros (www.lesabbatoirs.org)

Jardins de Martel

South of Rabastens on the D12, this is something for all garden lovers. Nine acres of garden containing over 2500 varieties of plants from all over the world.

Nearby

Towns/Villages

Castelnau-de-Montmiral 10 mins 
Gaillac 20 mins 
Cordes-sur-Ciel 30 mins 
Albi 40 mins 
Montauban 50 mins 

Airports

Toulouse 1 Hr  
Carcassonne 1 Hr 45 mins 
Rodez 2 Hrs  

Train Stations

Gaillac 20 mins 
Toulouse-Matabiau (TGV) 1 Hr  

ports

Bilbao 5 Hrs 30 mins 
Santander 6 Hrs 20 mins 
St Malo 7 Hrs 45 mins 
Caen 8 Hrs  
Dieppe 8 Hrs 15 mins 
Le Havre 8 Hrs 30 mins 
Cherbourg 9 Hrs  
Roscoff 9 Hrs 15 mins 
Calais 9 Hrs 50 mins 
Times are approximate

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