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La Sérénité

La Fouillade, Najac, South West France

  • 8
  • 4
  • 3

Accommodation

At a glance

  1. Sleeps 8
  2. 4 Bedrooms
  3. 3 Bathrooms
  4. Air Conditioning
  5. WiFi
  6. Heated Pool
  • Ground Floor: Double bedroom with door to garden. Bedroom with single bed and pull out bed. Shower room. Central heating throughout the house. WiFi.
  • First Floor: Entrance hall. Living room (A/C, TV, DVD, CD) with stairs to ground floor. Kitchen/diner (microwave, dishwasher, American fridge freezer, A/C) with patio doors to covered dining terrace. Cloakroom (WC). Telephone (local and incoming calls).
  • Second Floor: Double bedroom (A/C, ceiling fan) with en suite bathroom. Double bedroom (A/C, ceiling fan) with en suite wet room.
  • Outside: Large grounds (2 acres) comprising lawned garden with flowers and plants. Covered dining terrace and walkway to elevated deck. Utility room (washing machine). In-built barbecue. Private parking.
  • Private heated swimming pool (10m x 5m) with Roman steps.

Nestling on the side of a hill at the end of a hidden valley, close to the medieval bastide of Najac, the first glimpse of La Sérénité, framed by walnut trees, is its steeply pitched roof atop beautifully restored stone walls. As you arrive along the sweep of drive, the impressive stone façade of this stunning property is revealed in all its glory.

From the heated pool and elevated deck to the comfortable rooms and modern facilities, set against a backdrop of original features, La Sérénité is the most welcoming and relaxing of properties.

Reflecting the farmhouse origins of the building, the main living accommodation is on the first floor. To the right of the entrance hall, the exposed stone walls, wood beams and 'evier' have been retained, creating a traditional feel in the triple aspect living room.

The kitchen/diner, also triple aspect, is opposite; a light and airy room with double doors leading out to the covered dining terrace. Throughout, a tiled floor adds a cool modern touch.

The top floor of La Sérénité is dedicated to two bedroom suites. Beautifully decorated with the wood rafters a feature, they are particularly spacious and have en suite facilities and air conditioning. Two further bedrooms are located on the ground floor, accessed by an oak staircase from the living room. For those seeking some independence from the group, the pretty double bedroom has access on to the garden and pool.

Two ancient walnut trees by the dining terrace create a natural canopy of shade, with a group of ash trees (underlit at night) providing extensive shade nearer the pool area. Circular benches and Shaker style chairs and tables compliment the natural terracing.  An elevated wood deck has recently been added to the side of the house, creating a fabulous spot furnished with outdoor sofas on which many an hour will be spent relaxing and taking in the views.

The pool, heated for your comfort, has been positioned to capture the sun and the superb infinity views over the Aveyron river gorges. The surrounding garden is lawned and planted with a variety of flowers and plants. With much of the garden to the rear of the house, it is a particularly secluded and tranquil spot.

Amenities are close at hand in La Fouillade (3km) where you will find a couple of cafés and shops. Najac, one of the most picturesque 'bastides' we know, is only 6km away and will be the focus for many outings, whether it be for the Sunday market or to enjoy a meal at one of the excellent eateries, the choice of which ranges from a pizzeria to two restaurants which have gained a number of accolades. An evening stroll through the village, with its château spectacularly illuminated, followed by dinner, is a perfect way to end the day.

  • Please note that there is a local tourist tax to pay: £2.15 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.

Location of La Sérénité

Locality

Great Things to Do Near La Sérénité

Explore the medieval village of Najac

A stunning example of the famous Bastides of the south-west and awarded 'one of the most beautiful villages of France'. Lunch on one of a number of sunny terraces looking deep into the valley of the Aveyron from this defensive ridge.

Walk from the House

A circular walk down the lanes and disused medieval roads through the woods, and do some people-watching at one of the local bars before wandering back again.

Visit a superb (and very French) market

In the Bastide of Villefranche de Rouergue every Thursday morning and find almost everything including, yes, really big pants! Don't forget the Sunday morning market in Najac itself. Buy lunch and take it back to La Sérénité.

Get Wet

Do the Najac Gorges by canoe or kayak - down the rapids and chutes and fall into 6-12 inches of water. There are several different starting points, just decide how many ancient water mills you want the river to pull you past. Take lunch in plastic bags for those secret beaches.

Get Warm and Wet

Don't move from the house, just enjoy the heated pool, relax on your sun lounger and read the afternoon away.

Be active. Walk or cycle the gorges of the Aveyron River

There are several hundred km of marked trails for both walkers and mountain bikers. Start from the house or drive down into the gorges. Hire a bicycle to explore the level, shaded tow-paths which run for miles in each direction and picnic at the secret beaches along the Aveyron.

Be Lazy

Do the Gorges on the cute single-track railway north and south from Najac. Or just stay on the train past the Gaillac vineyards and on to the red-brick magnificence of Toulouse. Take a guided tour around the Airbus factory: be among the first to see the latest and incredible A380 double-decker. Or, go Out-of-this-World and visit Space City.

Do a winetasting and chateaux tour

There are many chateaux and ancients sites to visit, such as Belcastel near Rodez but Chateau du Mauriac is a must. En route to Gaillac in a very rural setting this Templar red-brick chateau is the family home of the artist Bistes. Beautifully restored and decorated by this talented man, you can also buy prints (and originals) of his work and get to shake his hand. The Gaillac area has marked tours around the Domaines with lots of opportunities to sample.

See a modern Wonder of the World

Take a day trip to the world's highest viaduct at Millau carrying the A75 motorway to the Mediterranean. This magnificent piece of technology/architecture is quite stunning and worth a visit.

See other attractive Bastides

As well as Najac, there are a number of beautiful bastide towns within a 40-minute drive of La Sérénité - Villeneuve, Sauveterre and Cordes sur Ciel amongst others. Take a stroll around the narrow streets, stopping to look in the shops and art galleries, and then head to the square for lunch in one of the cafes.

Take in the collection of Toulouse-Lautrec paintings

In the museum dedicated to the artist in Albi, his home town. Albi is a wonderful city with lots to see and do on a day out. The cathedral of Ste Cecile will take your breath away.

Go Skiing

Yes, even in the summer! For a great family day out, whatever the weather, try Cap 'Decouverte' near Carmaux, about 45 minutes from Najac. A converted coal mine which has been made into a 1600 acre leisure centre offering a dry ski slope complete with cable cars, zip-lining, tobogganing, cycling, rollerballing, skating and mini-karting. There is also a swimming pool and museum.

Plenty of sporting activities

Do the Gorges by raft. Or let a horse take the strain and go pony trekking or buggy riding. Play golf at Villefranche and at Albi or pop up the road to St Andre de Najac for Mini-Golf.

Walk in the steps of Richard the Lionheart

Around the Najac fortress and be part of the 'second' British invasion of Najac!

A most beautiful village

A visit to Belcastel, one of 10 beautiful villages of the region, is an absolute must. Wonder as to how they built the houses and fortress clinging to the hillside or even managed to get the raw materials to its isolated but spectacular location. Watch the Aveyron River glide by and dream yourself back 400 or more years in history.

Visit St Antonin - Noble Val

An easy drive and particularly good on a Sunday morning when there is a comprehensive market. It is a fascinating medieval town with fabulous buildings.The tourist office is open on a Sunday and it is possible to get a town guide to the sites of interest although just wandering is very rewarding. Buy food at the market and picnic by the river

Cordes sur Ciel

A must visit bastide town! It is possible to ride in the Petit Train from the lower square to the old town at the top of the hill. It is a climb of 78 metres so to be recommended! There is a wealth of 13th century buildings within the five lines of fortification. Many are now the workshops of artisans so there is an element of tourism. Take coffee at the restaurant in the Place De Bride with superb views over the valley.

Nearby

Towns/Villages

La Fouillade 5 mins 
Najac 10 mins 
Villefranche-de-Rouergue 25 mins 
Cordes-sur-Ciel 35 mins 
Villeneuve 35 mins 
Albi 1 Hr  

Airports

Rodez 1 Hr 15 mins 
Toulouse 1 Hr 40 mins 
Carcassonne 2 Hrs 20 mins 
Bordeaux 3 Hrs  
Bergerac 3 Hrs 30 mins 

Train Stations

Villefranche-de-Rouergue 20 mins 
Toulouse-Matabiau (TGV) 1 Hr 40 mins 

ports

Bilbao 6 Hrs 10 mins 
Santander 7 Hrs  
Caen 8 Hrs  
St Malo 8 Hrs 15 mins 
Dieppe 8 Hrs 25 mins 
Le Havre 8 Hrs 30 mins 
Cherbourg 9 Hrs 10 mins 
Calais 10 Hrs  
Roscoff 10 Hrs  
Times are approximate

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