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The Farmstead, Aquitaine

The heart of rural France

Stay in the heart of rural France

Rustic cottages with a shared pool

A typical terrace

Enjoy meals alfresco in your garden

A t ypical dining area

Bedroom, Pigeonnier

• shared pool • own garden & barbecue area • suitable for children aged 7 or older • car hire included • wide choice of outdoor activities • welcome hamper

Set amid alluring scenery 15 kilometres west of bustling Agen, the Farmstead’s great attractions are the wide choice of activities, the idyllic setting and English-speaking Sylvie Orliac’s unique hospitality. However you choose to spend your week, you will be enchanted by this rich and fertile land, a colourful patchwork of orchards, vineyards and fields of corn and sunflowers, dotted with medieval towns which are warmed by the southern sun.

Great days out

Take your time to discover the region’s many cultural treasures, among them the magnificent abbey at Moissac; the ornately decorated collegiate church of La Romieu, a Unesco World Heritage Site; the once-important Roman town of Lectoure with its well-preserved medieval houses, imposing cathedral tower and Renaissance town hall; Condom, a small town with handsome old streets, an impressive cathedral and a fascinating Armagnac museum; the fortified 13th-century village of Larressingle, which is guarded by a medieval castle and also has a beautiful Romanesque church; and the wine city of Bordeaux which boasts an elegant 18th-century centre.

There are numerous weekly markets in the larger towns, and don’t miss the surrounding villages’ nocturnal markets either – these are held in the early evenings in the market square during the summer months, and are family-friendly affairs. Local farmers and growers set up colourful stalls filled to overflowing with tempting local produce and you can dine out in the heart of this bustling setting, enjoying a truly unique and memorable holiday experience.

Walking & other activities

For those keen on walking, the local tourist office has prepared a wealth of interesting routes in the area, one of which passes the organic farm of Fournet and a farm-distillery at Bazens. Sylvie can also arrange horse riding for experienced riders, or you can hire bikes in Agen – the undulating landscape is perfect cycling terrain, and you can choose to cycle by the canal if you would like a flatter ride! In addition to this, there is a tennis court in the village (bring your own rackets and balls), and you can even hire canoes to paddle along the nearby River Garonne. Children can enjoy playing table tennis on site.

The cottages

It was Sylvie who converted the rustic farm workers’ cottages and stables in the grounds of her family’s 16th-century manor house. Nowadays, they offer simple but comfortable family accommodation in La Bergerie, La Volière and Le Pigeonnier. All three have their own garden area, terrace and barbecue, and they share an outdoor pool measuring 12 by 6 metres that is usually open from May to September.
La Bergerie (sleeps up to 4): The cottage comprises a living-cum-dining room, a kitchen, a bathroom with a separate WC, a double bedroom and a twin bedroom. The garden looks out onto the countryside.
La Volière (sleeps up to 6): The open-plan living/dining area (which incorporates the kitchen) has exposed beams. The rest of the accommodation consists of a bathroom, a separate WC, two double bedrooms (one of which has a 140-cm-wide bed), and a twin bedroom.
Le Pigeonnier (sleeps up to 6): Le Pigeonnier’s terrace has fine views over the rolling countryside. The cottage comprises a beamed living-cum-dining room incorporating the kitchen, a shower room, a separate WC, a bathroom, a bedroom with a single bed and a sofa bed, and two bedrooms furnished with a (small) double bed and a single.

Each cottage’s kitchen is equipped with an oven, hob, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, microwave and washing machine. If you decide to self-cater rather than eating out, you can purchase milk and fruit from local farmers, while bread and croissants are delivered to the cottages each morning. We highly recommend joining other guests for Sylvie’s weekly dinner (pay locally), a very sociable affair with regional delicacies and wine included, and to which the whole family is warmly welcomed. The nearest shop is 8 kilometres away, while the nearest restaurant is 5 kilometres away. Sylvie can arrange childminders if parents fancy a meal à deux (pay locally).

Prices & travel 2008:

# Child price applies with 2 paying adults. If only one adult travelling, first child pays adult price. Heating costs not included
Start: Saturday
Nights: 7
Self-drive includes: P&O Ferries Dover-Calais return Channel crossing for your party and one car
Driving time from Calais: 8h35
Property & hire car includes: 7 days’ category D hire car (e.g. Peugeot 407)
Recommended airports: Toulouse & Bergerac.
Driving time from airports: 1h35
Book your flights through us and we’ll find the best route, times and price to suit you

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> Notes on prices

> Personal holiday insurance

> Any queries? Let us call you back

> Booking form (La Bergerie)
> Booking form (La Volière)
> Booking form (Le Pigeonnier)

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