C22 - Château near Toulouse

The house is generously proportioned with its 20 rooms spread over 2 floors, covering 950sqm.

Many of the rooms are large, but the house as a whole has an atmosphere that tends more towards comfort and intimacy rather than pompousness.



The ground floor has 3 large reception rooms, dining room and a vast entrance hall. The bedrooms are mainly on the first floor (apart from 2) as is the library.



There are 5 superb large bedrooms with luxurious ensuite bathrooms, two further bedrooms (1 twin and 1 double) with a shared bathroom, and a further 3 single bedrooms.



The adjoining cottage has a double bedroom and 2 single bedrooms. In total, the house can sleep up to 20 people, but surprisingly, is very agreeable for smaller numbers (6-10 people).

The living areas consist of
- the salon bleu, a striking room which is the main drawing room of the house. It retains all original featues including the floor and early 19th century wall paper. Bautifully furnished and very comfortable to sit in, it is ideal for pre-dinner drinks or after-dinner conversation. It has views onto the park and the Pyrenees.
- the salon de Monseigneur (the music room)...this elegant room adjoins the salon bleu and is often preferred by ladies who will chat on their own. The room has been restored to its original 1840 decor and is particularly attractive at night in candlelight. It has an 1840 grand piano in good working order.
- the family TV room is a comfortable and relaxing space is close to the kitchen and the dining room. It has a large screen television, comfortable large sofas to lounge about in, and a small alcove with a computer (broadband facilities).
- the dining room which is graceful, with views onto the park, wonderful by daylight and can become intimate with candlelight. The 18th century dining table can sit from 4 to 14 people. Should there be more than 14 people, a separate table can be fitted into the dining room. It is conveniently situated close to the kitchen. Attractive porcelain is also provided.
- a study which is a charming and private room with telephone and internet access.
- the library which is situated on the first floor with views onto the Pyrenees. There is a large selection of English and French books.

Leading off from the main entrance hall is the original grand staircase to the first floor, where it opens out onto the upper level next to the library, dividing the bedrooms to the left and the right of the chateau.

-the kitchen is a large beamed room with authentic fireplace and sink and other original features, approximately 50sqm in size. It is very ergonomic and is easy to cook for few or many people.

It has a double oven, a butler's sink as well as another sink, a lot of work space, a 2.4m kitchen table (often used for eating as well). Adjoining the kitchen is the pantry with its own sink and storage space. The kitchen has its own external door and its own terrace with table and chairs.

Bedrooms and bathrooms
In all, the house has 10 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. One large double bedroom and a single bedroom are on the ground floor, all the rest are on the first floor. The bedrooms can broadly be categorised as follows:

a) Two enormous suites (the original masters and mistresses bedrooms, very large rooms, with separate dressing rooms and luxurious large bathrooms). b) Three beautiful bedrooms (one on the ground floor) with large ensuite bathrooms and very large double beds. c) One charming twin bedroom and another smaller double bedroom that share a separate bathroom. d) Three further single bedrooms. (one on the ground floor)

Please note that the cottage has a further double bedroom and two single bedrooms

In detail there is
- Bedroom 1, the chambre de monsieur - a stunning very large (40sqm) bedroom with views of the Pyrenees and retaining all of its original features including the wallpaper. This room has its own separate study, and stunning bathroom / dressing room, still panelled in original empire style, with both a bath, shower and comfortable sitting area. The room is also very close to bedroom 10, which can be convenient for couples who want to have a child sleeping nearby.
- Bedroom 2 the chambre de madame which is a very large (40sqm) light and airy bedroom with views of the Pyrenees. The room has a separate beautiful dressing room and luxurious bathroom with both bath and shower.
- Bedroom 3 the chambre jaune which is an attractive bedroom with large double bed and very spacious ensuite bathroom (large walk-in shower, no bath)
- Bedroom 4 the chambre verte which is an attractive bedroom with large double bed and very spacious ensuite bathroom (bath only, no shower), and large walk-in cupboard.
- Bedroom 5 the chambre d'Hippolyte , an attractive bedroom with large double bed and very spacious ensuite bathroom (large walk-in shower, no bath). This bedroom is on the ground floor.
- Bedroom 6 the chambre de Marie, a charming bedroom with a small double bed which shares a very attractive bathroom (walk-in shower, no bath with bedroom 7).
- Bedroom 7 , the chambre des enfants , a charming bedroom with original built-in twin single beds.
- Bedroom 8, the chambre des oiseaux, a beautiful room with original wallpaper and single bed in an alcove. This room is on the ground floor next to bedroom 5.
- Bedroom 9, chambre aux armoires, a beautiful room with many original features, including 1820s built-in cupboards with matching single bed.
- Bedroom 10, chambre des baldequins, a charming small bedroom with a single bed. This room is very close to bedroom 1.

The cottage has an entrance hall, two bedrooms, one drawing room, a kitchen and bathroom.
One bedroom is a double bedroom and the other single and the large sofa in the drawing room can double up as third single bed. The bathroom has a shower but no bath. The kitchen is fully-fitted including a table that seats four.
The cottage is one minute's walk from the house across the back lawn.

The original terrace still covers the south front of the chateau. With original 18th century tiles, it is 30m long and captures the sun for virtually the whole day. Large parts of the terrace enjoy the shade of a nearby tree which makes it a beautiful spot for summer lunches.

The swimming pool is new (completed 2008), and is long enough (20m) to swim proper lengths. Though hidden from sight, it is one minute's walk from the house. It has a 150sqm terrace with a large covered area with views onto the park. It is furnished with sun lounges, tables and chairs and is ideal for barbeques. It has a large cloak room with toilet and shower and changing area. It also has an external shower.

There is a ping pong table and bikes to rent in the area
The chateau is set in roughly 50 acres of park and woodland. This was originally landscaped in the English fashion, and many of the traces of the original garden remain, including a 350 year old cedar tree, an alley of chestnut trees and an enormous pond where wild duck come and nest.

Early morning risers will regularly see deer grazing in front of the house. Roughly 25 acres of the park are beautiful and unspoilt woodland. In spring and summer the pastures and wood are dotted with wild flowers, and in the autumn wild mushrooms, including c'pes, grow in abundance. It is a pleasure to walk around the grounds.

The estate has a number of outbuildings which are all in original condition. Apart from the chapel and cottage there is an old dairy dating back to the early 18th century, and a stable and farm buildings block which was built in the early 19th century.

The family chapel is quite large and can seat up to 50 people. It is separate from the house, hidden behind trees about 1 minute’s walk from the main front door.

The chapel is consecrated, and mass (Roman Catholic) is still celebrated four times a year.

- All prices are per week per property from Saturday to Saturday Owners may be willing to accept mid week rentals or part week rentals in the low and mid season .Please email us your requests. We’ll be happy to answer your queries. Please book well in advance for peak season bookings as the best weeks tend to go quickly.

- Prices are quoted in Euros. If you choose to pay in £ sterling or US dollars please pay the equivalent rate quoted on the site which is approximate only. We will inform you when you pay what the exact equivalent amount is in Euros that you have paid, since it depends on the exchange rate on the day.

- Payment can be made by bank transfer, cheques in sterling or in Euros or by credit card. Prices are net of bank charges, i.e. tenants are expected to pay all bank charges. Payment by credit card through our secure Internet server incurs bank charges of 2% of the rental.

- A 33% deposit is required with the booking. The final balance is due three months before arrival ( a shorter period may be arranged for last minute bookings). A security deposit as defined for each house is required to be paid with the balance . This covers the cost of any damage or breakages and the cost of telephone and other services. This deposit will be returned after the rental, minus any charges for breakages, telephone, etc.

- Rental rates include: all linen, bathroom and kitchen towels, if renting more than one week cleaning on the Saturday of three hours with change of linen, electricity, gas, firewood and water and pool heating if available

- Rental rates exclude : additional cleaning, cooking, babysitting, heating in winter months charged at cost, phone calls when available, bedding for cots and pool towels

- Renters should arrive between 17.00 and 19.00 as cleaners need the house to be free for cleaning on changeover day until this time. Please try not to arrive at the house until that time. Departure date : for the same reason, please vacate the house (or all except one room) by 10.am

- Each house has a maximum number of people. In no circumstances may more than the maximum number of persons listed on the property particulars be exceeded without prior approval

- Cancellation charges apply. Should cancellation occur more than three months before the commencement date, then the deposit is not reimbursable, within three months cancellation charges are 100% of the holiday. You are strongly advised to take out appropriate insurance to cover you for medical and personal injury expenses but also in the event of delays in your travel arrangements and against any cancellation charges payable if you have to cancel or curtail your trip. Finally and most importantly you are expected to have third party cover insurance and insurance to cover for any breakages/losses and damage during your stay