Cottage Du Vin

About this property

Set amongst the bucolic landscapes of the Golden Triangle of the Tarn, with views of vineyards and stunning countryside, this is a charming home for those looking to experience the laid-back atmosphere and idyllic villages of ‘French Tuscany’.

This characterful cottage was once an old winery but has now been lovingly converted into a spacious holiday home of a beautiful standard. All on one level, the cottage features two lovely bedrooms with Egyptian cotton sheets and hotel-quality towels plus a family bathroom with a bath and separate walk-in shower. Both of the bedrooms have super-king size beds or one can be made up as a twin, making this a perfect option for couples, friends and small families.

Picture-book windows look out over the nearby fields and vineyards from the large open-plan living-dining room and kitchen, a great place to prepare a feast using the finest local produce or why not hire a professional chef during your stay. You may prefer to cook al-fresco; the barbecue is in a picturesque setting in an orchard with a romantic gazebo and beautiful countryside views.

French windows from the open-plan living space lead out to a charming walled garden with a table and chairs for your morning coffee or lunch. You’ll also find an inviting plunge pool, ideal for summer days or warm balmy evenings as the terrace is beautifully lit up.

Just across the lane at the back of the cottage is the grand Manoir Du Vin which can be rented separately or alongside the cottage for larger groups. The original Maison de Maitre has its own private swimming pool and both homes are self-contained and private from each other. 

Set on the edge of a little hamlet, the nearest village is only 3km away and features a boulangerie, a bank and a couple of grocery stores including a family-owned business selling local artisan products. Just ten minutes away is the historic town Gaillac, famous world-wide for its fine wines using rare grape varieties, which you can sample in the town’s Maisons des Vins or surrounding vineyards. 

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Albi is 25 minutes away and you can also discover a wealth of idyllic hilltop bastide villages nearby such as Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Puycelci and Bruniquel, some of which are classified as France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.

Cycling is hugely popular around these parts (watch out for Le Tour de France nearby in July 2019!), as is walking with some spectacular trails across the region. There’s a magnificent golf course near Albi and if you fancy canoeing then a trip to the Averyon gorges is a must, whilst those less active can maybe just enjoy the atmospheric Sunday morning market in Saint-Antonin Noble Val.

If you’re craving city life, head to Toulouse or even Carcassonne, both worthy of a fine day out. That said, you may prefer to spend your time in the peaceful surroundings of the Cottage Du Vin with its lovely interiors and splendid setting.

Cottage Du Vin is on the edge of a little hamlet in the glorious Tarn department, part of the Occitanie region in the Midi-Pyrénées, south-west France.

The nearest village is only 3km away featuring a couple of grocery stores including a lovely family-run shop selling locally sourced artisan products, a boulangerie, bank and a pharmacy whilst the villages of Castelnau-de-Montmiral (8km) and Cordes-sur-Ciel (16km) are just a little further with restaurants and further shops. Large supermarkets can be found on the outskirts of Gaillac.

In what is known as the ‘Golden Triangle of Tarn’ the landscapes of this region are filled with summer sunflowers, fields of lavender and the wonderful vineyards of Gaillac, one of France’s oldest wine-producing region. With its gently rolling hills, forests and verdant valleys, this region is often called the ‘French Tuscany’, not only because of its natural beauty but also its fine wine and cuisine as well as friendly locals.

Gaillac (9km) lies on the River Tarn and is a beautiful place to visit. It’s most famous for its fine wines using rare grape varieties that are held in very high regard worldwide. The history of this town and its wine production dates back to Roman times and it goes without saying that throughout the town in the Maisons des Vins and surrounding vineyards there are plenty of places to sample the wine. Other highlights include the historic Abbey Saint-Michel and the atmospheric Friday morning market across the town. In the summer the area is alive with apéro concerts and other local events and festivals linked to wine and gastronomy.

The bastide village of Castelnau-de-Montmiral (8km) is classed as one of France’s ‘Most Beautiful Villages’, with good reason with its medieval architecture and stunning arcades, especially the main square. Puycelci (20km) and Bruniquel (30km) are two other ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ you may wish to discover during your stay.

Cordes-sur-Ciel (16km) is a magnificent 12th century hilltop town in a breathtaking location, sometimes above the mist on cooler days. Explore the steep narrow lanes and admire the many beautiful Gothic buildings. The Jardins du Paradis on the edge of the village is a particularly magical place to visit during your trip to Cordes-sur-Ciel.

Albi (28km) is an amazing old city with a rose-brick cathedral, beautiful viewpoints of the river, wonderful medieval buildings amongst the cobbled streets filled with shops and restaurants and a fantastic food hall. It's a classified unesco World Heritage site and is a must-visit during your time in the Tarn.

Another hilltop village not to be missed is Saint-Antonin Noble Val (32km) with a great Sunday morning market and there is also the opportunity to hire canoes or kayaks to explore the Averyon gorges. Activity lovers will also find climbing and caving opportunities near here.

There are also many wonderful walking trails across this region, horse-riding, a scenic golf course near Albi and great cycling routes across the area. Indeed, the Tour de France often passes close by and will do so again in July 2019.

Toulouse (70km/1hr), France’s fifth largest city and an international centre for all things aviation, is just one hour away with its historic centre and amazing Cité de l’Espace. Magnificent Carcassonne (160km) is also a worthy day trip, reached in just over 90 minutes by car.

Accommodation

Cottage Interior (120m2)

-    Open-plan living-dining room and kitchen (60m2) with TV, dining table and French windows leading to a walled courtyard with al-fresco table and plunge pool. Kitchen well-equipped including electric oven, dishwasher, fridge and microwave
-    Master bedroom with super-king double bed with French window out to courtyard
-    Super-king double/twin bedroom
-    Bathroom with bath, walk-in shower and WC
-    Separate WC
-    Laundry room

The Cottage interior is suitable for guests with restricted mobility as there are no steps. If you have a wheelchair please note the front door is 80cm wide whilst the other doors inside are 78cm wide.

Outside Grounds

-    Private salt-water plunge pool/jacuzzi (3mx2m)
-    Poolside al-fresco dining table and chairs (in walled courtyard)
-    Orchard with gazebo and BBQ
-    Parking near orchard

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Underfloor heating
-    TV (British channels only)
-    DVD player
-    Washing machine and dryer