"Guitard", Farmhouse Holiday gîte with pool near Lauzerte, 82110, Tarn et Garonne, France

In the heart of the Quercy Blanc between the picturesque villages of Montcuq, Lot and Lauzerte, Tarn-et-Garonne, near to Cahors and just over an hour from Toulouse and Bergerac airports nestles the quiet hamlet of Guitard.

Backing onto the sleepy farming hamlet of Guitard whilst facing out southwards across the gently rolling hills, our farmhouse is situated in a very peaceful valley served only by narrow country lanes and surrounded by orchards, vineyards, pasture and cultivated fields

Our elegant kidney bean shaped pool is situated in front of the house in the lower garden just across the lane amongst lilac, cherry and plum trees, with dense hedging behind and open views across the valley. The pool is tiled with special non-slip tiles and fully fenced off with high security fencing to the new AFNOR safety regulations. There are steps into the shallower end (about one metre deep) and a slope down to the far end deep enough for divers. The water temperature is fantastic as the pool is in such a wonderful spot.

The swallows really appreciate it and provide entertainment diving in to drink when no one else is in. Why not come and join them!

For June and September lets we propose two tariffs to allow the choice between renting with or without pool.

Along the ridge of the hilltops opposite Guitard passes the GR65 hiking path to Saint-James-of-Compostella in Northern Spain so you can walk part of one of the most important medieval pilgrimage routes in the world that is still walked today.

The terrace area is edged with colourful flowerbeds one of which we have planted as a kitchen herb garden for visitors to use freely. French windows open directly onto the terrace from the kitchen making alfresco meal times pleasantly simple to organize.

The terrace is furnished with table and chairs, parasol and barbecue. In the heat of midsummer refuge can be taken under the branches of the Judas tree. Due to the favourable orientation of house and grounds one can sit out in the sun from breakfast onwards and admire the gently rolling hills in all tranquillity.

The gardens and terrace area are fully fenced.

On the ground floor there is a central fully equipped farmhouse kitchen, sitting room with working fireplace and cloakroom with separate toilet. All is tiled and walls are painted in a warm cream colour.

The kitchen is equipped with an electric oven with grill and mixed hob, dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer and all smaller electrical appliances such as coffee maker, kettle and toaster.

There is also a large utility room with washing machine and double sink.

The sitting room is furnished with two quality sofas, a games cupboard, TV, cards table, and a library including books and maps of local interest. We leave plenty of tourist information, books of local history, walking maps and lists of our favorite restaurants and local wine merchants as well as the market days in the surrounding towns and villages.

The house has full oil-fired central heating as well as a wood-burning fireplace in the sitting room. The hearth is fully enclosed and safe with glass doors

Upstairs there are four spacious bedrooms.

The master bedroom is very spacious and has a king-size bed.

Both south-facing double bedrooms have fitted cupboards, chests of drawers, bedside tables, chairs and wall mirrors and share magnificent views over the valley.

To the rear of the house there is a third double bedroom with a classic French style redwood bedstead and drawers and an extra single. The fourth is a twin bedroom with pine furnishings and corner washbasin. All bedrooms have varnished wooden floors and freshly painted or papered walls and wall decorations.

The bathroom is situated upstairs and has a tiled floor and wall tiles surrounding all elements - bath with shower, washbasin, bidet and toilet.

Only six kilometres to the south of Guitard is the beautiful bastide village of Lauzerte and eight kilometres to the north the village of Montcuq with its medieval quarters leading up to its dungeon tower. Both villages have all amenities and Montcuq boasts a beautiful swimming lake with sandy beach as well as a municipal pool and tennis courts. Good restaurants, café life, walking, swimming, cycling, riding, fishing, golf, visiting markets, site seeing and of course wine tasting around the reputed Cahors vineyards are all recommended holiday activities.

You can book with us and be assured of a home to home welcome with thorough standards of cleanliness and to assure your comfort and peace of mind here is a list of services and some essential products we provide for your arrival:

You will find tea, coffee, coffee filters, chocolate powder, milk and orange juice as well as flour, sugar, condiments and herbs.

Also cleaning products such as a new kitchen sponge each location, some kitchen paper, toilet paper, bin bags, tea towels, soap, washing up liquid, household detergent and some washing machine and dishwasher tablets.

We provide bath mats and bedside mats. All pillows and mattresses are covered with brushed cotton protections. Both mats and bedding protections are washed between each let for maximum hygiene.

You will find your beds made up and a pair of towels at the foot of each bed on your arrival. The first emotion you will have on entering the house is one of assurance as the smells of wood polish, household cleaners and a discrete air of locally distilled lavender oil fill your senses (unless you request otherwise of course).

We provide logs for your first fire and can supply you with extra wood for a small supplement.
We can provide baby equipment as requested.

If you will be arriving late we can shop for your first evening - just send us a shopping list in advance! Montcuq has a wonderful market every Sunday morning and the local supermarkets are also open on a Sunday.

RENTAL PRICES for 'GUITARD' 2005

per week

April -May £320
June - £350 without pool or £500 with pool
July - August £800 (early July, £600)
September £350 without pool or £500 with pool
October £320
November - March £250

Winter Long lets,

October to March, £500 per month + bills
Double garage available on site subject to prior arrangement