The Claux de Bouscou Residence
Perks for the Parents
This beautiful 16th-century farmhouse with views of the Pyrénées foothills has a playroom, toys, games and a bedroom with a slide for the kids, with heaps of grown-up understated luxury. It sleeps up to 18.
Why Kids Love it
This is a kids’ dream house for all ages with plenty of space to roam inside and out and a brightly colored bedroom that will surely delight with its bunkbeds (sleeps 4) and a slide. A separate room sleeps another 2 in a charming rustic bunkbed. The kids’ playroom is where they can dive into the dressing up box, play the board games provided or relax with a film. Outside there are lawns for ball games and skittles, indoor games in the barn darts, pool table and table football, and the heated swimming pool with a large shallow end – perfect for toddlers and younger kids who like to paddle. There’s also a play area with 2 swings, slides and a climbing frame. The local village 2km away has a playground and a pizza van that visits the main square every Wednesday in summer.
Things to Know
Minimum stay: 7 nights in July & August, 4 nights at other times. Changeover day: Saturday in July & August, flexible in other months. Check in: 4pm. Check out: 10am. Security deposit: €500 paid prior to arrival and refunded 2 weeks after departure, subject to inspection. The air-conditioned barn is available for an additional fee. Energy, heating costs, an end of stay clean, linen, towels and pool towels are included. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or garbage disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Please note the pool is open April to end of October and heated to a temperature of approx 26°C . The pool has an automatic rigid safety cover. Pets: a small dog may be permitted, on request only and with an additional deposit of £500. Smoking is outside only. French visitors tax payable locally. A non-refundable 30% deposit is required to make a booking (or full payment if booking within 12 weeks of departure). Any final balance is payable 12 weeks prior to the holiday, which once paid is non-refundable. Not all of the rooms have air con.
About the Location
La Félicité is situated just outside a small hamlet in the Tarn et Garonne department, Midi-Pyrénées. There’s a village 2km away and the nearest town is Caylus (12km) – pick up local produce at its market on a Tuesday and Saturday morning. Further afield is the beautiful Najac (20km) with medieval architecture including a 13th ruined chateau surrounded by green forests. Other places to explore are the Sunday market at Saint-Antonin Noble Val, the 12th century hilltop village of Cordes-sur-Ciel and Albi. If you love the outdoors, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy with here – try your hand at canoeing, kayaking, caving, climbing, mountain-biking, fishing, tree-top trails or exploring the incredible Aveyron gorges. Fly into Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (around 1 hr, 30 mins by car).
Accommodation Details
The villa has 8 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms arranged over the main house and 3 annexes. The main house has a living room with a TV, woodburning stove and large dining table; a kids’ playroom with a TV and DVD player; a kitchen with air con (induction hob, fridge with ice-machine, dishwasher and Nespresso machine); and a utility room with a washer /dryer and a 2nd dishwasher & fridge. On this floor are 2 bedrooms (1 super kingsize & 1 with 2 twin / single beds. The bathroom is shared with a walk-in shower. Upstairs is the primary bedroom with air con and a super kingsize bed and ensuite with tub, rain shower. The kids’ room has air con and 2 bunkbeds with a slide and tunnel (sleeps 4). La Pigeonnière Annexe 1 (end of main house, via external stairs) has a living area with a woodburning stove and roll-top bath. The kingsize bedroom is on a mezzanine level via wooden open-tread stairs and there is a shower room with rain shower. Bread Oven Annexe 2 (separate building facing main house) has a kingsize bedroom and ensuite shower room. The Grain Store Annexe 3 (separate building adjacent to the main house) contains a sofa area, kids’ room with 2 bunkbeds (sleeps 2) and a kingsize bedroom on a mezzanine level (please note this is has low ceilings and steep steps up) with a family ensuite with a tub and shower. In the grounds are a heated pool, dining and lounging areas, BBQ and fire pit, play equipment, games and outdoor skittles and a barn with a mezzanine games area.
Style Notes
Glorious rustic luxury. The magical ancient farmhouse is as enchanting as it is beautiful. Ancient wood beams criss cross whitewashed walls. There are ancient fireplaces, natural stone floors and bare stone walls. Splashes of color abound with deep velvet sofas and armchairs or the scarlet woodburning stove. Rustic character has been preserved with the original bread oven in one of the bedrooms and the individual shape of each annexe hints at its history. Hand-crafted additions include the incredible walnut sliding doors in the main bedroom, the elm window seat in kitchen and the wonderful custom-made bunk beds in the kids’ rooms. We love the decadent roll top bath next to the woodburning stove in La Pigeonnière; the beautiful heated pool with views that stretch to the mountains; and the open plan, double height kitchen, just made for entertaining.
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Air Conditioning
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Baby Bath
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Baby Monitor
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Babysitter / Nanny
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Backyard / Garden
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Balcony
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Bathtub
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Bed Rails
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Bicycles
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Cabinet Locks
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Changing Table
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Chef / Catering
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Children's Dinnerware
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Corner Guards
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DVD Library
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DVD Player
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Dishwasher
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Elevator
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Fireplace Guards
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Game Console
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High Chair
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Housekeeper
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Outlet Plugs
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Parking
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Pet-friendly
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Pool
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Pool Gate
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Stair Gates
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Television
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Toys / Children's Books
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Washer / Dryer
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Wifi
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Window Guards
Varen, Midi-Pyrénées
Hilltop villages and open air opera
This charming historic village, an hour northeast of Toulouse, has a 15th Century castle, ancient church and beautiful gardens. Nearby you’ll find prehistoric caves, hilltop villages - some of which are the most beautiful in France - artisan markets, ancient castles that stage open air opera productions in the summer and vineyards.
