6 Bedroom Chateau in St Denis-Catus

Spacious and tastefully furnished, this elegant stone watermill of great charm is set in 22 acres of meadows and woodland. With a large secure pool (12m x 6m), attractive terraces and gardens, it is a truly wonderful place for a house party. Shops, tennis courts and lake for water sports are 3.5kms to the West. Fishing, horse riding, canoeing and golf are near by. The ancient town of Cahors and its vineyards are 15km away. All of these pleasures are set within this most attractive region of France.The Fourteenth Century Mill House has been carefully renovated by the present owners retaining its original character and charm. The Mill is able to accommodate parties in excess of 12 with ease, but smaller groups can have equal enjoyment by not using the top floor. The furnishings, stone walls and retained beams provide a fascinating setting for a holiday. All rooms are well equipped with wardrobes or hanging space, chests of drawers, bedside tables and lamps and have beautiful views.
Eating, Sleeping and living.: The dining area has a very large dining table and huge open fireplace. The kitchen is superbly equipped with dishwasher, fridges and freezer. The first floor has a large sitting area with balcony. The house has satellite television, DVD, video and music machines. UK television and radio programs are all available. Wireless Broadband is installed. Bedrooms are attractively decorated and those in the tower are especially interesting. There is plenty of garden furniture and a custom built BBQ. The swimming pool is fenced on all sides and the gates have child-proof locks. The private drive enters from a nearby road screened by trees and bushes. There is a railway line across the valley on which occasional trains may be heard. The mill is generally let from Saturday to Saturday and the rental price includes all linen except swimming towels. All beds will be made up prior to arrival. Central heating is available (at cost) for winter lets.

The Local Area: Local villages have splendid restaurants and weekly open air markets. There are castles, chateaux and prehistoric sites to visit, including Rocamadour, the caverns of Padirac and mediaeval hilltop towns of St. Cirq Lapoppie and Cordes. The Dordogne is easily accessible. The unspoilt country side provides a compelling reason for visiting this part of France. Toulouse Airport is 1 hour away. In the village there is a bar and simple lunchtime restaurant. Catus, 3.5 Kms to the West, provides all the shops and facilities necessary for everyday living including a small Supermarket, Bakery, Butchers, Newsagent, Cash Machine, Post Office and Tourist Office. There is one reasonable restaurant in Catus and there are many other really good eating places in the area. The fascinating old market town of Cahors, almost surrounded by the River Lot, offers a vista of old buildings and streets to explore. Many of these date back to Roman times and include the famous Pont Valentre.

Rivers and Wine: Upstream from Cahors, the road follows the River Lot through dramatic and awe-inspiring countryside. Cabrerets and the prehistoric caves of Pech Merle are well worth a visit. To the South are the spectacular, deep gorges of the Aveyron and Tarn Rivers leading to the medieval towns of Cordes en Ciel, (The village in the sky) and Albi with its painted cathedral and Toulouse Lautrec Museum. West of Cahors and spread over miles of countryside are the vineyards which produce the robust and distinctive Cahors Wine. Particular specialities include duck, truffles and an array of different cheeses. Locally grown fruit and vegetables are plentiful and delicious. The smaller restaurants in the surrounding villages produce amazing menus of great value, variety and quality.

local restaurant guide, telephone, local activities guide, washing machine, coffee maker, toaster, iron & board, freezer, grill, oven, hob, blender, comfy seating for 10 people, highchair, dining room, seating for 20 people, 3 Bathrooms, 1 Separate WC, Bathroom, cloakroom with basin and loo, 6 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12, there are also 4 extra beds available giving a maximum capacity of 16, additional sleeping accommodation for up to 4 extra adult members of a party, video player, ping pong table, video library, audio tape player, books - fiction/non-fiction/kids, games - all ages, radio, wireless broadband, balcony, parking, patio, garden, terrace, barbecue, veranda, outdoor grill charcoal, 14 garden chairs, 10 deck chairs, outdoor pool/private pool

swimming, wind-surfing, water skiing, cycling, housekeeper, churches, groceries, equestrian events, caves, hospital, pond, ATM/bank, caving, winery tours, scenic drives, medical services, babysitting, garden

• Nearest Airport : Toulouse at 75 miles distance;
• Nearest Train Station : Cahors at 9.32 miles distance
• Travel Info: Distance in Miles from Channel Ports: Calais 550, Cherbourg 510, Le Havre 460, St Malo 420; Time to and from Airports: Toulouse 1 hour 15 minutes, Bordeaux 2 hours, Rodez 1 hour 30 minutes, Limoges 1 hour 50 minutes, Bergerac 1 hour 30 minutes, Brive 50 minutes, Cahors (Lalbenque) 30 minutes; This area of France is renowned for its mellow Winter days and sharp nights. A time when a wood fire really comes into its own. Spring never seems far away and during March and April a welcoming boost of hot sunshine soon transforms the landscape with a myriad of fresh colours. May and June are probably the most colourful months of the year with an array of wild flowers at every step. Orchids abound in the meadows and roses festoon the South side of the Mill. July and August are usually hot and dry with the occasional thunderstorm of dramatic violence. The balmy evenings provide a serene and pleasant conclusion to every day. The Autumn months of September and October are in many ways the most beautiful time of year with a fragrance and colour scheme of unmatched splendour. The New Year is already in sight. Speed cameras operate on many roads and motorways throughout France. But, they are well signed in advance.