17-19th century Watermill in the wild Tarn Valley!

Located in the National Park of the Grands Causse, this beautiful 17th Century water mill and its 17-19th century house on a 3.5 ha domain, will delight those who seek a peacefull, green, and idyllic place to spend their holidays. *** Before booking, please note: this house is a 400 years old house. It has kept its authentic feel, and it's basic, yet practical (it has all the basics and internet)! Despite my remarkable cleaning skills, the house is not shiny and new, and the floorboards creak :) Also, please read this listing page entirely before booking! It contains many honest details about your stay! Thank you very much, we wish to see you join us soon! *** Right next to a river cascading in front of the house, this old watermill house from the 17th-19th century is surrounded by beautiful, peaceful wild nature. The village can be seen from the house and yet you'll hardly notice, as the house is remote and isolated. No noisy road around, no mass-tourism, just the sound of birds and tumbling water! On the terrace, you will enjoy your meals and barbecues around the table, in the shade of an old and centenarian Walnut tree. Good news: there are (almost absolutely) no mosquitoes!! You can sleep with the windows open in the summer and enjoy the fresh nights without being annoyed. Scattered around the house, you'll find hamacs for your siesta's, while those looking for a fresh dip will play in the clean and pure waters of the river or the mill's pond. In the old stone oven outside is functionnall if you want to bake your own bread and pizza's. The house has a large living room, with a huge old wooden table for your evening meals, a tuned piano, a large fireplace. The rooms are cosy and clean, all in simplicity and will accomodate 7 persons ideally. An 8th guest can be added if sleeping in a bed in the corridor is not a problem for them. There are 3 rooms in total, that is why you should think about it if your party has more than 3 couples. The kitchen is equipped with all modern commodities (dishwasher, etc), and the bathroom is simple, but practical and entirely renovated. You won't find Ikea furniture, there's no TV, the wooden floor creaks, the walls are not always straight... there's simply no room for too much modernity! It's cosy and clean inside, but there might be here and there a spiderweb that escaped my vigilance. In short: this is a real old charming country house! The concrete path that leads to the house can be driven on, but only by regular sized vehicles. It is narrow and steep, but if you do not own a (big) SUV or a van, it's not a problem. If non-conventional roads are not your cup of tea, you can better park in the village and walk down the 300m to the house. I'll pick up your luggage! Please keep in mind that this place is off the beaten track, and that is what makes it so wonderful! Also, think about it, inviting your 75 years old grandma with arthritis and a bad knee for "a bit of autehntic French country life" is maybe not such a good idea... The house has narrow spots, steep stairs, and the path that leads from the parking to the house has some rocks, can be slippery when it's humid, and can e a challenge for those who have mobility issues. ***IMPORTANT: For those who want to visit us in the cold season (November to March), keep in mind that this old house is not electrically heated. We have a very good furnace which will keep you warm and a fireplace to complete the heating if necessary. The firewood is yours to pay. There's 1m³ at your disposal which is enough for about 10 days worth of heating. Of course, you will pay only what you use during your stay. Usually, count 5 to 15€ a day, according to your needs.*** Our guests will have a full access to the 125m² house, its 3.5ha (wild) garden. You may use the fire place for some cosy evening, or use the stone barbecue. We even have the old stone oven working if you wish to bake your bread, pizza's, cakes... The river is also yours if you wish a fresh dip for your legs. For a proper swimming session, the Tarn river (2km) and the lake in Villefrenche-de-Panat (11km) are ideal and clean! I live with my wife in one of the houses facing yours. There is no vis-à-vis windows, I'm just your discrete neighbour. Party and laugh loudly if you feel like it, let your children run around and play: no one will be bothered! The house is located below the village (the village is on the hilltop, the watermill is down in the valley), along the river Vernobre which flows into the famous Tarn river, which is the touristic topper of the area. All kinds of watersports are possible (canooing, rafting etc). It's a tremendously nice area for mountain biking, hiking... or do just nothing! Beautiful sites to be seen as well: the stunning Gorges du Tarn, Chaos de Montpellier, the UNESCO city of Albi, as well as dozens of castles and picturesque villages. You can also visit the village of Roquefort, known for it's world famous cheese, and the caves where it is still made traditionnally. Possessing a car is vital if you want to get there. Easiest accest is along the A75 highway, exit Roquefort, follow St-Rome then Ayssènes along road D510. Bring your own car or rent one at the airport! You can fly to Rodez (60km) from Brussels, London, Dublin, Paris, or Lyon, or to Montpellier (130km) or Toulouse (150km) from all around the globe. The TGV train will take you to Montpellier as well. ATTENTION: Very large vehicles (Big vans, busses, huge SUV's) or very long vehicles (enhanced station wagons, cars hauling a trailer, limousines...) should not attempt driving down the path! Park your (large) vehicle in the village and give me a call, I'll pick up your lugage in my mini van to the house. Inside the house: - The house has 3 main rooms. One room has one double bed (160cmx190cm) and one single bed (90x190); two other rooms have one double bed each (140x190). There's another single bed in the floor landing, and a convertible sofa in the living room. We also have a foldable baby-bed if you need one. Pets are unfortunately not allowed. What you'll find: - a washing machine - a fridge - a dish-washer - a hair dryer - coffee machine(s) - a micro wave oven - a vacuum cleaner - a blender - a clothing iron - a gas oven and stove - a piano (working) Necessary stuff: - Salt, pepper, spices - Coffee (and filters), Tea, Sugar - Oil (olive, peanut), Vinegar - Aliminium foil, baking paper, plastic foil - Flour, yeast for cakes and bread - Cleaning products, dishwashing products - Detergents for the washing machine - Toilet paper Do not bother bringing all of these! Outside, also: - a Barbecue - a Plancha for paellas - a Hamac-chair - 3 Hamacs - a Swing below the tree - a Swing above the pond Shops: - there is only a restaurant-bar in Ayssènes. - in Villefranche de Panat (13km) all basic needs can be satisfied: (butcher, baker, grocer, pharmacist, doctor, press & tobacco-shop, garage & fuel station, post office, bank). - in St Affrique (23km) you'll find all services and the hospital. Note that every saturday morning, there is a colorful and typical, so-french, outdoor market with lots of friendly local producers of vegetables, fruit, meat, cheeses, (all mostly organic) and lots of typical and regional food specialities.