Charming rural oasis in the Midi-Pyrénées

Whether you are looking for a quiet place to relax with friends, or a well-equipped base for a fun-filled family holiday, this is the perfect self-catering base. This beautifully restored stone house is in the pretty bastide village of Mansonville, in the Tarn et Garonne, South-West France. Its pleasant rural location is only five minutes from the autoroute (A62/E72). There is a sun-soaked private pool and a pleasant shaded terrace: the perfect combination for enjoying long leisurely days. The accommodation can comfortably sleep seven people. There are three double bedrooms and one single bedroom. A travel cot is also available. The layout is such that two families can be easily accommodated, with three bedrooms (two double, one single), family bathroom and separate WC on one side of the house, while on the other side an upstairs sitting room and luxurious ensuite double bedroom. There is ample space for two additional single beds if required. The house boasts a combination of charm and practicality with a large social kitchen/diner adjoining a 'breakfast room' with double french doors opening onto a lower patio and BBQ area. There are two comfortable sitting rooms, one with a wood-burning 'Toulouse' brick fireplace and plenty of room outside. The secluded swimming pool catches the sun for most of the day, and is flanked on one side by a covered terrace – ideal for dining al fresco! Thoughtfully integrated lighting both inside and out, ceiling fans, terracotta floor tiles and authentic beams make this all in all a very pleasantly appointed holiday location. Bikes are available for guests to explore the local countryside and nearby medieval villages. Enjoy table football, or other indoor games, or use the badminton rackets or boules for outdoor activities. The hosts speak English, French and German and are available via (Hidden by Airbnb) , email or phone. There are two local contacts who take care of the day to day needs of the house and guests. Mansonville is set back from the road from Valence-d'Agen to Fleurance and Auch, the village is almost entirely stone built with the line of the original bastide walls clearly visible. The well-maintained village has a convenience store, providing fresh bread daily and essential provisions. Adjoining the shop is a restaurant, 'Le Saint Saturnin', which serves an excellent selection of dishes at reasonable prices at both lunchtime and in the evening. There is a farmers' market each Monday on the square outside the house and a butcher's van every Wednesday. Visit some of the most beautiful villages in France, the medieval villages/small towns of Auvillar, Lectoure, Fleurance and Lauzerte, to mention just a few. Take a day trip to the fortified village of Cordes-sur-ciel or the fabulous walled city of Carcasonne (2 hours), or - closer by - Auch, the home of D'Artagnan. Montauban (about 35 kilometres or less than 30 minutes on the autoroute) is the 'Florence of the Southwest'. And the city of Toulouse (about 90 kilometres or 1 hour to the centre) often referred to as ‘la ville rose’ due to the colour of the granite buildings in the old town, provides plenty to see and do. Why not take a trip along the Tarn, the Garonne or the Canal du Midi. Local highlights include: * Auvillar (8 kilometres/10 minutes) – stunning bastide village overlooking the river Garonne. * Valence d'Agen (10 kilometres/10 minutes) - historic small town on the Canal des Deux Mers. * St Nicholas-de-la-Grave (15 kilometres/20 minutes) – water sports complex/Base de Loisirs on the expansive basin where Tarn and Garonne meet. * Moissac (25 kilometres/30 minutes) – famous for its cloisters and abbey. * Agen (35 kilometres/30 minutes) - large town on the River Garonne. Nearest beach: Saint Clar 20 km (25 mins) – Base de Loisirs / Lake beach Arcachon 220 km (2 hrs) Other sites: Cahors 85 km (80 mins) Albi 160 km (90 mins) Carcassonne 180 km (1hr 45 mins) Pyrénées (Cirque de Gavarnie) 180 km (2hrs 45 mins) Access via the autoroute makes this an easy 55 minutes from Toulouse airport or 90 minutes from Bordeaux airport. A car is necessary for rural France. L'adresse nouvellement définie: 48, Place de la Vierge (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) Mansonville