From the
moment you walk through the massive solid oak doors you feel at home. The 12
acres of park offers trees hundreds of years old, some quite rare to the region,
and a drive lined with plane trees standing more than two hundred years. In the
early 1800's Lacaze was awarded the "medaille argent" for its wine. Sadly we no
longer produce wine but there is always a bottle from one of the many superb
local vineyards available for our guests to enjoy. Automatic gates open onto a
carpet of deep pink roses and Italian cypress trees as they line the drive into
the courtyard. The Chateau is flanked on one side by the Orangerie and the
Pigeonnier, their pretty terraces and lawns bordered with heavy fig trees in the
summer, and Kaki trees in the winter. The front of the Chateau faces the
Pyrenees's, a mountain chain of breath taking quality running as far across the
horizon as the eye can see. As an alternative to lazing by the poolside or on
one of the terraces, you can sit under one of the leafy trees and watch the red
squirrels at play. The park is also home to wild deer, hawk, owls and many
species of bird including nightingales. Enjoy.
Chambre Garonne
Currently there are two apartments available for renting; the Pigeonnier, with
its curved roof and tower-like appearance sleeps 4, and the west wing of the
Chateau, having its own entrance, sleeps 8. There are also two double rooms and
two suites in the Chateau offered as chambre d'hote. These rooms have four
poster beds and en-suite facilities. Booked as a whole the Chateau sleeps 20 -
22. The owners live permanently on site and like to think of this as
advantageous for their guests as they can help with anything from recommending
restaurants to assisted tours. Catering can be arranged, everything from candle
light dinners in the main dining hall to paella suppers by the pool. They can
even organise that special party including music or disco with dancing in the
Orangerie. Small intimate weddings and christenings have taken place here in the
family chapel and on the lawn, and the owners have even arranged a full-blown
circus for a fiftieth birthday complete with the Big Top in the park and a disco
in the evening. Call Jayne to discuss your requirements no matter how simple or
adventurous.
The Pigeonnier
A charming 17th C building in the courtyard of the chateau. Ground Floor: A
furnished terrace leads into the lounge area with its log fire, television and
CD player complete with a selection of CD's for you to borrow. The kitchen is
fully fitted with fridge, freezer, hob, oven and microwave. Large shower room
with double vanity unit and WC A door leads directly into the Sauna room. First
Floor: A staircase from the lounge leads to two large double bedrooms, one with
a four poster bed and the second with twin single beds. (A third child's bed can
be added please ask for costs)
Chateau Apartment
The west wing of the main house has its own separate entrance and dates to the
17th C. Accommodation is on three floors. You have access to a private furnished
terrace and the pool and sauna areas. Ground Floor: A quaint little door leads
you into the hall, large kitchen/dining room to the left
Large and comfortable lounge to your right. The lounge has digital TV, with
satellite, video and video library. The kitchen is fully fitted with large
cooking range, dishwasher, American fridge freezer, and microwave. First Floor:
Bedroom with double bed (half tester) and en-suite shower room with WC. Bedroom
2 has two double beds and a small dressing room, shower room and WC. Bedroom 3
has twin single beds and a wash hand basin. Second Floor: Bedroom 4 is a
magnificent large room with double four poster bed and large en-suite bathroom
with separate WC The bedroom is light and airy with windows to the pool and to
the park.
Activities: The saltwater pool is 12x6 metres with a Jacuzzi alongside
and a contra current system for stronger swimmers. There is also a children's
pool and the entire area is fenced off. For the spring, autumn/winter guests
there is a sauna room with a six person sauna, shower, toilet, rest area with
fridge and kettle for hot or cold drinks. Big comfortable bathrobes and towels
are provided. The energetic can borrow bikes and explore the rolling hills all
around to work up an appetite in time to use one of three separate barbecue
areas each with their own herb garden to flavour the grill. An outdoor badminton
net is also available or you can keep fit running after one of the three
resident Dalmatians. For this reason the owners sadly cannot accept your pets,
sorry. If that all sounds a touch too energetic, you are welcome to borrow a
novel from the library or leaf through one of the popular journals dating from
1894 found in the family chapel.
The Local Area: The Chateau is just 5 minutes away from the small market
town of Carbonne, which has all the facilities for everyday living. It has two
markets per week and the river Garonne offers many aquatic activities: canoeing,
windsurfing, sailing etc. There are golf courses within a range of 30kms, tennis
courts (4kms), a horse riding centre (5kms) and lots of places to walk or cycle
around us. There are hire boat bases along the Canal du Midi and water skiing
classes on La Garonne in Toulouse. Many colourful small towns, (most within a 5
minutes drive) abounding with history, each with its own appeal, surrounds the
property. Many pre-historic sites and caves, observatories and The European
Space Agency entertain young and old alike. Carcassonne is 55 minutes away and
Blagnac airport at Toulouse 25 minutes away. Toulouse, 25 minutes by car or
accessible by rail, is known as the Ville rose because of the locally produced
pink brick. Medieval in character but young at its heart (a university town with
over 100,000 students) will enthral and delight even the most seasoned of
shoppers. Numerous museums, galleries and theatre, too many to mention here, but
the owners have a stock of informative books for the visitor. There are many and
varied restaurants and auberges all around at very reasonable prices.
