Late Summer Tranquillity at La Grefeille
Review Submitted: October 27, 2009
Date of Stay: September 2009
We were so pleased to have decided on La Grefeille for our 2 week September holiday in France. It was a delightful retreat for my husband and me, tucked away down a country lane and surrounded by beautiful countryside. Downstairs was a large, open-plan space with kitchen, dining area and lounge. The kitchen area was very well equipped - dishwasher, good cooking facilities, fridge freezer, microwave, plus welcoming extras like a cafetiere. As we were very lucky with the weather, we tended to eat just outside on the terrace but sometimes in the evening, we curled up on the large sofas, with our plates of french food bought from the local markets, mesmerised by the burning logs crackling away in the large fire place. The satellite TV and our French films couldn't really compete. Having spent our mornings visiting local markets, art galleries & boulangeries in Cordes, or the old part of Albi, we were quite content to pass lazy afternoons reading books and sipping wine by the magnificient swimming pool. The master bedroom with its en-suite was perfect for us; a very comfortable, enormous bed, and a large, walk-in, powered shower. Any downsides - when you first see the house from the lane, it doesn't look anything special, but wait until you walk down the steps to the front and see the wisteria growing over the terrace, the wonderfully blue, clean swimming pool and the warm, old stone of the converted barn, you start to realise what a special place it is. Secondly, the barn is very close to another 2 dwellings, owned by a resident English couple so you are not entirely alone. However, you are not really overlooked and the neighbours are quiet and keep to themselves. Thirdly, there are wasps and hornets around but they tend to keep to the fig tree by the side of the house. As long as you are sensible and give them a wide berth, they are totally occupied with the fruit. Overall, we found the place enchanting, in a beautiful, quiet, rural location, with good facilities. It was clean and well maintained, and the couple who look after the house, were very helpful and pleasant. You do need to car to get to any of the local villages and towns but these are well worth visiting and exploring. Cordes, in particular, is good for foodies and art and culture. I would recommend this to middle aged couples like us or families with older children. We'll be back for sure.
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