Set
in the heart of the Cevennes National Park in the Gard Region of the Languedoc-Roussillon, our sympathetically renovated 200
year old farmhouse is believed to once below to the Chateau. It is set in extensive terraced natural grounds in complete
privacy. It is not overlooked, nor can you see another building (apart from our other stone mas opposite which is empty).
The house is secluded but not isolated and only a minute's
drive from the main road. There is a lockable
barrier at the top and access is private. Both the buildings you will see belong to us. The stone mas opposite
has yet to be modernised, but meanwhile it is safe and solid with a new roof and green painted shutters and door.
Mas des Grailles is on three floors.
You enter via the covered terrace which looks onto the garden on one side and the courtyard and old mas on the other.
This terrace has a large table, benches and chairs for outdoor eating and entertaining. On entering the house, the kitchen
and dining area are on your left. The modern fitted kitchen is brightly furnished with stainless steel cooker, ceramic
hob, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, iron, kettle, toaster, mixer, etc. There is a dining table
and seating for 6 plus a high chair.
The living
room is situated through a wide archway and is comfortably furnished with two sofas, chairs, side tables and coffee table.
It is very cosy in winter with electric heating throughout and a wonderful log burner for which logs are provided, yet the
room is light and airy and cool for the hot summer months.
There
is a telephone for emergency use, CD player & discs, TV with Freeview & French satellite channels, DVD player with
a good selection of DVDs for adults and children. A bookcase houses a wide variety of books, games, jigsaw puzzles, etc.
We also have a selection of childen's toys, soft toys as well as a travel cot.
You will find
many leaflets provided on the local area, flora and fauna, maps, mediaeval villages to visit, days out and restaurants, etc.
The collection is being added to all the time as guests find so many different things to see and do.
Upstairs there is a bedroom with king-size bed, good
reading lights, spacious chestnut-doored cupboards and a magnificent view onto the far side of the valley.
The large second bedroom has three single beds. Both these rooms have fans if it is hot in
summer and electric blankets and heating for winter.
There
is a modern shower room with wash basin and heated towel rail. The separate WC is next door.
On the lower ground floor, which is accessed by outdoor steps is
an ensuite twin-bedded room. This is a large room with drawers, dressing table and comfortable armchairs.
Walking through the archway takes you to the modern shower room with summery white and yellow tiles, a good-sized shower,
WC and wash-hand basin.
There
is heating in both the shower room and bedroom.
Because of the outside steps we would not recommend this room for young children.
All duvets, pillows, linen, tea towels and
house towels are provided.
There is a mobile telephone for
emergency use to contact us or the key-holder.
We will have fast satellite internet access in 2012.
Outside, the large "open" terrace
is accessed through french windows where you can enjoy watching buzzard overhead. The peaceful terrace has sunshine
from early morning until late afternoon so we have our meals out here, sometimes also in winter if it's warm enough.
There is a table and parasol, seating for six, as well as sun-loungers and cushions.
On the other side of the building is the "covered" terrace. This too benefits from
a long table and plenty of padded seating.
There are
numerous cherry, apple, damson, willow and mimosa trees. As an added bonus, a family of wild boar and deer may
visit on quiet evenings.
There can
be few better endings to a summer's day than sitting with a glass of wine and good food in perfect peace looking over
the valley.
We hope you will come and enjoy it as much as we do!
