Eden Garden (VAU.46)

Eden Garden is a 2-bedroomed cottage, sleeping 5 (+ baby), in the attractive riverside village of Cajarc (Lot), 27km SW of Figeac, 55km E of Cahors (Michelin map: 525). VFB is delighted to have featured this property since 2000. Saturday arrival.

This is a recent conversion (1997) of a south-facing, semi-detached farm building, dating from 1870, extended to provide accommodation of an excellent standard on two floors with its own art-walled terrace and garden, standing some 15m from the owners’ house. An appealing modern interior has been created from this rustic building of traditional local stone, a brand-new fitted kitchen, comfortable contemporary furniture and attractive light décor blending well with character features such as exposed timbers and original stone sink. Tasteful and welcoming, the accommodation has been fitted and equipped with good quality items to a very good standard. The living room gives on to the terrace (approximately 6m x 5m), from which a door in the wall opens on to a narrow one-way village street; both shops and the River Lot are just a short walk away. Greenery offers some seclusion here from the large garden area beyond, shared with the owners and occupants of a second, smaller holiday apartment. The property is situated in the lively, picturesque village of Cajarc (with the Pompidou Art Gallery), with swimming pool and tennis courts only 60m away. Other visits include canoeing on the Lot and Célé rivers; the superb hill-perched village of St Cirq-Lapopie, a few minutes away, and Cénevière castle downstream; handsome old towns of Figeac and Cahors; mediaeval Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Najac and other ‘frontier’ bastides of the western Massif Central. The friendly owners who speak English, live on the spot and will be responsible for the welcome here. This is an inviting, immaculate property with all village amenities just through the garden door, in a prime position in the beautiful Lot Valley.

Accommodation: Ground floor: kitchen/living room (with glazed fireplace), 1 double-bedded room, cot, shower room, separate wc. First floor: 1 double-bedded room with extra single bed, bathroom with wc.

Activities: Swimming pool (June-September) in Cajarc (100m). Bathing lake, water-skiing, tennis, bicycle hire and river fishing in Cajarc. Table tennis and bikes for loan on the spot (on request). Base de loisirs in Figeac. Horse riding (5km). Boat excursions at Cajarc and Cahors. Canoeing at Marcilhac (15km).

Services: All shops and services in Cajarc. Market in Villefranche on Thursdays, Figeac on Saturday mornings, Cajarc on Saturday afternoons and Limogne (15km) on Sundays. Cahors on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Parking outside property on a gravel driveway.

Location
In the attractive riverside village of Cajarc (Lot) – with 800 inhabitants - 27km SW of Figeac, 55km E of Cahors. Michelin map: 525.
 
Activities
Swimming pool (June-September) in Cajarc (100m). Bathing lake, water-skiing, tennis, bicycle hire and river fishing in Cajarc. Table tennis and bikes for loan on the spot (on request). Base de loisirs in Figeac. Horse riding (5km). Boat excursions at Cajarc and Cahors. Canoeing at Marcilhac (15km).
 
Services
All shops and services in Cajarc. Market in Villefranche on Thursdays, Figeac on Saturday mornings, Cajarc on Saturday afternoons and Limogne (15km) on Sundays. Cahors on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Parking outside property on a gravel driveway.
 
Description
This is a recent conversion (1997) of a south-facing, semi-detached farm building, dating from 1870, extended to provide accommodation of an excellent standard on two floors with its own art-walled terrace and garden, standing some 15m from the owners’ house. An appealing modern interior has been created from this rustic building of traditional local stone, a brand-new fitted kitchen, comfortable contemporary furniture and attractive light décor blending well with character features such as exposed timbers and original stone sink. Tasteful and welcoming, the accommodation has been fitted and equipped with good quality items to a very good standard. The living room gives on to the terrace (approximately 6m x 5m), from which a door in the wall opens on to a narrow one-way village street; both shops and the River Lot are just a short walk away. Greenery offers some seclusion here from the large garden area beyond, shared with the owners and occupants of a second, smaller holiday apartment. The property is situated in the lively, picturesque village of Cajarc (with the Pompidou Art Gallery), with swimming pool and tennis courts only 60m away. Other visits include canoeing on the Lot and Célé rivers; the superb hill-perched village of St Cirq-Lapopie, a few minutes away, and Cénevière castle downstream; handsome old towns of Figeac and Cahors; mediaeval Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Najac and other ‘frontier’ bastides of the western Massif Central. The friendly owners who speak English, live on the spot and will be responsible for the welcome here. This is an inviting, immaculate property with all village amenities just through the garden door, in a prime position in the beautiful Lot Valley. Featured by VFB since 2000.
 
Note: Very steep, open-tread spiral staircase to first floor, with handrail only part way up. Beware half step at the top.
 
Accommodation
Ground floor access via terrace into:
 
·     Kitchen/living room (3m20 x 4m05) - kitchen area (4m x 5m20) - separated from main room by low wall - with dual cooker (2 gas, 2 electric rings and electric oven) microwave, fridge freezer, satellite television, dishwasher, glazed fireplace, mobile barbecue, telephone (mobile phone provided though for use ONLY in cases of utmost emergency). Tiled floor. Spiral staircase to first floor. Glazed doors to:
·     Bedroom 1 (3m30 x 4m70) with 1 double bed (1m60), cot. Laminate wooden floor. Mobile air-conditioning unit
·     Shower room with shower cubicle and washing machine. Tiled floor
·     Separate wc
 
First floor landing with fitted cupboard with hanging space:
 
·     Bedroom 2 (3m85 x 4m10) with 1 double bed (1m40) and 1 single bed (0m90) (low beams). Wooden floor
·     Bathroom with short bath and shower attachment, wc. Sloping beamed ceiling. Tiled floor
 
Gas and electricity for cooking, water heating and central heating included (radiator in each room) - Electricity included – Bed linen included - Household linen available.
 
Where household linen is available, payment should be made direct to the owner (one set will cost 20€ for two people and each additional person staying at the property pays 5€).
 
Breakage Deposit:  100€   Sleeps: 5 + 1 baby MAXIMUM (Canvas cot available: 1m20 length x 0m60 width x 0m40 depth)
 
There is a local tax (taxe de séjour) applicable at this property for all guests. The cost is 0.20€ per guest (over 10) per day, and should be paid directly to the owner.
 
Comments
 “A fine cottage and the town and its surroundings and its people are a joy.” “We have greatly enjoyed our week in this delightful house - one of the best – and we had a lovely welcome from Mme Vaudin. All in all a lovely time in very pleasant surroundings.” “The cottage is very comfortable and well-equipped, our two week holiday has gone far too quickly – we cannot recommend our stay here more highly.” “The river throughout is terrific for kids and adults alike.”
 
 Description updated July 2009