Chateau Siregarde - Eleven Bedroom Castle, Sleeps 17

Set in 50 acres of park and woodland where deers graze early in the morning, beautiful Château Siregarde has been finished to a high standard and successfully combines old-world charm with modern day amenities including the heated 20m-long swimming pool. 

This traditional French château is generously proportioned over two floors with a splendid grand hall, numerous reception rooms and a characterful kitchen to enchant the keenest of French cooks. Step back in time across the eleven individually decorated bedrooms – from grand doubles with en suite bathrooms to simpler singles, there are flexible sleeping arrangements for up to 17 guests.

You are warmly welcomed on arrival with a light supper accompanied by wine. There is a superb 18th century terrace at the front of the château, perfect for al-fresco lunches with family and friends, and guests have use of the gas and charcoal barbecue to make the most of dining in the garden. It’s a very short stroll across to the heated swimming pool with its relaxing poolside terrace overlooking the garden and trees.

Originally landscaped in an English fashion, the garden and vast grounds are magnificent – look out for ancient trees including  a 350-year old cedar tree as well as a large pond with nesting ducks. Other original features across the parkland include the remains of the 18th century dairy (now home to table tennis and table football) and a stable dating back to the early 19th century. Admire wild flowers across the fields in the spring and summer or wild mushrooms including cêpes amongst the trees in the autumn months. The 25-acres of unspoilt woodland is magical.

Located in a rural hamlet, there is an old village less than a 10-minute drive away with restaurants, an excellent butchers and a supermarket whilst the small market town of Cazères, by the banks of the Garonne, is 15km by car. Take long walks and enjoy picnics by the river and, in the height of the summer, discover boating, canoeing and more adventurous watersports at Cazères’ Base Nautique.

Food lovers note that Cazères hosts a picturesque market on a Saturday morning where local farmers showcase their produce. Meanwhile, there are plenty of other great markets in nearby towns - the Monday morning market in Samatan is especially worthy of your time (well-known for its quality poultry and winter ‘fat market’).

Spend the day in Toulouse, La Ville Rose, so loved for its pink-hued stone architecture and fascinating heritage. This cosmopolitan city is also famed for its fantastic markets, art galleries, food and wine scene as well as its attractive setting by the Garonne River. To explore the city’s surroundings, hire bikes and cycle along the towpath of the Canal du Midi for a truly wonderful experience in southern France.

Features:

Château Interiors

Ground Floor (across east and west wing, joined by grand hallway)

-    Grand hallway with door leading to garden and parkland
-    Blue drawing room
-    Music room and piano
-    Dining room with table for 14 guests (and smaller table for 6 guests)
-    TV room
-    Large kitchen with door leading to garden
-    Guest WC
-    Bedroom 5 with king-size double bed (180cm) and en suite bathroom  
-    Bedroom 8  with single bed (200cm long)
-    Bedroom 11 with single bed (130x200cm)
-    Bathroom

First Floor - East Wing

-    Library with billiard table
-    Bedroom 1 with queen-size double bed (160cm), dressing room and en suite bathroom
-    Bedroom 2 with queen-size double bed (160cm), dressing room and en suite bathroom
-    Bedroom 3 with king-size double bed (180cm) and en suite bathroom
-    Bedroom 4 with king-size double bed (180cm) and en suite bathroom
-    Bedroom 9 with single bed (100x190cm)
-    Bedroom 10 with single bed (90x200cm)
-    Bathroom and small study

First Floor - West Wing

-    Bedroom 6 with small double bed (140cm)
-    Bedroom 7 with two single beds (100x190cm each)
-    Bathroom  
-    Owner’s office

Outside Grounds

-    Heated swimming pool (20x5m)
-    Poolside terrace with sun loungers
-    18th century terrace in front of château for al-fresco dining
-    Charcoal and gas barbecue
-    Large pond
-    50 acres of garden, fields and woodland
-    Outbuildings in original 18th/19th Century condition (dairy, stable/farm)
-    Table football and table tennis (in former dairy)
-    Pétanque
-    Circular courtyard and parking
-    Entrance gate

Location:

Château Siregarde is in a rural hamlet in the Haute-Garonne department of southern France, around a 50-minute drive south of the grand city of Toulouse.

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (62km) is less than an hour away or you could consider flying into Tarbes Lourdes Airport, Pau Airport or even Carcassonne Airport, all within a 90-minute drive (in good traffic). There is a train station in Cazères (15km) with regional departures towards Boussens, Toulouse and Tarbes.   

The nearest village, Le Fousseret (5.5km), is less than a 10-minute drive from the château and has an excellent small supermarket and one of the best butchers in the region. There is also a grocer, flower shop, hardware store, pharmacy, tobacconist, newspaper agent, petrol station, two restaurants and a great pizzeria.

The nearest town is Cazères (15km), by the banks of the Garonne, which has a hypermarket, and two large supermarkets, as well as many other shops. It also has a picturesque market on Saturday mornings where local farmers sell their produce. On every day except Sunday the surrounding towns offer a local market - the Monday market in Samatan is the most famous (loved for its high quality poultry and winter ‘fat market’).

There are lovely walks by the banks of the Garonne in Cazères at Parc du Ramier, a great spot for picnics, or cross the river and head towards the Base Nautique, open in the height of the summer, for boating, canoeing and more adventurous watersports.

Tennis lovers can find a court within a short drive of the château, there are a number of riding establishments across the region as well as a 18-hole holf course near Buzet-sur-Tarn, around an hour away. Even closer is the 9-hole Golf de Salies du Salat (31km) for a relaxed game near the Salat River.

Winter skiing is also possible across the region and beyond. A popular resort is Vielha (125km) on the Spanish side of the border, around 2 hours by car. It is also very beautiful in the summer with its incredible surroundings, a paradise for hikers.

Toulouse is less than an hour from the château. The fourth largest city in France, it is well known for its excellent shopping and beautiful architecture. Apart from the major retail brands, there are many elegant boutiques in the older part of the city - the old quarter is a joy to explore. The city is also loved for its food and wine as well as its attractive setting by the banks of the Garonne. Hire bikes and cycle along the Canal du Midi for a wonderful experience.   

Other sites across the region include the stunning 16th century Renaissance Château de Saint-Elix (12km), the potteries of Martres-Tolosane (18km), originally founded by the Romans and still producing pottery in the local style, and the 13th century walled town of Montesquieu-Volvestre (24km) with its many listed buildings and covered market. A comprehensive list of all the local highlights is available in the château.

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
£500 paid via bank transfer to the owner prior to the arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

Arrival time?
4.00 p.m.

Departure time?
11.00 a.m.

Energy costs included?
Yes.

Linen & towels included?
Yes, including pool towels.

Pets welcome?
On request only and with prior agreement with the owner.

Changeover day?
Saturday.

End of stay cleaning included?
Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.

Smoking Allowed?
Outside only.

Insurance?
Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for cancellations, loss of personal belongings, personal liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay.

Minimum stay?
7 nights. All other durations on request.

Heating costs included?
Heating incurs an extra cost of €75/day from October - May (excluding Christmas & New Year). During all other periods, heating is included, as long as it is reasonable use. If the heating is used excessively then a charge of up to €100 per day may apply.

Pool heating charge?
Included. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures.

Pool opening dates?
Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.

Other Ts and Cs?
Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges.
Pets - allowed
Smoking - not allowed