Rural gite, own garden,on sunny Smallholding in quiet valley, with private pool

Summer is here! Gardens are magnificent. June is one of the best times to come. Good weather and not too hot. Perfect for relaxing here or walking in the surrounding hills.
Gaillardet Garden is located in a beautiful, wide valley in the foothills of the Pyrenees. A traffic-free location, cowbells and crickets are the loudest noises you will hear. This is an underpopulated so no crowds. The four acre smallholding is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday at any time of year. The owners, Anni and Gary, live in the adjoining, converted barns. Seasonal fruit, vegetables, new laid eggs and babysitting available. Above Gaillardet is the Grottes de l’Homme Mort, totally uncommercialised, you can safely go and explore the caves with the spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. The property is 10 minutes from the charming market town of Chalabre providing shops, banks, bars, restaurants and a garage. The area is perfect for outdoor activities especially walking, cycling, horse-riding, canoeing, rafting, tree top rope ways and fishing. Many places of historic and cultural interest are within easy access and the region is the heart of Cathar country with many castles to explore. One of the most popular opportunites is the boat trip on the underground river - it's quite amazing. Another favourite is the nearby natural rock maze. For winter visitors the ski resorts are only a short drive away, and Les Monts d'Olmes is famous for its powder snow. Many places offer tobogganing, husky mushing and cross country skiing.

2022 is our seventeenth holiday season and we have had many happy families having great holidays with us. Our visitors book is full of enthusiastic comments, and we are always being told that you get exactly what you see on the website. Children of all ages have a wonderful time here and love the freedom of being in the countryside, seeing the animals and chickens. All of them are fascinated by the farm machinery - old and new, and perhaps the possibility of a ride on something under strict supervision by Gary and parents. There are pool toys including the popular pool volleyball, plus lilos for floating and admiring the views. Lots of swimming games and challenges feature highly. There is a grass badminton court and a basketball post.

There are a number of toys/games either in the private gite garden, we supply a sandpit and paddling pool for younger children with appropriate toys, or elsewhere in the grounds, such as badminton, mini golf, croquet.

We only accept one family group, ie parents and their children but we welcome grandparents, and a friend of a child as long as this does not exceed the maximum of 7 persons. We would accept a baby of up to 12 months as well. We do ask that it is not two couples with children.

We would like to encourage people without the need to come in school holidays to visit us in the wonderful months of May, June, September and October. these are some of the best months for pursuing outdoor activities such as walking or horseriding. Our gardens are at their best and it is very warm without being too hot to do anything. The pool is still a great attraction at these times, and the whole area offers many opportunities for exploring. WE OFFER A SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNT FOR COUPLES ONLY AT THESE TIMES.

We have contact for wine tours run by a wonderful lady which leads a very informative day out with visits to vineyards, tastings and lunch and a possibility of a visit to another venue such as olive oil factory, honey farm and chocolatier. I highly recommend her tours.