The property

Mas de Cazelles comprises three adjoining properties, all fully restored to a high standard, full of charm, character and original features. The property includes pigeonnier, wine cellar, workshops, 11 by 5 metre pool with Roman steps and pool house, two bread ovens, a water citern, broadband and impressive barn with conversion potential.

The property works well as a family home - with 8/9 bedrooms, 3/4 reception rooms, 6 bath /shower rooms, 3 kitchens - or as a letting business, or combination of the two. There is a 12 year history of valuable lettings with own website.

This early 19th century property, recently restored yet retaining great character is set within beautifully landscaped and well-stocked terraced gardens extending to one hectare (2.5 acres).  The habitable area of some 340 square metres is supplemented by a further 100m² of caves and outbuildings.

The following brief descriptions relate to the parts of the house that we have used during our years here.

Main house - 137m²

Fully restored in 1997, with gas central heating, all new wiring, plumbing, beams, floors, septic tank, buried gas tank etc.

Accommodation is on three floors with two entrances and includes a large cool kitchen/ dining room (25m²), and pantry, a first floor reception room (26m²) with évier and a double bedroom on each of the 3 floors. There are large French windows from the reception room leading out to a wrought-iron balustraded patio with original stone steps to the garden. The house has a bathroom and a shower room.

Outside, the gravel drive leads to the vine-covered pergola terrace 15m in length which provides an excellent, shaded area for entertaining, with views across lawns and small orchard to the village.

Farmhouse – 107 m²

This is the oldest part of the property, retaining great character and carefully restored in the early 1990s. It has a cool, atmospheric kitchen/dining room (36m²) reflecting the very thick stone walls and the small narrow aperture windows. It has a recent Godin cuisinière and is linked up to the central heating system with 6 radiators.

There are two entrances, one on each floor. The first floor entrance leads into a high ceilinged reception room (33m²) with exposed beams, old oak floors and an ancient sink (évier).  A charming shower room is reached through double armoire doors. Bedroom 1 is en suite, with an attractive spiral staircase leading up to bedroom 2 in the mezzanine.

Outside, the ground floor entrance is via a covered sitting/dining area. That faces a pleasant lawn and garden which leads to a further enclosed dining area and then on to a long gravelled terrace flanked by lavender and irises. Cosy areas for aperitifs and eating al fresco. Access to the pool and lower gardens.

Pigeonnier - 102m²

This was developed from a barn and a  three storey Pigeonnier tower and press room in 1992 to create 3 double bedrooms, 2 shower rooms, a minstrels gallery and a spacious  high ceilinged reception room (25m²), off which are kitchen and dining areas.

The tower and dining area provide splendid views of the garden, village and distant hills and valleys.

Beneath the house are the wine cellar and sizeable workshop.

Outside a substantial two storey barn is an ideal venue for eating out, facing the lawn, the village views and the pool. 

The garden is well stocked with mature vines, walnut, cypress and other specimen trees and shrubs.

The surroundings

The elevated position of the house and gardens gives the property splendid, uninterrupted views of hills and valleys. It provides a protected habitat for a wide variety of birds (including hoopoe, golden oriel, barn owls, buzzards), bats and of butterflies in a peaceful setting. The beautifully restored buildings enjoy the full sun whilst providing ample shade from mature trees. There is ample parking and road access to the rear of the property.

The extensive gardens form a series of terraces. Each part of the house has its corresponding terrace and lawn area, with a range of decorative trees including several cypresses and mulberry, catalpa, parasol pine, evergreen magnolia and acacia trees.

The small, unspoilt and friendly village of Verfeil (a Village Fleuri ) is just a gentle stroll across meadows and has a good boulangerie and general store, garage, bar/restaurant, post office, tennis court and very active boulodrome. Nearest petrol is12 km. The nearest maternelle and primary schools are at Varen (5km), with collèges at St Antonin Noble Val and Villefranche de Rouergue.

Mas de Cazelles is within 30 minutes driving time of a number of stunning mediaeval and bastide villages and towns, most having regular market days.

The former Cistercian Abbaye de Beaulieu is just 2 km away. St Antonin-Noble-Val (15 minutes) – the setting for the film Charlotte Gray - sits in the spectacular Gorges de l’Aveyron. Its busy Sunday market is a must. Najac and Cordes are two imposing hill towns brimming with history, fine buildings, restaurants and speciality shopping. The Thursday market at Villefranche is always an experience. 

The nearest station is at Lexos, some 8 km away, which has 3 daily trains to Toulouse.