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 below 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, leather 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, CD player & discs,
TV with Sky & French satellite channels, DVD player with a good selection of DVDs for adults and children alike.
A large bookcase houses a wide variety of books
(including a big French-English dictionary); games, jigsaw puzzles, etc. We also have a selection of childen's toys,
soft toys as well as a baby bath and travel cot.
Free Internet access
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,
cupboards and heated towel rail. The separate WC is next door.
On the lower ground floor, which is accessed
by outdoor steps is a new ensuite twin-bedded room with an additional fold-away bed. This is a large room which
also has a small sofa, chest of drawers, dressing table and comfortable armchair as well as tea and coffee-making facilities.
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. This downstairs room has the added benefit of its own courtyard with garden table and chairs.
All duvets, pillows, linen, tea towels and house
towels are provided.
Outside, the large "open" terrace is accessed
through french windows where you can enjoy watching buzzard overhead as well as smaller birds using the peanut feeders.
The peaceful terrace has sunshine from early morning until late afternoon so we have all out meals out here, sometimes also
in winter if it's warm enough. There is a table and parasol, seating for six, as well as sunloungers 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.
In the shade, is a children's tree swing, a sand
pit and small paddling pool.
There are numerous cherry, apple, damson, willow
and mimosa trees. As an added bonus, a family of wild boar and deer will 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!
