Property Houses
Sleeps 7
Single/Double 1 / 2
Bathrooms 1
Pets Not Allowed
Pool No
Oust Holiday Cottage Rental in Midi-Pyrenees, France
"LE PICHET",Oust. A winner of "MAY THE BEST HOUSE WIN".
Please note that reduced rates are possible for 2-4 people by choosing one bedroom (the "chalet") and the upstairs living/bedroom. Please contact us for details.
“Le Pichet” is a traditional mountain house built, as are many in the region, partly into the hillside. It adjoins “La Carrette”, the former farmhouse which we now also have the privelege to own. It has been lovingly restored to retain as far as possible its original character and features (the “pas d’oiseaux” originally built for thatching purposes; in replacing the roof, we have used wherever possible the beams of the old structure.) Tastefully furnished, and now hung with paintings by Rodney and embroideries by Eleri, we are proud to welcome you into this part of our home. Rodney's s sculptures provide the finishing personal touch.
The house faces directly west and benefits from superb light particularly in the dining room and upstairs lounge during the afternoons and evenings. The living space covers 120 m2 and comprises:
Downstairs:
A large dining-room / living area with oak table, wood burning stove, bibliotheque, sofa, and television. (Wood is included in the price). Wonderfully cool during the hot months of summer, it has a warm ambiance in winter.
A very well equipped kitchen (see below).
Bathroom, with wc, basin and bath (with shower attachment).
From the dining room, a beautiful oak stairway leads to the first floor, comprising:
Spacious, high-ceilinged lounge with sofa, armchair, canapé cigogne (which converts to two comfortable single beds- not a clic-clac but a traditional piece of French furniture), and a well stocked bookcase (in English and French). A large number of maps, walking-guides, and tourist information is at your disposal. This room benefits from superb light, especially during the summer.
A charming, light, chalet-styled bedroom, with double bed), cupboards, shelves and hanging space.
A second bedroom with beamed ceiling, in calm colours of beige white and pink, containing one double and one single bed, wardrobe and shelving.
The beautiful west-facing garden is planted with roses, honeysuckle, herbs and clematis, and is a wonderful place to dine or simply to relax. Garden furniture (table, chairs, sunloungers) and a barbecue are at your disposal, and please help yourself to the herbs, and raspberries and salad vegetables when available.
This is, however, a mountain hamlet, so please do not expect a manicured lawn! If you are coming with children, please note too that the garden is not enclosed. This does not impinge on the privacy of individual properties, and as Miramont (which consists of only 11 houses) is at the end of a lane it is remarkably untroubled by traffic; children can also play safely in the lane, woods and meadows nearby.
Miramont has communal parking.
PHOTOS
2 STAR Tastefully Renovated Home ~ LE PICHET, Oust A winner of 'MAY THE BEST HOUSE WIN'
Arrival at "le Pichet"-
The view in summer....
and in winter
The dining room has a warm ambience in winter,
is tastefully furnished
and beautifully cool in summer
The high ceilinged, spacious lounge with sculpture and embroidery.
The blue "Chalet" bedroom
The second, beamed bedroom.
The kitchen
In the shade of the barbecue area
You can admire wonderful sunsets
There are superb walks to suit all levels.
Lakes,
and waterfalls.
The garden in summer
Kitchenware Appliances
Fixtures & Equipment
External Features
Other Interior Facilities
In the kitchen you will find- as well as an oven, slow cooker, microwave, fridge-freezer, and washing machine- a raclette and a fondue- the region boasts a tremendous variety of local cheeses. Both are a lovely, convivial way of sharing a traditional meal in the mountains.
Local Attractions
The Ariege-Couserans (18 valleys converging on St Girons) has a rich and varied heritage of which the locals are fiercely and justly proud. It has the wildest, most remote and unspoilt scenery of the Pyrenees as well as the gentler beauty of its lower valleys and slopes, and Miramont is ideally placed for you to explore wherever the fancy takes you. Walking is superb whatever your level, (we are close to the GR10, GR pays, Chemin de la Liberté and numerous walks to the Spanish border) and for those interested in the abundant and beautiful flowers and wildlife of the Ariege, we can put you in touch with local specialists (we have several books on the subjects.) There is an excellent Centre Equestre nearby, catering for beginners to dressage level, as well as wonderful hacking; canoeing in the Salat, lake and river angling, and skiing at the family-oriented resort of Guzet-Neige, known as the most beautiful scenically in the Pyrenees. "Golf de l'Ariege" is about 1h away, as is the Riviere Souterraine de Labouiche where you can take a boat trip through some phenomenal underground caverns. Beautiful Gallo-Roman St Lizier adjoining St Girons is one of “les plus beaux villages de France”, and a UNESCO site, while medieval Foix and its chateau is 1hr away. Numerous Cathar castles, the world-famous Grottes de Lombrives/Niaux and Tarascon’s park of prehistoric art are all within a 2h radius, as are the Observatory of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, Lourdes, Carcassonne and of course Toulouse, "La ville rose".
Locally, the villages of Oust and Seix supply all needs, (including doctor and pharmacy). Both have small but well-stocked supermarkets, and we can particularly recommend the butchers in Oust and the bakers in both places. For those wishing to eat out, there is an excellent selection of restaurants specialising in regional cuisine - among which the "Bar du Garbet" in Oust is outstanding. The town of St.Girons, with a large selection of shops, supermarkets and restaurants, not to mention a gloriously colourful Saturday market, is 20k away.
The region excels in local cheeses and meats- in summer you can visit cheese-making demonstrations in the beautiful Bethmale valley, and in the Salat Valley children can enjoy watching donkeys being milked to produce the soap "lait d'anesse". Donkey hire is also available above Seix, and several local centres offer days on horseback in the mountains.
Most attractions for children open at Easter, and summer is obviously the season for festivities:
The transhumance (movement of animals to the high pastures) takes place on 3 consecutive weekends during late May/June in 3 separate valleys. You can follow on foot, by car, bike or on horseback, and will be warmly welcomed - but please note that this is part of the agricultural life of the area, not a spectacle put on specifically for tourists!!
The TOUR DE FRANCE passes close by every year during early July and we are right in the middle of some of its most notable Cols! This year –2013- it takes place from 29thJune-21st July; round here it arrives at Ax les Thermes July 6th and leaves our local St Girons on Sun 7th - for its 100th anniversary the atmosphere will be incredible.
August is a wonderfully colourful month- "Autrefois le Couserans" - a display of traditional agricultural customs- is a particularly joyous weekend festival in St Girons; The town also hosts "Le Festival de la Musique et des Danses"; St Lizier its " Nuits Gallo-Romains" and Foix the week-long festival "Il y etait une fois...."
Everywhere villages are "en fete" and "Marchés Nocturnes abound; even small communities such as Oust and Seix put on wonderful displays of fireworks. There is a superb series of concerts in the beautiful Cathedral of St Lizier; and for those willing to travel further, the Cathedral of St Bertrand de Comminges. More energetically,you can take part in the Punjada- an annual shared French/Spanish picnic at the Port de Salau on on the Spanish border - the views are worth the 4hour walk!
Please do contact us if you would like information on these or other activities, we will be delighted to help.
Special Rental Conditions
A) for 2-7 persons-prices as stated: Chalet bedroom (double bed) and second bedroom with 1 double and 1 single bed; plus canape gigogne (2 singles) in the upstairs living room.
B) for 2-4 persons-chalet bedroom plus living room-please enquire for prices. We also offer a special price low season for 2 persons sharing.
During mid and low seasons, short stays are possible, arrival day to suit. Please do not hesitate to ask.
BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS:
On reservation, we will send you a booking form. A deposit of 25% is required to secure the booking, the remainder to be settled four weeks before the date of arrival.
For payment,we accept Sterling or if you prefer, euros at the going rate of exchange for the date of payment. We accept cheques or bank transfer but regret that we are unable to take payment by credit/debit card.
Pets not admitted.
Prices include wood, electricity and water, taxe de sejour.
Optional: bedlinen and towels- £12 per person per week; end of stay cleaning £50.
Availability Calendar
Property Exterior
Local Attractions
Locally, the villages of Oust and Seix supply all needs, (including doctor and pharmacy). Both have small but well-stocked supermarkets, and we can particularly recommend the butchers in Oust and the bakers in both places. For those wishing to eat out, there is an excellent selection of restaurants specialising in regional cuisine - among which the "Bar du Garbet" in Oust is outstanding. The town of St.Girons, with a large selection of shops, supermarkets and restaurants, not to mention a gloriously colourful Saturday market, is 20k away.
The region excels in local cheeses and meats- in summer you can visit cheese-making demonstrations in the beautiful Bethmale valley, and in the Salat Valley children can enjoy watching donkeys being milked to produce the soap "lait d'anesse". Donkey hire is also available above Seix, and several local centres offer days on horseback in the mountains.
Most attractions for children open at Easter, and summer is obviously the season for festivities:
The transhumance (movement of animals to the high pastures) takes place on 3 consecutive weekends during late May/June in 3 separate valleys. You can follow on foot, by car, bike or on horseback, and will be warmly welcomed - but please note that this is part of the agricultural life of the area, not a spectacle put on specifically for tourists!!
The TOUR DE FRANCE passes close by every year during early July and we are right in the middle of some of its most notable Cols! This year –2013- it takes place from 29thJune-21st July; round here it arrives at Ax les Thermes July 6th and leaves our local St Girons on Sun 7th - for its 100th anniversary the atmosphere will be incredible.
August is a wonderfully colourful month- "Autrefois le Couserans" - a display of traditional agricultural customs- is a particularly joyous weekend festival in St Girons; The town also hosts "Le Festival de la Musique et des Danses"; St Lizier its " Nuits Gallo-Romains" and Foix the week-long festival "Il y etait une fois...."
Everywhere villages are "en fete" and "Marchés Nocturnes abound; even small communities such as Oust and Seix put on wonderful displays of fireworks. There is a superb series of concerts in the beautiful Cathedral of St Lizier; and for those willing to travel further, the Cathedral of St Bertrand de Comminges. More energetically,you can take part in the Punjada- an annual shared French/Spanish picnic at the Port de Salau on on the Spanish border - the views are worth the 4hour walk!
Please do contact us if you would like information on these or other activities, we will be delighted to help.
In the area
This Property is situated in Ariege, Midi-Pyrenees
Nearest Airport: Toulouse Blagnac: 100 km
Nearest Station: Boussens 45k
Nearest Ferry: Bilbao: 350 km
Nearest Beach:
Nearest Ski Resort: Guzet 20k
Please note that the location on this map is an approximate guide, normally to the closest town or village.