Holidaying in France?

TOWN HOUSE FOR RENT

St. Geniez D'Olt

Have the best of both worlds:  Stay in the centre of a beautiful village and also have the serenity of some of the most beautiful countryside in France

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

Village location
 

View of the Village
 

River Lot runs through the village
 

"Lafayette" - the Townhouse
 

Front door opens on to this Square
 

Living room includes English T.V.
 

Modern kitchen includes dishwasher,
microwave and area for dining

Main bedroom
 

Private terrace opening from kitchen
also has countryside views

14th Century Cloisters in the village
 

St. Geniez Market
 

One of many activities that take place
in front of the house: The Night Market

Friendly villagers at the Night Market
 

Another activity which takes place
in front of the house

Surrounding scenery
 

ABOUT THE TOWN:

ST. GENIEZ D'OLT is a beautiful town of about 2000 inhabitants in the Aveyron Department of southern France.  The river Lot flows through the town and the old bridge and surrounding 14th century buildings are popular with summer visitors.  Of the French Government officially designated "Beautiful Villages of France", the largest number are in the Aveyron.  There are nine such villages within ninety minutes of the town, including St. Eulalie d'Olt, St.Come, Estaing, Conques and Belcastel, to name a few, and each listed village is worth a days outing.

ST. GENIEZ D'OLT has a very active Tourist Office and during the warmer months some activity is planned for most weekends.  Some of the events include the annual moving of cattle from their winter lodgings to their summer pastures.  They move through the town and each group is corralled and judged for their fancy floral head dress.  The judging takes place in front of our house in the square.  Another week there is a motocross event with competitors from around Europe.  There are outdoor village dinners, night markets, choral festivals and many other activities.

ABOUT THE HOUSE:

We had been renting houses in France for about 15 years and in 2004 we decided to buy our own.  We knew exactly what we were looking for:

  • A picturesque town in a scenic region.

  • An older village house in good repair.

  • A modern kitchen and bathroom.

  • An outdoor area where we could enjoy meals and outdoor living, with nice views.

We found No. 11, Place du General de Gaulle,  St. Geniez d'Olt.

Entrance is on the ground floor with separate lock up garage also allocated outdoor parking.

First floor contains living room furnished with comfortable seating, T.V. with French and English news channels, A DVD with many discs and a bookshelf with books and games etc.  On this floor is a powder room with second toilet, washbasin and also a washing machine.  The fully equipped kitchen with microwave oven and dishwasher and opening onto a large sunny private outdoor area with views is also on this level.

Second floor contains two bedrooms - one spacious room with two single beds conjoined and a smaller room with one single bed.  The renovated bathroom with bath, separate shower recess and toilet are also on this floor.

Third floor contains one spacious bedroom with twin beds.

GETTING TO ST. GENIEZ D'OLT

By Road:
St. Geniez d'Olt is about 7 hours drive from Paris Orly Airport.  There is a good fast road passing through Orleans and Clermont Ferraud.  South of Clermont take exit 41 off the A75 Highway and St. Geniez d'Olt is signposted from there.  It is about a 20 minute drive to the town from the highway exit.

By Air:
Rodez, the capital of the Aveyron, is 3/4 hour's drive from St. Geniez and has an airport.  Air France flies there from Paris Orly Airport.  Ryan Air flies there from London Stansted airport.  Ryan Air is a budget airline but has to be booked on the Internet and offers very good fares

By Train:
There is a rail service from Paris to Rodez with travelling time of about 6 hours.  The fast TVG train from Paris goes to Montpellier.  This service is much quicker and more costly.  It is about a 2 hour drive from Montpellier to St. Geniez d'Olt.  Of interest on this trip is the crossing of the much publicized Millau Viaduct, which is the highest of its kind in the world.

RENTAL RATES - 2009

Aust $1,100 per week for two people, extra persons $75 per week per person.  Includes linen, electricity and heating - no other charges.

Please Note: Discounts for rentals of 4 weeks or more.
Note:  Bookings are from 4 pm Saturday to 10 am the  Saturday of your departure.
The house is set up for a maximum of four people.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Helen or Peter Smith,    21D/5 Bayview Street,    Runaway Bay  Qld.    4216,    AUSTRALIA. 

Phone: 07 5537 7634      Mobile: 0400 377 634