Chateau D’Ax | 12-Bedroom Chateau with Private Pool in Saux Montlauzun

A restored 14th-century château dominates the landscape near Saux in the Lot department, commanding a full hectare of parkland where sunflowers and vineyards stretch toward the horizon. Chateau D’Ax accommodates up to 26 guests across 12 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, making it one of the region’s most expansive private rental properties. What stops most visitors mid-conversation is the sheer scope: the terrace runs the length of the south-facing elevation, the kitchen rivals a small restaurant’s setup, and the wine estate attached to the property means serious tastings happen steps from your bedroom door.

Inside Chateau D’Ax

The ground floor establishes the château’s dual nature—historical authenticity paired with modern functionality. A generous living room anchors the west wing, centred on a working fireplace constructed from original stone. The dining room connects directly, flowing into a home-cinema setup with cinema-grade projection. The fully-equipped kitchen occupies the south pavilion, recently renovated with professional-grade appliances, granite counters, and the kind of prep space that makes even reluctant cooks volunteer for dinner duty. A ground-floor bathroom serves these communal areas.

The first floor splits into two distinct sleeping zones. The main corridor accesses seven bedrooms distributed across multiple wings. Bedroom 1 contains twin beds measuring 90x200cm each; Bedroom 2 offers a 180x200cm double. Bedroom 3, positioned as a side annexe, houses a French bed (120x190cm). Bedroom 4 features a 180x200cm double with private en-suite bathroom. Bedroom 5 sleeps two on a 160x200cm double. Bedroom 6 provides twin beds (90x200cm each). The tower room—Bedroom 7—rises three storeys, accessed by the château’s original spiral staircase, and contains twin beds (90x200cm). A shared bathroom serves bedrooms 5, 6, and 7; a second shared facility serves bedrooms 1, 2, and 3.

The second-floor apartment functions as a self-contained residence within the château, ideal for multi-generational groups seeking privacy without separation. A living and dining room with fireplace opens to a private terrace. The apartment kitchen permits independent meal preparation. Five bedrooms occupy this level: Bedroom 8 (180x200cm double with en-suite), Bedroom 9 in the eastern tower (160x200cm double), Bedroom 10 (twin beds at 90x200cm plus a French bed at 120x190cm), Bedroom 11 (160x200cm double), and Bedroom 12—a dorm-style sleeping area with a low ceiling and five single beds (90x200cm each), purposefully designed for children or additional guests. Two bathrooms serve this apartment, with one en-suite attached to Bedroom 8 and a second shared facility between Bedrooms 9 and 10.

Throughout Chateau D’Ax, original stone walls, period fireplaces, and authentic furnishings honour the building’s medieval origins, while heating systems, Wi-Fi connectivity, board games, children’s books, and DVD libraries confirm this is a family home first, a historical monument second. Table tennis and table football occupy a dedicated games room.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The 14×7-metre swimming pool dominates the southern gardens, operating from mid-May through late September with safety fencing and a maximum depth of 2 metres—appropriate for families with children, though adult swimmers should note the compact footprint. The pool deck extends onto a substantial al-fresco dining terrace, capable of accommodating 26 seated guests at long tables arranged for group meals. A built-in barbecue facility permits traditional grilling while guests occupy the terrace. The surrounding parkland—essentially one hectare of gently sloping grounds—contains mature fruit trees, creating shaded rest areas and informal gathering zones. Views sweep south and west toward the agricultural landscape, where rows of grape vines and sunflower fields confirm this is authentic wine and agricultural country, not a manicured resort setting.

Location: Saux and the Surrounding Area

Saux sits in the upper reaches of the Lot department, positioned 8 kilometres west of Tournon-d’Agenais, a 13th-century village built around a central square framed by arcaded stone buildings. Tournon-d’Agenais merits a morning visit for its local market and—critically for sweet-toothed visitors—its traditional apple-based pastry called tourtière, a regional speciality rarely found outside this pocket of France. The village also houses shops, a bakery, and a simple restaurant, all within a 15-minute drive of Chateau D’Ax.

Montcuq, positioned 15 kilometres east, hosts a celebrated Sunday morning market stocked with seasonal produce, local cheeses, and prepared foods. The village itself climbs a hillside, offering perspectives across the Lot valley and access to walking trails. Lauzerte, 21 kilometres southeast, holds official designation as one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages (most beautiful villages), featuring medieval streets, a central square, and a cathedral visible for kilometres across the landscape.

Cahors, the region’s principal town, lies 37 kilometres east and functions as the cultural and gastronomic heart of this district. The town straddles the Lot River and is famous internationally for Cahors wine—a dark, tannic Malbec with centuries of production history. The Pont Valentré, a 14th-century bridge spanning the river, now holds UNESCO World Heritage status and dominates Cahors’ silhouette. The twice-weekly market (Tuesday and Saturday mornings) fills the historic centre with regional foods: Quercy melons in summer, mushrooms in autumn, foie gras in winter. The surrounding medieval lanes, stone squares, and cathedral create the kind of town centre that rewards several hours of exploration on foot.

The Lot River itself, flowing west from Cahors toward Villeneuve-sur-Lot 34 kilometres downstream, provides the region’s principal outdoor recreation. Calm water near Puy-l’Évêque (approximately 25 kilometres north) permits canoeing, kayaking, and peaceful boat trips during summer months. Puy-l’Évêque sits on a hillside overlooking the river and hosts a Tuesday morning market focused on local produce and prepared foods. Villeneuve-sur-Lot, while more urbanised, functions as a secondary commercial centre and sits near Pujols, a steep-sided village officially ranked among France’s most beautiful destinations, with expansive valley views from its upper terraces.

To explore the luxury villas available in this region, browse our collection of villas in Lot, or for broader destination context, consult our Midi-Pyrenees travel guide, which covers seasonal highlights, local food traditions, and cultural events across the wider region.

Cycling routes follow the valleys and ridge lines; e-bikes can be hired through local providers, with delivery available to Chateau D’Ax. The Château d’Ax wine estate—directly adjoining the property—offers tastings from its own production and can arrange introductions to neighbouring producers in Cahors, creating structured wine education or casual afternoon sampling depending on preference. Bergerac, the region’s principal wine town and commercial hub, lies 76 kilometres northwest; many visitors pause there en route to the château, exploring its medieval centre and wine museum.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Chateau D’Ax accommodates three distinct guest profiles effectively. Extended families—three or four generations numbering 15-26 people—benefit from the separate apartment on the second floor, which provides semi-autonomous sleeping and living space while maintaining connection to communal areas. The dorm-style Bedroom 12 with five single beds proves invaluable for multiple young children or teenagers, simplifying supervision and creating natural socialising zones.

Large friendship groups (8-14 people) find the first-floor layout ideal: the open ground-floor entertaining spaces permit shared meals and activities while individual bedrooms ensure privacy for sleeping. The home cinema and games facilities occupy evening hours without requiring external activity.

Corporate groups, educational parties, and retreat organisers utilise the 26-person capacity for conferences, team-building, or specialist travel experiences. The kitchen scale permits on-site catering; babysitting services and chef services can be arranged in advance. Maid service availability eliminates housekeeping burden for groups prioritising experience over administrative management.

The swimming pool and relatively flat grounds suit families with younger children, though the absence of a beach (Chateau D’Ax is situated in inland agricultural country, not coastal) means water-based recreation depends entirely on the pool rather than natural water features.

Practical Information

Chateau D’Ax sleeps 26 guests across 12 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. Two booking options exist: the full château (26 guests, all 12 bedrooms, exclusive use) or the ground and first floors only (14 guests, seven bedrooms), though note that selecting the second option means other guests may occupy the second-floor apartment and share pool access.

The nearest airport is Bergerac (Bergerac Dordogne Périgord), situated 76 kilometres northwest; transfers require approximately 90 minutes by car. Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, a larger hub with greater international connectivity, sits 90 minutes away. Local transfers can be arranged through the property management.

The nearest shops are in Tournon-d’Agenais, 8 kilometres away. A restaurant operates approximately 3 kilometres distant. A complimentary tennis court is available 5 kilometres away for guest use. Wi-Fi, heating, and utilities are included in the rental. Linen, towels, and standard household cleaning materials are provided. The home cinema, board games, children’s books, and children’s DVDs are available without additional charge. Check-in/check-out flexibility can be negotiated directly with the management team during the booking process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chateau D’Ax

How many guests does Chateau D’Ax sleep?

Chateau D’Ax sleeps 26 guests maximum, distributed across 12 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. The property can also be rented as a 14-guest configuration using only the ground floor and first floor (seven bedrooms). The second-floor apartment contains five bedrooms including a dorm-style room with five single beds, specifically designed to accommodate multiple children or provide additional sleeping capacity for larger groups.

What is the nearest airport to Chateau D’Ax in Saux?

Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport is the nearest option, located 76 kilometres away and requiring approximately 90 minutes’ transfer time by car. This airport serves European destinations and connects to major hubs. Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, situated 90 minutes away, offers broader international connectivity and can be preferred for guests arriving from distant countries. Both airports are well-serviced by car rental companies; private transfers from Chateau D’Ax can be arranged in advance.

What is the best time of year to rent Chateau D’Ax?

The swimming pool operates mid-May through late September, making June through September the optimal period for families prioritising water-based recreation. July and August bring warmer temperatures (frequently 28-32°C) and longer daylight hours but also higher prices and busier regional attractions. May and September offer pleasant temperatures (20-24°C), fewer crowds, and lower costs. The Lot valley demonstrates spectacular autumn colour in October; spring flowers bloom April through May. Winter (November-March) brings cold temperatures and occasional rain but permits low-season pricing and a quieter, more authentic experience of local villages and restaurants.

Is Chateau D’Ax suitable for families with children?

Yes. The property includes a swimming pool with safety fencing and a maximum depth of 2 metres, appropriate for young swimmers. Bedroom 12 functions as a dedicated dorm-style sleeping area with five single beds, simplifying supervision of multiple children. Children’s books, children’s DVDs, board games, table tennis, and table football are provided. Babysitting services can be arranged in advance. The 14×7-metre pool operates safely during peak summer months. However, the property sits in agricultural countryside rather than near beaches or dedicated children’s facilities, so families should plan activities independently or arrange experiences through the management team.

What is included in the rental price at Chateau D’Ax?

The rental price includes use of all 12 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, Wi-Fi connectivity, heating, and utilities (electricity, water, gas). Bed linen, towels, and basic household cleaning supplies are provided. Access to the home cinema, board games, children’s books, and children’s DVDs is included without charge. Pool access is included during the operational season (mid-May to late September). Use of the complimentary tennis court (5 kilometres away) is included. Additional services—chef services, catering, babysitting, maid service, wine tastings at the adjoining Château d’Ax estate, e-bike rental, and private transfers—are available for supplementary fees and must be arranged in advance.

What restaurants and shops are near Chateau D’Ax?

Tournon-d’Agenais, 8 kilometres away, contains a bakery, shops, and a simple restaurant. Montcuq, 15 kilometres distant, hosts a celebrated Sunday morning market and several village restaurants. Cahors, 37 kilometres southeast, offers multiple restaurants ranging from casual bistros to fine dining, plus twice-weekly markets (Tuesday and Saturday mornings) selling regional produce, wines, cheeses, and prepared foods. A restaurant operates approximately 3 kilometres from Chateau D’Ax. For comprehensive regional food and wine information, explore our Midi-Pyrenees travel guide, which details local specialities, market days, and seasonal foods throughout the region.