Manoir Du Vin France

Set amongst the bucolic landscapes of the Golden Triangle of the Tarn, with views of vineyards and sunflower fields around you, this is an exceptional home for those looking to experience the laid-back atmosphere and idyllic villages of  the ‘French Tuscany’.
The Manoir is the original Maison de Maitre and has been converted into a beautiful and restful home for eight guests. Every comfort has been thought of, such as the Egyptian cotton sheets, hotel-quality bath and pool towels and Sonos speakers in every one of the four en-suite bedrooms. Indeed, the owners wish to create the feeling that guests are staying in a contemporary boutique hotel yet with the character and comfort of their own historical home.
Sip fine Gaillac wine by the fireplace listening to the high-end music system in the relaxing lounge or keen musicians can play the beautifully tuned Broadwood grand piano. Browse the many novels and reference works in the elegant library or sit back in your cinema seat in the movie room where a HD projector will play a great film or you can watch Sky or Netflix on the Apple TV. The beautiful kitchen and dining room are fit for a feast and you can hire your own private professional chef to prepare a meal to remember.
Yet on warm sunny days it’s all about the outdoors whether you are dining al-fresco looking out towards the vineyards or relaxing by the infinity swimming pool with mesmerising views of summer sunflowers. The glorious gardens are filled with lavender, roses and olive trees and here you can sense the tranquillity of the region. There’s also a delightful Pigeonnier, so typical of the Tarn yet this one has been uniquely converted into a poolside bar, gym and hamman over three floors. From the very top you can even peep through to see the majestic Pyrénées.
Just across the lane from the Manoir, yet self-contained and private, is the characterful
Cottage Du Vin which is included in the rental rate for 12 guests or can also be rented separately. All on one level and suitable for guests with restricted mobility, the cottage was formerly the old winery. It has now been lovingly converted into a spacious holiday home of a high standard.
Picture-book windows look out over the nearby fields and vineyards from the cottage’s open-plan living-dining room and kitchen whilst French doors lead out to the charming walled garden, the perfect spot for morning coffee or a dip in the inviting plunge pool. There’s also a pretty orchard with a romantic gazebo and barbecue with great views of the surrounding countryside.
Two lovely bedrooms with fine bed-linen and towels plus a family bathroom including a walk-in shower complete this pretty abode. This could be the perfect spot for grandparents or friends looking for a little more privacy yet just a few steps away from the grand Manoir.
Set on the edge of a little hamlet, the nearest village is only 3km away and features a boulangerie, bank and a couple of grocery stores including a family-owned business selling local artisan products. Just ten minutes away is the historic town Gaillac, famous world-wide for its fine wines using using rare grape varieties, which you can sample in the town’s Maisons des Vins or surrounding vineyards. 
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Albi is 25 minutes away and you can also discover a wealth of idyllic hilltop bastide villages nearby such as Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Puycelci and Bruniquel, some of which are classified as France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.
If you’re craving city life, head to Toulouse or even Carcassonne, both worthy of a fine day out. That said, you may prefer to spend your time in the peaceful surroundings of the Manoir and Cottage with their exceptional interiors and splendid setting. Manoir Du Vin and Cottage Du Vin are on the edge of a little hamlet in the glorious Tarn department, part of the Occitanie region in the Midi-Pyrénées, south-west France.
The nearest village is only 3km away featuring a couple of grocery stores including a lovely family-run shop selling locally sourced artisan products, a boulangerie, bank and a pharmacy whilst the villages of Castelnau-de-Montmiral (8km) and Cordes-sur-Ciel (16km) are just a little further with restaurants and further shops. Large supermarkets can be found on the outskirts of Gaillac.
In what is known as the ‘Golden Triangle of Tarn’ the landscapes of this region are filled with summer sunflowers, fields of lavender and the wonderful vineyards of Gaillac, one of France’s oldest wine-producing region. With its gently rolling hills, forests and verdant valleys, this region is often called the ‘French Tuscany’, not only because of its natural beauty but also its fine wine and cuisine as well as friendly locals.
Gaillac (9km) lies on the River Tarn and is a beautiful place to visit. It’s most famous for its fine wines using rare grape varieties that are held in very high regard worldwide. The history of this town and its wine production dates back to Roman times and it goes without saying that throughout the town in the Maisons des Vins and surrounding vineyards there are plenty of places to sample the wine. Other highlights include the historic Abbey Saint-Michel and the atmospheric Friday morning market across the town. In the summer the area is alive with apéro concerts and other local events and festivals linked to wine and gastronomy.
The bastide village of Castelnau-de-Montmiral (8km) is classed as one of France’s ‘Most Beautiful Villages’, with good reason with its medieval architecture and stunning arcades, especially the main square. Puycelci (20km) and Bruniquel (30km) are two other ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ you may wish to discover during your stay.
Cordes-sur-Ciel (16km) is a magnificent 12th century hilltop town in a breathtaking location, sometimes above the mist on cooler days. Explore the steep narrow lanes and admire the many beautiful Gothic buildings. The Jardins du Paradis on the edge of the village is a particularly magical place to visit during your trip to Cordes-sur-Ciel.
Albi (28km) is an amazing old city with a rose-brick cathedral, beautiful viewpoints of the river, wonderful medieval buildings amongst the cobbled streets filled with shops and restaurants and a fantastic food hall. It’s a classified UNESCO World Heritage site and is a must-visit during your time in the Tarn.
Another hilltop village not to be missed is Saint-Antonin Noble Val (32km) with a great Sunday morning market and there is also the opportunity to hire canoes or kayaks to explore the Averyon gorges. Activity lovers will also find climbing and caving opportunities near here.
There are also many wonderful walking trails across this region, horse-riding, a scenic golf course near Albi and great cycling routes across the area. Indeed, the Tour de France often passes close by and will do so again in July 2019.
Toulouse (70km/1hr), France’s fifth largest city and an international centre for all things aviation, is just one hour away with its historic centre and amazing Cité de l’Espace. Magnificent Carcassonne (160km) is also a worthy day trip, reached in just over 90 minutes by car. At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning – Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting / childcare services
Extras included at this property:
– Welcome hamper on arrival with local delicacies and wine- Maid service twice a week- Mid-week clean when booking the Manoir only or the Manoir & cottage
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
– Private professional chef – Shopping- Additional maid service- Babysitting- Transfers
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!