Abri

What Wendy J thinks...

This is one of the most stylish properties I've visited, lovely for the adults as well as the kids.

If you love cooking, a visit to the local market, made famous by the celebrity chef John Burton Race during his time in France, is an absolute must.  Laden with goodies, head back to the house and prepare a family supper in the tailor-made oak kitchen with cooking range and professional wine cooler.

The large flat (and private) garden is a great spot for little ones to let off steam and the enclosed 12.5m x 6.5m heated pool, which is easily visible from the living room or any part of the house, is great for supervising small people too!

Three old French farmhouses were knocked together into one to create this beautiful maison, which used to serve the chateau next door.

There are lots of entrances into this stylish, newly renovated house. I entered into the children's games room / TV room which has a 40 inch TV / DVD, satellite TV and seating; soft flooring can be laid for crawlers. From here leads the hallway linking all the other downstairs rooms and doors to the back garden.

The kitchen, the heart of the house, has been tailor made and can seat 12 adults comfortably for dining.  A gas range cooker with Spanish plancha barbecue, American fridge with wine cooler and traditional fireplace really make this kitchen a special spot for foodies.  There's also a professional standard coffee machine, dishwasher and underfloor heating throughout the ground floor, ensuring cosy Winter stays and early starts here too.

Just off the kitchen is a office / den / TV room which has French doors that open into the garden has a view of the children's play area.  There's a desk with a printer left for your use if you have to work.  Plenty of books are on offer and a TV with DVD player, wii machine for games, another supply of kiddy's toys and bean bags to relax on.  There is a sofa bed if you have somebody who would rather sleep downstairs (there is a downstairs shower and loo for your use.)

Walking through from here, you enter the large living room which seats 12 and has lots of sunny windows, a door through to the garden and another open fireplace. You can pass through here to a Summer kitchen, shower room and loo - this is ideal for preparing a leisurely outside Summer lunch or having a shower straight after your dip in the pool, without having to walk through the house, as it links directly to the terrace area and garden.

The first floor has a stunning master double bedroom, dressing room and ensuite bathroom, with imported Indian copper bath, independent shower and double copper sinks as well as a loo. With an ice cold glass of wine and a good book, this will be a lovely spot for Mum to spend a quiet hour once the little ones are in bed.

Two further double bedrooms have ensuite shower rooms and loos. There is a fourth double bedroom with wash basin and stairs down to the garden, a single room with pull out under bed (making a twin / double room if needed) and another room with 3'6'' bunk beds. Finally, there is a separate bathroom with bath, shower and loo.

A free shopping service is available before your arrival, just paying for produce direct to owners.

Parent Points: For Winter rentals, there are two open fireplaces but guards are provided. One of the double bedrooms has a staircase to the garden (door can be locked at the top). Low upstairs windows have locks on them for safety.

The outside space consists of a large (2 hectares) flat grassy garden edged with trees and bushes, a fantastic space for ball games or simply to run off steam before bed. A toddler could go for quite a distance and still be in your sight! 

There are toys to play with and shady spaces to escape the midday sun too.

A terrace close to the house provides a great spot for relaxed outdoor meals and the 12.5m x 6.5m enclosed heated pool will keep guests of all ages happy.

There is also an enclosed grassed garden with a sheltered seating area.

A long drive ensures safety for little ones and plenty of privacy. Along the outside edge of the garden runs a converted disused railway track which is excellent for walking and spotting the local wildlife - lots of red squirrels were about during my visit!

Lovely pool area...
"The garden, outdoor seating areas, and pool area are lovely and all well located for group dining and being able to keep an eye on the children.  The pool area is secure and well stocked with comfortable seating and toys."  
Allan Family, July 2010

• Enclosed heated swimming pool
• A large flat private garden with long drive
• Stairgates
• 2 Cots and cot linen
• 3 Baby monitors
• 3 Nightlights 
• Bed guard
• Microwave
• Steriliser
• 2 Highchairs
• Baby Dan
• Booster seat
• Hand blender
• Sun protection tent (for up to 4 yrs old)
• Plastic plates, cups and cutlery
• 2 Potties
• Step
• 2 Changing mats
• Bath toys

For the children...
There are swings, a slide and a sand pit in the garden, some goal posts for a good kick around and lots of sit on toys (truck and car).

The nearby town and market of Revel was not only made famous by the celebrity chef John Burton Race during his year in France, but it's also famous for its' antique shops - particularly for old furniture and refurbishing of them - great for window shopping, unless you happen to have an extra large boot space!

Beautiful mountain villages...
"The surrounding area provided a wide range of entertainment and interest. There is a lovely local lake with beach and watersport facilities, as well as dining opportunities and other entertainment.  Nearby mountains provide plenty of lovely sights and recreational opportunities.  There are interesting places to visit such as Toulouse and Carcasonne, as well as beautiful mountain villages".
Allan Family July 2010

Revel's lake Saint-Ferreol is full of activities for kids - swimming, high wire course, pedaloes, kayaks as well as an educational centre for learning about nutrition; you can visit the farm and discover odeurs at the l'Explorarome.

A 25 minute drive will bring you to the lovely town of Castres with its' canals and boat trips - not to mention the excellent restaurants.  Just outside Castres is the Parc de Gourjade with its' 53 hectares of relaxing walks, picnic areas, play parks for children and roller skating area.  Minigolf, a large swimming complex and a miniature railway are also here.

30 minutes will bring you to Castelnaudry, famous for its' duck cassoulet (delicious!) and the Canal du Midi, great for a day out and a wander by the old trees.

For little knights and princesses - take a drive (1 hour) to the Cite and chateau at Carcassonne - this is what Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty's castle was based on.  The cobbled streets are full of characterful restaurants and shops full of knight's armour; the whole place oozes history.  You cannot miss a trip to Carcassonne (or any of the other Cathar chateaux in the area - you are only 1 hr 30 mins from here to Rennes le Chateau - think: Da Vinci Code!)

If the thought of too much sightseeing wears you out, there are also lots of beautiful countryside walks and bike rides right from the door of Abri.

Before booking, please read our Terms and Conditions.  Please note that over the peak summer periods, the minimum booking period is 2 weeks.