The house and garden:
The house has a large garden with BBQ & seating area under a plum tree. 2 terraces, one at the front & one at the back, give plenty of opportunity for outdoor living.
On the ground level, the dining area has a tiled floor, large oak dining table with seating for 8, & an oak buffet. At one end of this floor is the well-equipped & traditional kitchen, while at the other end is a cosy seating area with a glazed fireplace, designed to draw heat into the upper level. There is also the shower room and toilet.
The bedrooms are upstairs. One has 2 single beds; the other has a double bed and a cherrywood child's bed. There is a single divan bed (in the second lounge) and spare single mattress to sleep 2 more people. Also on this level is a second living room, which has large sliding doors that make the most of the great views. Comfy chairs and the divan surround a woodburning stove. This room also has a dining table, making it an ideal spot to breakfast in the morning sunshine.
About the Area:
Just 5 minutes walk from the house is one the area’s most famous historical sites, the Château d'Algues, the 13th century dwelling of Irene de Rogues, which is now in ruins. Irene was loved by 3 brothers, Alban, Guiral and Loup. She promised to marry the most valiant of them on their return from the Crusades. Unfortunately she was to die before their return and the brothers vowed to become hermits and finish their lives on three hilltops in the area. They agreed to communicate yearly on a pre-arranged day by means of a large fire. One by one the brothers died and so did the fires.
Six kilometres away by road, St-Jean-du-Bruel has 800 inhabitants and flanks the River Dourbie. This is the nearest village to Algues, although for the hardy it can be walked to in about 30-45 minutes, along the path, down the mountain, and through the woods. The market here is on a Thursday and a Sunday morning.
St-Jean-du-Bruel has 2 cafe/bars, a mini supermarket, and various specialist food shops, as well as the regular services of a butcher, baker, pharmacy and post office.
Millau, an hour away, has a healthy hang-gliding scene and a good range of shops. It also hosts a market on Wednesday and Friday morning, with Friday being bigger and busier. Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, home of the world renowned Roquefort cheese, is also just an hour away. Visiting the caves where the cheese is stored is a must. Try the different types of Roquefort, as only one or two varieties get exported. As the Mediterranean is under 2 hours away, the summer days are hot with cool evenings. Spring is warm and gentle, with the autumn full of rich colour. Montpellier, just 10 kilometres from the coast, is a cosmopolitan and vibrant city well worth a visit. Plan to spend half a day on the beach and half shopping.
Ski:
Mt Aigoual, in the heart of the Cevennes and an hours drive (37km) north-eastwards, is a favourite location for cross country skiing and some downhill in the winter time. Its not the Alps but well worth a visit. Good also for mountain walks and blueberry picking. Go on a clear day to the weather observatory, as the views are sublime and you can see the coastline, 100 kilometres away!
Other Activities:
kayaking
