Les Devezes - Charming Holiday Home in Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees

Les Devezes is a cluster of stone built, lauze-tiled dwellings enclosing a beautiful and tranquil courtyard. The gite is completely self-contained, with accommodation for 6 persons in one wing of the buildings; the owners live in the furthest wing with separate entrance and access.

The buildings date from the 18th century and grew as the families merged and became prosperous. The forge (now garden furniture and pool accessories storage) catered for the shoeing of oxen and horses locally and also a huge variety of farm tools and machinery. Wine was produced and put into wooden vats on the premises to be sold - we have found old bottles and barrel staves here. There is a traditional vaulted bread-oven with the wash-house above and there is a deep well in the courtyard (safely barricaded) in current use for watering the vegetables and flowers.

The private entrance to the gite in the south-east wing is from a second pretty enclosed courtyard overhung with lime trees, and flanked by a large stone barn. Stone steps lead into the generous living room which has exposed stone walls and wide traditional hearth surrounded by comfortable seating. There are 4 large windows giving lovely early to late sunlight with shutters against the severe summer heat. The room is divided by a locally made ash stairway to the converted attic. At the far end is the new fitted kitchen comprising double sink, gas cooker, dishwasher, storage, a good range of utensils and large fridge-freezer. The dining table and chairs are by a window which faces the morning sun and overlooks the barn enclosure.

A doorway from the kitchen has 2 steps down into a wide airy passage with a closed door at the far end: this leads to the rest of the house and also ensures the privacy of the gite. The two rooms off this passage are a modern bathroom with basin, loo, washing machine and bath with shower taps; and a sizeable bedroom with double bed, with its pretty window overlooking the central courtyard.

At the top of the living-room stairs, there is a large airy landing separating two further twin bedded rooms ; to the right is the old pigeonnier with traditional carved 3-hole stone alcove, now one of three floor level windows, and there is a large skylight. To the left is a larger room with low level windows, skylight and a very pretty dormer window showing the house roofs and overlooking the central courtyard.

The grounds are extensive and available for exploring, games or sunbathing. There are a few chickens and runner ducks (in pens and securely housed). We have planted many varieties of trees and bushes to give privacy, colour and interest, but there are plenty of clear areas for games too.

The pool garden is fenced and has a generous patio with loungers, chairs, table and parasols; the pool is 5m x10m with integral shallow (45cm deep) paddling-pool/sitting area, ideal for little ones or just lazing in the sun! We chose saline water for its refreshing and kindly qualities and the pool cleaning is carried out by an automatic “Polaris” robot. The surrounding Mediterranean plants give complete privacy for exclusive use at all times.