Boyd Cottage

More Details...

Ussel

Ussel is to us the real France; the village and the countryside are completely unspoilt; you really feel you are close to the French way of life. However, you are not in the least isolated, there are many stimulating things to see and to do, good meals to be enjoyed at reasonable prices. It is not an area to rush around in, but for leisure and relaxation.

The cottage is a small square stone building, about 200 years old. It has been converted into a rustic holiday home with all mod cons, new furniture and equipment while retaining the character in the form of beams, exposed stone walls and tiled floors. It sleeps four comfortably, six if necessary.  It has an attractive private heated pool.

The cottage is situated at the end of a 60yd long grass track, just outside the main village and has views towards the church and Mairie. There is almost complete privacy. The cottage has a terrace with good views.

Ussel is a charming unspoilt hamlet of about 20 houses.  The village is about 1 mile from the main road (N20); the village has hardly any through traffic. The nearest motorway junction (A20) is 10 miles away.  Though the A20 runs within a couple of miles of the village, it is not visible and is barely audible from the cottage.   The nearest shopping centre and good restaurant are 5 miles away (Labastide Murat). There is a garage on the N20 close by.  Cahors the county town is 15 miles south.

Address & Telephone

Address: Boyd, La Grange, Ussel, Labastide Murat 46240, France.

Telephone: 00 33 (0)5 65 36 80 72. The phone is available on the strict understanding that you will pay for all calls made during your occupancy as recorded on the detailed phone bill.

Specification 

Ground Floor

Spacious entrance hall, 15ft x 9ft, with pine staircase to the first floor. Small internal lobby leading to the main bedroom, 20ft x 10ft, with french door to terrace and large window overlooking pool terrace. Electric wall mounted radiator.  Double bed.  Phone. Second bedroom: 10ft x 9ft 6ins. Double french doors to terrace. Wall mounted electric heater. Two single beds. Shower room with shower cabinet, wash hand basin and toilet. Electric wall heater.  Gas BBQ.  Extra bedding.

First Floor

A double height large sitting room cum dining room, 31ft x 20ft, with a view of the village through the large hayloft window. Two spare beds (one goes under the other in daytime). The kitchen has an electric cooker, refrigerator, microwave, automatic washing machine, dishwasher, freezer and sink unit. Electric kettle and toaster. Vacuum cleaner. Radio that can play tapes and CDs. Electric heaters. Phone. Satellite TV. DVD player.

Outside

A small garden on two levels and our two acre field adjoining, with rural views of the surrounding countryside. Terrace with ample garden furniture and pergola with vine. Gravelled yard for parking 2-3 cars.  Heated pool next to the cottage with its own terrace and safety fence.  Not overlooked.

Services

Mains electricity and mains water. Phones in sitting room and main bedroom. Septic tank drainage.  Unless otherwise arranged all these services will be on when you arrive.

Access 

A single-track drive from the main square by the church to the cottage (60 yards).

Amenities Nearby

Shops, cafes and tennis courts at Labastide Murat. Large lake at Catus (8 miles), with tennis courts, beach, cafe. Pretty stream with beach at St.Germain-du-Bel Air, where there are also shops (6 miles). Interesting historic cave paintings, many castles and fortified towns (bastides). Swimming, canoeing and boat trips on the river Lot. Quiet country lanes for cycling and exploring. For day trips, the spectacular underground caves of Gouffre de Padirac or the hillside town of Rocamadour are recommended.  Doctors in nearby towns.

Many reasonable restaurants, and quite a few very good ones: see Red Michelin guide.  We can offer our own recommendations.

How To Find It

The nearest motorway junctions on the A20 are nos. 56 and 57.  We are off the N 20 between Souillac to the north and Cahors to the south.

Terms

The rent includes electricity and hot water. Bed linen and towels provided by arrangement. Otherwise please bring your own and leave the place clean and tidy.  Lets are Saturday to Saturday (arrive 4 pm; depart 10 am).  You are advised to insure against cancellation.  Once the deposit and final balance have been paid, they are not refundable.

If You Need Help

Please contact our caretakers Michael & Gillian King. They live about 10 miles west of Ussel in a village called Marminiac, 46250. Phone 05 65 22 87 13.

Details valid from 01 Jan 2007