Chez Caro

Chez Caro is an Auvergnat farmhouse situated down a quiet country lane in the hamlet of Lessal near to the village of Mourjou about 4 kms away. The owners house, a converted barn, is in the grounds of the farm house, the immediate surroundings are old farm buildings, fields and woods where local farmers graze their cattle.

The house is spacious, attractively decorated and generously supplied with everything needed for a relaxing holiday, including guide books and suggestions for local outings. There is free wifi but it is not as fast as we would wish.

Alongside the Barn is an 11 m swimming pool shared by both the gîte and the owners. Please bring your own towels for poolside use. From the poolside the views are across the valley of the countryside surrounding Lessal.

The owners will personally supervise the cleaning and preparation of the gîte for your arrival and you can expect to be greeted on arrival with some local produce and wine. We can make a reservation for you at the local auberge (4km) for your first evening if you wish. A property deposit of 150 euros on arrival is requested; this will be returned on departure minus any charges that may be payable, e.g. for breakages, excess cleaning, etc. The rates include the local tax de sejour, electricity, bed-linen, hand and bath towels. Pets are welcome by arrangement but must be kept under control if there are animals in neighbouring fields.

Sitting room
The large comfortable sitting room has a cantou fireplace with a wood burning stove. There are two sofas and two armchairs and a coffee table. Lots of books and games and a french TV set with a dvd player, we have a wide choice of english dvds available. The artwork through out the house is all original some of it from from local artists.

Double bedroom
The double room has a king sized double bed that can be split to make two small single beds if that should be preferred.

The Family bedroom
The large family room has a double bed and a single bed there is ample room for a childs bed or a travel cot as well, both of which can be supplied.

Third bedroom
The third bedroom has full size single bunk beds suitable for any age over 6 years old.( French law does not allow children under 6 to sleep in bunk beds.)

The Shower roomroom
The shower room has a toilet and washhand basin and a walk in shower with a fixed overhead rain water showerhead as well as a hand held shower head. If you need a babybath please let us know.

Kitchen/Dining room
This room gets the morning sun and is the perfect place to sit around the large cherry wood farm house table and plan the days activities. The new kitchen units include an induction hob and an electric oven and a microwave. There is a full battery de cuisine and tableware and cutlery and glasses for at least six people.

Scullery
The scullery has a dish washer and a washing machine and the dust bins and reycling bins. The dustbin bags have to be left in the bins at the bottom of the lane and the recycling has to be taken to Mourjou. There are compost bins at the back of the bread oven in the garden.

The extensive gardens have room for children to run and play ball games, there are swings and ropes as well as trees and flower beds. There are plenty of quiet spots for sunbathing and relaxing as well as a sheltered hanger and barbeque area. Help yourself to herbs such as thyme, sage, rosemary, basil and coriander. We are lucky to have the most wonderful sunsets every evening and sitting with a glass of something watching the sun go down becomes a holiday ritual.

The salt water swimming pool is 11m by 4.5m and is 2m deep at the deep end. We keep it covered with a safety cover unless it is in use, just ask if you want it opened up. We do ask you to be by the pool when your children are swimming. We are happy to have the pool open all day if your children are good swimmers. There is plenty of seating areas with lawns around the pool and the large paved terrace situated in full sun with recliners and chairs by the pool.

The Cantal is known for its sweet chestnut woods and the path which runs beside the farm house leads directly into beautiful deciduous woods, full of chestnut, beech, and oak trees; and home to deer and other wild life. These woods are a joy at all times of the year, spring flowers, welcome shade in the summer and exciting fungi and nuts in the autumn. A pretty babbling stream called le Sauvage runs through the woods making a wonderful play area for children, the woods and surrounding areas are an undiscovered walkers paradise.