Le Mas du Chêne - St Lager Bressac, Ardèche, France
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St Lager Bressac, Ardèche, France

St..Lager Bressac is ideally placed, in the warm Mediterranean climate of southern France, but without the teeming crowds found in Provence.
Nestling amongst orchards, vineyards, fields of lavender or sunflowers, it is hard to believe that you are within a twenty-minute drive of 3 significant towns. Privas (capital of the Ardeche), Valence (capital of the Drome) and Montelimar, renowned throughout the world for the production of nougat.
The rolling hills behind the house, covered in Oak and Pine forest, are well served by signposted walking or cycling routes. There is abundant wildlife, from wild Orchids to Buzzards and even Boars. For those with a less active intent, you can sit back around the pool, sip a cool drink and watch the swallows taking a drink from the pool whilst on the wing, or the family of wild Pheasants that live in the long grass at the bottom of the garden.

Le Mas du Chêne

Historical background

The house was built during the mid 19th century and was a farmhouse, not only with general subsistence farming, but also the production of silk, for which the area was the main source in France, until cheaper foreign imports put them out of business early this century. Old Mulberry trees are a legacy of the silk production as Mulberry leaves were the staple diet of the silk worm and several are in the gardens. Like most houses of the period, it is made from whatever stone was available locally at the time. Therefore all stone houses are unique to the area in which they stand. As St Lager Bressac is on a geological boundary between 3 different types of stone, the stones used in the construction of the house are unusual, containing different coloured limestones and Granite rocks taken from the river bed.

Gites to rent
The house and the 3 acres of garden with pool are for rent, either as a whole or in part, depending on the size of your party.

La Secherie - 80 square metres accomodating 4 Persons

Converted from the old silk drying room, it consists of a large sitting/dining room (50m2) with TV/Video, Dining Table & Chairs, Sofa, Armchairs, coffee table, bookcase etc. Stairs to main bedroom with king size bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, etc., childs bedroom with 2 bunk-beds, chest of drawers, kitchenette with fridge/freezer, gas cooker and sink, shower room with WC. Private entrance with small private terrace with garden furniture and private garden area. Use of swimming pool and washing machine facilities shared with occupiers of the other gite.

Main House – 159 square metres accomodating 5/6 persons

Entrance hall, telephone (telesejour), Kitchen with cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, wood burning stove, sink, Living room with open fire, satellite TV, sofa, easy chair, dining table & chairs, desk, Main bedroom with sun terrace, double bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers etc. Bathroom with 2 sinks, bath, bidet, wardrobe, Separate WC and large 2nd bedroom with double + 2 singles or 4 single beds. Private entrance, garden area and terrace with garden furniture. Use of swimming pool and washing machine facilities shared with occupiers of the other gite.

The pool

The pool is 11 x 5 metres, with walk in roman steps at the shallow end, landscaped and fenced for safety. It is purified by electrolysis of salt water, which requires only a minimum of normal swimming pool chemicals, is better for the environment and better for your skin as there is no Chlorine smell after bathing. The salt water is only one sixth as salty as the sea and about half that of human tears, so it feels really natural.
It is open between mid - May and the end of September and normally attains temperatures of 26 to 28 degrees centigrade, dependent on the weather. The pool area is a natural sun trap, sheltered from the wind, but overlooking the distant mountains.
There are chairs, shades and sun loungers available for use, as well as the built in barbecue and solar heated shower.

The gardens

Are mostly shrubs, fruit or pine trees, with a large grassy meadow, which is available to all guests for ball games etc..

Local Attractions

If you get bored with letting the world go by, you can always visit some of the many attractions that the area has to offer. To name but a few :
- Kayaking – make the descent of the Drome or Ardeche rivers
- Vallon Pont D’Arc – the natural stone bridge over the river
- The Ardeche gorges – breathtaking views for 25 km
- The Plateau du Coiron – beautiful scenery and home made goats cheese
- Vals – spa town with thermal baths and an intermittent spring
- Montelimar – stroll around this lovely provencal town, sample nougat and see how it is made
- Tree parks – swing from treetop to treetop in complete safety!
- Wine Trail – sample the wines from the area. Far too many wonderful wines to mention, but Chateauneuf du Pape, Cotes du Rhone, Cotes du Tricastin and Clairette de Die are just a few
- Eating out in some of the fine local restaurants
- Browsing the hand made pottery stalls in Dieulefit
- Visiting the Jazz festival in Crest (August)

Connections

The area is easy to reach from the UK by car, rail or air:
Car – From Calais follow the autoroute all the way to Valence. The drive is about 8 hours, but there are many interesting places en route for stopovers. The cathedral city of Reims - centre for Champagne production, Troyes - designer outlet capital of France, Dijon - to sample the best mustard in the world, Beaune and other towns within the fabulous burgundy wine production area and of course Lyon, the second city of France.
Train – From Waterloo or Ashford take the Eurostar to Lille, where you change onto the TGV (high speed train) to Valence. It takes about 6 hours from London. Cars can be hired from the station in Valence, but should be pre-booked.
Air – Many flights available from BA, Air France, Ryan air and other low cost carriers. St Lager Bressac is easily reached from Marseille, Nimes, Lyon or St Etienne airports. Cars can be hired at the airports, but should be pre-booked at the smaller ones.


Reservations and Enquiries

To make a reservation or enquiry please contact John or Ulrika Varnham either via email or Tel: (0033) 475653849/(0044) 1227711743