La Rivière Vacances

A beautiful 10 bedroom gite, surrounded by lush gardens with a private pool, La Rivière Vacances is the perfect home-from-home in the south west of France.

Tucked away down a quiet road, this lovely property greets you as soon as you turn into the driveway. Once a farmhouse, it's been thoughtfully converted into a substantial country house and annexe, with 10 air-conditioned bedrooms, five bathrooms, secluded grounds and a swimming pool.

Inside you'll find generous living spaces, ancient wooden beams and honey-coloured stone walls. The heart of the house is the vast kitchen/dining/ living area containing the large open-plan kitchen with its range stove and all equipment the chef could require. There's a dining table with seating for 16 (which can be modified for larger groups) and a comfortable living room area lit by grand arched windows which can be opened wide onto the pool area and stunning covered terrace swagged with grape vines where you’ll find a huge dining table for long alfresco lunches or lantern-lit evening celebrations.

Also on the ground floor there's a further lounge where you can watch the large 72 inch TV connected to Netflix and streaming services or just enjoy some quiet time. There's also a family bedroom sleeping four in a double and two single beds. Also on the ground floor you'll find a library/games room with a Bonzini table football, and for further fun and games head up to the mezzanine where there's a full sized pool table.

Upstairs the bedrooms are named after Cluedo characters: Mrs White is a large room with a double bed, plus an ensuite shower room. Reverend Green, Miss Scarlett and Professor Plum are all doubles or can be converted to twins, Mrs Peacock is a double and Colonel Mustard is an ensuite sleeping two adults with an adjoining nursery for two children. There is also a family bathroom, plus an office space on the first floor.

Further accommodation can be found in the pretty cottage annexe next door. This has its own kitchen and living space, one double bedroom, one double or twin room with a set of bunk beds, a bathroom and space for a further guest on the sofa bed in the living room. There are a few extra single beds that can be added to different bedrooms, which almost always allows a room arrangement to suit each group or family.

Step out into the fabulous gardens and explore the different play areas; the swing and slide set by the old cherry tree and barn, the 4m trampoline, the football field, the grassy areas for badminton and molkki matches or pétanque games on the drive. The large private pool with sun loungers, seating areas and large gas plancha for barbecues is perfect for a few lengths before breakfast or dips to cool off from the afternoon heat.

Beyond the doorstep, the verdant countryside of the Comminges and Gascony region is waiting to be explored, with lovely walks and bike rides beginning straight from the house. The pretty village of L'Isle-en-Dodon is just a short walk away, home to welcoming cafes, a lively Saturday market and historic streets to wander, while the vibrant city of Toulouse is only an hour’s drive away.

Head south and the scenery begins to rise towards the foothills of the majestic Pyrenees, reached in around 45 minutes, with highlights including the beautiful village of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges and its surrounding countryside. For mountain adventures, Bagnères de Luchon and Saint Lary ski stations are around 1 hour 15 minutes away, offering winter skiing, snow-shoeing and sledging, as well as hiking and outdoor adventures throughout the year.

You’ll be warmly welcomed by a host who genuinely loves helping guests make the most of their stay. From suggesting brilliant local restaurants and days out to helping organise activities tailored to your group, they’re always on hand with friendly advice and local know-how, making your holiday feel effortless, relaxed and wonderfully stress free.