Maison Felix is a well equipped cottage on four levels, with a comfortable kitchen and living area at ground level, a peaceful double bedroom with WC & bathroom on the first floor, a delightful salon with a breathtaking view of Cordes sur Ciel on the second floor (with a sofa bed) with separate shower and WC, and a spacious attic with double bed, and glorious views from the skylight. Just around the back is a garden with a sheltered area, with a table and chairs for al fresco dining.
The kitchen and comfortable room on the ground floor of Maison Felix, has a log burner for cooler autumn and winter evenings. Just around the back is the garden, with a tiled roof over the patio for summer shade. There is a fabulous view of Cordes from the salon on the second floor. The kitchen of Maison Felix is equipped with an induction hob, an electric oven, a washing machine, a coffee machine, a pretty Limoges dinner service, and ample pans, cutlery, and sundry equipment.
Les Cabannes is a beautiful village at the foot of Cordes sur Ciel (village préféré des Français 2014) and Maison Felix is an idyllic 18th century holiday cottage near the quiet square, by the river Cerou, a few minutes walk from restaurants, theatre and shops. Cordes is an easy walk away, and the 'petit train' runs through Les Cabannes in the summer months for those who would rather take a ride to the top of this wonderful bastide town. Maison Felix can be rented for your holiday.
There are a plethora of walks directly from Maison Felix, into the countryside, along the river banks, or up into the magnificent fortified medieval town of Cordes sur Ciel. There are weekly markets in Les Cabannes and Cordes.
The Midi Pyrenees around Cordes sur Ciel is one of the most beautiful parts of France. Cordes has a classical music festival in July, and a big medieval fete each year. There are nocturnal torch-lit walks and traditional music performances and dances in the summer, a gallery of modern art, a museum, shops, and numerous restaurants. At the end of the village is a water sports centre Huttopia. There are marche aux puces or vide greniers in many of the surrounding villages, notably enormous events in Najac, and weekly flea markets in Albi. The tourist centre in Gaillac has most of the local wines available to buy or taste, and you can pick up a free map of the vineyards, to follow the trail. The vineyards welcome visitors. Albi is an interesting and beautiful town, with a very good shopping centre and a magnificent pink, brick cathedral. St Antonin, situated at the foot of a stupendous gorge, has a famous Sunday market which fills its medieval streets, several good restaurants, and canoes for hire, for an exciting and spectacular half day on the Aveyron (you are collected by a mini-bus at the end). There is a reservoir near the peaceful village of Monesties, Plan d’eau de Roucarie with supervised bathing, sailing and paddle boards. Toulouse is about an hour away by car or train (from Cordes Vindrac station) and Figeac is worth a visit in the other direction. The many bastide towns and villages in the area are worth visiting, including Penne, Castelnau de Montmiral, Bruniquel (with its Offenbach festival), Puycelsi and Najac
Maison Felix is a characterful 18th century house on four floors. The stairs are fairly steep. There is free safe parking very close. Facilities and equipment include electric heating, log burner, television (not BBC), DVD player, washing machine, iron & ironing board, hairdryer, oven, induction hob, microwave, fridge, wi-fi, crockery, cutlery, etc. bedding, towels, sofa bed, two bicycles, CD/tape machine, vintage gramophone, books. There are two bedrooms (2nd floor and top floor) with double beds, bathroom & wc (2nd floor), shower & wc (3rd floor),garden (not attached).
The base of Cordes sur ciel is 1.5km by road, and there is an easy (but steep) walk to the top from Maison Felix. There are shops locally and in Cordes. There is an excellent independent supermarket (Prim Frais), very near, between Cordes & Les Cabannes. There are plenty of shops and places to eat within an easy walk from Maison Felix.
As well as the water park, swimming is in the reservoir near Monesties, or in the river at Laguepie or Lagarde Viaur looking up at the spectacular village perched on the rocks above.
Toulouse is about an hour away by car or train (from Cordes Vindrac station) and Figeac is worth a visit in the other direction. The most convenient airports are Toulouse-Blagnac (about an hour away) or Rodez-Aveyron (about an hour and a quarter)
