This 18th century Averyonnais building was originally used as a chestnut store and drying house. The owners have fully restored it using local stone to provide a comfortable, traditional and distinctive two-storey home with two bedrooms to sleep up to six guests. With a roof from the local slate, solid chestnut shutters, exposed beams, rough crépi walls and traditional ornaments and furnishings, the home has plenty of simple rustic character and is deeply rooted in its region. As the house is south facing, it gets plenty of light, and all rooms have wide scenic views.

The house has a large garden with a barbecue and a sitting area under a plum tree, and two terraces, one at the front and one at the back, giving plenty of opportunity for outdoor living. On the ground level, the dining area has a tiled floor, a large oak dining table with seating for up to eight, and an oak buffet. At one end of this floor is the well-equipped and traditional kitchen, while at the other end is a cosy sitting area with a glazed fireplace, specially designed to draw heat into the upper level. Also on the ground floor is the shower room and toilet.

The two bedrooms are upstairs. One has two single beds; the other has a double bed and a cherrywood child's bed. Also on this level is a second living room, which has large sliding doors that make the most of the great views. Comfy chairs and a divan surround a woodburning stove. This room also has a dining table, making it an ideal spot to breakfast in the morning sunshine.

The house is set in the hill-top hamlet of Algues, which is located 800 metres above sea level near the edge of the wild and beautiful Parc National des Cévennes. Rural tranquillity is assured here, with a beautiful uninterrupted outlook for miles over the wooded mountains of the Cévennes.

Special features:

• Credit cards accepted

Just 5 minutes walk from the house is one the area’s most famous historical sites, the Château d'Algues, the 13th century dwelling of Irene de Rogues, which is now in ruins. Irene was loved by 3 brothers, Alban, Guiral and Loup. She promised to marry the most valiant of them on their return from the Crusades. Unfortunately she was to die before their return and the brothers vowed to become hermits and finish their lives on three hilltops in the area. They agreed to communicate yearly on a pre-arranged day by means of a large fire. One by one the brothers died and so did the fires.

Six kilometres away by road, St-Jean-du-Bruel has 800 inhabitants and flanks the River Dourbie. This is the nearest village to Algues, although for the hardy it can be walked to in about 30-45 minutes, along the path, down the mountain, and through the woods. The market here is on a Thursday and a Sunday morning. St-Jean-du-Bruel has 2 cafe/bars, a mini supermarket, and various specialist food shops, as well as the regular services of a butcher, baker, pharmacy and post office.

It boasts one of the region’s most well-loved restaurants, the Hôtel du Midi-Papillon, run by four generations of the Papillon family. The succulent and delicious old-style French country cooking inspired John Ardagh, the French editor of the Good Hotel Guide, to name the restaurant as one of his favourites. This is not fast food - allow two to four hours to indulge in the Papillon’s gastronomic delights. In the summer and on weekends, book in advance. The next village of Nant, seven kilometres from St-Jean-du-Bruel, has a market on Tuesday and has a swimming pool as well as a patissier who makes delicious handmade chocolates. Nature provides the best sporting facilities, with rivers to swim, canoe or fish in and hiking trails through the mountains and woods, where in the autumn mushrooms can be collected.

The Averyon region is a timeless corner of rural France, sandwiched between four popular tourist regions. The natural features and landscape are stunning with deep gorges, dramatic rock formations and large other-worldly plateaus. As many of the roads are winding up and down mountains it can take a little longer to get to places, but it usually worth the extra time. Visitors come to canoe, swim or fish in the rivers Tarn, Dourbie and Jonte, which run through magnificent gorges. It’s a half hour’s drive to the fortified medieval village of La Couvertoirade. Used originally for rest and recovery for those returning from the Crusades, it is now is the home of many artisans.

Millau, an hour away, has a healthy hang-gliding scene and a good range of shops. It also hosts a market on Wednesday and Friday morning, with Friday being bigger and busier. Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, home of the world renowned Roquefort cheese, is also just an hour away. Visiting the caves where the cheese is stored is a must. Try the different types of Roquefort, as only one or two varieties get exported. As the Mediteranean is under 2 hours away, the summer days are hot with cool evenings. Spring is warm and gentle, with the autumn full of rich colour. Montpellier, just 10 kilometres from the coast, is a cosmopolitan and vibrant city well worth a visit. Plan to spend half a day on the beach and half shopping.

Mt Aigoual, in the heart of the Cevennes and an hours drive north-eastwards, is a favourite location for cross country skiing in the winter time, and good for mountain walks and blueberry picking. Go on a clear day, as the views are sublime and you can see the coastline, 100 kilometres away!

The dining room	The fireplace
The double bedroom	The child's bed in the double bedroom
The twin bedroom	A side view of the house
The back of the house and the garden

This year will be our third stay at Georgette. We really enjoy the quiet, relaxing pace and atmosphere that extends from this home to the surrounding sites and villages. Whether hiking, trout fishing, and bird watching or visiting picturesque towns and historic sites, we are always guaranteed an enjoyable day. This is truly a welcome vacation. We cant wait to return
Kevin B. - Connecticut, USA

At the end of our four-month stay in France, we spent a week in Georgette, which provided the perfect backdrop -- both magnificent and contemplative -- for us to reflect on our entire experience in a remarkable country. We kayaked in the Gorge de Tarn, visited the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum in Albi, spent a terrific afternoon at a nearby swimming hole, and put the kitchen to good use as we converted the days shopping into dinner every night. The opportunity to feel, however briefly, like a local in this friendly rural area was unforgettable. But perhaps nothing was more memorable than the mornings and evenings spent on the terrace, watching the light change on the mountains. This place is a haven to travelers like us.
Julie M - Vermont, USA

Breath taking views. A place to revive your soul and find peace in your heart. A completely natural enironment, all round healthy living.
Deborah P. - Hong Kong

I have chosen this house for six consecutive summer holidays. The location is stunning, a tiny little hamlet perched on a hilltop, the house is simply furnished, nothing fancy but everything you will need.
Nicky S. - London, UK

We have stayed twice in Les Chataigniers, first in Summer then last Autumn. It is most delightfully situated in the small hamlet on the top of the small limestone outcrop. The immediate surrounds are beautiful and the natural history is fascinating. Connection to the village and locality are great.
Terence G. - West Yorkshire, UK