Your contact:	Caroline Courtauld
Telephone:	+852-2294 0278 or +44-(0)1787 238 175 or +44-(0)7767 422 085
Fax:	+852-2294 0279 or +44-1787 237 024
Email:	Click here to contact Château Marcoux

Marcoux is a medieval homestead set on a hilltop overlooking the countryside for miles around. Up to twelve guests can sleep in six bedrooms: four bedrooms are in the main house, one is in a separate converted pigeonnier, and one is in a separate annexe.

The main house was originally a 13th century château-fort. Its metre-thick walls, made of the creamy stone of the Quercy region, keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter. The building has been domesticated down the ages and was was recently renovated by an architect with expertise in the ancient houses of the region, to emphasize the stone walls, fireplaces, and other original features and combine them with contemporary comfort.

The swimming pool, 12 metres by 5, is floodlit and has its own panoramic view. Partially shaded terraces, lawns, trees and shrubs surround the pool and buildings. A herb and flower garden separates the main house and annexe.

On one side of the house is a large grassy field for guests to enjoy. On the other three sides the ground falls away steeply and is covered by oak woods down through which paths have been cut. There are two hermits' caves in the rocks below the house.

Marcoux consists of three principal buildings. Entering the main house, an entrance hall leads to a large fully equipped kitchen, a large salon, a small salon/study, a storage and utility room, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower, sink, and toilet.

Upstairs are four bedrooms: two large double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, and two smaller bedrooms, each with a pair of twin beds, washbasins and a separate toilet. Guests in these rooms can use the shower room on the ground floor.

The pigeonnier next to the main house has a small salon downstairs which opens onto its own terrace, and a bathroom. Upstairs is a romantic double bedroom upstairs.

Beyond the walled garden, an annexe provides another double bedroom with its own shower, wash basin and separate toilet.

All of the bedrooms enjoy spectacular views. The rooms are furnished with a combination of French and oriental antiques and comfortable modern sofas and beds.

Beneath the pigeonnier, a large vaulted cellar, which opens directly onto the pool, provides space for young people to relax, with table tennis and a stereo. Also in this area is a laundry and utility room.

Special features:	• Pool on the property • Maid, Cook and Driver can be arranged on request
Swimming pool:	(12m x 5m) floodlit, and landscaped into the garden with stunning views

Marcoux is perched on the top of the last hill of a small range which runs between two valleys. It commands magnificent rural views up each valley, over the bowl where they meet and down the combined valley. Marcoux shares its hilltop with an exquisite, though seldom used, little 12th century church.

The very attractive medieval bastide village of Beauville is just across the valley (5 minutes by car). Beauville has a small, friendly hotel-restaurant serving excellent local food, a market square, a crêperie, good everyday shopping (outstanding tarts and eclairs in the pâtisserie), a church, a post office, an information office, and tennis courts. There are other fine bastides in the locality. For exercise there are splendid walks, a riding stables and excellent golf courses. Super little restaurants are scattered through the countryside.

The Quercy region offers some of France’s most ravishing countryside, a rich diet of cultural and gastronomic delights and a variety of sporting activities. In addition to this brief outline there is comprehensive information, and also guides and maps at Marcoux - including our own guide to the best restaurants we have discovered in the region and to other local practicalities.

Art, architecture and culture: The surrounding region offers great set pieces such as the monastic city of Moissac (30 minutes' drive, with 3 Michelin stars), pink Toulouse (90 minutes, with its romanesque basilique and sculptures, also 3 stars), Henry IV’s power base at Nérac (1 hour) and famous medieval châteaux such as Brassac (15 mins) and Bonaguil (40 mins). Other ancient cities with multifaceted attractions (and comprehensive shopping) include Agen (30 mins), Villeneuve-sur-Lot (40 mins) and Cahors (1 hour).

Then there are bastides (fortress towns) of all shapes and sizes to explore: Beauville (5 mins), Frespech (10 mins), Tournon d’Agenais (20 mins), Lauzerte and Pujols (both 30 mins) and many more - every one a pleasure to wander round, often with their own museums.

Uncelebrated little gems scatter the countryside, such as the museum of agricultural equipment at St. Maurin (12 mins) and charming chapels and pigeonniers, to reward the diligent explorer. In the summer throughout the region there is a rich and excellent diet of concerts (classical, jazz and pop), theatre, dance, son-et-lumière, and exhibitions. In addition to all this the many pleasures of the Dordogne are 1 to 1 1/2 hours' drive to the north.

Food and wine: There are restaurants of all levels - some truly wonderful in their different ways - within easy reach of Marcoux. Michel Trama’s Aubergade with its three Michelin rosettes, is just 20 minutes south of Marcoux at Puymirol. Other rosettes are to be found in Astaffort, Cahors, Pujols, Saint-Médard, Tonneins and Toulouse. Discovering the less well-known but nevertheless outstanding local restaurants and fermes-auberges with which the area is richly endowed (often serving home-made foie gras) can be even more satisfying. There is nothing to beat home cooking of course. The point here is the quality and variety of the ingredients to which one has access - the juiciest, sweetest most intensely peachy peaches particularly stick in the mind. Every day of the week there is at least one good market in a nearby town (often with clothes and bric-à-brac as well as local produce). In addition there are several farms which make their own foie gras from which one can buy direct. 15 minutes away is the excellent Musée du Foie Gras where every conceivable variety of foie gras de canard is made, explained and sold. Well-known wine-growing areas surround Marcoux, although it is not in one as such. In many cases one can buy direct from the vignoble at excellent prices. The fabulous Sauternes district is only a little over an hour towards Bordeaux; Marmande, Duras and Buzet to the west; the Gers to the south of Agen; and wonderful Cahors to the east.

Sport, exercise, the countryside: Perhaps the main attraction is the countryside itself. Open limestone plateaux cut into by wonderful little valleys offer endless delights for the eye via country walks, rides (horses, ponies and bicycles all available for hire) or just drives. For a different view of the countryside you can take a motor cruiser on the lovely canal that flows alongside the river Garonne. In addition to swimming, boule and exploring the woods at Marcoux itself, more energetic pursuits include tennis at Beauville (indoor and outdoor courts) and canoeing on either the Lot or the Garonne rivers. Several golf courses are within 1/2 to 3/4 hour’s drive. A guest reports "the nine-hole Rouscous with its landscapes and wild flowers is one of the prettiest I have ever played on, while having some seriously testing holes. An omelette paysanne and a bottle of rosé in the clubhouse go well between each nine." Or in winter you can go skiing in the Pyrénées (3 hours' drive).

Deep reverie by the pool	The pool seen from the rose hedge
Medieval simplicity in the master bedroom	The pigeonnier has its own salon
The pigeonnier’s bedroom	The cuisine keeps cosy in winter
In the cuisine	Marcoux’s wild flower meadow by the 12th century church
Early morning view through Marcoux’s front door	View from the master bedroom
A corner of the hot garden in June	The house is full of original features including wooden beams, stone walls, and fireplaces
Radishes in Villeneuve’s Saturday market	Outside the annexe

Marcoux is fantastic. While we loved the surrounding areas, your house was the real jewel. Everything and more that we were looking for during our vacation.
Richard R. - Houston, Texas, USA

We had a lovely time. The house is stunning, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We used your restaurant guide a lot, which was smashing, and the weather was extremely kind. We’d love to come back...
Tom A. - London, United Kingdom

I had had a lifelong fantasy about staying at a French country house with children. And, I must say, that our stay at Marcoux excelled even my idealized vision of what such a trip would be like! The house was just stunning! I was especially impressed with the seamless blending of old and new. The surrounds were just wonderful too. The children seemed to find endless entertainment in the ruins, gardens and pool. I felt myself transported every time I looked out of one of the windows. It was hard to leave. I’m sure we’re not the first people to compliment you on your wonderful house, but I wanted to let you know that we were thrilled with our experience there, and we are thankful that you share this spectacular site with others.
Nannette Y - San Diego, California, USA

...we had a fantastic time at Marcoux: it is a truly magical place. I don’t know how you can drag yourselves away! We loved the area so much that we took the plunge and bought an old place...
Susan H. - New York, New York, USA

It has been wonderful as always. I love this place. ... It is even lovelier [than last year], and the dry garden is wonderful (but devilishly hard to photograph). Is the house available for next year?
Tom J. - London, United Kingdom

Once again, we really enjoyed your house. Everything worked perfectly. Patricia was very helpful and very patient with our broken French. The people at the Hotel de Beauville were very accommodating. We particularly enjoyed Mme Brouillet, who was very friendly to us. She even gave our daughter a free ice cream cone on our last day as a sort of going away present!
Alan R. - Houston, Texas, USA

I wanted to tell you just how much we enjoyed Marcoux. It is such a beautiful house with extraordinary character and charm set in a most glorious part of France. It could not have been better, and we very much appreciated the opportunity to experience the joys of the south of France in such a delightful home.
Bob S. - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

To be brief: WE LOVED IT! You have a very special home and we felt privileged to have been able to live there so comfortably during our allotted time. It was very difficult to leave the beauty and tranquillity and return to a very different daily routine … Tom and I lived in Le Pigeonnier, which we adored. It is beautifully designed-we were delighted with the views from the bedroom-it was a perfect little "nest". We had wonderful weather when we were there in October, and spent most of our days visiting markets, touring a bit, hired boats on the Lot and had a picnic, and had long lovely lunches at many of the restaurants you suggested. Our compliments to you on the rebuilding of a beautiful home at Marcoux and many thanks for making it available for others to enjoy. We are all hoping to return as it truly was a perfect holiday.
Claire A - Toronto, Ontario, Canada

It could not have been a greater success for us all. Everything has been done to the highest standards. We slept in the pigeonnier which was delightful and guests who slept in the Annexe were more than happy. I cannot think of anything that was missing in the kitchen where we were quite active. We love shopping in the markets for those wonderful ingredients and coming back and cooking. We were able to eat on the terrace every night when we weren’t going to a restaurant, and breakfast most mornings. Going back next year we shall have a head start on the things to do and places to go.
Robin S. - Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, United Kingdom

I can imagine how you love it there -- peaceful, warm, friendly surroundings... perfect!
Christopher A. - Paris, France