POOL & TERRACE
Nevèges boasts a wealth of architectural features, stone, exposed beams and ornamental ceilings, which complement the modern facilities. Its two fully-restored wings enclose the south-facing main terrace, the herb garden and shaded Zen garden, with the magnificent heated pool beyond. This is the ideal place to eat outside thanks to its huge teak table, comfortable chairs and parasols.
An elegant loggia with relaxing sofas overlooks the pool, with a pigeonnier-style building opposite containing the seventh bedroom and bathroom. There is a summer kitchen off the terrace, with ovens, hob, fridges, sink and dishwasher, and both a gas and a charcoal barbecue are available. A nearby room is home to outdoor games, pool toys and a back-up washing-machine and tumble dryer, while below the pigeonnier is the bike garage.
The blue-grey pool, 12m x 6m, has a cascade and an automatic safety cover, and is maintained at a constant 28° C / 82° F throughout the season. There are ample sun-loungers for when guests don’t feel up to cycling, playing boules, badminton, table football or ping-pong, with areas of landscaped garden and lovely views to the Château de Labarthe and the Quercy countryside.
GARDEN
The garden on the other side of the house boasts two acres of lawns, flower beds, fruit trees and a centuries-old olive tree. Beyond the gazebo and sitting-out areas, an ornamental pond with its own terrace and benches is fed by a stream cascading from the rockery above. Gravel paths lead to a Quercy-style pigeon-loft, where ice-cold rosé is laid on the better to enjoy the sunset, idyllic, sweeping views and shooting stars. A purpose-built boulodrome for boules, as well as a trampoline for all ages and a sandpit for infants are tucked away nearby.
The beautifully maintained church alongside is very rarely used (no bells or chimes), and there is no through traffic. The nearest of the surrounding farms is several hundred yards away.
HOUSE
From the entrance hall wide, shallow marble stairs lead to the main accommodation on various levels. The games room off the first landing is equipped with a 7-foot pool table, dartboard, television with children’s films, toys and books, with a doorway leading to the ping-pong table outside. Another short flight of stairs leads to the principal rooms:
The dining-room seats 14 and there is a French sideboard containing all the traditional family games, together with the house guide and literature, including details of an excellent local caterer, restaurants, tourist attractions and recommendations for golf, riding, canoeing, walking, tennis and hiring quad bikes.
Beyond lies the handsomely restored kitchen, equipped with every appliance one could wish for and another large farmhouse table with its welcome pack of local wine.
Up a further short flight one enters the well-furnished salon with its stone fireplace, parquet floor and painted, beamed ceiling, interconnecting with the library and Moroccan conservatory and providing views over the pool and grounds in three directions. Here guests will find another television with British and French programmes, a CD / DVD player and an astronomical telescope.
BEDROOMS
There are two cool double bedrooms sharing a bath and shower room towards the back of the house on the ground floor. The largest bedroom is on the first floor, with its impressive fireplace, ancient stone sink, air conditioning and adjoining private bath and shower room.
Following the superb restoration of the air-conditioned second floor, there are two bathrooms and three further bedrooms, two twin-bedded and one double with en-suite bath and shower room. The twin-bedded rooms can be made up as doubles or accept an extra bed or cot.
There is a pretty, additional pigeonnier-style building opposite the swimming pool, containing a seventh bedroom and shower-room, for extra accommodation or for use as a changing-room.
Extra single beds and mattreses are available to ensure families and friends can configure the sleeping arrangements to their taste, also cots and equipment for babies.