La Forêt Souriante

Immersed in Nature

French writer Victor Hugo once wrote, "La nature sait le grand secret, et sourit".  Nature knows the big secret... and smiles. 

These words have become the motto for a trio of cottages in the French countryside owned by a Dutch couple, who fell in love with the area when they discovered it in 2018. The land is now known as La Forêt Souriante - or the smiling forest. The owners live in one of the cottages, and the other two are available for rent, each sleeping two guests.

Tucked into the southern French countryside near the beautiful village of Najac, the homestead is surrounded by 11 hectares of woods, lending the property a very secluded feel. There is one traditional French gîte, Albizia, which still has its original slate roof, old stone walls, low wooden beams and authentic French doors opening onto a private terrace. The other cottage, Lilas d'été is the more modern of the two. Its large living area has an open-plan kitchen, plus a grass garden and private terrace with striking views of the castle of Najac.

This is a lovely vacation home rental in France, perfectly suited for a quiet, rural getaway in the middle of nature, eating fresh croissants on the terrace, reading a book in one of the hammocks, picking fresh flowers and herbs from the garden, and listening to birdsong from the surrounding forest. But if you feel like wandering, you can stroll into the woods around the homes, or explore the towns and villages of the region.

This property has two separate cottages, each of which sleeps two guests.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

The owners provide a welcome hamper on arrival, with products from the region. They also organize art workshops for groups of six people, and during those weeks only workshop participants stay on site. Please inquire for further details.

AROUND

This vacation home rental in France is located 5km from the center of the village of Najac, one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France - the country's most beautiful and culturally significant rural villages. It is five minutes by car and one hour on foot. 

Najac is built around a beautiful stone fortress, along a rocky ridge above the gorges of the Aveyron. There are various notable events in the village, including a large open-air Brocante market in the Place du Faubourg between mid-July and mid-August, and ‘Les marchés nocturnes’, where attendees sit at long tables and eat the specialty foods of the Aveyron.

The local area is known for beautiful walking and cycling routes, and there is a good selection within half an hour by car. There are also many scenic gardens, lively markets and great restaurants in and around the villages and towns of Aveyron, Tarn, Tarn et Garonne and the Lot. The owners have put together five recommended day trips that they are happy to share with guests.

LOCATION

Close to Najac, Aveyron, Occitanie, France. Nearest airports: Rodez (36km), Toulouse (96km).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring to fall, but the property is open March to November and Christmas holidays.