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La Gaudane was built in 1881 to house 26 embroidery looms. This accounts both for the glorious traditional solidity of its golden stone walls and the extra large windows which now suffuse the vast airy apartments with light.
There's so much to do at La Gaudane. Swimming (fenced pool), petanque, snooker, pool, or ping-pong and even more to do all around Cordes and Albi.
Three self-catering Loft Apartments and The Lodge. They combine the best of old and new. A majestic antique building on the lower slopes of "Cordes-in-the-Sky", a famous 1222 fortified pinnacle but, even so, only 400 yards from grocers, patisserie, bakers, bank, post office and weekly market, etc.
All the apartments are equipped with all the latest appliances, from big family fridges right down to the hairdryer and are furnished in a fascinating mix of antique and very new, including of course, essentially top of the range luxury beds. And linen, towels, pool towels, videos, tapes, books and games in abundance.
Loft Apartment South - sleeps 6
This is a vast apartment of over 2000 sq.ft with three bedrooms and a luxury bathroom with free standing bath. The top of the range kitchen includes big family fridge, dishwasher, electric stove, toaster, electric kettle, microwave and masses of saucepans, glassware, cutlery and even a teapot!. Two bedrooms come furnished with luxurious double beds. The third childrens room has bunk beds for two. There is also a double convertible.
As with all apartments there is TV, music centre, cassettes, plentiful books and games. All towels and pool towels are provided as is linen which is changed every weekend.
There is a shared laundry and separate toilet. The laundry room is well fitted and includes top brand washing machine, tumble drier and handy old fashioned drying rack.
There are English guardians (who also speak French) on the premises who can both help with any information or problems and baby sit by arrangement. There is also an information file of local activities and events. There's a family sized pool (13'x26') and a pool fridge as well as plenty of poolside furniture for you to relax on. You will find a complimentary welcome pack of basic foods and wine waiting for you on arrival.
See links at bottom of page for other apartments
There are so many ways to spend your holidays at La Gaudane - Here are 20 activities for starters.....
You can laze by the pool, sleep in, visit the famous Jardins des Paradis next door or just saunter round the 1222 fortress city. Or perhaps a little snooker, pool, table tennis or petanque at La Gaudane. But, if you feel a touch more active there are mouth-watering markets all around, cafes and restaurants galore, and over 50 registered arts and crafts studios in Cordes.
There are also over 200 museums in the Tarn, including the Lautrec museum in Albi, the artist's home town. Cordes is surrounded by vineyards and we can guide you round the best for tastings and lunch.
There are medieval and music festivals at Cordes and elsewhere. Nearby there are other festivals every week from Easter to October. For the truly active there's golf at any of several superb courses, cycling, tennis (La Gaudane have a complimentary stock of golf clubs, racquets and bikes), canoeing down the spectacular Aveyron Gorge, hiking, horse-riding, caving, fishing, swimming at two big waterparks or cruising down the Tarn. And more. Days to remember!
How to get there
BY AIR: You can get to Cordes by air from Gatwick, Stansted or other regional airports to Toulouse or Rodez airports. By car from either in about an hour and twenty minutes. Or by coach from Toulouse to Albi and we will pick you up. Or from either airport for groups by minibus by arrangement.
BY ROAD: A drive from Calais or Boulogne of 550 miles. Either on autoroutes or lesser roads. Some drive it in a long day - others stay over and savour good food, good wine and lovely scenery on the way.
BY TRAIN: Montauban and Toulouse are both on main line services linked to Paris. There is a small station at Cordes Vindrac with services to Albi and Toulouse. Most important there is a rare and valuable overnight sleeper service once a week to and from Paris.
TOURING: A car is recommended for your stay at La Gaudane. Although the distances are short, there is so much to see and do in The Tarn. The roads and little winding lanes are wonderfully quiet.
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