Au Balenti is an extremely spacious country Farmhouse with private grounds and pool. Perfect for large families and friends to holiday together or to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Set within several acres of gardens surrounded by the owners fields, yet situated within a peaceful rural village setting.
Antique furniture, inglenook fireplaces and floor to ceiling wine barrels (unfortunately empty) are just part of what makes Au Balenti that little bit special.
Enter the house through the double front doorway into a wide hallway. Immediate left leads into the large sunny yellow Breakfast room where there is a sofa & armchairs by the large inglenook fireplace. Table & chairs to sit 8+ Opposite the kitchen is the living room with Sofas, Sky TV, coffee tables & fireplace. Straight ahead at the end of the hallway is the wide winding oak staircase leading to the first floor. The games room is found to the right of the stairs with Table tennis & Darts. On the left is the Billiard room with table & large inglenook fireplace. There is also a downstairs WC just off this room.
Leading on from the Billiard room through the open archway straight into the Bar with the two huge wine barrels (unfortunately empty) Bar, stools and Arabic cushions lends this area to be perfect for either having a drink between shots or having a shot of your own. The door from the bar leads through to the fully fitted kitchen & the utility room is just to the right. The doorway from the kitchen leads back into the breakfast room completing the downstairs loop.
FIRST FLOOR. Has 5 bedrooms & Living room/Snug.
Top of the stairs, again a long hallway of beautiful polished floorboards with a large window at the end looking over the courtyard. Starting at this end, is the Green room with Kingsize bed, built in wardrobe dressing table & ensuite bathroom with shower toilet & washbasin. Directly opposite the Green room is the Blue room again with a kingsize bed, built in wardrobe, chest of drawers & dressing table. Again ensuite bathroom with shower, toilet & washbasin. Both of these rooms have beautiful views of the gardens & swimming pool area.
Down the hallway towards the stairs on the right is the 'Petit Chapeaux' which derives its name from the many antique children's hats displayed on the wall. This light airy room has two original Victorian Iron bedsteads. One double & one 3/4 size bed, wardrobe & dressing table. Ensuite bathroom with shower, toilet & washbasin.
Directly opposite is the family room with two double beds, wardrobe, additional hanging rail and chest of drawers. The adjoining ‘Jack and Jill’ style ensuite comes with shower, large bath, toilet and washbasin. This bathroom is shared by a connecting door to the Kids bedroom which is a delightful room with brightly coloured wall images, two single beds, two chest of drawers, hanging rail, various books and toys. From this bedroom leads into the kids playroom/living room/Snug where there are sofas, rugs coffee table, TV/Video/DVD, desk printer and stereo. There are baskets of toys and games in the wooden trunk and a large selection of videos in the Futon drawer. Finally, a second flight of stairs takes you back down into the kitchen.
Now for a glass of wine!!!
The property and area caters for all ages and lends itself perfectly for a relaxing holiday, especially now with the established 5* village Restaurant & Bar selling fresh daily bread, organic food, fine wine and produce from local producers - there is no need to go anywhere else....
Set within several acres of farmland the garden is well tended with Orchard, children's play area & a large natural fish pond.
The 10m x 5m pool has a magnificent view of the Pyrenees & the surrounding valley. The pool has been designed with children in mind, equipped with an alarm system, in accordance with French regulations. The 6ft wide steps lead down into water of approx 2ft depth, where there is a 16ft long submerged bench, 1ft underwater. (ideal for young children - or a drink) The depth gradually deepens to a max of 6ft in the middle to then shallow out to 4ft at the opposite end. The Pool House lends itself as an idyllic place to relax & have your meals, take some shade in between refreshing dips or to just unwind & watch the sunset while sipping on a glass of the locally produced wine.
It is equipped with a fully fitted summer kitchen, Plancha, fridge, changing room, shower & toilet.
There are various activities around the property to include Boulle/petanque, Badminton and table football. Bicycles are also available should you feel like exploring the surrounding countryside.
Also available, a charming rustic one bedroon Gite, tastefully restored with every attention to detail retaining the original stone walls and exposed beams, adjoining the main property available to rent at an additional cost. (Note, the property is private for guests sole use. (we do not rent the Gite to other parties when the main house is occupied).