More information on the area
The house is in Réquista, which is in the Aveyron department, in the Midi-Pyrénées region.
The town
The town is in an ideal location, in an area of contrasts with surprisingly varied landscapes and locations. While Réquista is fairly small and off-the-beaten-track, with a relaxed atmosphere it is surrounded by places that offer a multitude of activities and places to visit.
More information can be found about the town and it's surroundings by visiting the Mairie de Réquista pages (the town's website, hosted by the Mairie, or Town Hall), which can be accessed in French. You can use a web page translator to get a (sometimes fairly rough) translation between several, mostly European languages. An example of this is the Babel Fish Translation service from AltaVista. A translation of the Mairie de Réquista site into English can be accessed directly here.
The region
The region is authentic and picturesque with mountains, lush forests, river valleys and gorges cut by the ancient River Tarn, vineyards and fields which provide some of the best known wines and foods of southern France.
The Pyrénées in the south of the region, give the region a great diversity of landscape and provide many attractions in both summer and winter, including untouched areas of nature, rugged landscapes, snow sports resorts and thermal spas. Daytrips to both snow sports and Mediterranean beaches are possible from the region, giving the widest range of activities possible.
Many of the surrounding areas are rural, with an easygoing people who create the rich local foods and wines but there are also large towns and cities, the largest of which is the region's capital, Toulouse. It is one of France's fastest growing, most dynamic and most beautiful cities and has much to offer in the way of art and culture including museums (which are free on the first Sunday of every month), monuments, galleries, theatres, dance centres and frequent festivals.
The area is steeped in history and tradition that can be explored in the nearby towns and cities. You could visit Albi to discover the famous artist Toulouse-Lautrec or the Gers area to enjoy local gastronomic specialties, such as pâté de foie gras and wild mushrooms, or the traditional country fairs and music and culture festivals. Other speciality produce of the region include cassoulet (meat and bean stew), Roquefort cheese and last but not least, Armagnac, the oldest of French brandies, which is produced in Gascony, the homeland of d'Artagnan, created along with the three musketeers by author Alexandre Dumas.
You could also go on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, become acquainted with the history of the Cathars, heretics who built a large number of castles and fortresses in the Ariege area or attend the Jazz in Marciac festival.
There are many cathedrals, abbeys, castles and walled cities to see in and around the region, including the wonderful walled medieval city of Carcassonne (the biggest in Europe).
The area can provide many activities, in both summer and winter including walking, cycling (the region hosts stages of the Tour de France), camping, fishing, climbing, snow sports and water sports on the lakes, rivers and gorges or the more relaxed Canal du Midi, which runs for 149 miles from Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea.
For more information on the region, visit the Tourism Midi-Pyrénées website.
Getting around
Transport can be provided to and from local airports and around the locality for day trips, if required, at extra cost.
There are also many accompanied walks that can be offered or make your own way around as desired.
