Le Caillau

Creative kids and grown-up gastro-travellers are all in for treat at Le Caillau, where a luxurious two-bedroom apartment with heated pool is set alongside a gourmet café and pottery painting ‘Atelier’ all nestled within the scenic Cahors vineyards of South West France.

Offering the luxurious gîte for the first time in summer 2011, owners Chas and Caroline have been keen to make guests of all ages feel really welcome from the minute they arrive, with a children’s activity pack including scrap book and colouring pens, plus a cupboard full of essentials including Le Caillau wine, cheeses and chutney, bread, milk, butter and more.

The creative workshops are certainly a win win feature, as the pottery painting, colouring, cutting, sticking and ‘junk modelling’ activities will keep youngsters amused while parents enjoy a few precious hours relaxing with a glass of local wine in the beautiful surroundings. The café restaurant is a big bonus too, from the homemade cakes and pastries to a mouth-watering menu of local and seasonal dishes, accompanied by award-winning Cahors wines. Guests can either dine at the restaurant or have meals at the gîte, plus children’s teas can be provided and a snack service is available, perhaps for a portion or two of frites to go with a bbq.

The café and pottery painting workshop really make Le Caillau somewhere unique for families, but the boutique-hotel standard apartment is pretty special too, merging the charming character of a 300-year old winery with elegant, contemporary styling. Exposed walls and beamed ceilings, wood and Italian stone flooring are complimented by carefully chosen furnishings and high quality features, from the home entertainment systems and wi fi to walk in showers and free standing baths. There’s top quality baby and toddler kit too, including a stylish Stokke wooden cot plus two travel cots, 3-wheeler Jane buggy, double Bill and Ted buggy, high chairs, baby bouncer and play gym (see grey box for full list). The air con is a godsend over the long, hot south of France summers and, when the nights get chilly, the gîte has a romantic wood burner. The lovely heated pool with deck and two private terraces provide beautiful places to enjoy a bbq and watch the sun set over the vines while children will be happy to discover a trampoline, swing set, paddling pool and sandpit amongst the cherry trees in the gardens.

Accommodation Overview:

Like a private boutique hotel, Le Caillau is perfect for a family of up to 4, plus babies in cots. The master bedroom has a super kingsize bed and double doors onto a private terrace with superb views across the vineyards then the second bedroom has two single beds. Three cots are available and there is space for these in either bedroom. The living area features freeview TV, DVD player and a music system while the spacious dining area has a contemporary four seater table and a wood burner. The modern kitchen has all you’d expect plus a dishwasher, microwave and double doors onto a private terrace with sun loungers, al fresco dining table and bbq. The bathroom features a large, luxurious bath and walk-in shower with a separate WC.