Frequently Asked Questions
We are delighted that you are considering La Belle Grange for your holiday or special event. We know you will be enchanted by your experience at this self-catering French holiday home situated on 170 acres of beautiful countryside.
If you do not find an answer to your question on this FAQ page, feel free to write to us at info@ourfrenchfarm.com we are always happy to assist you.
How does the booking process work?
How and when can we pay?
Will we need a car?
What happens when we arrive at La Belle Grange?
What if we don’t speak French?
How do we find out about local amenities and activities?
Can we arrive early or stay late at La Belle Grange?
What is a “self-catering” holiday home?
What do we do if there are problems at the property?
Does the property have to be spotless when we leave?
Can we bring our pets?
Is smoking allowed?
How do we get to La Belle Grange from the U.S.?
What geographical landmarks surround La Belle Grange?
Can we have someone deliver groceries to La Belle Grange?
What is the minimum stay at La Belle Grange?
Do I really need Trip Insurance?
Can I use a credit card to book La Belle Grange?
What if we wish to extend our trip?
How does the booking process work?
After you check the Calendar of Availability and decide on the dates of your stay (remembering that check-in is 4:00pm on Saturday, and check-out is 10:00am on Saturday), simply click the Book Now button to send your reservation request.
We will e-mail you within 24 hours to 1) answer any questions 2) confirm that we are holding your reservation dates and 3) provide you with the necessary wire transfer information for your rental payments.
From here, we must receive 25% of the total rental cost, in euro, within 7 days or your requested dates will be released. Payments can be paid via wire transfer or a check denominated in euro. Once the wire transfer has been received by us, we will e-mail a Booking Confirmation Statement and summary of next steps.
The Booking Confirmation Statement will advise you of the balance owed as well as the Terms & Conditions of your booking. We ask that you review, e-sign and return the Booking Confirmation Statement at your earliest convenience.
Along with the Booking Confirmation Statement we will send a comprehensive Welcome Packet, giving you driving directions to La Belle Grange and important information about the holiday home and surrounding area.
How and when can we pay?
All payments must be made in euro.
Your initial deposit, 25% of the total rental cost, must be paid by wire transfer or with a check denominated in euro within 7 days of reserving your rental dates.
The balance of your rental cost is payable by wire transfer or check and must be received 8 weeks prior to your stay. If you book less than 8 weeks prior to arrival, the entire rental cost is due immediately.
Your security deposit (and pet deposit, if applicable) can be paid by wire transfer or check. The security deposit/s must be received 8 weeks prior to your stay, along with your rental balance.
Will we need a car?
We do recommend a car for your stay at La Belle Grange. You can easily hire a car at Toulouse Blagnac Airport, Rodez Airport, Carcassonne Airport or the train station in Toulouse. La Belle Grange is accessible on modern roadways and easy to find; we will provide GPS coordinates and driving instructions with your Welcome Packet.
A short drive in any direction from the farm will bring you to places of beauty as well as practical resources. The closest grocery stores, open-air market, tourism office, artisanal shops, restaurants are a 5 minute drive from La Belle Grange in the beautiful fortified hilltop village of Cordes-sur-Ciel. A 20 minute drive will bring you to the magnificent medieval town of Albi, home to the spectacular Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile, the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, elegant boutiques, outdoor cafés and fine dining.
What happens when we arrive at La Belle Grange?
On your arrival at La Belle Grange, the Property Managers will:
- Present you with our signature complimentary Taste of the Region picnic basket (hamper) with wine, baguette, cheese and chocolate;
- Conduct a comprehensive tour of the property with you and your family;
- Hand over the keys to La Belle Grange;
- Demonstrate how to open & close the retractable dome-cover for the pool and hand-over the remote control;
Direct your attention to the Hospitality Book, which holds operating instructions for appliances (TV, DVD player, pool cover …); directions for local groceries, banks, tourism offices; brochures for local excursions; maps of the area and region; and answer any questions you may have.
What if we don’t speak French?
Not a problem! This region of France is very welcoming and tourist-friendly, and people speak some English in almost every shop and restaurant. Most tourism websites have an English-language option and we have compiled English-language brochures for you in our Hospitality Book. Our Property Managers are native English speakers who are also fluent in French and the numerous regional tourist offices have multi-lingual staff members. Although it is always a nice gesture to try your French with the locals (“s’il vous plait” and “merci beaucoup” always win a smile), we believe you will feel comfortable without fluent French.
How do we find out about local amenities and activities?
Welcome Packet: Along with your Booking Confirmation Statement, we will e-mail you a Welcome Packet. This packet will include driving directions to La Belle Grange, as well as some information about rental car agencies, local resources, grocery stores, restaurants and tourism offices.
This Website: Please click on the In the Area main-tab and the Activities & Attractions sub-tab page of this website for links to local and regional tourism activities, adventure excursions and resources.
Hospitality Book: At La Belle Grange you will enjoy use of our Hospitality Book, filled with brochures, maps and contact information for everything from local medical practitioners to travel excursion outlets.
Office de Tourisme: The closest tourism office to La Belle Grange is only 5 minutes away in Cordes-sur-Ciel. The knowledgeable staff in this office will be happy to provide guidance on local resources and favorite regional attractions.
Can we arrive early or stay late at La Belle Grange?
You are asked to arrive at La Belle Grange between 4:00pm and 7:00pm on the day your rental starts, and we must ask you to check-out no later than 10:00am on your departure date. We appreciate your respecting these times to allow adequate preparation for your arrival and for those who follow you.
If you know in advance that you will not be able to arrive by 7:00pm, please let us know your arrival time so we can make alternate arrangements. If you are delayed en route and will not be able to arrive by 7:00pm, please call the Property Managers to advise them of your new arrival time.
We ask you to check-out no later than 10:00am on your departure date, as we have staff arriving promptly to conduct turn-over service. If late check-out is unavoidable, it must be booked in advance of your arrival at La Belle Grange and will be charged at 25 euro per hour. We appreciate your understanding.
What is a “self-catering” holiday home?
At ‘self-catering’ accommodations guests are responsible for their own food, housekeeping and laundry needs.
Upon your arrival, you will find La Belle Grange outfitted with fresh bed-linens and towels, laundry and cleaning supplies, and some toilet paper, soap and shampoo. Beyond these items, you are expected to supply your own provisions. Gardens and pool are kept sparkling clean by our staff, but you are responsible for doing your own laundry, cooking and housekeeping during your stay.
La Belle Grange is fitted with all conceivable kitchen amenities from major appliances to dishware. Although previous renters may have left a few things, you will stock up on your own food, including condiments and spices.
Local villages have grocery stores and farmers markets where you’ll find all of the household basics as well as lots of delicious ingredients. Still, if you require specialty dietary or medical items (i.e. gluten-free baby foods, replacement contact lenses, etc), we suggest that you bring them along with you.
What do we do if there are problems at the property?
In the unlikely event of problems at La Belle Grange, we ask that you call the Property Managers immediately and let them know about the issue. Every effort will be made to remedy the issue immediately and completely, for your comfort and well-being.
If the issue is not resolved by our Property Managers, we ask that you call or e-mail La Belle Grange immediately at info@ourfrenchfarm.com or 1-480 307 7950. Please note that there is a 9 hour time difference between France and southwest USA; we will attend to your call/e-mail at our very earliest opportunity.
We regret that complaints cannot be reviewed after your departure if our Property Managers have not been notified and allowed to resolve the problem while you are in residence.
Does the property have to be spotless when we leave?
Before your arrival our house-keeping staff will come to clean the Grange and terraces. You will find the property immaculate and sanitized with all appliances in working order.
Upon your departure from La Belle Grange, we simply ask that you leave things in an orderly fashion. Dishes should be washed and put away, perishable foods removed from the refrigerator and thrown away, DVDs and books returned to appropriate shelves, and all garbage deposited in designated receptacles.
You will have the opportunity to hand over the house keys and remote control from the retractable pool cover to the Property Managers by 10:00am on the day of departure. In the unlikely event that any damage or breakages are discovered, costs will be deducted from your security deposit. Our house-keeping staff is scheduled to arrive shortly after 10:00am on the day of departure to ready the La Belle Grange for our next guests.
Can we bring our pets?
Small, well-trained pets are welcome at La Belle Grange – please advise us of your intention to bring a pet upon booking. An additional refundable deposit is required against any stains, scratches, or breakage caused by your pet. Litter boxes are not provided. We respectfully request that you clean up the yard after your dogs immediately and scoop cat boxes daily to avoid pervasive odors.
Is smoking allowed?
Smoking is not permitted inside La Belle Grange, but we do have extensive patio areas and outdoor seating. We ask you to use ashtrays and to be vigilant in making sure cigarettes/cigars are fully extinguished. Understandably, any damage caused by embers may constitute extra cleaning costs and be deducted from your security deposit.
How do we get to La Belle Grange from the U.S.?
The closest international airport to La Belle Grange is Toulouse’s Blagnac International Airport. British Airways has twice-a-day air service from London’s Gatwick Airport and Air France has direct flights several times a day from Paris. There are many connecting flights to Toulouse from major European airports, including Heathrow (London), Charles de Gaulle (Paris), and Frankfurt (Germany). British airways has two flights a day from London Heathrow. easyJet flys from Gatwick to Toulouse.
What geographical landmarks surround La Belle Grange?
La Belle Grange is located in the Midi-Pyrenees Region of south-west France, in the Department of the Tarn. The Tarn River flows through the region and the vineyards lining its banks produce exceptional old-world Gaillac wines. The climate of this lovely region is classified as oceanic.
Approximately 5 hours by TGV from Paris, your holiday home is 4 hours drive from the Mediterranean and 3 hours from the Pyrenees and Spain. The closest major city is “La Ville Rose” – Toulouse, the fourth largest city in France, traversed by Rivers Garonne and Touch.
Can we have someone deliver groceries to La Belle Grange?
Yes, you can! It is only 5 minutes from the door of La Belle Grange to the local boulangerie and greengrocer, so our guests do find it easy and enjoyable to choose their own fresh eggs and pain au chocolat… But if you prefer, you can arrange to have our Property Managers fill the pantry before your arrival or during your stay. This Catering Service is available for a modest fee; please let us know upon booking if you are interested in this service.
What is the minimum stay at La Belle Grange?
While La Belle Grange is typically booked for a 7 night rental, shorter-term rentals are available! The minimum stay is 4 nights. If the booking calendar shows availability, go ahead and request whatever dates suit you and your party. Kindly remember that check-in is 4pm on arrival day and check-out is 10am on departure day.
Do I really need Trip Insurance?
We recommend it. Mother Nature, with her Icelandic volcano eruptions and continental flooding in 2010, reminded us that SHE is in charge. Because unexpected circumnstances can arise, we think it is a good policy to protect your investment.
Can I use a credit card to book La Belle Grange?
Because we are trying to keep costs down for our guests, we are not involving credit cards (with their fees) as a payment option. But never fear – the other payment options are a cinch! As you know, all payments must be denominated in Euro and any bank teller at your branch bank location can denominate a cheque in Euro. This cheque can then be mailed directly to the proprietors, and your work is done! The other swift and secure option our guests can choose is to send a wire transfer denominated in Euro from their bank to ours; this usually involves a small fee. C’est simple!
What if we wish to extend our trip?
We welcome you to extend your trip at La Belle Grange once you are on location (many of our guests are tempted!) IF the booking calendar allows it – that is, so long as we don’t have new guests arriving on your check-out day! The additional rentals cost can be sent via a simple wire transfer through a local bank or by obtaining a cheque denominated in Euro; our Property Manager would be there to facilitate either of these transactions.
We should also mention that if an unexpected occurance made it difficult to leave France on schedule, La Belle Grange will be available for an extended stay (at the daily rate) ONLY IF the booking calendar permits. Whenever we have new guests arriving, we must honor their reservation at La Belle Grange. Thank you for your understanding.
If you do not find an answer to your question on this FAQ page, feel free to write to us at info@ourfrenchfarm.com we are always happy to assist you!
Click Book Now to plan your unforgettable holiday or special event at La Belle Grange!