©Roger Budd 2007-2012
Mentions légales
SIRET: 521 909 747 00011
Siège social: Pépoulie 81700 Puylaurens
Enregistré au RCS de Castres sous le numéro 2010 A 52
Mentions légales
SIRET: 521 909 747 00011
Siège social: Pépoulie 81700 Puylaurens
Enregistré au RCS de Castres sous le numéro 2010 A 52
plus... The weather, ClimateCare, Good places to eat, Cathars and more,
Home grown fruit and vegetables, Cyclists...
The weather
This part of France enjoys over 2100 hours of sunshine a year on average - compare Paris, with 1600 hours. Summer temperatures range from 25 to 35 degrees C or more, autumns from 20 to 25, winters 5 to 15 (with occasional short colder spells), and springs 10 to 20. In the sun you can regularly have lunch outside in the winter, and in spring and autumn breakfast and/or supper as well.
We work with the carbon offset organisation ClimateCare. In 2011 we bought £73 worth of carbon offsets to compensate for the estimated 9.7 tonnes of carbon produced by our visitors travelling to and from Pépoulie in 2010. Go to their site to see how this works.
Good places to eat
One of the best hotel-restaurants in the area is Cuq en Terrasses in the village of Cuq-Toulza, about ten kilometres from Puylaurens on the road to Toulouse. The cuisine is outstanding, and you'll have to book a day in advance to get a table.
Another very good place to eat is the beautifully restored hotel in Puylaurens, Cap de Castel. You'll need to book beforehand. Their site also gives a very good idea of why this area of France is so special.
Cathars, and more
This area of SW France is rich in history and culture. It is the region of the Occitan language, Cathars, cassoulet, and Gaillac wine. Just about every village and town around has something worth exploring or experiencing.
Home grown fruit and vegetables
Growing around the house are cherries, pears, plums, figs, grapes, apples and quinces, as well as organically grown vegetables, all of which our guests are welcome to pick.
Cyclists
The roads around Pépoulie offer excellent cycling for all levels with plenty of traffic-free, tree-lined roads, varied terrain, and iconic sunflower-filled views. Two mountain bikes are available to guests free of charge, and you can rent bikes in Revel.
Ride your own Tour de France étape
In July 2010 Stage 13 of the tour (Rodez to Revel) raced past Pépoulie and this year on 13 July the organisers have again chosen to include the same roads from Lautrec to Puylaurens for Stage 11, which starts in Blaye-Les-Mines and finishes in Lavaur. Why not try one or both of these rides? Both routes are considered flat stages before the riders hit the Pyrenees, but there are hilly sections and the toughest climbs (category 3) will be challenging for most cyclists. Click on 2010 route and 2011 route for full details.
..Your suggestion, to fly into Rodez and then follow Stage 13 of Tour De France 2010 to Puylaurens, to see some of the local sights and develop an appetite (thirst) for a hearty meal on Saturday night was a brilliant idea. The Côte d'Ambialet and the run up to Lautrec were quite challenging, however the views en route, sleepy rural villages, some long downhill stretches, and the relatively quiet roads made for a good day in the saddle....
Andrew Watt, Australia, October 2010
Or take the Vielmur challenge
Try a pre-breakfast contre-la-montre, from Pepoulie to Vielmur-sur-Agout and back again - 22km of scenic, winding roads, climbing the category 4 Côte de Puylaurens each way. The current time to beat is 55 mins.
On the other hand, you might like a more leisurely ride by the side of the Canal du Midi, using the two bikes we have for guests. Two of our guests in July 2011 did this:
A lovely cycle ride along the Canal du Midi from Le Ségala (near La Bastide-d'Anjou) to Castelnaudary.
Distance - approx 11 km each way.
Time - 1 hr 10 mins each way, at a leisurely pace.
Starting point - the village of Le Ségala situated on the canal about 11 km NW of Castelnaudary.
Plenty of parking space at Le Ségala, which has a bar selling refreshments (don't know opening times or if they sell food).
Cycling is quite bumpy to begin with, over tree roots etc, along narrow tracks. After about 25 minutes these widen to a gravelled path for a further 20 minutes. The last 25 minutes is on a wide tarmaced track, used by the occasional car (canal workers?).
Be aware that restaurants in Castelnaudary only sell food over lunch time and during evenings. At other times they are open for liquid refreshments (in summer).
Highly recommended, under the shade of the trees growing alongside the canal.
Will & Andrea, UK, July 2011
Home grown fruit and vegetables, Cyclists...
The weather
This part of France enjoys over 2100 hours of sunshine a year on average - compare Paris, with 1600 hours. Summer temperatures range from 25 to 35 degrees C or more, autumns from 20 to 25, winters 5 to 15 (with occasional short colder spells), and springs 10 to 20. In the sun you can regularly have lunch outside in the winter, and in spring and autumn breakfast and/or supper as well.
We work with the carbon offset organisation ClimateCare. In 2011 we bought £73 worth of carbon offsets to compensate for the estimated 9.7 tonnes of carbon produced by our visitors travelling to and from Pépoulie in 2010. Go to their site to see how this works.
Good places to eat
One of the best hotel-restaurants in the area is Cuq en Terrasses in the village of Cuq-Toulza, about ten kilometres from Puylaurens on the road to Toulouse. The cuisine is outstanding, and you'll have to book a day in advance to get a table.
Another very good place to eat is the beautifully restored hotel in Puylaurens, Cap de Castel. You'll need to book beforehand. Their site also gives a very good idea of why this area of France is so special.
Cathars, and more
This area of SW France is rich in history and culture. It is the region of the Occitan language, Cathars, cassoulet, and Gaillac wine. Just about every village and town around has something worth exploring or experiencing.
Home grown fruit and vegetables
Growing around the house are cherries, pears, plums, figs, grapes, apples and quinces, as well as organically grown vegetables, all of which our guests are welcome to pick.
Cyclists
The roads around Pépoulie offer excellent cycling for all levels with plenty of traffic-free, tree-lined roads, varied terrain, and iconic sunflower-filled views. Two mountain bikes are available to guests free of charge, and you can rent bikes in Revel.
Ride your own Tour de France étape
In July 2010 Stage 13 of the tour (Rodez to Revel) raced past Pépoulie and this year on 13 July the organisers have again chosen to include the same roads from Lautrec to Puylaurens for Stage 11, which starts in Blaye-Les-Mines and finishes in Lavaur. Why not try one or both of these rides? Both routes are considered flat stages before the riders hit the Pyrenees, but there are hilly sections and the toughest climbs (category 3) will be challenging for most cyclists. Click on 2010 route and 2011 route for full details.
..Your suggestion, to fly into Rodez and then follow Stage 13 of Tour De France 2010 to Puylaurens, to see some of the local sights and develop an appetite (thirst) for a hearty meal on Saturday night was a brilliant idea. The Côte d'Ambialet and the run up to Lautrec were quite challenging, however the views en route, sleepy rural villages, some long downhill stretches, and the relatively quiet roads made for a good day in the saddle....
Andrew Watt, Australia, October 2010
Or take the Vielmur challenge
Try a pre-breakfast contre-la-montre, from Pepoulie to Vielmur-sur-Agout and back again - 22km of scenic, winding roads, climbing the category 4 Côte de Puylaurens each way. The current time to beat is 55 mins.
On the other hand, you might like a more leisurely ride by the side of the Canal du Midi, using the two bikes we have for guests. Two of our guests in July 2011 did this:
A lovely cycle ride along the Canal du Midi from Le Ségala (near La Bastide-d'Anjou) to Castelnaudary.
Distance - approx 11 km each way.
Time - 1 hr 10 mins each way, at a leisurely pace.
Starting point - the village of Le Ségala situated on the canal about 11 km NW of Castelnaudary.
Plenty of parking space at Le Ségala, which has a bar selling refreshments (don't know opening times or if they sell food).
Cycling is quite bumpy to begin with, over tree roots etc, along narrow tracks. After about 25 minutes these widen to a gravelled path for a further 20 minutes. The last 25 minutes is on a wide tarmaced track, used by the occasional car (canal workers?).
Be aware that restaurants in Castelnaudary only sell food over lunch time and during evenings. At other times they are open for liquid refreshments (in summer).
Highly recommended, under the shade of the trees growing alongside the canal.
Will & Andrea, UK, July 2011
The Tour de France in 2010 and 2011 just 300 metres from Pépoulie
