Stay on this Horse Farm in the South of France
Trips and Travel – Stay on this Arabian Horse Farm in the South of France
It will soon be time to travel again –
Winding down the quiet lane between pastures, Arabian horses graze quietly along the hillside, some with foals at their side.
Belgium natives Wim and Karolien Strobbe-Heyns are living their dream, combining their love of Arabian horses and their hospitable natures to run a breeding/training facility and a BnB from their restored country farmhouse in the south of France.
The couple found their new home near the charming 14th c. village of Castelsagrat. This bastide village is located not far from where the Tarn and Garonne rivers meet and where the fertile silt-laden soil supports fields of golden sunflowers (tournasol), their faces all turned in the same direction; giant rolls of baled wheat, some weighing as much as 1,000 pounds, now left in the field to dry; and grapes gathering sugar for their autumn harvest.
With loving care, the duo has transformed their house, which had many former disjointed additions, into a genial home with modern amenities.
The swimming pool is arranged, as if by design, between ancient building relics of earlier times.
Guests are made welcome through the cool and calming covered terrace into a house addition that doubles as lounge and eating area which is accented with Karolien’s signature turquoise and violet colors. There is an enticing swimming pool arranged, as if by design, between ancient building relics of earlier times. The bedrooms with windows that open to the pool and terrace below, are finished in colors chosen to maintain tranquility, all with en suite bathrooms.
Breakfasts are complete. On the morning of our stay, le petit-dejeuner included a made-to-order hot beverage, juice, from the patisserie fresh croissants and fresh bread, a tray of cold meats and cheese, yogurt, fruit, cereals, and home made jams (confiture), some from the nearby orchard.
One falls in love with the serene location of the house.
Viewing the property for the first time, one falls in love with the serene location of the house, secluded from the road down the wooded lane and surrounded by pastures of grazing horses. Who would not be charmed by the scent of the rich earth and the aroma of ripening fruit in the orchard just a stroll from the front door? Then of course, there is the promise of exploration along the many trails.
The property’s 17 hectares take advantage of the gentle rolling hills to allow multiple pastures where Arabian horses of the highest quality are separated according to size, age, and job. The excellent breeding reflects a partnership opportunity with Holland’s Kossack Stud and Erny and Robbie Den Hartog to raise some of their best French/Russian racebred horses on this fertile land in the South of France.
Quiet roads and gently rolling hills of the area make for excellent cycling while the woods are for horse riders and those who love to wander and train on the ancient forest paths.
Karolien conditions her endurance gelding on the trails in the area.
Karolien conditions her endurance gelding on the trails in the area, many used for the CEI ***Endurance Competition of Castelsagrat and other nearby competitions. It is now possible to bring along your own horse to be kept on the property while you enjoy conditioning in the hills, through the streams and along the tracks and forest trails.
Athough the farmhouse terrace features a BBQ area for al fresco dining, there are many choices for meals in Castelsagrat and throughout the many small villages in the area.
Castelsagrat is located between Agen and Montauban, about an hour north of Toulouse, France, and is a treasure for history buffs who wish to wander through the old villages, churches, chateaux, and abbeys of the area.
For more information please contact:
Le Pachot SNC
Lieu – dit Pachot Nord
82400 Castelsagrat
Mobile : +33 6 72 55 13 09
Mail: [email protected]
Site : www.lepachot.fr
Photos and text by Pamela Burton