Important Information
Access NotesTapovan is accessed via our own private drive. The drive meets the Eycherboul road at an acute angle.
Both the drive and the Eycherboul road are inclined as we are on the mountainside.On arrival we pass the entrance and reverse up our concreted entrance then make a three point turn and then drive up our private drive to the parking area, reached after approximately 50 meters. The parking area is adequate to turn your car.
The drive has been prepared properly and is safe in wet weather. In times of snow the drive can only be accessed by fitting snow chains to your car. This may also apply to the Eycherboul road and, during the few days of the year that this happens, we all need to park in the valley and walk up.
Our drive, like most of the mountain roads, is not fenced.
On leaving, you need to make a three point turn at the bottom of our drive.
Alternatively on both arrival and departure you can continue 1km to the hamlet of Eycherboul and turn easily at the end of the road.
We live here full time and are used to the drive and mountain roads and will be pleased to manoeuvre any vehicles for you at anytime.
The garden is beautiful with wonderful views and direct access to woodland paths behind and to the side of the gîte and house.The views are enhanced as a result of the slope of the land.
We have stepped pathways to the house from the parking area of about 40 meters and we will help carry your luggage to and from the gîte for you.
The woodland footpaths are not maintained so are occasionally obstructed by trees but are still fun to explore. Care must be taken both on and around our land at some of the steeper points.
We also have two ponds fed by mountain water that are unfenced.
Seats are dotted throughout the grounds for your enjoyment and you are free to roam throughout the extensive unfenced land.
Young children need to be supervised at all times when in the garden and the elderly and people with breathing difficulties may find the terrain difficult.
We are sorry but we cannot accept dogs as this will upset our two resident cats.
Our gîte is attached to our house but is completely private.
We have converted the property into a comfortable living accommodation with all the amenities described previously.
Due to the nature of the old building we have a few steps that cannot be avoided, namely from the living room to the kitchen and within the kitchen to the cooking area.We hope that this adds to the character of the property but care must be taken not to trip.
Tall chefs should also take care with the extractor above the cooker!
Our old wooden stairs lead to a second floor attic; this we hope to convert in the future to an ensuite bedroom. You are free to explore but please mind your head.
We have an up to date fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and first aid kit.
You will find the fuse board on the kitchen wall in the event of a power cut, which does happen from time to time when we have our spectacular electrical storms. ( A torch and candles are in the gîte, but hopefully you will not need them)
Finally we have made the house non smoking and smoke detectors are on each floor level.
We are an English couple that have always loved France and have been fortunate enough to retire to the Ariège to live a peaceful life in a beautiful area. Tapovan is a wonderful place that we have owned since March 2008 and we have completed the gîte to both subsidise our living and to allow others to enjoy what we have and for us, in turn, to meet people of all nationalities. Our French is coming along, mostly learnt from the local French walking group that explores the Ariège throughout the spring, summer and autumn months, but please excuse and help us when we struggle with the language.
We are resident next door and you will find us busy in the summer tending the garden which, in itself, is almost a full time job. We are here to help you enjoy your holiday and please ask if you need anything at anytime, any provisions or information about the area.
Paul and Andrea
March 2010