This lovely creaky, beamy, 1830s farmhouse, with original tiled floors has had a makeover: enjoy the fancy new fully-equipped kitchen, internet fast enough for all the family, all at once, pool with mountain and country views, multiple decks for lolling about, firepit, woodland walks, barbecues, Mölkky, boules and gym; so many places to hide and seek and enjoy some of the freshest air in Western Europe. Come here and be far, far from the crazy but less than an hour to a proper airport (Toulouse is served by BA, among others, with multiple flights per day to many major European hubs).

The town of Aurignac is 10 minutes by car and has a French Australian pub, a classic French bar, 3 restaurants, lively Saturday market, coffee shop, supermarket and excellent cave à vin that also sells garden tools and dog biscuits. Go figure. There's a castle and a museum that might be open, might not. And of course, endless hiking and bike trails.

Toulouse is only an hour and is a wonderful city to visit with stunning architecture, a fabulous restaurant scene, amazing shopping and art galleries and the best club rugby team in the northern hemisphere.

For Christmas and winter visitors, the house is properly insulated, with a boiler capable of heating a small principality, as well as multiple woodburners and plenty of wood.