Saint Blaise Najac, Aveyron
The pool at Saint Blaise with the barn behind

A family farmhouse on the Aveyron, a short walk from Najac

Saint Blaise is our family's farmhouse in the quiet south-west of France. It sits on the river below the medieval village of Najac, with a pool, a big terrace and plenty of room for everyone. The main house sleeps eight, and with the barn there is space for up to 12.

It is a place for slow days. Swim, read, walk into the village for lunch, and eat outside in the evening.

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Sleeps 128 in the house, 4 in the barn
6 bedrooms5 doubles and a twin
Private pool10 by 5 metres
Walk to NajacRestaurants, bars, market

Our story

Saint Blaise has been restored by the Bignell family over 30 years. It was an old Aveyron farmhouse when we found it, and we have brought it back a room at a time, keeping the stone, the beams and the feel of the place.

It has always been a family house first. It is where we gather for summers, and we are glad to share it with the people we know. We hope you will feel at home here the way we do.

The stone farmhouse in summer
The kitchen diner
The living room and fireplace A double bedroom under the beams

The main house

The main house sleeps eight in four large bedrooms. Downstairs is built around a big kitchen diner and a large living room, with doors out to the terrace.

4 large bedrooms: 3 doubles and 1 twin
2 en suites and a family bathroom
Large kitchen diner
Large living area
Big outside terrace with gas barbecue
Washing machine

The barn

A home of its own, a few steps from the main house. Sleeps four in two double bedrooms, with an en suite, a family bathroom, and its own kitchen and living room. Good for grandparents, another family, or anyone who likes a bit of space.

The main house can be booked on its own, or with the barn if you need the extra rooms.

Outside

Most of the day happens outside. There is a 10 by 5 metre pool with its own terrace, and a large terrace off the house with a gas barbecue for long dinners. The Aveyron river runs just below.

The pool under the pergola The terrace table Dinner under the olive tree

Breakfast in the shade, dinner as the sun goes down.

Najac castle above the valley

Najac

Najac is a short walk up from the house. It is one of the prettiest villages in France, a single street of old stone houses along a ridge, ending at a 13th-century castle with views over the river gorge.

There are several restaurants and bars, a handful of galleries and artisan workshops, and a weekly market with a food festival in the square. Most weeks you will not need the car much.

The village street at dusk Najac seen from the valley
Château de Najac. A 13th-century fortress with panoramic views and a history tied to the Cathars and the Hundred Years' War.
The village street. Église Saint-Jean, the 1350 granite fountain and the Maison du Gouverneur, all on the walk up.
Pont Saint-Blaise. The medieval bridge over the Aveyron, built between 1259 and 1274, right by the house.
Market and food festival. Weekly, in the square. Go early and stay for lunch.
Eating out. L'Oustal del Barry for a proper French dinner with views of the fortress. Tartines et Compagnie for simple food from their family farm.

Things to do

You could happily spend a week between the pool and the village. If you want more, the Aveyron gorges, a string of medieval towns and some good walking are all within an hour.

Saint Blaise from the lane

Day trips

Villefranche-de-Rouergue (30 min). A bastide town with a big Gothic church on the square and the 15th-century Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur monastery.
Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (35 min). A medieval riverside town with a lively Sunday market and one of the oldest civic buildings in France.
Abbaye de Beaulieu-en-Rouergue (40 min). A 12th-century Cistercian abbey, now a contemporary art museum.
Cordes-sur-Ciel (45 min). A hilltop town of cobbled streets, artisan shops and a modern art museum.
The Aveyron gorges

Walks

Gorges de l'Aveyron loop. About 10 km through the woods and along the river, starting and ending in Najac.
Sentier des Crêtes. About 14 km along the ridge, with the best views of the castle and the valley.
Otter Trail (PR5). An easy 8 km beside the river, with signs about the local wildlife. Good with children.
GR 36. The long-distance path runs straight through Najac if you want a longer day out.
The Aveyron river

On the water

Canoeing on the Aveyron. Paddle through the gorges from Saint-Antonin.
Lac de Parisot. A lake with a sandy beach, pedal boats, canoes and an inflatable aquapark in summer.
Plage de Laguépie. A river beach where the Viaur meets the Aveyron, with water games in summer.
For the brave. Paragliding at Roc d'Anglars, or climbing and a family via ferrata at Saint-Antonin.
The pool in the afternoon

Food and wine

Najac market. Weekly, with a food festival in the square.
Wine tasting. Mas Lafon at Martiel, Château Saint Louis near Najac and Domaine Laurens all offer tastings.
Maison de la Châtaigne (25 min). A small museum about chestnuts and rural life in the Ségala. Nicer than it sounds.

Getting here

Saint Blaise is on the Aveyron river just below Najac, in the Aveyron department of south-west France. We send the full address and directions for the last stretch with your booking.

By air. Toulouse airport is 1 hour 45 minutes by car. Hire a car there; you will want one for day trips.
By car from the UK. A long but easy drive. Most people take a ferry or the tunnel and break the journey once on the way down.
By train. Najac has a small station on the Toulouse to Brive line. Taxis are best booked ahead.

Gallery

The house, the pool and the village, in the summer light.

The dining room A double bedroom The twin room The pool and the barn The pool under the pergola The house

Get in touch

If you would like to stay, just ask. Send us a message with the dates you have in mind, how many of you there are, and whether you want the main house on its own or with the barn. We will get back to you.

Saint Blaise, Najac, Aveyron. A family house, shared with friends.

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