Booking your stay, prices, FAQ

MAISON GRILLOU, CHAMBRES D'HOTES AND HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION WITH A DIFFERENCE IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

dogs

We will consider accommodating one sociable and well-behaved dog. Dog owners need to be aware though that (a) our own (friendly and easy going) dog lives here; and (b) our grounds are completely unfenced and run off into woodland in all directions. We ask that dogs stay on the ground floor, are not allowed to sleep on sofas or chairs or left unattended in your accommodation, are kept on a lead in the garden areas and have up to date vaccinations, flea and tick treatment. We do make a small additional charge of 5 euros a night to contribute towards the extra cleaning required, which will be donated to the local SPA (rescue centre). We don’t accept cats or any other animals.

If you want to bring your dog, please talk to us before booking. This is ours: he's a bilingual Labrit called Nouille/Noodles:

a peaceful retreat for couples

We have conceived our accommodation to suit couples, and feel that what we, and Grillou, have to offer is best suited to adults. So ..... we don’t take bookings including anyone under 18.

comings and goings

You may check in on your arrival day from 16.00, and preferably before 19.00 (if you’ve booked dinner for your first night, definitely before 19.00!). We’ll agree an approximate arrival time with you by email, text or phone a couple of days before the beginning of your stay. We ask you to check out on departure day before 11.00. Earlier check in or later check out may be possible depending on other guests and our own availability; we’ll do our best to be flexible if it matters to you.

Those on Slow Food and Wine Breaks can check in from 14.00, and benefit from a later check out time of 14.00.

access

Access to Grillou is via a kilometre of unpaved but gravelled forest track. The track is maintained by the commune and is rutted and bumpy in places but perfectly driveable in the vast majority of cars, except possibly ground hugging sports cars or other vehicles with minimal ground clearance. We drive this track in ordinary vehicles daily without incident. If you have any concerns about access, please talk to us before booking.

winter access

Winter access generally poses no particular problems; our track is rock- rather than earth-based and a normal year would see at most one or two snowy episodes. If we do find ourselves under heavy snow we may be cut off for a day or even two until the track is snowploughed; however, there is usually good warning of impending heavy snowfall and if access out will be needed for whatever reason we’d always recommend moving cars farther down the lane closer to the D18. It’s always a good idea, and on high altitude roads a requirement, to carry snow chains in winter in Ariège.

smoking

The interior of the house is a totally non-smoking zone – no exceptions! Because of our situation in the middle of woodland and the consequent increased risk of fire from cigarettes and matches, we only allow smoking on one gravelled terrace in the grounds (a short distance from the house) where we provide a sand-filled bucket.