Pool

  • The unique natural shaped pool nestles in the living rock, secure behind the high stone walls of the castle.
  • The pool is 16.5 meters long, and varyies in depth from about 30 centimeters up to some 3.5 meters, excellent both for diving and bombing, and for learning to swim.
  • With six different seating areas you can always find sunshine or shade, privacy or company, someplace around the pool.
  • The Pool House has a well-equipped kitchenette with a refrigerator and tableware, and a changing room with hot shower and toilet.
  • The pool is shared between the two Rue Caterine cottages.  Family and guests staying in the adjacent Chateau also come down to swim.

 

There are a number of distinct seating areas around the pool
There are a number of distinct seating areas around the pool

so that you can be sociable or private as you like, or seek sun or shade as need dictates.

Seats under the pine trees look over open countryside toward the Cevennes Mountains.
Seats under the pine trees look over open countryside toward the Cevennes Mountains.

This spot gets early morning and late afternoon sun, and offers welcome shade during the middle of the day.

Over the years many many children have learned to swim in this humane pool,
Over the years many many children have learned to swim in this humane pool,

by now several generations of them.

Learning to swim
Learning to swim

A couple of weeks is usually enough to learn to swim, though full confidence over the deep end takes longer.

Gentle steps lead into the middle of the pool.
Gentle steps lead into the middle of the pool.

Another three steps lead into the shallow end, which slopes gently down from about 30 to 100 centimeters in depth before falling steeply to the diving area beyond the steps.

Half the pool is about 3.5 meters deep.
Half the pool is about 3.5 meters deep.

This is more than deep enough for diving or bombing . Considerate splashing is encouraged.

The Pool House has a kitchen and dining room for poolside snacks and meals.
The Pool House has a kitchen and dining room for poolside snacks and meals.

The kitchen is equipped with a fridge & hob and all the necessities for serving drinks, snacks and meals. There is also a changing room with toilet and hot shower.

Below the Pool House there is a sun-baked terrace equipped for BBQs under the stars,
Below the Pool House there is a sun-baked terrace equipped for BBQs under the stars,

or for breakfast in the early morning sunshine.

Guests may use the pool at any time - at dawn
Guests may use the pool at any time - at dawn

or at night under a star-spangled sky.
or at night under a star-spangled sky.

The pool is sun-warmed.
The pool is sun-warmed.

It is not in use during the cooler months when the water temperature drops below 18 degrees, though the pool area is still a pretty place to soak up the afternoon sunshine.

The pool area is secure behind high stone walls.
The pool area is secure behind high stone walls.

Your front door key also gives access to the pool area.