Dave is a retired police officer and Lesley is a professional watercolour artist. Lesley and Dave love walking and cycling in the local area as well as skiing and snowshoe-ing in the Pyrenees

On the outskirts of the hamlet of St Victor Rouzaud, La Maire is situated next to a small farm at the end of a lane on a hillside, enjoying breathtaking views in 3 directions over the open countryside and the distant Pyrenees. The town of Pamiers with its shops and restaurants is just 15 minutes drive away, the historic towns of Foix and Mirepoix are nearby and the Pyrenees are within easy reach. The house is surrounded by 1.4 hectares of grounds and garden - perfect for relaxation or ball games and the 10m x 6m pool is situated in a beautiful spot at the bottom of the garden enjoying fantastic views over the valley. The house has been tastefully renovated to provide spacious and bright accommodation, yet still retains much of its original charm. The thick walls and efficient central heating system keep the house cool in summer and cosily warm in winter, making it a perfect place to stay all year round.

The Ariege is a beautiful and unspoilt region of France. The scenery throughout the department is stunning - undulating hillsides dotted with small farms and fields of sunflowers, all with a backdrop of the stunning Pyrenees mountain range which can be seen from every hilltop. The mountains themselves are only an hours' drive away and Andorra is an easy day trip. There is plenty to see and do, including Cathar castles, lakes, caves and historic sites. Walking and cycling routes, both locally and in the mountains are in abundance and well marked. The St Jacques de Compostella pilgrim way passes the bottom of the lane.