La Paolina

Agriturismo Podere la Paolina
A welcoming place
Surrounded by nature
La Paolina Passion for Hospitality

Agriturismo La Paolina Restaurant

La Paolina was a fully working farmhouse for over five hundred years. In recent times, it has been converted into a guesthouse that welcomes tourists who wish to explore this beautiful part of Southern Tuscany. The house is located only two kilometres away from Montefollonico, a small medieval town surrounded by a nature park called Il Tondo. The property can be found on a map quite easily as it is halfway between Montepulciano and Pienza.

Who we are

The family

La Paolina is owned by a family of British and Spanish origins who fell in love with Tuscany in the late 1960’s. Over the years the main house has undergone a number of renovations, however, the original Tuscan style has been maintained to respect the architecture of the area as this is part of Italy’s heritage and is protected by local by-laws. The exquisite local food and friendly community are all a truly wonderful experience that inspired the current owners to change their ‘city life’ for ‘country life’.

The farm

The current owners have grown various crops at La Paolina, including wheat, barley, sunflowers and corn. La Paolina adopts a biodynamic agricultural process (similar to organic farming) and produces olive oil, vegetables and honey. The remaining land surrounding the property is a woodland and the fields are used for grazing by local farmers. La Paolina as a home dates back to the 16th century and was a working farm for over 500 years covering in excess of 10 hectares until the 1970’s.

The seasons

The pace of Tuscan lifestyle is determined by the seasons of the year. Winters are cold and silent, they invite you to slow your pace next to a crackling fire with a good bottle of wine and a book. Spring, with its colorful buds, returns the first warm days of the year, while from the woods the birdsongs announce their awakening of love. Summers are hot summers, frivolous and carefree with one thousand scents in the air. Autumn is full of smooth and warm colors, you will smell the fragrance of the must fermenting in barrels, smoke can be seen from chimneys on the roofs once again as the wood is burning in preparation for the cold winter.

The territory

La Paolina is located close to Montefollonico, a small medieval town in a nature park called Il Tondo, it is halfway between Montepulciano and Pienza. The property is also close to the famous Crete Senesi (an area of Tuscany renowned for the distinctive grey coloration of the soil (which gives the landscape an appearance often described as lunar) and the Val d’Orcia with its unspoiled and beautiful landscapes. The landscape of this area has become familiar through its depiction in works of art from Renaissance paintings to modern photography.

Throughout the year, but especially during the summer months, the local community organises various fairs and shows. Over the years, these events have become important points in time for the community to meet and maintain local traditions which have been passed down various generations. They are also seen as great opportunities to share traditions with the outside world where everybody is welcome. Once you experience the Tuscan lifestyle you will feel at home and this territory will leave you with a strong sense of belonging.

Medieval Town

The Middle Ages was an era in which most of today's population centers were developed. The medieval towns and villages were built over a relatively short period of time with precise urban planning in mind by the forefathers of this region; many towns and cities were built on buildings of Roman origin. The Middle Ages was a period of long duration (close to ten centuries), therefore, it is impossible to make reference to a typical layout of a medieval town. The charm of typical Tuscan towns has remained untouched over the centuries and this will give most visitors a sense of going back in time, the times of the Middle Ages.

Tuscany Siena

Val d’Orcia

Montepulciano

Pienza

There are various things to do around the area

Cultural Tours

The local towns offer interesting cultural events.

Hot springs

A short drive away (30 minutes) you can find hot springs: Rapolano Terme, Bagno Vignoni and Chianciano Terme.

Trecking

From our main property there are various paths to go for walks to nearby forests, old churches and towns.

Foraging

Recognising and picking local lichens, berries, bark and herbs is becoming a very common activity throughout the area.

The ‘Francigena’ route

The ‘Francigena’ route is located a few kilometers away from La Paolina. This route used to be a pilgrimage path during Medieval times that connected Canterbury across Europe through Rome all the way to Jerusalem.

Cycling

La Paolina is surrounded by paths and cycle routes that can be used by cyclists for sport or leisurely rides.

Hospitality Small Barn, Cottage, Casa Colonica

La Paolina has a choice of two types of self-catering accommodation with free WiFi. The accomodation is completely independent from the main house and surrounded by the Tuscan landscape
The Small Barn has one main room with a double bed, small kitchenette and bathroom
The Cottage has one main bedroom with a double bed, kitchenette, lounge with a fireplace and bathroom..

Casa Colonica Small Barn Cottage