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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Apartment Arcolan 3
General Description
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This clean, welcoming three bedroom apartment, sleeping up to 8 people, is in a large village house on the south-facing side of the ancient quiet village of Azillanet, near the town of Olonzac in the Minervois wine-producing region.
- The apartment is located on the gound and first floor of the house and comprises a spacious open plan kitchen, living and dining area and, upstairs, two en-suite double bedrooms that have both a double and a single bed, and a further bedroom with twin beds with a separate bathroom.
- There's a WiFi internet connection too, ideal if you are house-hunting in this area, or need to keep in touch with work, family or friends.
- Outside there's a terrace for alfresco dining, chairs and sun-loungers for relaxing in the pretty garden and an above ground swimming pool with ladder.
- Your hosts are English-speaking and so can provide a home cooked evening meal on the day of your arrival if you wish (more details below) and breakfast on the following morning.
- The lady owner is trained in massage, reiki, body-balancing and other relaxation therapies. A well-being and relaxation massage costs 36 euros for a one hour session - so if you are wanting an escape from a busy, stressful life, this could be just right for you.
The Local Area
- Azillanet is a quiet, pretty village with lots of stone houses, a little grocery shop, a boulangerie van that arrives daily at 8.30am, and an auberge open in the summer months offering delicious local cuisine with wine included for a very reasonable price.
- The area is beautiful with lovely view towards the Pyrenees in the South and the Black Mountains to the North. It's ideal for photographers, bird watchers, naturalists, walkers and cyclists. Wild flowers abound in the spring and the region is rich in birdlife. The countryside is green both in summer and winter due to the many cypresses, pine and olive trees.
- Wine producing is important in this area and at the cave in Azillanet 'Les Trois Blasons' you can sample and buy the delicious wines of the Minervois. The nearest town is Olonzac (5kms) just a very short drive away where there is a supermaket, boulangeries, a butcher, a bank, a pharmacy and various cafe bars and restaurants.
- Activities: As well as using the pool in the garden, if you like swimming and sunbathing you can go to the Lac du Jouarres (pictured) about 6kms away, or the swimming pool created in the clean waters of the River Cesse in Bize Minervois, and of course the sandy Mediterranean beaches which are about 40 minutes drive from here. You can also windsurf at Lac du Jouarres and many other types of watersports are possible at the coastal resorts. With a few gentle hills in the vicinity, the area is great for walking and cycling (please ask us for details of a local English-speaking cycle hire company). For golfers, there are courses in both Carcassonne and Beziers.
- Sightseeing: Just a few kilometres up the road is Minerve, the ancient 'capital' of the Minervois, a town steeped in Cathar history and an attractive place to spend a half day. Additionally the Chateau of Lastours, one of the Cathar castles, is easily visited in a day trip. There's plenty of other lovely and interesting places to choose from during your stay here e.g. Carcassonne, Lagrasse, Pezenas and Mirepoix to name but a few. For children, there's the giant caves at Cabrespine, the African Nature Reserve at Sigean, and the Dinosaur Museum at Esperaza.
- Don't miss a trip to the Oulibo, a working olive-oil mill at Bize Minervois, or enjoy a wine tasting at many of the chateau and wineries locally. Further afield: a day trip to Spain is easy as the border is less than 90 minutes drive away.
- The markets of the region are colourful, interesting, quite a social event and full of fresh local produce. They sell everything from jewellery, to basketware, to beds! You can visit Olonzac market on a Tuesday morning, Lezignan Corbieres on a Wednesday, and Narbonne on a Thursday and Sunday. The renowned indoor food market in Les Halles in Narbonne is open every morning.
- Restaurants: In the village there is the Auberge in the summer months, the Auberge St Martin in Beaufort, the Bel Minervois and others in Olonzac and many more cafe bars and restaurants canal-side in Homps.
- Supermarkets: There's a supermarket 5 minutes drive away in Olonzac and others in La Redorte and St Marcel sur Aude (15-20 minutes drive).
Facilities
- Living room, dining area and kitchen: This is a cosy, traditionally decorated room on the ground floor for cooking, dining indoors, reading, listening to music or watching French TV (a DVD player is available upon request). For the cooler months, there's an open fire place for a log fire. The kitchen has a cooker, fridge-freezer, microwave (on request) and a washing machine. This room opens out onto the garden and a terrace.
- Bedrooms: A hallway and staircase leads to the 3 bedrooms on the first floor. Two bedrooms have both a double and a single bed, a bedside table, lamps, a wardrobe and a dressing table. The third bedroom has twin beds, a wardrobe etc.
- En-suite Shower Room: Two bedrooms have an en-suite with a large shower, WC and washbasin. The 3rd bedroom has a separate bathroom with WC. A further WC is available on the ground floor.
- Hall and Staircase: Please note these areas are for communal use as the owners require access to their own separate accommodation.
- Additional Accommodation: The accommodation here is flexible and, subject to availability, you have the option of either one, two or three bedrooms - please enquire if you need more details.
- Outside: There's a terrace with garden furniture for relaxing and dining, also chairs and sun-loungers in the pretty garden.
- Swimming Pool: In the garden there's an above ground pool which is 5 metres in diameter. It is ideal for cooling off in after a day's sightseeing. Normally the owners will not use it if you are there by the pool, but may want to clean and maintain it when necessary. The pool is generally open from June to mid September.
- Internet: A free WiFi connection is available for use with your own laptop.
- Telephone: There is no landline telephone in the apartment but mobile phone signals in the region are generally good.
- Baby Facilities: If you have a baby, a cot and a high chair are available on request.
- Winter Heating: Is not included in the rental price. There is an additional cost of 50 euros per week from mid October to the end of April.
- Electric and Water: Are included in the rental price except for winter heating.
- End of Stay Cleaning: This is included here in the rental price.
- Bed and Bathroom Linen: This is included in the rental price.
- Evening Meal on arrival/Breakfast on your first morning: So you can relax and get into your holiday straight away, a home-cooked 4 course meal can be pre-booked for the evening of your arrival. The price is 18 Euros per person. In addition or alternatively, you can enjoy a continental breakfast on your first morning for 7 Euros person. Please book with us in advance. Payment is required in cash on arrival.
- Taxe de Sejour: In France it is necessary to pay a Taxe de Sejour at the end of your stay - it has been included here in the rental price.
- Damage/Security Deposit: the owners request a damage deposit fo 150 Euros or £100 on arrival and this will be refunded to you at the end of your stay, less the replacement cost of any breakages.
- Change Over Day: This is flexible, according to availability.
- Long weekends and short breaks: Are possible, subject to availability and a minimum stay of 2 nights. Longer Lets: May also be possible subject to availability, please enquire.
- Pets: Are not pemitted here, sorry.
- Smoking: Is not permitted inside, but you may smoke outside if you wish.
How To Get There
- By Car: Azillanet lies just 5 minutes by car North of the town of Olonzac, to the West of Beziers. The nearest autoroute exits are No: 36 Beziers Ouest on the A9 and No: 25 Lezignan Corbieres on the A61.
- By Air: Carcassonne and Beziers airports are the nearest and almost equi-distant from the apartment - both approx 50 minutes drive. Carcassonne airport is serviced by Ryanair and Beziers by Ryanair and Flybe. Other alternative airports are Perpignan, Montpellier, Nimes, Toulouse and Girona (N. Spain).
- By Train: Please click on the link to RAIL EUROPE on our Home Page for details of train times and tickets to this region.
Full directions will be provided once you have made a firm booking.
