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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Apartment Belvedere
General Description
- Located towards the edge of the beautiful village of Caunes Minervois, and just 25 minutes drive from the medieval city of Carcassonne, Apartment Belvedere has a sunny south-facing aspect and an attractive terrace and garden looking over the plain of the River Aude to to the Pyrenees in the distance. The view is simply stunning!
- The apartment is part of a lovely, modern private villa and has its own separate entrance. It's on the ground floor, has one double bedroom, and is ideal for a couple, or perhaps a single parent, with one baby or child.
- This newly-completed, newly furnished property comprises an open plan living area with a kitchen, and a separate double bedroom and shower room.
- Outside there are 2 terraces: one just outside the apartment for wining and dining, the other further out into the garden under a pergola for enjoying the lovely surroudings and enjoying a cool beer or glass of wine.
- The apartment is in a quiet residential area and located 5-10 minutes walk into the centre of Caunes-Minervois. It is very convenient for the boulangerie, shops, cafe bars and restaurants.
- The friendly owner lives in the larger property on site and will be there to help you with any local information you might need. Alternatively, if you are content to be left alone, your privacy will be respected.
The Local Area
- The village of Caunes Minervois has a rich heritage of history and culture. It is located in the foothiils of the Montagne Noire and over looks the plain of the River Aude. Close to the Mediterranean and also close to the mountains, its micro-climate is ideal for the production of some of the best AOC Minervois wines and many local wine-producers offer wine-tastings.
- Caunes Minervois has some fascinating old architecture and in the centre is the beautiful stone-built Benedictine Abbey - classical music concerts are held here in the summer months. The village is also world famous for the pink marble which is quarried here. The village has amongst other shops, a mini-supermarket, a boulangerie, a butcher, a cafe-bar, and a few restaurants.
- Sports facilities: Locally you can enjoy walking, cycling, mountain-biking, fishing, canoe-kayaking, yoga and golf in Carcassonne. For swimming you have two lakes locally which have man-made beaches and offer good swimming facilities - Lac de la Cavayere and Lac du Jouarres. Carcassonne also has an open air swimming pool open in the summer months. Alternatively about 50 minutes drive away is the Mediterranean coast with fine, sandy beaches - not only can you enjoy swimming and sun-bathing but there's a wide variety of watersports on offer too.
- Sightseeing: There's much to see and do around here - the best attractions are: the Medieval city of Carcassonne (15kms), the Canal du Midi, the Gouffre de Cabrespine - a gigantic underground chasm (truly not to be missed!), the Cathar Castle at Lastours, the towns of Minerve, Limoux, and Revel and the Mediterranean beaches. We'll be delighted to send you more information when you make your booking.
- Markets: Caunes Minervois has a market on a Tuesday morning, Olonzac also on a Tuesday, and Carcassonne on a Tuesday and a Saturday.
- Restaurants: In the village you'll find 2 to 3 restaurants and another good one locally in Villeneuve-Minervois. Plenty of restaurants to suit every budget and taste are to be found in Carcassonne.
- Supermarkets: There's a mini supermarket in the village and another larger one within 10 minutes drive. There's a wide choise of supermarkets in Carcassonne.
Facilities
- Living/Dining room and Kitchen: The living area is open plan with a comfortable convertible sofa bed which can provide sleeping accommodation for a child over 5 years. There's a coffee table and a gate-leg dining table with 4 chairs. The kitchen area is well-equipped with a cooker, fridge/freezer, microwave and washing machine. For 2012 there will be a TV receiving UK digital channels and a DVD player. From the living room French windows open out onto the terrace and the garden beyond.
- Bedroom: There's a double bedroom with a double bed and a built-in wardrobe.
- Shower room: Here you'll find a large shower, WC and wash basin with a cupboard below.
- Outside: Directly outside the apartment is a terrace kitted out with a table, chairs, a parasol and a barbecue. Sun loungers are provided for you. Further out into the attractive garden you can also relax under the pergola and admire the lovely view. There is an off road car parking space for one car. Further car parking is available on the road outside the property.
- Swimming Pool: The owner has a private swimming pool which guests in the apartment may use by invitation or by prior arrangement.
- Suitability Note: Whilst the apartment is on one level and on the ground floor and the walk into the village is downhill, the walk back is uphill and may not be suitable for the very elderly or those that have difficulty with walking.
- Internet: An internet connection is available here via WiFi (via your own laptop)- so this property is ideal if you are searching for a second home in this part of France.
- Telephone: Sorry, there isn't a landline in the apartment, but mobile phone signals in the region are generally good.
- Baby Facilities: A cot and a high chair are available upon request.
- Winter Heating: Is included in the rental price.
- Water and Electricity: Are included in the rental price.
- End of stay Cleaning: Is included in the rental price.
- Bed and Bathroom Linen: Is included in the rental price.
- 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 Deposit: The owner does not currently request a damage deposit but asks you to respect the apartment and to report and pay for any breakages.
- Change over Day: Saturday is preferred during the main summer months, however please enquire as alternative days may be possible subject to availability.
- Long weekend stays and mini breaks: Possible subject to availability and a minimum stay of 3 nights. Please enquire for price and availability.
- Airport Transfers: If you would rather not drive/hire a car - airport transfers may be available from and to Carcassonne airport for a reasonable price. Please enquire for price and availability.
- Pets: Sorry - pets are not permitted here.
- Smoking: Is not permitted inside the apartment. It is possible to smoke on the terrace.
How To Get There
- By Car: Caunes-Minervois is situated just to the North East of Carcassonne. The nearest Autoroute exits are No's: 23 or 24 on the A61. For CAR HIRE, please see our Home Page.
- By Air: Carcassonne Airport is the nearest just 25 minutes from the property - serviced by Ryanair from the UK, Ireland and other parts of Europe. The next nearest ( under 60 minutes drive) is Beziers serviced by Ryanair and Flybe. Other possible airports, all within reasonable driving distance are: Toulouse, Perpignan, and Montpellier.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Carcassonne. For details of trains and ticket to this region, please click on the link to RAIL EUROPE on our website.
Full directions etc will be provided once you have made a booking.
