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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Domaine de Carine 2
General Description
- Stunningly located in gorgeous countryside, this well-presented, well-decorated and nicely furnished gite is just a 30-minute drive from Carcassonne and is close to the Canal du Midi in the sunny Languedoc Roussillon region of the South of France.
- Domaine de Carine 2 is a lovely 2-bedroom property which sleeps up to 4 people. It is both south and east-facing, has a spacious living area on the ground floor, and its own terrace for alfresco dining.
- It shares a spacious garden and a large outdoor swimming pool with another gite here - Domaine de Carine 3.
- Inside there's a large, light and airy, welcoming living room with French windows, comfortable sofas and a TV. There is a pleasant dining area here too and a well-equipped kitchen. Upstairs you'll find a bathroom and 2 bedroooms; one a double room and the other a twin-bedded room.
- The setting of the gite is within the beautiful grounds and buildings of what was once a large farmhouse. Some of the buildings are over 200 years old and they have been carefully restored retaining some original features such as the beams and the stone work.
- A most beautiful, colourful garden has been created in the area partly enclosed by these lovely old buildings.
- A lovely feature of this property is the swimming pool nestled within the restored honey-coloured walls of an old farm building, providing shelter from any wind and shade from the sun when required. The planting of an olive tree and lavenders give a nice Mediterranean feel. The pool is secure for children and is shared with holiday-makers in the other gite and the owners of the property.
- The location of the property is ideal for a blissful, relaxing and memorable holiday, and yet it's just a short drive from many of the top attractions in this lovely region of France. It might be hard to drag yourselves away!
The Local Area
- Only 2 kms away is Villasavary, the local village in a lovely setting, where you'll find a boulangerie, a bar and a local restaurant offering simple fare. The larger village of Fanjeaux and the small town of Bram are approximately a 5-minute drive away for further shopping. Fanjeaux has a family run restaurant with excellent food at reasonable prices. Bram has a market on Wednesday mornings for fresh fruit, vegetables and local cheeses and a Carrefour supermarket.
- For those that like to be active there are a number of sports all to be found within an hour of the property e.g. canoeing and kayaking, riding, golfing, caving, paragliding and hang gliding,ski-ing in the winter, and of course most types of watersports on the Mediterranean coast. For those who like to take things more easily, there are lovely walks and the possibility of boat hire along the Canal du Midi.
- Sightseeing: there's much to see and do in this lovely region. For towns, you can visit Carcassonne and its wonderful medieval city, Revel, Mirepoix, and Limoux. For lakes and rivers, the Lac St Ferreol in the Montagne Noire, the Lac de la Cavayere near Carcassonne and the River Aude flowing down from the Pyrenees, and through Carcassonne to the Mediterranean. The fine sandy beaches and coastal resorts are about a 1 hour drive away. The Languedoc is also famous for the Cathar castles such as Peyrepertuse, Montsegur and Puilaurens. There are many caves and grottoes in the region that are also well worth a visit.
- Markets: Further afield from Bram, there's a great market in Revel and also in Carcasonne on a Saturday morning, and don't miss the market in the lovely town of Mirepoix on a Monday morning.
- Supermarket: The nearest supermarket is in Bram.
Facilities
- Living Room: A spacious bright welcoming room with French doors and a beamed ceiling, and a stove for cooler evenings. There are comfortable sofas, a coffee table, a TV receiving both French and English channels and a DVD player.
- Dining Area: Open plan to the living room, you'll find an antique dining table and 4 chairs - all carefully styled and in keeping with the age of the property.
- Kitchen: A blend of contemporary units and free-standing furniture combines a clean modern style with 'old' rural French. The kitchen is fully-equipped with a sink, a hob, a microwave/convection oven, a fridge with freezer box, a dishwasher, and crockery, cutlery, and cooking equipment. To minimise noise, the washing machine is located in a cupboard under the stairs.
- Bedrooms: There are 2 good size bedrooms on the first floor; one with a double bed and one with twin beds. They are both tastefully decorated and furnished with antique French furniture, with attractive bed linen.
- Bathroom: The bathroom has a bath with a shower over, an old-style washbasin set in a marble surround and a WC
- Additional Accommodation: There is another 3-bedroom gite here which sleeps 6 - see Domaine de Carine 3. Subject to availability, you can rent this property as well if you are a party of up to 10 + a baby.
- Outside: Is a terrace equipped with a wooden dining table, 4 chairs, a parasol and a barbecue. Guests are welcome to use the large garden and woods beyond which include a children's play area with swings, a trampoline and a tree house. (Parents must be fully responsible for their children should they use this equipment.) There is ample private parking for your car.
- Swimming Pool: The shared swimming pool is 5 m x 10m with steps leading down into it. The lovely walled enclosure around the pool is approx. 25 m x 9m and is a spacious area. Sun-loungers are provided. The gate to the swimming pool is secured by a numeric key pad, the number for which is only given to the adults. The swimming pool is shared with the guests in the other gite here and the owners.
- To lighten your load: If flying on a low-cost airline - a hairdryer is provided and an iron and ironing board. Swimming pool towels are also provided.
- Internet: An internet connection is provided - for use with your own laptop.
- Telephone: There is no landline telephone in the gite, but mobile phone signals in the area are generally good.
- Baby Facilities: A cot and a high chair are available upon request.
- Winter Heating: There is no central heating in the property but wood for the wood burning stove is included in the price.
- Gas, Electric and Water: are all inlcuded in the rental price.
- End of Stay Cleaning: is included in the rental price.
- Bed and bathroom linen: are 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 cost.
- Damage Deposit: Currently the owners do not request a damage deposit.
- Change Over Day: Is Saturday in high and peak season. Outside that period other days may be possible, subject to availability - please enquire.
- Mini-breaks: May be possible in low and mid season - minimum 3 nights - please enquire.
- Pets: are not permitted here - sorry.
- Smoking: is not allowed here - sorry.
How To Get There
- By Car: The property is close to Villasavary, approximately 23 kms to the West of Carcassonne. The nearest exit on the A61 autoroute is No: 22 for Bram.
- By Air: The nearest airports are Carcassonne (30 mins drive), Toulouse ( approx 55 mins) or Beziers (1hr 20 mins). Other possible airports are Montpellier, Nimes, Rodez, Perpignan and Girona (N. Spain).
- By Train: The nearest railway station is in Carcassonne. Please consult the link to RAILEUROPE on our home page for details and tickets to this region.
Further directions will be sent to you once you have made a booking.
