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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Gite Colombe
General Description
- This lovely, beautifully presented gite is just 500 metres from the Canal du Midi in the small, but lively town of Trebes - a bustling little canal port which is just 10-15 minutes walk away. It's an excellent location for you if you want to explore the fascinating medieval city of Carcassonne, the Canal du Midi, the Cathar Castles, Narbonne, Beziers and the Mediterranean coast.
- The property is located in what was previously a wine domaine which dates back several hundred years and is across the courtyard and entirely separate from the owners' own residence.
- With lovely outside space for you to enjoy the sunny climate and access to an indoor swimming pool from June to the end of September for a refreshing dip - this property is ideal for a couple or two couples holidaying together.
- This fully renovated, tastefully furnished and well-decorated gite has an open plan living/dining area with a fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms and a large shower room. The property also has a WiFi internet connection.
- The town of Trebes dates back to Roman times and has both the Canal du Midi and the River Aude flowing through it. The lock on the Canal here attracts lots of on-lookers as the pleasure boats pass through it. Boat trips are available from the port area. Trebes boasts all facilities: a boulangerie, supermarkets, cafe-bars and restaurants and a wealth of local shops.
The Local Area
- Trebes is in an ideal location just 15 minutes from Carcassonne and its airport, and approximately one hour from Toulouse and Beziers. The A61 motorway is just 2 minutes away by car. As well as being a great little town to use as a base for exploring the Lanugedoc region - you are only about 1hr 30 minutes drive to the Spanish border - so a day trip to Spain is more than possible too. Trebes has all the amenities you might need: wide variety of shops, supermarkets, cafe-bars and restautants and the town is easily walkable from the gite.
- Sports Facilities: Walking and cycling are really enjoyable in this area and especially in summer in the shade of the plane trees along the Canal du Midi. If cycling is your hobby we can recommend a local bike hire company who can deliver bikes to your door - please enquire. For water sports enthusiasts, swimmers and sunbathers, the Mediterranean beaches are just a 40 minute drive away. Other swimming facilites are available in Trebese (heated indoor pool) and at the picturesque Lac de la Cavayere and Lac du Jouarres both nearby. There's a golf course in Carcassonne - and opportunities to enjoy rock climbing, and canoe-kayaking in the area.
- Sightseeing: There's a wealth of places to visit - the fascinating medieval city of Carcassone, the picturesque and ancient towns of Mirepoix and Limoux, the ancient Cathar stronghold of Minerve and the various Cathar castles, the interesting towns of Narbonne and Beziers and the fantastic city of Toulouse (the European space capital).
- Wine tours:Of course this area is one of France's biggest wine-producers - and you can try and buy the wines of the many wine-producers around here. The owners of this property are pleased to offer you a guided wine tour for a very reasonable price - please enquire.
- Markets: Trebes has a market on a Sunday morning, and there's one in Carcassonne on a Saturday. The town of Olonzac also has a market on a Tuesday morning. In Narbonne you'll find a large indoor food market in 'Les Halles' open every day including Sunday until lunchtime.
- Restaurants: There are several restaurants in Trebes to suit all budgets and tastes - and a very wide selection in Carcassonne. The owners of this lovely gite will drive you to a nearby restaurant on one of the evenings during your stay and will also come back to collect you - this is at no cost to you and is part of their service.
- Supermarket: You have the choice of no less than three in Trebes.
Facilities
- Living/Dining Room: The living room, dining room and kitchen are all open plan to each other making for a very convivial light, bright and airy living space. The L-shaped room is very nicely furnished and decorated and has a wood-burning stove, two comfortable sofas, a coffee table, a TV receiving English satellite channels and a DVD and CD player. The dining area is between the kitchen and sitting toom and comprises a dining table and four chairs.
- Kitchen:This is well-equipped with a hob, oven microwave, fridge and a full range of cooking utensils and crockery. For washing clothes, you may use the owners' washing machine.
- Bedrooms: The master bedroom is a spacious double room with a king-size double bed, bedside tables, lamps and a dresser. It is attractively decorated. A hairdryer is provided for your use. Bedroom 2 is also spacious and also has a double bed, storage and hanging space. Both the bedrooms are very charming.
- Shower room: There is a spacious and light shower room with a large shower, washbasin and WC.
- Outside: There is a courtyard immediately to the front of the gite where you'll find a table and chairs and sun canopy where you eat, drink, relax and enjoy the sunshine. A barbecue is provided for you so you can enjoy cooking outside. You can also have access to the owner's large walled garden - an ideal spot for a cool beer or glass of wine after a day's sightseeing.
- Swimming Pool: You are welcome to use the owners' indoor swimming pool. This is 7m long x 3m wide and is not heated. It is available from June to the end of September. There is an indoor terrace by the pool with a table and chairs. As the pool is within the owners' property you have access to it between 9.00am and 7.00pm in the evening. Towels for the indoor pool are provided for your use. A further outdoor swimming pool is available in Carcassonne - and both 'beaches' and safe swimming areas can be found at Lac de la Cavayere and Lac du Jouarres locally - and of course the Mediterranean beaches.
- Internet: A WiFi internet connection is available here for use with your own laptop.
- Telephone: There is no landline telephone here but mobile signals in the area are usually good.
- Prices: The prices listed are for 4 people - if you are just a couple, please enquire about the reduction in price available.
- Welcome Pack: For stays of a week or more a welcome pack is provided for you which consists of tea/coffee/sugar/milk/jam/butter/bottled water/wine and beer .
- Suitability Note: Due to the differing levels of the property and the garden, the owners prefer to accept ADULTS ONLY here. There are no facilities for babies.
- Winter Heating: The property is open from April to the end of October each year.
- Gas, electric and water: Are all included in the rental price.
- End of stay Cleaning: Is not included in the rental price as guests are requested to leave the gite as they find it.
- Bed and Bathroom Linen: Are included in the rental price - as are towels for the swimming pool.
- Taxe de Sejour: Is included for you in the rental price.
- Damage Deposit: The owners' request a damage deposit of £150 or 200 euros payable on arrival. This will be refunded to you less the replacement cost of any breakages on your day of departure.
- Change Over Day: FLEXIBLE, according to availability.
- Long Weekend Stays and Mini Breaks: Possible, subject to availability and out of the high season.
- Pets: Sorry - not permitted.
- Smoking: Is not permitted here, sorry.
How To Get There
- By Car: Trebes is situated close to the Exit 24 of the A61 Autoroute. Access to the gite is very easy and full directions will be given to you.
- By Air: The nearest airports are Carcassonne (15 minutes by car) and Beziers (approx. 1 hour by car). Other airports in the region are Toulouse, Montpellier, Nimes, Perpignan and Girona (N. Spain). All these are serviced from the UK by low cost airlines such as Ryanair, Flybe, bmi and EasyJet
- By Train: Carcassonne is the nearest railway station. Please visit www.raileurope.co.uk for details of the overnight Motorail service to Narbonne (summer months only).
Full directions etc will be sent once you have made a booking
