My Shortlist
Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Gite Coquet
General Description
- Recently renovated, and decorated and furnished with style, this appealing 1-bedroom town house on 3 storeys is ideally located in the centre of Olonzac, the 'capital' of the Minervois wine-growing region.
- It sleeps one couple comfortably, and a third person is possible by using the convertible sofa.
- If you want to experience the French 'art de vivre' and would just like to be able to walk out to do your shopping, have a coffee or a glass of wine, and eat in the local restaurants, then this could be just the place to stay.
- Stepping inside the house you'll find it both light and pleasant. It retains a number of period features not least of which is a spectacular centre piece - a period staircase.
- The house comprises a generous kitchen/dining area, a light and airy sitting room, a double bedroom, a shower room and last, but not least, a small, charming private roof terrace.
- During the day you can enjoy the small town's bustling centre especially on a Tuesday morning (market day!), when the market stretches into the street where the house is located. You can also stroll in the pleasant park where there's a pond, a boulodrome and tennis courts.
- Olonzac is a 45-minute drive from Carcassonne and about 35-40 minutes from Narbonne and Beziers so is ideally placed for exploring this lovely region. Less than 2kms away at Homps you'll find the Canal du Midi offering lots of opportunities for walking, cycling or a boat trip as well as relaxing with a drink in one of the many cafes watching the passing boats.
The Local Area
- Olonzac is well-serviced with boulangeries for your morning bread and croissants, a butchers and a traiteur, a supermarket, pharmacies, a post office, a wine cave, and a bank and various restaurants and cafe bars. It is a thriving and very typical small town of this region and has its own festival in August - please enquire for the dates.
- Activities: This a great area for walking and cycling and a great base from which to explore the Languedoc. The Unesco World Heritage site, the Canal du Midi, is just 2kms away at Homps - a lovely little spot. In Olonzac, you can also play boules and tennis in the attractive park (please ask the owner for tennis racquets). The Lac du Jouarres, just 5 minutes away by car, is a great place for a stroll and a cool beer at the little cafe there open in the summer months. For those of you who like to play golf, there are courses in Beziers and in Carcassonne.
- Swimming - We are often asked 'Where can we go for a swim?' from those of you renting a house without a pool. You are well-placed here! Just 5 minutes away by car, you can swim at Lac du Jouarres (pictured) a man-made lake with a number of beaches. Wind-surfing is also popular here. Also within 20 minutes drive, a natural pool in the River Cesse in Bize Minervois - a pretty spot with lawns and a pebble beach (water is tested for safety by the local authority). Also Lac de la Cavayere, near Carcassonne, a very attractive lake with 2 beaches and ample car parking (40 minutes drive). Swimming pools: If you prefer a swimming pool try either the indoor or the outdoor pool at Espace Liberte, a leisure centre in Narbonne. And finally don't forget the Mediterranean beaches - fine sandy beaches between 35 minutes and 50 minutes drive away.
- Sightseeing: There are lots of things to see and do whilst you are here e.g. visit the ancient Cathar stronghold of Minerve, the medieval city of Carcassonne with its 52 turrets, Narbonne with its cathedral, archbishop's palace and lovely main square, the Canal du Midi at Homps and the staircase of locks at Fontseranes, the beautiful abbeys of Fontfroide and Lagrasse, the Cathar castles and last but not least a day trip to Spain as the border is only a 90-minute drive away.
- Wine: You are in the wine-producing area of the Minervois here, with the 'Corbieres' also on your doorstep. The Languedoc is now producing some fantastic wines - red, white and rose. Many of the local chateaux and domaines offer wine-tastings and direct sales of the wines they produce. Try 'Les Trois Blasons' at Azillanet as just one example.
- Markets: Olonzac has one of the best markets in the region on a Tuesday morning! Full of fresh local produce and quite a social occasion (as evidenced by the busy cafe-bars) it sells everything from food to wine, basketware to jewellery and quilted bedspreads to beds! There's a further market in Lezignan Corbieres on a Wednesday morning, and in Narbonne on a Thursday and Sunday morning. Narbonne has a fantastic and renowned indoor food market in Les Halles which is open every morning of the week - it's well worth a visit.
- Restaurants: The town has a number of reasonably priced cafe-bars and restaurants all within walking distance e.g. the Bel Minervois, and Cafe de la Poste. Many of the surrounding villages also offer good restaurants e.g Homps and Beaufort.
- Supermarket: The nearest supermarket is just on the edge of the town and there are a couple of mini-supermarkets in the town itself. For larger supermarkets we suggest St Marcel sur Aude, La Redorte, Lezignan Corbieres or Narbonne
Facilities
- Dining Area and Kitchen: As you enter the house from the street, you'll find this generously sized area on the ground floor. The neat, new and well-equipped kitchen has a large fridge/freezer, cooker, microwave, washing machine and plenty of storage. There's a large dining table and chairs for 4. A handy WC is also available on this floor.
- Sitting Room: Upstairs from the dining/kitchen you'll find a delightful sitting room which has a traditional open fireplace for log fires. There is a sofa which can be made into a comfortable bed and an armchair. 30729;.NETCLR3.0.30729;Media26nbsp;sofa as a bed for a third person, there is a supplementary charge of £15 per week for the extra bed-linen and towels.
- The TV has some UK satellite channels e.g. BBC 1 and 2 and News 24, and a WiFi internet connection for use with your own laptop. There's also a DVD and a CD player and a selection of DVDs and CDs for you to enjoy.
- Bathroom: The bathroom is on the 2nd floor and has a mosaic-tiled double shower, a washbasin and a WC.
- Main bedroom: This delightful room is also on the 2nd floor and has high ceilings, exposed beams and an elegant metal-framed double bed with quality bed linen. It is a very attractive room.
- Roof Terrace: You'll find this up a further small staircase from the 2nd floor. It is small, but private and delightful - a little hideaway where you can barbecue or relax with a glass of wine on a warm,balmy evening and watch the swallows and swifts in the spring and summer. There's a table and chairs for 3 and a barbecue.
- Additional Accommodation: Joie de Vivre can also offer you an alternative lovely gite ideal for a couple in Olonzac - please see GITE CHARMANT.
- Parking: There is free parking close by - spaces are not however allocated.
- Internet and telephone: A full WiFi internet connection is available for use with your own laptop - ideal for keeping in touch with work, family, friends and especially if you are house-hunting in the area. The house does not have a landline telephone, but mobile phone signals in the area are generally good.
- Baby Facilities: A travel cot is available upon request.
Suitability Note: Please note there are 2 staircases in the house - it may not therefore be suitable for the infirm or elderly, or young toddlers. The gite is in the centre of Olonzac which is generally fairly quiet - however you may occasionally hear the sounds associated with daily life here. - Winter Heating: The house has electric wall heaters and is warm and cosy in the cooler months. Should you wish to use the log fire, there is a small supplementary charge for the logs, payable direct.
- Gas, electric and water: Are included in the rental cost.
- End of stay cleaning: Is included in the rental cost.
- Bath & bedroom linen: Is included in the rental cost. Please note the supplementary cost if you wish to use the convertible sofa bed; £15 per week.
- 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 requests a damage/security deposit of 150 Euros or £150 on arrival. This wil be refunded to you at the end of your stay less the replacement cost of any breakages or damage.
- Change over Day: Normally Saturday in June, July, August and September. It is flexible in other months according to availability.
- Mini Breaks and long weekend stays: A mini-break of at least 3 nights may be possible out of the main summer season; please enquire for price and availability. Please also enquire for long term bookings.
- Pets: are not permitted here - sorry.
- Smoking: is not permitted here - sorry.
How To Get There
- By Car: The town of Olonzac is situated just to the North of the 'D' road which runs between Beziers and Carcassonne. The nearest Autoroute Exits are No:s 24 (Carcassonne East/Trebes) and 25 (Lezignan Corbieres) on the A61, or No: 36 Beziers Ouest on the A9. For details of P & O ferry prices please consult this link: ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
- By Air: Carcassonne and Beziers airports are the nearest - both approx. 45 minutes by car (serviced by Ryanair (Carcassone) and by Ryanair and Flybe (Beziers). Other good alternatives are Montpellier and Perpignan - just over a 1hour drive - serviced by Ryanair, EasyJet and bmi. Other options would be: Toulouse, Nimes or Girona (N. Spain).
- By Train: The nearest railway stations are Beziers, Narbonne or more locally Lezignan Corbieres. For details of trains and to buy tickets to this region, please consult the link to RAIL EUROPE on our Home Page.
Full directions will be provided for you once you make a firm booking.
