Gite Gisella
General Description
- This well-equipped gite is located on a small farm, in a region of stunningly beautiful countryside, in the most southerly part of Aude in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It is quite close to the Cathar Castle of Puivert. There are lawns which stretch into meadows with lovely cattle grazing on the higher slopes. The gite is adjacent to the farmhouse but enjoys it own small private courtyard and lawn area where a table and chairs are set out for al fresco dining. The swimming pool is in the sunniest part of the gardens, it is private and belongs to the owners - the guests in the gite are most welcome to use it!
- The gite is a 3-storey property, renovated in keeping with the rustic style, and is simply but comfortably decorated and furnished. The rooms retain many of the original beams. There are 3 bedrooms: a master double bedroom with luxury en-suite, a family bedroom with twin beds and a convertible sofa bed, and a further single bedroom. There's an open plan sitting room, dining room and a well-equipped kitchen. Outside you have full use of the communal areas of the farm, garden and swimming pool and a private courtyard and lawn which is not overlooked and which is accessed directly from the gite.
- Although in this lovely rural location, the gite is only a 50-minute drive from Carcassonne airport. Walking and mountain-biking are fantastic pursuits here and you have horse-riding, windsurfing, white water rafting, go-carting and rock-climbing all within a 20-minute drive. For those of you who enjoy more leisurely pursuits, simply relax and enjoy the swimming pool, the garden and the lovely views.
- In the hills above the property are some caves which have not yet been developed into a tourist attraction. The owners will take you on a visit where you can safely explore them and look at the spectacular stalagtites and stalagmites - a great adventure for older children! For younger children, there are sheep, cows and hens to look at on the farm.
The Local Area
- The local market town of Chalabre is just a 10-minute drive. Here you will find a boulangerie, shops, supermarket, a weekly market, restaurants and bars. A 20-minute drive will bring you to the town of Lavelanet, and 30 minutes to the lovely town of Limoux and the fantastic bastide town of Mirepoix. It's about a 1 1/2 hour drive to the Mediteranean coast and also to Toulouse.
- Sport Facilites: The owners will help you find the best location for what you particularly want to do, be it walking, mountain - biking, horse-riding, windsurfing, white water rafting, go carting or rock climbing. There are ski resorts in the Pyrenees only 40 minutes away by car, and larger, very good resorts within 1 hour.
- Activities and sight-seeing: There is so much to see and do in this area which is steeped in history and still relatively un-commercialised. The small amount of traffic on the roads makes it easy to get out and about. Just as a taster, the Lac de Montbel (a large lake) is about 15-minutes away and has a sandy beach with facilities for swimming, pedaloes, wind-surfing and sailing. The property is in the heart of the Cathar country and you can see some the castles at Montsegur and Puivert , which is very close by. Toulouse - known as the pink city is full of interesting architecture - and for children there is the 'Space City'. The nearest ski resort is about 40-minutes away by car. The Mediterranean coast is about 1hr 30 mins away and a lovely day out would be to visit the Cote Vermeille and the beautiful town of Collioure.
- Markets: There are many in the area within 10-45 minutes drive. Full of local, fresh, seasonal produce they are colourful and interesting and a lovely way to spend a morning. The Monday morning market in Mirepoix is well known and great fun.
- Restaurants: The local ones are in Chalabre - just 10 minutes away.
- Supermarket: Again you will find the nearest one in Chalabre.
Facilities
- Living Room: This is on the ground floor and is cosy and comfortably furnished with an easy chair and two sofas. There's a good supply of books and DVDs and a radio and a music centre. The TV plays DVDs, though does not receive UK or French televison. It is open-plan to the dining room.
- Dining Room: again well-furnished with an attractive pine dining table, pine dining chairs, and a dresser, all blending nicely with the original beams. This area also has a large wood-burning stove which heats the whole house in the cooler months.
- Kitchen: Well-equipped for cooking with gas cooker, dishwasher, fridge with freezer compartment and microwave. Freezer space can be made available to you and a washing machine can be used by arrangement with the owners (English speaking).
- Welcome Pack: You'll find on arrival some bread, butter and milk, tea, coffee, olive oil and salt, pepper and some basic cleaning materials. Extra provisons can be suppled by prior arrangement. Seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables are available from the market garden here, as are new laid eggs.
- Bedrooms: The well-furnished master double bedroom is on the first floor and has a luxury en-suite with a bath/shower. Also on the 1st floor is a single bedroom with a bed, bedside cabinet, and a chest of drawers. There's a large family bedroom in the attic on the top floor with 2 single beds, a sofa bed, and an en-suite cloakroom with WC and vanity unit.
- Bathroom: The main bathroom is on the ground floor and has a large walk-in shower. There is a separate WC and washbasin. (Please note the master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and the family bedroom a WC and washbasin).
- Other accommodation: The gite can also be rented as a 2 bedroom gite sleeping 3-5. This excludes the use of the master double en-suite bedroom. Please enquire for prices.
- Outside: There is a private sitting area and lawn with garden furniture (table,chairs and parasol) and a barbecue. Guests have the use of the communal garden with pretty flower beds and the lawns of the property for relaxing and playing games. This is a working smallholding with a farm next door so young children may need supervision. Private parking is available for 2 cars.
- Swimming Pool: The large 6m x 12m swimming pool is in the sun for 12 hours a day in the summer months - though there are shady areas of the garden where you can sit and relax if you don't like the direct sun. The pool is secured by an alarm. It is shared with the owners.
- Suitability Note: This gite is not recommended if you have children under 5 years old. Please note also that the owners have a friendly dog.
- Internet: The gite does have an internet connection.
- Telephone: There is no telephone connection in the gite - sorry.
- Winter Heating: Logs for the wood-burner are supplied for the first day, and are then supplied by the wheelbarrow for a small charge.
- Gas, Electric and Water: are all included in the rental price.
- End of stay cleaning: is not included in the rental price. Guests are asked to clean the gite prior to departure. We can arrange for the end of stay cleaning to be done for you for a reasonable charge.
- Bed and bathroom linen: Are included in the rental price, pool towels are available to hire. If you wish to use the sofa beds, there is a small supplementary charge for the bed linen.
- 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 owners request a damage/security deposit of 250 Euros on arrival. This will be returned to you after the end of your stay less the replacement cost of any breakages or damage, or if extra cleaning is required.
- Changeover Day: Saturday in July and August, but may be flexible at other times of the year subject to availability.
- Short stays: May be possible out of High and Peak Season - please enquire. Winter ski breaks: are also available - please enquire.
- Pets: Dogs may be permitted by prior arrangement - please enquire.
- Smoking: - is NOT permitted here.
How To Get There
- By Car: The gite is situated about 10 mins drive from Chalabre to the South West of Carcassonne, and Limoux. The nearest autoroute exit is No: 23 on the A61. It's about a 45-50 minutes drive from Carcassonne.
- By Air: A drive of approximately 50 minutes from Carcassonne airport and about 1hr 15 mins from Beziers airport serviced by Ryanair from the UK, Ireland and Belgium, will bring you to this gite. Toulouse and Perpignan airports are the next nearest - approx. 1hr 30 mins away - and Girona airport in N. Spain (also Ryanair) - about 2 hours.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Carcassonne. Please visit www.rail-europe.co.uk if you would like to travel to the Languedoc by train. You will require a hire car to reach the gite.
Full directions etc will be sent once you make a booking.
