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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Gite Martinet
General Description
· Converted with good taste from an ancient stone building associated with wine-making, this well-presented 3-bedroomed gite is nicely decorated and has its own terrace and barbecue for al fresco dining. It shares a lovely, secured, swimming pool and south-facing garden with 2 other smaller holiday properties and the owner's house on this charming village development. The owners are convivial, and helpful, and go the extra mile to make you feel at home.
· On three floors, the house has 3 spacious double bedrooms, each of which has quality twin beds which can be joined together to make a large double beds. The bedrooms have ample hanging and storage space. There is also the facility to add another single bed if desired. All the bedrooms have bedside tables and lamps. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room and there is a further family shower room with washbasin and WC. The open plan sitting room/ktichen/dining area on the ground floor is a very attractive and pleasant living space with French doors that open out onto the terrace.
· Gite Martinet is part of a small holiday complex of 3 gites in the village of Sainte Valiere, within a short drive of the medieval city of Carcassonne, the lovely vibrant city of Narbonne and the Mediterranean beaches. It is ideal for a family holiday (safe for children), or for a group of friends holidaying together, as the accommodation allows you to spend days relaxing in the garden and around the pool, or alternatively exploring this lovely region by car or bicycle. The mobile 'boulangerie' visits the village every day between 10.00 and 11.30 a.m.
The Local Area
· The centre of Sainte Valiere is just a 5 minute stroll; the village is quiet and serene and nestles in the vineyards of the Minervois. In fact, the 3 gites here were originally an ancient stone-built wine-cave and it's associated out-buildings, now of course beautifully renovated. A Vin de Pays d'Oc wine-producer 'La Visonniere' is just a few steps away - very handy for buying your wine for your barbeque! Sainte Valiere has a licensed cafe and delicatessen and a post office in the village itself, and an abundance of restaurants within 5 - 15 minutes drive. Neighbouring villages are Ginestas and Ventenac which both have restaurants, and Ventenac also has a wine-producing chateau and wine museum (free admission!).
· Sports facilities: You'll find tennis courts in Sainte Valiere (remember to take tennis rackets and balls!). You can go horse-riding at the ranch in Paraza. At Espace Liberte, a sports complex in Narbonne, there's a large swimming pool, ten-pin bowling and ice-skating as well as an excellent value for money buffet restaurant. Cycles can be hired locally (ask Joie de Vivre for details). And - you can try canoeing and kayaking at Roquebrun - about a 40-minute drive. Walking or cycling is just great in the shade of the plane trees along the Canal du Midi with the views over the vineyards and the ancient canal-side villages to explore.
· There is an abundance of attractions in this area - it's hard to know where to start. But a visit to this area would not be complete without a trip to the medieval city of Carcassonne, the lively and attractive town of Narbonne, the Canal du Midi, the beach resorts of Gruissan and Narbonne-Plage, the vineyards of the Minervois and Corbieres, the abbeys at Fontfroide and Lagrasse and the Cathar Castles. Children and adults alike will enjoy a day at the African Nature Reserve at Sigean where you can see over 3000 species of animals in close-to-nature surroundings.
· The Markets of the region are colourful, varied and full of local seasonal produce. Locally to Saint Valiere they can be found at Olonzac on a Tuesday morning, Lezignan Corbieres on a Wednesday morning and in Narbonne - outdoor markets on a Thursday and Sunday morning and a superb indoor market in Les Halles every day except Sunday until 1.00pm.
· Restaurants - there is a licensed cafe in Sainte Valiere, 2kms away in Ginestas is L'Anais, a very pleasant local bar and restaurant, and 2 restaurants in Ventenac which are open in the summer months. In the locaB font-size: 10pt"> Les Oliviers at Cabezac (expensive, but lovely), the two open-air restaurant/bars in Ventenac (very reasonably priced and great in the summer), the Cafe du Port at Paraza (open summer months only), En Bonne Compagnie in Homps and L'Apaloosa in Bize Minervois.
· Supermarket - the nearest supermarket is 7kms away at St Marcel d'Aude, or at Olonzac. The nearest hypermarkets such as Carrefour and Geant are in Narbonne.
Facilities
· Living/Dining room/Kitchen: These areas are open plan to each other making a very sociable living space. In the sitting area there's a sofa and armchair and a TV with English satellite and French channels. There's a dining table and 6 chairs. The kitchen is very well-equipped with cooker, fridge, washing machine, iron and ironing board etc.
· Bedrooms: On the 1st and 2nd floors are 3 spacious bedrooms. The master double has twin beds which make a large double when put together - there's ample storage and hanging space. Bedrooms 2 and 3 again have twin beds which can be made up as doubles as you prefer - again there is ample storage and hanging. An additional single bed is available if required.
· Shower room: There is one family shower room with vanity washbasin and WC. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room.
· Additional accommodation: There is a cottage, for a maximum of 5 people, and a studio apartment which sleeps 2-3 people on this development. This could be ideal for large families, or groups of friends, holidaying together.
· Outside: The house has its own terrace, gas barbeque, and table and chairs for al fresco dining. The gardens to the property are south-facing with lawns, olive trees, palm trees and attractive planting. Sun-loungers can be found in the pool area.
· Swimming pool: The pool is secure and is 10m x 5m with a paved surround - a well-kept and very attractive pool area with views over the countryside.
· Internet: There is no internet connection here at present.
· Telephone: A telephone is available for your use on request.
· Baby facilities: A cot and a high chair are available on request.
· Winter heating: Is included in the rental cost.
· Gas, electric, & water: are all included in the rental cost.
· End-of-stay cleaning: is included in the rental cost.
· Bed & bathroom linen: is included in the rental cost.
· Taxe de Sejour: in France, it is necessary to pay a “Taxe de Séjour” at the end of your stay. It has been included here in the rental cost.
· Damage deposit: The owner requests a damage deposit of £100 sterling or 150 Euros on arrival and this will be refunded to you at the end of your stay, less the replacement cost of any breakages.
· Change over day: Normally Saturday, but other days may be possible in low season.
· Long weekend/mini break stays: Are available in low season subject to availability. Long term bookings are also a possibility.
· Pets: small pets are permitted here with proper permission of the owner.
· Smoking: is permitted here should you wish.
How To Get There
· By Car - The village of Sainte Valiere lies just south of the D5 which runs between Beziers and Carcassonne. The nearest motorway exit is No: 38 on the A9 autoroute - the Languedocienne.
· By Air - Carcassonne, Beziers, Montpellier and Perpignan Airports are the nearest - approximately 60 minutes drive away. Other airports you could use would be Toulouse, Nimes and Girona (Northern Spain).
· By Train - 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 make a booking
