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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Gite Topaze Doree
General Description
· This is the extra-special one of 5 lovely gites situated in the garden and beside the swimming pool of a 100 year old residence, once belonging to a wealthy wine producer and trader, in the lively town of Olonzac, the 'capital' of the Minervois. The owners have thought about everything to make your stay more comfortable and enjoyable.
· It's extra-special because Gite Topaze Dorée is extra 'airy' having two french windows; one opening out onto your own private paved terrace area with table, chairs and barbeque and the other opening onto the general terrace, garden and pool area of this lovely holiday property. It's great for a wedding anniversary celebration, a romantic holiday for two, or for house-hunting in the area!!
· Converted from the stable and original staff quarters of the old house, the gite comprises a comfortable living room and galley-style kitchenette on the ground floor decorated in the Provencal style, and a spacious twin bedroom and shower room on the first floor. Topaze Dorée is situated in Olonzac which has shops, bars, restaurants, take-aways and a fantastic Tuesday morning market - all just a few steps away. Despite being in the town, the garden location here is both calm and enchanting. The municipal park next door was once part of the garden and now provides a pleasant place to walk.
· A member of the Joie de Vivre team has stayed here personally whilst house-hunting in the area, so Gite Topaze and Gite Topaze Dorée are well recommended, especially as the owners are very flexible about your arrival and departure dates (minimum stay 3 nights) - great if you are flying on a low cost airline. They go out of their way to make you welcome and have a good knowledge of the local region. They are also licensed to sell beer, pastis and wine to guests only and on the terrace of the large house.
The Local Area
· The town of Olonzac is the 'capital' of the Minervois region and is well-serviced with shops, supermarkets, bars, restaurants and has its own weekly market on a Tuesday morning. Olonzac is a thriving town with new developments taking place - it's lively in summer and has its own music festival in August. In the winter the locals are keen rugby fans, and you can reach some of the Pyreneean ski resorts in under 2 hours.
· As well as using the large swimming pool at Gite Topaze Dorée (13m x 5m), you can also play tennis in the park in Olonzac. At Lac du Jouarres, a very short drive or bike ride away, you'll find a beach, fishing, wind-surfing etc. This area is great for cycling with many interesting villages and the Canal du Midi is just a short ride away (a local cycle-hire company, English speaking, will deliver your bikes to your door - please enquire!).
· Olonzac is a great base for exploring the Minervois and wine-lovers will find numerous chateaux and 'domaines' offering wine- tastings and direct sales. Whilst here, you can also visit the ancient city of Minerve, the medieval city of Carcassonne, Narbonne with its cathedral, archbishop's palace and famous indoor market, Beziers and the staircase of 9 locks on the Canal du Midi at Fontseranes, the abbeys of Fontfroide and Lagrasse, and the beach resorts of Narbonne- and Gruissan- Plage.
· Markets - There is a Tuesday morning market in Olonzac just a few steps away from the gite - offering local produce, wine, plants, clothing, household goods, shoes - all you could wish for and more. In fact you'll lack nothing when staying in Olonzac. You'll find you don't need to venture far if you don't want to.
· Restaurants - Olonzac has a number of reasonably-priced restaurants(3 of which are good) and all within walking distance, and just down the road in Homps there is a further good selection of bars and restaurants with different types of food on offer. Further afield Joie de Vivre favourites are: Cafe du Port, Paraza (open spring to October), the Auberge de St Martin at Beaufort and Lo Cagarole at Aigne. All worth a try!
Facilities
· Living/Dining room/Kitchenette: These areas are open plan on the ground floor. There are 2 two-seater settees and two armchairs, a coffee table and table and chairs for dining. The TV receives international channels including UK satellite channels. The galley-style kitchenette is well-equipped with fridge/freezer, small oven, hob, microwave and all crockery and utensils. The gite is centrally-heated making it ideal for out-of-season holidays. There is a washing machine in a central area you can use with the owner's permission as well as an ironing board and iron.
· Bedroom: One light and airy twin-bedded bedroom on the first floor, with storage and hanging, overlooking the pool and the garden.
· Bathroom: There is a shower room with a large power shower, basin and WC on the first floor.
· Outside: Outside the gite to the front is a gravelled terrace area with a table and 2 chairs, overlooking the gardens and the pool. The second private terrace is to the side of the gite is a paved area complete with table, chairs, parasol and your own barbeque. Further chairs and sun-loungers are available around the swimming pool, and there are more tables and chairs in the garden. Car parking is on the street by the side of the house.
· Swimming pool: The shared pool is a good size, 5m x 13m, and well maintained. A recent addition is an outdoor spa pool/jaccuzzi.
· Internet: Whilst access is not available in the gite itself, the owners will allow occasional access to their internet if required. There is an internet cafe just down the road next to the Post Office.
· Telephone: Sorry, there is no telephone in the gite, but the owners will allow use of their private telephone for essential calls.
· Baby facilities: As the accommodation is for adults only, there are no baby facilities available.
· Additional accommodation: Please see Gite Topaze.
· 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. From 1st April until 30th September, it is chargeable at the 'guide' rate of Euros 1.00 per person per day, payable direct to the owners.
· Damage deposit: The owner requests a damage deposit of 50 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: Flexible whenever possible, please enquire.
· Long weekend stays and mini breaks: We welcome your specific requests for prices and availability for long weekends or mini-breaks. Minimum stay 3 nights. Long term lettings: are available during the Low Season months subject to availability - please enquire for the price.
· Pets: are permitted - but small dogs only please and with prior permission. Please note that the owners have friendly dogs themselves.
How To Get There
· By Car - The town of Olonzac situated just north of the 'D' road that runs between Beziers and Carcassonne. The nearest motorway junction is No:25 (Lezignan Corbieres) on the A61 Autoroute des Deux Mers, or No:36 Beziers West on the A9 Languedocienne.
· By Air - Carcassonne and Beziers Airports are almost equi-distant - approximately 40-45 minutes drive away, so you can take advantage of the low-cost flights offered by Ryanair from many airports in the UK and Ireland. Alternative airports are Perpignan and Montpellier both just over 1 hour's drive away. Toulouse and Nimes are further options - about 1 hour 45 minutes drive away. And finally Girona, nor far over the border into Spain - abour 21/2 hours drive.
· By Train - Please visit www.raileurope.co.uk for details of the overnight Motorail service to Narbonne (summer months only). SNCF also run a service from Paris to Narbonne.
Full directions etc will be sent once you make a booking.
