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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Gite Vue de Rêve
General Description
- Gite Vue de Rêve is a veritable paradise for lovers of the countryside, spectacular views and unspoilt nature and yet it is within easy reach of some of the most magnificent sites in the Languedoc. If you enjoy walking, rambling, cycling, mountain-biking, or motoring, this lovely, stylish, individual French home could be just the right holiday location for you.
- Overlooking the picturesque village of Soubès and open views of the lovely countryside, this spacious gite of around 120 sq.m. has a large open-plan living space with plenty of windows, and two spacious bedrooms both with en-suites. This makes it ideal for 2 adult couples holidaying together or for a family of four with older children. The property has large open terraces and a small tranquil garden which looks out onto the spectacular views.
- Soubès is officially placed in the heart of the 'Causses and Cevennes' area - recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site for its history and diversity of landscapes - please see http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1153
- The property is just a short 3-minute walk from the village of Soubes which has a useful grocery shop selling bread and croissants, a restaurant and a bar. The nearest larger town is Lodeve just 5 minutes away by car. The most popular sites of the region are all within a short drive for example: the famous, stunning Millau Viaduct (30kms), the Lac du Salagou (15kms), the Cirque de Navacelles (30kms), St Guilhem-le-Desert (30kms and not to be missed!) and La Couvertirade - the Templars City (30 kms).
- Gite Vue de Rêve offers the best of both worlds - you can either relax on your terrace enjoying the stunning views or explore this lovely region of the department of Herault on foot, or by bike or by car. In the evenings, sip a glass or wine or enjoy a cool beer on the terrace overlooking the lovely views whilst maybe cooking your evening meal on the barbecue.
The Local Area
- Soubes is a charming medieval village with two chateaux. It is surrounded by forests, hills and mountains. The village has narrow streets with balconies full of flowers in the summer and an attractive main square. It is only 50 kms from Montpellier and the Mediterranean coastline.
- Lodeve, just 5 minutes away by car, is an historic town full of culture. It has plenty of surprises in store, including the Gothic cathedral of St Fulcran and the Bishop's Palace, the Fleury Museum, the Halle Dardé, medieval bridges, 18th century mansions, and a good number of craftsmen in the centre of the town including a rug-making factory.
- Sports Activities: You'll soon discover, if you don't already know, that this area has a well-deserved reputation as a walkers' paradise. Soubes itself is crisscrossed by several Grande Randonnee footpaths (national long-distance walking paths), and ample amounts of sunshine! Locally there is the 'Tour of Larzac Méridional', 105 kms of footpaths for ramblers & walkers. Rewarding views can be found in abundance in the local mountains and hills.
- A great alternative to walking is cycling, with enjoyable rides for all levels, including some truly challenging rides for the keen cyclist. However, many cyclists prefer to just meander around and take their time, stopping perhaps in a few of the cafes or bars in the villages through which they cycle. Apart from driving down to the Mediterranean beaches, watersports enthusiasts will find ample provision for windsurfing locally as well kayaking on the Rivers Tarn, Herault and Orb.
- Activities: Between the Larzac limestone plateau and the Mediterranean there are some marvellous days out to be enjoyed, including St Michel de Grandmont, one of the highlights of the Languedoc with its Visigoth necropolis, 12th century priory and famous dolmens, and the breathtaking site of the Cirque de Navacelles, one of France's foremost natural sites. Not to be missed is the lovely town of St Guilhem-le-Desert and the 'Pont du Diable', and of course the beautiful city of Montpellier, a real cultural centre with fantastic shopping, good restaurants and great museums.
- Markets: The markets in the region are colourful and full of fresh local produce for cooking. The nearest market is in Lodeve on a Saturday morning, and in Clermont l'Herault on a Wednesday morning.
- Restaurant: There is a restaurant and a bar in Soubes approximately 800m from the gite.
- Supermarket: The nearest large supermarket is in Lodeve about 5 kms away, however there is a grocery shop in Soubes.
Facilities
- Living Room: A spacious bright open-plan room with a beamed ceiling, overlooking the garden. There are comfortable sofas, footstools and a coffee table, and a small desk and a chair. There's a large flat screen TV receiving French and some international channels and a DVD player.
- Dining Room: Open plan to the living room - you'll find a large solid oak dining table and plenty of seating for 4 people. Close to this area is a downstairs cloakroom with a WC and a handbasin.
- Kitchen: This is very attractive, fully fitted and equipped for all your cooking needs. There's a hob, microwave, small convection oven, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, washing machine etc. A small welcome pack will be there to greet you on arrival.
- Additional Facilities: In the open space near the kitchen is a large round table with 4 chairs, a CD player and some bookshelves. There's also a small library and a wonderful piano. From the library area, there are large glass sliding doors which open out onto the terrace, part of which is covered should you prefer to relax in the shade.
- Bedrooms: There are 2 in total; Bedroom 1 is a spacious double room on the ground floor. It contains one large double bed (160cms) and one single bed (90cms), perfect if you prefer to sleep separately. This room has reversible air-conditioning and French doors leading out onto the larger terrace. There is an en-suite bathroom. Bedroom 2, on the first floor level, is also spacious and again has a large double bed (160cms) and one single bed (90cms) - this bedroom also has a TV receiving French and international channels, a reversible air-conditioning unit, a small desk and a chair, and an en-suite bathroom. From this bedroom you can enjoy a small private terrace with 2 sun-loungers. Both the bedrooms are attractively decorated and well-furnished with plenty of hanging and storage space for clothes.
- Bathrooms: The en-suite to Bedroom 1 has a bath with a shower, a large handbasin, mirror, hairdryer and a heated towel rail. The WC is separate. The en-suite to Bedroom 2 has a bath with a shower, a handbasin, and a heated towel rail. The WC is separate.
- Outside: The gite's garden is small, but completely charming nestled between the old stone walls and the oak and olive trees - it's private and peaceful with only the sound of the birds and the cicadas. There are 2 terraces overlooking the lovely views. A large 28 sq.m. terrace accessed from the gite through sliding glass doors. This terrace is partly shaded from the hot sun. It's equipped with a table, six chairs, a parasol and a barbecue. There's a further small terrace leading from Bedroom 2 which is equipped with sun loungers. There is private parking on an upper level parking area with steps down to the garden and the gite.
- Suitability Note: Gite Vue de Reve is particularly suited to adults and older children (teenagers).
- Alternative Accommodation: If this 2-bedroom gite is too large for you or the price too much, we can offer a smaller apartment, or indeed a studio apartment. Please see APARTMENT VUE DE REVE, and STUDIO VUE DE REVE .
- Swimming Pool: sorry there is no pool here. However you can swim from the Mediterranean beaches, the public swimming pool in Lodeve open in the summer months, or there are swimming opportunities in the region's rivers and lakes.
- Internet: An internet connection is available via WiFi for use with your own laptop.
- Telephone: There is no landline telephone in the gite, but mobile phone signals in the area are generally good.
- Baby Facilities: Sorry there are no facilities for babies or younger children here.
- Winter Heating: is included in the rental price.
- Gas, Electric and Water: are all included in the rental price.
- End of Stay Cleaning: is included in the rental price.
- Bed and bathroom linen: are included in the rental price.
- 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 cost.
- Damage Deposit: The owners request a damage deposit of 200 euros upon arrival. This will be refunded to you at the end of your stay less the replacement cost of any breakages or damage.
- Change Over Day: Usually flexible, but please enquire. Minimum stay 4 nights.
- Pets: are not permitted here - sorry.
- Smoking: is not allowed inside the gite.
How To Get There
- By Car: The village of Soubes is to be found approximately 5kms to the North of Lodeve. The nearest autoruote exit is No: 52 Lovdeve Nord on the A75.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Montpellier - about 55 kms away (Easy Jet from Gatwick, Ryanair from Leeds/Bradford and Luton, also from summer 2011 BMI from Manchester). Other alternative airports would be Nimes, Beziers, Perpignan, and Carcassonne.
- By Train: The nearest train station is in Montpellier - 55 kms. For details of trains and train tickets to the region please consult the link to RAILEUROPE which you will find on our Home Page.
Full directions will be provided once you make a booking
