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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Maison Cuivre
General Description
- One of five 3 bedroom terraced stone houses situated in the grounds of a charming family-owned chateau on the edge of the village of Marcorignan, near Narbonne and the Mediterranean coast.
- The best feature of these properties is their access to the extensive grounds of the chateau with lovely lawns running down to the swimming pool, which is secured by a perimeter fence. The shared swimming pool is open and heated from Easter to the end of October by solar panels.
- Inside the houses are quite modern, under-stated and simply furnished. Outside, each house has its own private gravelled terrace, barbecue, and outside dining table and chairs.
- Maison Cuivre comprises an open plan living space with fitted kitchen, two bedrooms (1 double and 2 twin rooms) and a bathroom with a separate WC.
- The village is just a short walk away for the boulangerie for your morning bread and croissants, a bar 'tabac', a pharmacy and a pizzeria.
- The grounds of the chateau extend over 6 acres with lawns, garrigue, a vineyard, pine and olive trees and oleanders. You can walk up a path to a little hill to watch the sun set - and enjoy views to the Black Mountains to the North and towards the Pyrenees in the South.
- This property lends itself particularly to family holidays especially if you enjoy spending time outdoors and by the swimming pool. There are swings, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, table football and boules for you to enjoy.
The Local Area
- Marcorignan is an ancient 'circulade' village, unique to the Languedoc, and with about 1,000 inhabitants. There are a numer of 'circulade' villages in the region. They date back to the Medieval times and are built in concentric circles usually around a church or a fort for reasons of defence.
- Marcorignan is just a 5-10 minutes walk away. Here you'll find a small grocer, a baker, a pharmacy, a take-away pizza restaurant and a bar. Just 2kms away in St Marcel sur Aude, there's a large Intermarche supermarket, a smaller supermarket and a wide variety of other shops.
- Narbonne is just 7kms away ( 10-12 minutes by car). It's a lovely town divided into two parts by the Canal de la Robine. It has lots of small shops, a lovely central square, very many restaurants and a fantastic indoor food market open daily in Les Halles. The street markets in Narbonne are on a Thursday and Sunday morning.
- Activities: As well as swimming, swings, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, table football and 'boules' in the grounds of the chateau, this is a very popular area for walking and cycling. Joie de Vivre can provide you with the contact details of a local English-speaking cycle hire company. All types of watersports can be enjoyed at the resorts on the Mediterranean coast, just 25 mins drive away - wind-surfing, kite-boarding etc.
- Sightseeing: There's plenty to see and do in this region e.g. Carcassonne, The Canal du Midi, the Cathar Castles, Minerve, Narbonne, Beziers, Pezenas, Lagrasse, the beautiful abbeys at Fontfroide and Caune Minervois, and of course the Mediterranean beaches and resorts. And finally a day trip to Spain is easily possible as the border is only 75 minutes drive away.
- For children: The African Nature Reserve at Sigean, the Gouffre (chasm) at Cabrespine, and the Dinosaur Museum at Esperaza.
- For wine lovers: tastings at many of the local wine chateaux and domaines.
- Markets: The markets of this region are colourful and interesting and full of fresh local produce. They sell everything from wine to jewellwery to basketware to beds! Locally there's a market in Lezignan Corbieres on a Wednesday, and in Narbonne on a Thursday and a Sunday. Narbonne also has a fabulous indoor food market in Les Halles which is open every morning.
- Restaurants: There's a wide variety of restaurants in the local villages to suit every budget and taste. Joie de Vivre can help you with a list of suggestions - please enquire.
- Supermarkets: The nearest large supermarket is in St Marcel sur Aude just 2kms away, where you will also find an Aldi. Further supermarkets are in Narbonne.
Facilities
- Open plan living room: Simply styled with a dining table and chairs for 6, a sofa, and a TV that has French, some English (CNN, BBC news, and Eurosport) and German channels. There is an internet connection for use with your own laptop. The decor is quite minimalist with some pieces of artwork.
- Kitchen: Modern in style and open plan to the main living/dining area - equipped with a hob, oven, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, crockery and utensils. A microwave oven can be made available by prior request.
- Utlility Area: There is a washing machine available in a shared utlility area.
- Bedrooms: Bedroom 1 has a kingsize double bed, and the other two bedrooms have two single beds. They are simply furnished with bedside tables, lamps, chairs and have some storage and hanging.
- Bathroom: There is one bathroom with a separate WC. The bathroom is generally located between the 2 bedrooms.
- Accommodation Note: There are five 3-bedroom and five 2-bedroom houses here at the Chateau. The houses are all similar but not identical. They all have their own private garden/terrace. Please note that the photos shown are typical of the accommodation offered here as all the houses are slightly different.
- Additional Accommodation: Some of the 3-bedroom houses are slightly larger and can sleep 7 with the addition of a single bed - please enquire for price and availability. There are 5 2-bedroom houses here which sleep up to 4 - please refer to MAISON CORAIL.
- Outside: The house has a private gravelled terrace with a barbecue, and an exterior dining table and chairs. Your privacy is provided by a tall laurel hedge. Within the chateau grounds there are footpaths, lawns, swings, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, table football and boules. This area is great for walking and cycling.
- Shared Swimming Pool: There's a very attractive 12m x 6m swimming pool in a sunny spot in the garden. It is open and heated from Easter to the end of October by solar panels. Sun loungers are available here. The pool is secured by a fence with a child proof gate.
- Internet: You can access the internet here using a FREE WiFI connection and your own laptop.
- Telephone: The house is not equipped with a telephone but mobile signals in the region are generally good.
- Baby Facilities: A cot and a high chair are available by prior request for a supplement of 25 euros per week. You can pay Joie de Vivre for this in sterling when booking if you prefer.
- Winter Heating: Between October and Mid May the owners request a supplementary charge for electricity and heating, based on your metered consumption and payable direct to the owners prior to departure.
- Gas, electric and water: Are all included in the price, except for Winter heating/electricity as above.
- End of Stay Cleaning: Is included in the rental price.
- Bed and Bathroom Linen: Bed linen and towels are included in the rental price. Extra sets of towels may be hired from the owners for 7 euros per person, per change.
- 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/Security Deposit: The owners request a damage/security deposit of 250 euros on arrival. This will be refunded to you at the end of your stay less the replacement cost of any breakages.
- Change Over Day: Saturday, but may be flexible in the Low Season according to availability. A small supplement may apply fo a different arrival day - please enquire.
- Long Weekends and Mini Breaks: May be available in the Low Season subject to availability. Please enquire for price and availability.
- Pets: are permitted here, but not in the Peak Season, and with prior permission. There is a supplementary charge for a dog of 40 euros per week.
- Smoking: Is permitted here outside the house, should you wish.
How To Get There
- By Car: Marcorignan is just approx. 10 minutes from Narbonne by car. The nearest autoroute exit is No: 38 Narbonne-Sud on the A9. Please click on this link for access to P & O Ferry prices.
- By Air: Beziers (50 mins), Carcassonne (55 mins), Perpignan (60 mins) and Montpellier (75 mins) airports are the nearest. Toulouse Airport and Girona in N.Spain are also good alternatives.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Narbonne. For details of trains and tickets to this region, please consult the link to RAIL EUROPE on our Home Page. We recommend that you hire a car for this property.
Full directions will be provided once you have made a confirmed booking.
