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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Maison Estivale
General Description
- Situated in a calm residential area in the lovely village of Argeliers, Maison Estivale is a modern, single storey villa with a fantastic swimming pool.
- Argeliers is located is alongside the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards.
- Its a great location from which to explore the delights of the Languedoc, being just 20 minutes drive from Beziers, 27 minutes from Narbonne, and 50 minutes from the medieval city of Carcassonne.
- Maison Estival is a modern detached holiday home ideal for a family with older children or for a group of friends holidaying together. The house, with plenty of car-parking space beside the garden and pool area, is simply furnished and equipped with all your day-to-day necessities.
- Its within walking distance of the village restaurant and shops, and the boulangerie (400m) for your breakfast croissants and baguette which you can then enjoy on the terrace overlooking the swimming pool.
- The property comprises an open plan dining/living area and fitted kitchen, 3 double bedrooms; one with a double bed, the other two with twin beds, a family bathroom and a separate WC. Outside is a paved terrace with garden furniture and a barbecue, ideal for relaxing and alfresco dining.
- The private 12m x 6m swimming pool is a very attractive feature and is open from May to October. Outside, close to the pool, there's an additional WC and shower.
- This well-priced property is a great base from which to explore the stunning Languedoc region and then come back to enjoy a cooling dip in the sparkling swimming pool.
The Local Area
- Argeliers: is a pretty village typical of this part of the South of France and its principal activity is wine-producing. It has about 1,500 inhabitants.. It has 2 boulangeries, 2 butchers and a mini-supermarket.
- Beziers: is a city with a great history with a remarkable cathedral overlooking the River Aude. It has many shops, stores and supermarkets, and a new shopping centre 'Polygone' which has a wide variety of shops, 10 pin bowling, a cinema and a variety of restaurants.
- Narbonne: is a really attractive town divided into 2 parts by the Canal de Robine. It has many sites of interest including the Hotel de Ville, the cathedral and cloister of Saint Juste, boat trips on the Canal du Midi, the Roman Horreum, the Archbishop's Palace, and the indoor market Les Halles. The town also has a good selection of individual shops, cafe-bars and restaurants.
- Sports Facilities: As well as using the pool here, there's a boulodrome, tennis courts, and horse-riding locally. There's some fine walking to be enjoyed and also cycling - please ask us for details of a good cycle hire company locally. In Narbonne you have 'Espace Liberte' - an Olympic size swimming pool and all types of water sports activities on the Mediterranean beaches. For golfers, there are courses in Carcassonne, Beziers and a smaller golf course in Narbonne.
- Activities: There are a wealth of things to see and do in the Languedoc. The Cathar Castles, the Canal du Midi, the fascinating Abbeys of Fontfroide and Lagrasse and the many and varied wine chateaux and domaines. A visit to this region would not be complete without a trip the medieval city of Carcassonne, plus the lively and attractive town of Beziers. Montpellier is the lovely 'capital' of the Languedoc and is easy to explore with trams running to the centre from the outskirts of the city. A day trip to Spain is easy as the border is just 90 minutes away by car! Ask us for a full list of 'not to miss' places.
- Markets: In Argeliers itself there's a market on a Saturday, and locally in Ouveillan on a Tuesday and a Friday. In Narbonne there's an outdoor market on a Thursday and a Sunday and an indoor market every morning in Les Halles. Other markets locally are Lezignan Corbieres on a Wednesday and Capestang on a Sunday.
- Wine: The village is well known in the Languedoc for wine, for it was here that Marcelin Albert, leader of the 1907 Languedoc Wine-growers Uprising, was born in 1851. He died in 1921 and is buried in the cemetery in the village. There are a number of wine producers in and around the village who will offer you a degustation (wine tasting), and from whom you can buy the local wines.
- Restaurants: In Argeliers there are several restaurants such as Le Chat qui Peche, and locally the lovely Auberge de la Croisade at Cruzy. There are many fine restaurants in the region and Joie de Vivre can provide you with a list of suggestions.
- Supermarket: There's a small supermarket in the village, a larger 'Casino' at Salleles d'Aude (6kms), and an 'Intermarche' and an 'Aldi' at Saint Marcel sur Aude (9kms).
Facilities
- Living/Dining Room: A bright room with sliding glass doors opening out onto the terrace and swimming pool area. There's a large wooden dining table and 6 chairs, one 3-seater sofa and two armchairs and a coffee table. The wall-mounted television receives French channels; there's a CD player and a radio.
- Kitchen: Open plan to the living/dining room, the kitchen is fully-fitted and well equipped. There's a cooker with grill facility, oven, fridge-freezer, microwave, dishwasher, iron and ironing board and all crockery, utensils and cutlery.
- Bedrooms: There are three bedrooms, simply but nicely decorated and furnished. Bedroom 1 has a pine double bed, bedside tables, lamps, storage and hanging etc. Bedrooms 2 and 3 have twin beds in each, a bedside table, lamp, storage and hanging.
- Bathroom: There's a family bathroom with bath with a shower fitment, bidet and washbasin. The WC is separate from the bathroom, and there's a further shower and WC outdoors..
- Outside: There's a pleasant terrace area with a dining table, 6 chairs and a parasol and a large built-in barbecue. Sunloungers are available for your use. An exterior WC and shower is convenient when sunbathing or using the swimming pool. There is a private, off road, parking for 2 cars.
- Swimming Pool: The swimming pool is very well-maintained and is 12m x 6m and is a lovely feature of this property. It is secured with an alarm that meets the current French regulations. The pool is open from May to October (according to the weather).
- Suitability Note: The property is not considered to be suitable for young children (toddlers). The swimming pool has an alarm, but is not fenced.
- Internet: Sorry there is no internet connection here, but a connection is possible in the Tourist office in Narbonne, and in most MacDonalds in France.
- Telephone: Sorry there is no landline here, but mobile phone signals in the area are generally good.
- Baby Facilities: There is a cot available here on request.
- Winter Heating: Heating in the cooler months is not included in the rental price and is prices at 30 euros per week payable direct to the owners.
- Electric and Water: are 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: is included in the rental price.
- Damage Deposit: The owners request a damage/security deposit of 150 euros in cash payable upon arrival. This will be refunded to you on your day of departure less the replacement cost of any breakages.
- Change Over Day: At this property it is always Saturday except during the Low Season when other days may be possible.
- Long weekend stays and mini breaks: There's a minimum stay of 7 nights here.
- Pets: Are not premitted here - sorry.
- Smoking: Is not permitted here - sorry.
How To Get There
- By Car: The village of Argeliers is approximately 30kms to the West of Beziers. The nearest autoroute exit is No 38 on the A9 Languedocienne motorway.
- By Air: The nearest airports are Beziers (40 minutes drive) and Carcassonne (55 minutes drive). Beziers is serviced by Flybe and Ryanair from the UK, Carcassone by Ryanair. Other airports are Perpignan (65 minutes), Montpellier (90 minutes), Nimes and Toulouse.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Beziers. For details of trains and for tickets to this region, please consult the link to RAIL EUROPE on our Home Page. Many of our clients are now taking the Eurostar train to Avignon and the picking up a hire car.
Full directions will be provided once you have made a booking.
