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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Maison Larimar
General Description
· The most fantastic feature of this well-presented village house is the view from the roof terrace - you can see the roof tops and church of the ancient,wine-producing village of Paraza, the River Aude valley and vineyards, the Canal du Midi and, in the distance, the Pyrenees! It is the best view in the village! Just a few minutes walk from the canal, in a narrow street near the church, is this welcoming 3-storey house, well-maintained and well-decorated. It is ideally situated for sightseeing in this lovely region and is approximately halfway between Narbonne and the Mediterranean beaches, and the medieval city of Carcassonne. This is an excellent area if you enjoy walking and cycling, and cycle hire is available in the village.
· As you enter this bright and airy house, the bedrooms and shower room are on the first floor level. Bedroom 1 is a double room with ample storage and hanging; Bedroom 2 has two single beds. The shower room has a shower, washbasin and WC. There's a further separate WC on this floor too. Up the staircase, you'll find the main living area with a well equipped newly-fitted kitchen, dining table and 4 chairs, two comfortable sofas and international satellite TV, a DVD player and a stereo system. Another short staircase takes you to the 3rd floor level and the fantastic roof terrace, with table, reclining chairs, parasol and barbecue. You can sunbathe here, or just enjoy the lovely view, eat al fresco, or drink a glass of wine (or two!) on a warm evening watching the stars appear in the night sky.
· The village of Paraza has its own interesting features with two chateaux, several wine-producers, and of course the canal, interesting in itself, and often busy with passing boats. There is an excellent canal side bar and restaurant, and another cafe in the village - both open from spring to late autumn. There is a village grocery shop for bread, wine and day-to-day necessities - the local butchers, greengrocers and fishmongers visit the village by van every week. Other local canal side villages such as Ventenac and Roubia offer further shops and facilities, as do the local towns of Lezignan Corbieres and Olonzac, both within 10 minutes drive.
The Local Area
· In Paraza, you can play boules and there's a tennis court, but remember to bring your equipment! Boat trips on the Canal du Midi can be enjoyed at Homps, Trebes and Carcassonne. It's a great area for walking and cycling here either in the shade of the plane trees alongside the Canal du Midi, or for the more adventurous up in the Montagne Noir. You can walk to the small grocery shop in the village to pick up bread, milk and day to day necessities. Wine can be bought from the shop or from any of the 'vignerons' in the village. Horse-riding is also available in the village.
· All types of watersports can be enjoyed at the coast at Gruissan or Narbonne-Plage and the coastal lagoons are very popular for wind-surfing. You can enjoy a round of golf at Carcassonne or Beziers. In Narbonne, there's an extensive leisure centre 'Espace Liberte' with an Olympic size swimming pool and 10pin bowling. For sun-bathing and swimming you can go to the beach, or more locally the Lac du Jouarres in Homps, ir the swimming pool in the river at Bize-Minervois.
· 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, Minerve, 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. You can also buy the local wine direct from the many 'domaines' and 'cahteaux' in the area - many of whom will offer you a wine-tasting - you just need to decide who is driving first!
· The Markets of the region are colourful, varied and full of local seasonal produce. Locally to Paraza 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 until 1.00pm.
· Restaurants - in Paraza itself at Cafe du Port and at La Barraca - also in the surrounding villages: Roubia, Ventenac, Bize Minervois, and Olonzac.
· Supermarkets - there are at least 3 with 10-15 minutes drive in St Marcel sur Aude, Lezignan Corbieres and Olonzac. There's a small supermarket in the neighbouring village of Roubia.
Facilities
· Living room / Dining Room / Kitchen: On the 2nd floor of the house; the owners have provided everything here to make you feel at home. In the sitting area there's two settees. There's a TV receiving UK channels, a DVD player and a stereo music system. The dining area has a dining table and 4 chairs. The kitchen is newly-fitted, and well-equipped for cooking and has an oven, a microwave, dishwasher, and a 4-ring hob.
· Utility room: There's a small utility area on the ground floor with a washing machine for your use. Note: due to the house being on 3 separate floors, there are staircases to climb which might not be suitable for the elderly, the infirm, or for young children.
· Bedrooms: The two bedrooms are on the ground floor. One is a double room with a comfortable double bed, with plenty of storage and hanging, a bedside table and CD alarm clock. The second bedroom has 2 single beds. A cot can be provided on request.
· Bathroom: On the ground floor, there is a shower room with a shower, washbasin and a WC. There is a further separate WC.
· Outside: A private roof terrace on the 3rd floor with a fantastic view. There's a barbecue, table, reclining chairs with cushions, and a parasol for al fresco eating.
· Swimming pool: No swimming pool here, but the Mediterranean beaches are only 30 minutes drive. Also near Homps is the Lac du Joarres which has a man-made beach and a safe swimming area. You can also swim locally in the River Cesse which has some man-made swimming areas and in the public swimming pool in Lezignan Corbieres in the summer months.
· Telephone: There is no telephone here though there is a telephone box in the village.
· Winter heating: Is available, but is not included in the rental cost. Please enquire the price if considering an out of season rental as heating may be required from early October until the end of April.
· 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 £150 or 180 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 may flexible out of high season according to availability - please enquire.
· Long weekend stays and mini-breaks: Are available out of high season, subject to availability - please enquire.
· Pets: are not permitted at this house - sorry.
· Smoking: is not permitted in this house – sorry.
How To Get There
· By Car - The village of Paraza lies just 20-25 minutes north west of Narbonne. The nearest motorway exits are No: 38 Narbonne Sud on the A9 Languedocienne or No: 25 - Lezignan Corbieres on the A61.
· By Air - Carcassonne and Beziers Airports (Ryanair) and Perpignan (Flybe and Ryanair) Airports are the nearest being 45 minutes and 1 hour away respectively. Other airports close by are Nimes (1hr 50mins), Toulouse and Girona (N.Spain) both about 2 hours.
· 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
