Maison Perle
General Description
· This recently- and beautifully-renovated spacious holiday property, sleeping up to 14 people, is set in an attractive garden, with a shared pool, is only 45 minutes drive from the Mediterranean, and 35 minutes from Carcassonne, and yet is in the heart of the Minervois wine-producing region. Situated in a village location amidst lovely countryside, you can walk out for your morning bread and croissants.
· This lovely, welcoming, master wine-grower's house has recently been renovated to a very high standard. There are 5 spacious air-conditioned bedrooms all with newly-fitted en-suite bath/shower rooms. Two of the bedrooms even have their own private sun-bathing terraces. The sitting room has leather sofas, a coffee table, a bar, a TV, DVD player, video recorder. In the dining area you can comfortably sit 14 people. Outside the French windows is a terrace where you can enjoy dining al fresco.
· The house is situated towards the edge of the village of La Liviniere, a village associated with wine-making. Some of the best wines in the region are produced here. La Liviniere is thought to date back to Roman times and has narrow winding streets. As the village is situated on a hill there are great views of the Pyrenees across the plains, and the Black Mountains in the opposite direction.
· One of the owners of the property, who lives in an adjacent residence, speaks very good English and whether it be on foot, by bike, or by car, can advise you on the best places to visit, the best restaurants to eat in and the best of the local wines to drink.
The Local Area
· The local village of La Liviniere is just a short walk. Here you'll find a bakers, a general store, a post office, and a small cafe-bar. A wider variety of shops can be found in the town of Olonzac about 10 minutes drive away.
· It's a great location here for both touring and leisure activities; there are many beautiful footpaths in the region of the village. There's the Lac du Jouarres within 8 kms where there is a beach for swimming, an area for fishing, wind-surfing etc. There's also a horse-riding centre nearby.
· For sightseeing days out, you can enjoy: the Canal du Midi, the medieval city of Carcassonne, the abbeys of Fontfroide, Lagrasse and Caunes-Minervois, the caves at Cabrespine, the vineyards of the Minervois, the ancient town of Minerve and the lively city of Narbonne. For your information the owners provide some carefully selected brochures on the region to help you make the most of your time here.
· There is a sizeable market on a Tuesday morning in nearby Olonzac, and also one at Azille. Travelling further afield, there's a large outdoor market on a Thursday and Sunday morning in Narbonne, as well as a daily indoor food market - not to be missed! In the high summer season there is a Friday night market at Homps, an interesting canal port, about 10 minutes away by car.
· Restaurants - there's a restaurant called the Cuisine Gourmand at Azille about 4kms away and there's a good selection of well-priced restaurants in Olonzac and Homps. Our favourite is the Auberge de St Martin in the village of Beaufort, just outside Olonzac.
· There's a supermarket in Olonzac and another at La Redorte locally.
Facilities
· Living room/Dining Room: Tastefully decorated and furnished, the two dining room tables can comfortably seat up to 14 people. In the living area, there are leather sofas, armchairs, a coffee table, a bar, a TV, a DVD player, a video recorder, books and games.
· Kitchen: The kitchen is separate, and very well-equipped with an oven, fridge/freezer, microwave, washing machine, dishwasher, iron and ironing board.
· Bedrooms: 5 spacious bedrooms each with an en-suite bathroom, and each named after the children in the family. Marie Capucine: a light and airy room with a double bed, bedside tables, and a wardrobe. Camille: A very smart room with twin beds, bedside tables, a wardrobe and an armchair. Charles: A lovely room with a fireplace, twin beds, bedside tables, a chair, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. Thomas: Another lovely room with a double bed, bedside tables, desk, chair, wardrobe and a sofa bed which can convert into a bed for two people. This room has a private sun terrace. Amandine: A lovely room decorated in rich tones with a double bed, bedside tables, desk, chair, wardrobe and a sofa bed which can convert into a bed for two people. This room also has a private sun terrace.
· Bathrooms: All bathroom facilities are en-suite and newly-fitted. All have a hydrotherapy shower (except for Bedroom Charles which has a bath), a washbasin, a WC, electric towel heaters and a hair-dryer.
· Outside: Via the French doors in the dining room you can access the private terrace with a garden table and chairs and a barbecue. There is also a large garden and your car/s may be parked in the grounds. Note: On this domaine is another smaller holiday property, Gite Ivoire, so there may be other holiday-makers in the garden and pool area.
· Swimming pool: There's an attractive swimming pool in the garden of 4m x 8m which is shared with the property-owners and the holiday-makers in the gite. The pool has a safety fence which complies with the current French safety regulations.
· Internet: You can access the internet here via a good WiFI connection.
· Telephone: There is no telephone here - sorry.
· Baby facilities: A 'baby-kit' is available on request consisting of a cot, a high chair and a baby-changing table. There is a small extra charge for the kit of 15 Euros per week, payable direct to the owner.
· Winter heating: Via the reversible air-conditioning system and is included in the rental cost.
· Electric, & water: are all included in the rental cost. Bottled gas: for the cooker and barbecue, a full bottle will be provided on your arrival.
· End-of-stay cleaning: You have an option to clean the house yourself at the end of your holiday. If you would like the owners to arrange the cleaning for you there is a charge of 180 Euros, payable direct to the owners.
· Bed linen, bathroom & kitchen towels: Kitchen and bathroom towels are included in the rental cost. Bed linen may be hired at a cost of 7 Euros per person per week, and is reservable in advance.
· Taxe de Sejour: in France, it is necessary to pay a “Taxe de Séjour” at the end of your stay. It is payable here at the guide rate of 0.50 Euros per person per night over 13 yrs of age between 1st June and 30th Sept.
· Damage deposit: The owner requests a security / damage deposit of 750 Euros on arrival, or a UK sterling cheque for £625 (or the equivalent at the current exchange rate). 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 be flexible out of Peak and High Season.
· Long weekend stays and mini breaks: Long weekend stays, and Monday to Friday mini breaks are available out of Peak and High season according to availability. Please ask us for price and availability.
· Pets: are not permitted at this property - sorry.
· Smoking: is not permitted inside this property – sorry.
How To Get There
· By Car - The village of La Liviniere is about 10-15 minutes drive from the town of Olonzac situated just north of the 'D' road that runs between Beziers and Carcassonne.
· By Air - Carcassonne Airport is the nearest - approximately 50 minutes drive away. Alternative airports are Perpignan and Montpellier both just over 1 hour's drive away. Toulouse is a further options - about 1 hour 45 minutes drive.
· 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.
