My Shortlist
Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Maison Saphir
General Description
· This is a beautiful, 4-bedroomed, period house decorated and furnished to an extremely high standard by an interior designer. It is immaculate and exquisite inside and, although available to rent, it is retained as a 'family' home with every comfort, and lovely original pieces of artwork and sculpture for you to enjoy.
· It has one of the best kitchen and dining areas I have ever seen with every facility to produce beautiful meals with produce direct from the local weekly market in the town. With lovely tableware and glasses, you will sit long into the night talking and enjoying your evening meals here. A catering service can be provided if you wish.
· The house is in the town of Olonzac, the capital of the Minervois wine-producing region. It has a fine courtyard garden, with high quality garden furniture, an all-year-round indoor swimming pool which can be heated, and a superb roof terrace which overlooks the tiled roofs towards the the church spire. There is private, secure parking for two cars. Shops, bars and restaurants are a 5 minute walk away!
· Downstairs there's a drawing room, two entrance halls, and a very large open plan kitchen / dining / sitting area, all beautifully furnished and decorated. There's a hi-fi system and a TV receiving English satellite channels, a DVD player and a video recorder. Upstairs are 4 spacious bedrooms: 3 doubles and a twin-bedded room. There are 3 bathrooms; one en-suite to the master bedroom, another en-suite to a bedroom with a sumptuous circular bed, and a family bathroom serving the other two bedrooms. NEW for 2008 - a games room for the children, with children's badminton, table tennis, a Plasma TV and an Xbox 360.
The Local Area
· The town of Olonzac is small, but lively. It's the capital of the Minervois wine-producing region. With plenty of shops, supermarkets, a post office, a bank, a pharmacy and bars and restaurants so you don't have to go too far if you don't want to. Maison Saphir is on one of the quieter streets and once you are in the house or courtyard garden the setting is indeed very tranquil.
· For sports enthusiasts there are tennis courts in the park (but please remember to bring racquets and balls), and there's also a boules playing area. At the local Lac Du Jouarres, there are facilities for swimming, wind-surfing, sailing, canoeing and fishing. The locals in Olonzac are very keen rugby players and supporters and the local team is very successful. Beziers is the rugby capital of the South of France and there's a fantastic stadium there for the seasonal matches. For golf lovers, you can play at Carcassonne, Beziers, Mazemet and there's a links course at Cap d'Agde. The region is great for walking and cycling along the Canal du Midi - you can hire bikes locally and have them delivered to your door.
· There's much to see and do in the two 'Departments' of Herault and Aude. The Mediterranean beaches at Narbonne-Plage and Gruissan are a 45-50 minute drive away. Then there' s the medieval city of Carcassonne with its 52 turrets and two rings of fortifications. Visit the Canal du Midi - the staircase of 9 locks at Fontseranes near Beziers, or more locally, the inland canal port of Homps with its charming restaurants. Narbonne is a lovely city and is well worth a visit - the city is divided in two by the Canal de la Robine and has narrow streets with delightful shops. You can go back to the time of the Cathars by visiting the Cathar Castles in the region and the more local town of Minerve. Joie de Vivre will send you a regional information sheet once your booking is confirmed.
· Markets - there's a great weekly market in Olonzac on a Tuesday morning. It is very popular and you'll find a wide choice of regional seasonal produce to buy - as well as herbs and spices, colourful baskets, clothes, shoes, furniture etc etc. Other markets worth visiting are in Lezignan Corbieres on a Wednesday morning, and Narbonne on a Thursday and Sunday morning. Narbonne also has a large indoor food market 'Les Halles' which is open every day except Sunday.
· Restaurants - as well as the ones you can walk to in Olonzac, there are many more delightful ones in the surrounding villages. Again Joie de Vivre will send you a list of recommendations should you decide to book with us.
· Supermarkets - Olonzac has 2 just on the edge of town and a small one in the town centre. There's a great boulangerie and traiteur/boucherie/charcuterie in the town.
Facilities
· Drawing room: Beautifully furnished with comfortable cream sofas and a large glass coffee table, with lovely artwork and interesting artefacts, this is the perfect room for relaxing in or writing home at the lovely writing desk.
· Dining room: The dining area which is open plan to the kitchen has a fantastic dining table and chairs seating 8-10 people. There is a large dresser with very attractive tableware. On the other side of the room is a further sitting area with a comfortable sofa and armchairs. Here you'll find the satellite TV, hifi and DVD player.
· Kitchen: The kitchen has every piece of equipment you could possibly need including a large Lacanche range cooker, with gas hob, griddle, double oven and plate warmer. There's a fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and an iron, and ironing board. Catering facilities are available if you require them.
· Bedrooms: The very spacious master double bedroom overlooks the garden and has a king-size double bed and good storage in wardrobes and drawers. It also has satellite TV and a small fridge. The en-suite is spacious with a very large, deep bath, twin washbasins and WC. Bedroom 2 is shadier and has a unique large circular double bed, storage, hanging and a TV with French channels. The bathroom for this room is just immediately next door and has a large shower enclosed by a glass-block wall, large washbasin and WC. Bedroom 3 overlooks the garden and has a king-size double and some magnificent pieces of original artwork. Bedroom 4 is a good size and contains twin beds - perhaps the most suitable room for children.
· Bathrooms: The 3rd family bathroom is large with an antique marble wash-stand, large bath, WC and dressing table.
· Outside: is a large courtyard garden with lawns. palm trees, mature plane trees, lavender and other planting. Teak steamer chairs are available for the garden. You'll also find a sizeable roof top terrace up above the swimming pool and accessed by an outside staircase. This has a pergola, potted plants and sun-loungers. There is safe car-parking for 2 cars. On one side of the courtyard is a games room for children featuring an XBox.
· Swimming pool: This is indoors but overlooks the garden. It can be heated for you for an additional charge (please enquire for the current cost). Glass sliding doors may be opened to allow access from the garden to the pool and vice versa. The pool is 12m x 6m and deep.
· Internet: You can connect to the internet here.
· Telephone: Sorry, there is no telephone available.
· Baby facilities: A cot, a high chair, and a small charming bed for a small child are available on request. Reliable baby-sitting can be arranged on request.
· Winter heating: Is not included in the rental price but may be required from the end of October to April. A supplementary charge of 90 Euros per week payable direct to the housekeeper.
· Gas, electric, & water: are all included in the rental cost.
· End-of-stay cleaning: is not included in the rental cost. If you wish the owner to arrange the cleaning, the cost is 80 Euros payable direct.
· 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 1000 Euros cash on arrival, or the current equivalent £ sterling cheque, due to the very high standard of the furnishings and the numerous pieces of original artworks. This will be refunded to you after the end of your stay, less the replacement cost of any breakages or accidental damage.
· Change over day: Normally Saturday in High Season. May be flexible in Low Season.
· Pets: are not permitted at this house - sorry.
· Smoking: is not permitted inside this house – sorry.
How To Get There
· By Car - The town of Olonzac situated just north of the 'D' road that runs between Beziers and Carcassonne. The nearest motorway junction is No:25 (Lezignan Corbieres) on the A61 Autoroute des Deux Mers.
· By Air - Carcassonne Airport is the nearest - approximately 45 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 40 minutes drive.
· By Train - Please visit the link to RAIL EUROPE on our website for details of trains and tickets to this region. The nearest railways stations are Narbonne and Beziers (SNCF).
Full directions etc will be sent once you make a booking.
