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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Mas du Soleil 2
General Description
- A beautiful, fully-renovated, stone-built farmhouse set in over 30 hectares of land in a lovely natural garrigue environment with pine and olive trees and views into the distance. Peaceful, tranquil, and very slightly off the beaten track this lovely property can easily accommodate families or a group of friends holidaying together.
- The farmhouse is spacious and comprises a large kitchen, dining room and sitting room, four bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on the ground floor.
- Outside there's a swimming pool, a large garden, 2 terraces and a barbecue. The pool is normally open from mid May to the end of September.
- The setting is superb with magnificent views. The farmhouse is about 4 km from the nearest village of Paraza, which has two restaurants and a small grocery shop. Within 10-15 minutes drive you can reach the towns of Olonzac and Lezignan Corbieres which have all other facilities.
- The farmhouse generates most of its own electricity through large solar panels installed on the estate.
The Local Area
- In Paraza, there are lots of activities to enjoy - you can play boules or tennis, or enjoy horse-riding at the newly opened ranch on the edge of the village. It's a great area for walking and cycling either from the estate itself or in the shade of the plane trees alongside the Canal du Midi watching the passing boats. Cycle hire is available in the village and the bikes can be delivered to your door - please enquire.
- Boat trips on the Canal du Midi can be enjoyed at Homps, Trebes, Carcassonne and Narbonne.
- For those of you interested in art, Paraza has an art gallery which can be found by the side of the Canal.
- Activities: 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. Towards Homps, just a 10-minute drive away, you will find the Lac du Jouarres for swimming, water-sports, walking etc. Golfers can enjoy a round of golf at Carcassonne or Beziers, both only 40 minutes drive away. In Narbonne, there's an extensive leisure centre 'Espace de Liberte' with an Olympic size swimming pool and 10-pin bowling.
- Sightseeing: There's much to see and do in this region. A visit would not be complete without a trip to the medieval city of Carcassonne, the lively and attractive town of Narbonne, various villages on 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. A day trip to Spain is also a possibility as the border is only a 90-minute drive.
- Wine: Paraza is in the Minervois wine-producing area but also borders the Corbieres wine region. Specialities are red and rose wines. You can buy the local wine direct from the many 'domaines' and 'chateaux' both in the village and in the surrounding area. Many of the producers will offer you a wine-tasting - you just need to decide who is driving!
- 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 lunchtime.
- Restaurants - can be found in Paraza itself at Cafe du Port and La Barracca, also in the surrounding villages: Ventenac, Roubia, Bize Minervois, Homps etc. There's a wide variety to suit all tastes and budgets and a few really special ones if you are celebrating a special occasion. Joie de Vivre can provide you with a restaurant guide.
- Supermarkets - there are at least 3 within 10-15 minutes drive in St Marcel sur Aude, Lezignan Corbieres and Olonzac. There's a small mini-market in the neighbouring village of Roubia. Paraza has a small epicerie - a grocer's shop selling basic day to day products and bread.
Facilities
- Living/Dining Room: This is a large open plan space with a two farmhouse dining tables and 15 chairs. There is a leather sofa and armchairs, additional seating, a TV receiving French channels, a DVD and a CD player. For holidays in the cooler months, there is a large fireplace for which wood is provided.
- Kitchen: This is fully-equipped with a dishwasher, fridge-freezer, microwave, hob and oven, and coffee maker. The kitchen has an oval table and 4 chairs. There is also a laundry area with a washing machine.
- Bedrooms: There are 4 bedrooms in total, all on the ground floor: one has a king-size double bed, two bedrooms have standard double beds, and the fourth bedroom has 4 single beds (ideal for children). The bedrooms are spacious, nicely decorated, and simply, but comfortably, furnished with ample storage for clothes, bedside tables, lamps and chairs.
- Shower rooms: There is one en-suite shower room to the master double bedroom - this has a shower and a washbasin. Also on the ground floor there is a further shower room with a shower and two washbasins. A further shower room is also available for you. There a 3 WCs - separate from the shower rooms.
- Additional Accommodation: Recently opened is an additional smaller separate gite which sleeps up to 6 people - see Mas du Soleil, Gite Opale. This farmhouse may also be rented asMas du Soleil 1 with 7 bedrooms, sleeping 15 people.
- Outside: Loads of space in the grounds, over 30 ha, for walking or for children to play. The garden is lovely and peaceful and the views are stunning. There are 2 terraces for relaxing or for dining outside on a large dining table with 16 chairs and two parasols. By the side of the swimming pool are 8 sun-loungers. There is private car parking for a number of cars.
- Swimming Pool: The swimming pool is 9m x 4m and is secured by a wall and a fence. The pool is private for use by the guests staying at Mas du Soleil 1 and 2.
- Internet: There is no internet connection here. However there are internet cafes in the local towns and villages.
- Telephone: There is no landline telephone here. Mobile phone signals in the area are usually good.
- Baby Facilities: A cot is available upon request - please enquire.
- Winter Heating: Heating in the cooler months, mid October - end April, is charged extra at 100 euros per week.
- Gas, Electric and Water: Included in the rental price.
- End of stay cleaning: Is included in the rental price providing the property is left neat and tidy as found.
- Bed and Bathroom Linen: Are all included in the rental price, except for the bed linen or the baby's cot.
- Taxe de Sejour: Is included here in the rental price.
- Damage Deposit: The owners request a damage/security deposit of 800 euros (or the equivalent in £'s) payable on arrival. This will be refunded to you on your day of departure less the replacement cost of any breakages.
- Change Over Day: Saturday in July and August, but is flexible outside the main summer season according to availability.
- Long Weekend Stays and Mini Breaks: Are possible for a minimum of a 3-night stay and subject to availability. Please enquire for the price.
- Pets: Your pets may be accepted with prior notice but they are not allowed into the bedrooms.
- Smoking: Sorry - smoking is not permitted here.
How To Get There
- By Car: The village of Paraza lies just 20-25 minutes north west of Narbonne. The nearest motorway junctions are No: 25 Lezignan Corbieres on the A61 or No: 38 Narbonne Sud on the A9 Languedocienne.
- Suitability Note: The last part of the drive to Mas du Soleil is on an unmade road/farm track. We have driven there ourselves in a normal car without any problem. However we feel the track may not be particularly suitable for sports cars or vehicles that are particularly low to the ground.
- By Air: Carcassonne and Beziers airports are the nearest - both about 45 minutes drive. (Both serviced by Ryanair from the UK and Ireland - (www.ryanair.com ). Montpellier (Ryanair and EasyJet) and Perpignan airports are just over a 1 hour drive. Toulouse, Nimes and Girona (N.Spain) are between 1hr 30 mins and 2 hours away.
- By Train: Please visit the link to RAIL EUROPE on our Home Page if you are intetersted in travelling to this region by train. There is also an overnight Motorail service to Narbonne (summer months only). The nearest railway stations are in Lezignan Corbieres and Narbonne.
Full directions will be sent to you once your make a booking.
