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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Studio Mesange Bleu
General Description
· Pleasingly converted from an ancient building associated with wine-making, this well-presented studio apartment is tastefully decorated and has its own terrace for al fresco dining, and private access. It's ideal for a couple with a baby or small child. It shares a lovely swimming pool and south-facing garden with 2 other holiday properties and the owner's accommodation on this charming village development. It is very welcoming and pleasant. The owners are convivial, and helpful, and go the extra mile to make you feel at home.
· All on a one level, the apartment has a living/sleeping area with twin beds which can be made up to a large double and a good quality single fold down beds which serves as a small sofa during the day. There is English satellite TV also with French channels for your entertainment. There's a dining area with table and chairs to seat 4. The kitchenette is fully-fitted with gas cooker, fridge and washing machine. There is a shower room with washbasin and WC. The open plan living/ktichen/dining area is a pleasing living space with French doors that open out onto the terrace.
· Studio Mesange Bleu is part of a small holiday complex of 3 gites in the village of Sainte Valiere, within a short drive of the lovely city of Narbonne and the Mediterranean beaches. It is ideal for a family holiday (safe for children), or for a group of friends holidaying together, as the accommodation allows you to spend days relaxing in the garden and around the pool, or alternatively exploring this lovely region by car or bicycle. The mobile 'boulangerie' visits the village every day between 10.00 and 11.30 a.m.
The Local Area
· The centre of Sainte Valiere is just a 5 minute stroll; the village is quiet and serene and nestles in the vineyards of the Minervois. In fact, the 3 gites here were originally an ancient stone-built wine-cave and it's associated out-buildings, now of course beautifully renovated. A Vin de Pays d'Oc wine-producer 'La Visonniere' is just a few steps away - very handy for buying your wine for your barbeque! Sainte Valiere has a licensed cafe and delicatessen and a post office in the village itself, and an abundance of restaurants within 5 - 15 minutes drive. Neighbouring villages are Ginestas and Ventenac which both have restaurants, and Ventenac also has a wine-producing chateau and wine museum (free admission!).
· Sports facilities: You'll find tennis courts in Sainte Valiere (remember to take tennis rackets and tennis balls!). You can go horse-riding at the ranch in Paraza. At Espace Liberte, a sports complex in Narbonne, there's a large swimming pool, ten-pin bowling and ice-skating as well as an excellent value for money buffet restaurant. Cycles can be hired locally (ask Joie de Vivre for details). And - you can try canoeing and kayaking at Roquebrun - about a 40-minute drive. Walking or cycling is just great in the shade of the plane trees along the Canal du Midi with the views over the vineyards and the ancient canal-side villages to explore.
· 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, 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.
· The Markets of the region are colourful, varied and full of local seasonal produce. Locally to Saint Valiere 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 - There is a licensed cafe in Sainte Valiere, 2 kms away in Ginestas is L'Anais, a very pleasant local bar and restaurant, and two restaurants in Ventenac, open in the summer months. In the local villages we also recommend these: Les Oliviers at Cabezac (expensive, but lovely), the two open-air restaurant/bars in Ventenac (very reasonably priced and great in the summer), the Cafe du Port at Paraza (open summer months only), En Bonne Compagnie in Homps and L'Apaloosa in Bize Minervois.
· Supermarket - the nearest supermarket is 7kms away at St Marcel d'Aude, or at Olonzac. The nearest hypermarkets such as Carrefour and Geant are in Narbonne.
Facilities
· Living/Dining /Sleeping/Kitchenette: These areas are open plan to each other making a very sociable living space. In the main living area are two very comfortable twin beds and a single fold-down bed and a TV with English satellite and French channels. There's a dining table and 4 chairs. The kitchenette is very well-equipped with cooker, fridge, and washing machine.
· Shower room: There is one shower room with vanity washbasin and WC.
· Additional accommodation: There is a cottage, for a maximum of 5 people, and a house which sleeps 6 people on this development. This could be ideal for large families, or groups of friends, holidaying together.
· Outside: The studio has its own terrace, barbeque, and table and chairs for al fresco dining. It also has secure parking for your car. The gardens to the property are south-facing with lawns, olive trees, palm trees and attractive planting. Sun-loungers can be found in the pool area.
· Swimming pool: The pool is secure and is 10m x 5m with a paved surround - a well-kept and very attractive pool area with views over the countryside.
· Internet: There is no internet connection here at present.
· Telephone: A telephone is available for your use on request.
· Baby facilities: A cot and a high chair are available on request.
· Winter heating: Is included in the rental cost.
· Gas, 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 £100 sterling or 150 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 other days may be possible in low season.
· Long weekend/mini break stays: Are available in low season subject to availability. Long term bookings are also a possibility.
· Pets: small pets are permitted here with proper permission of the owner.
· Smoking: is permitted here should you wish.
How To Get There
· By Car - The village of Sainte Valiere lies just south of the D5 which runs between Beziers and Carcassonne. The nearest motorway exit is No: 38 on the A9 autoroute - the Languedocienne.
· By Air - Carcassonne, Beziers, Montpellier and Perpignan Airports are the nearest - approximately 60 minutes drive away. Other airports you could use would be Toulouse, Nimes and Girona (Northern Spain).
· 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
