Villa Clarisse
General Description
- This lovely, authentic, characterful house is in the wine-producing village of Trausse Minervois set amidst lovely vineyards and located at the foot of the beautiful Montagnes Noires. It has a private, mature spacious garden with lots of flowers and trees and a private swimming pool. There is private parking for up to 3 cars.
- The house has 3 double bedrooms, two with double beds and 1 with 2 large single beds, all with en-suite shower rooms. On the ground floor there's a lovely kitchen/dining room and a small sitting room. Upstairs is a further large, airy sitting room with a flat screen TV receiving both French and English channels. (An additional 4th bedroom for 2 people can be made available if required for a small charge.)
- The property was originally a wine-maker's house and it has a wealth of original features and exposed stone walls. Some of the most distinctive, decorative features of the house include pink marble which is famous and mined locally at Caunes-Minervois.
- This property is available for rental by holiday-makers from early June to the end of the first week in September each year.
The Local Area
- The village centre is just a short walk away and you'll find a general grocery shop selling bread, a restaurant, a hairdressers, a post office, wine caves, tennis courts and a boulodrome. Close by is the bigger village of Caunes with a beautiful abbey, further shops including a butchers, a cafe-bar and a restaurant. Supermarket shopping can be done a Peyriac - 4 kms away.
- Sport facilities: If you like walking, hiking or cycling you really can't go wrong here (ask us for details of a cycle hire company who can deliver bikes to your door). As well as the tennis courts or boulodrome in the village, you can enjoy a round of golf in Carcassonne. Further swimming can be enjoyed at the nearby Lac du Jouarres or from the long, fine, sandy beaches on the Mediterranean coast. Water sports lovers will also find great facilities there too.
- Sightseeing: About 25 minutes away by car is the stunning medieval fortress of Carcassonne with its 2 rings of fortifications and 52 fairy tale turrets - it's a must see! A short local drive will bring you to Homps, a port on the Canal du Midi - several cafe-bars and restaurants can be found here and the passing boats provide interest when you stop for a coffee or a cool beer. You can go to see Minerve, the old capital of the region and former Cathar stronghold - it's rated one of the most beautiful villages in France. Children will love the caves at Limousis or Cabrespine, the African Nature Reserve on the coast at Sigean, and the llamas at Les Venedes.
- Markets: The markets in the region are colourful, interesting, and a real social occasion. There's lots of fresh, seasonal produce to enjoy eating on your terrace! The best ones locally are at Olonzac on a Tuesday morning, also in Caunes-Minervois and in Carcassonne.
- Restaurants: If you fancy a change from cooking or the barbecue just walk into the village, or take a quick drive to Caunes. Further restaurants are in Homps and in Carcassonne.
- Supermarkets: There is a small 'superette' in the village and another one in Peyriac. Further larger supermarkets are in Carcassonne, Trebes and Olonzac.
Facilities
- Kitchen/Dining Room/Living Room: On the ground floor, this is a spacious open-plan living area with a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, cooker, oven, etc. There is a lovely dining table and 6 chairs. Next to the dining area is a small, charming sitting room with a comfortable sofa and fireplace. It makes for a very convivial living space. Patio doors lead out from this room onto the terrace. A washing machine is available for your use in a separate area.
- Upstairs Lounge/ TV Room: On the first floor you'll find a very spacious light and airy lounge with two sofas and an armchair, and a flat screen TV receiving both French and English channels with a DVD player. There's also a CD player. Books and games are available for you to enjoy.
- Bedrooms: There are 3 double bedrooms on the first floor which all have en-suite shower rooms. Bedroom 1 is a spacious and tastefully decorated double room with comfortable double bed with attractive bed linen - there is a view from the window over the swimming pool. Bedroom 2 also has a double bed and a view over the swimming pool. Bedroom 3 has two large comfortable single beds and overlooks the front of the property.
- Bathrooms: The 3 bedrooms all have en-suite shower rooms with shower, washbasin and WC.
- Other rooms: A 4th bedroom which sleeps 2 people is available upon request - please enquire.
- Outside: There is a large and very attractive private garden with lots of pretty planting and mature trees. There is a sunny patio with a garden dining table and 6 chairs with cushions. There are a number of benches, sun loungers and a parasol and a barbecue for cooking outside if you prefer.
- Swimming Pool: The lovely swimming pool is 10m x 5m and is secured by a safety alarm.
- Internet: Sorry - no internet access is available here.
- Telephone: Sorry there is no landline telephone here, but mobile signals in the area are generally good.
- Baby Facilities: A cot and a high chair are available upon request.
- Gas, Electric and Water: Are all included in the rental price.
- End of Stay Cleaning: Is included in the rental price and also a mid-stay clean each Wednesday.
- Welcome Pack: On arrival guests will find a welcome pack containing home-made products and home-grown vegetables.
- Bed and Bathroom Linen: Are all included in the rental price.
- Taxe de Sejour: In France it is necessary to pay a Taxe de Sejour at the end of your stay. It has been included here in the rental cost.
- Damage Deposit: The owners request a damage deposit of 300 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 please enquire - it will depend on availability.
- Long Weekend Stays and mini breaks: May be possible in June - please enquire.
- Pets: Are not permitted here - sorry.
- Smoking: Is not permitted in the house - sorry.
How To Get There
- By Car: The village is situated to the North East of Carcassonne, and the North West of Olonzac. The nearest autoroute exits would be No: 36 Beziers Ouest on the A9 Languedocienne, or No: 23 on the A61.
- By Air: The nearest airports are Carcassonne (30 minutes) and Beziers (50 minutes) both served by the low cost airline Ryanair from many regional airports in the UK, Ireland and Belgium. Other possible airports would be Toulouse (1 hr 30 mins), Montpellier, Nimes, Perpignan or even Girona (N. Spain). There's easy access to the Autoroutes from all airports making for an easy drive.
- By Train: For train tickets to the area, the nearest railway station being Carcassonne, please visit www.raileurope.co.uk.
Full directions etc will be sent once you have made a booking.
