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Joie de Vivre Holidays is a member of ABTOF,
The Association of British Travel Organisers to France
Villa Trencavel
General Description
- This modern detached property, with private swimming pool and garden, sleeps 8 in comfort and has the possibility to sleep a further 2 occasionally. It is located on the edge of the medieval village of Cesseras in the heart of the Minervois wine-producing region.
- Cesseras is situated at the foot of the Montagne Noir - a lovely, rather peaceful location amongst the vineyards and yet it is only 5 minutes drive from Olonzac, a small town which offers a good selection of shops, cafe-bars, restaurants, a supermarket and a weekly market.
- Villa Trencavel is a family-owned holiday home which has a large open plan living space, two double bedrooms and two twin bedrooms (one of which is ideal for older children) a bathroom with a bath, and a shower room. The bedrooms are on different sides of the property and therefore the villa lends itself to two families holidaying together.
- The property is located on the edge of the village in a small development in an elevated position, but within walking distance of the centre. It has views over the surrounding countryside.
- The swimming pool area has especially lovely views which extend over the plain of the River Aude to the Pyrenees in the far distance.
The Local Area
- A 3-minute walk will find you in the centre of Cesseras. Here is a popular bar, and a village shop providing bread, croissants and other day-to-day needs. Within a 5-minute drive is the small town of Olonzac which has more shops, a supermarket, a petrol station, banks, bars, restaurants, pharmacies, a post office and a weekly market on a Tuesday morning.
- Sports Facilites: This area is great for walking, hiking and cycling (ask us for details of a local cycle hire company who can deliver bikes to your door). The area immediately behind the property has some interesting countryside with vineyards and fruit trees on the lower slopes, and the wilder 'garrigue' higher up. Details of the local walks are provided for you.
- Easy cycling can be enjoyed on the Aude plain or along the Canal du Midi - just a few kilometres away. For the more adventurous you can cycle in the hilly countryside towards Minerve and the Gorge de Cesse. The local tennis court is a 2-minute walk away and a key is provided for you. Please bring your own equipment. Watersports can be enjoyed locally at the Lac du Jouarres - 10 minutes drive away, or at the Mediterranean coastal resorts - 45 minutes drive away.
- Sightseeing: There are lots of things to do and see in this region. However a visit here would not be complete with a trip to the medieval city of Carcassonne, the lively and interesting cities of Narbonne and Beziers, the Canal du Midi, the Mediterranean beaches, Minerve (just 8kms away), the vineyards of the Minervois and Corbieres (and wine tasting!), the abbeys at Fontfroide, Lagrasse and Caunes Minervois and at least one of the Cathar Castles e.g. Lastours. For children: there's the African Nature Reserve at Sigean, the giant caves at Cabrespine and Limousis, and the Dinosaur Museum at Esperaza.
- Markets: The local markets are coulouful and interesting and quite a social event - they sell fresh local produce and everthing else from beds to jewellery. In Olonzac there's a great weekly market on a Tuesday morning, one in Lezignan Corbieres on a Wednesday, and in Narbonne on a Thursday and Sunday morning. Narbonne also has a renowned food market in Les Halles - open every morning.
- Restaurants: There's a bar in Cesseras, in nearly Azillanet a lovely old auberge open in the summer months, and in Olonzac several restaurants e.g. the Bel Minervois. Joie de Vivre can provide more recommendations for you - please enquire.
- Supermarket: The nearest supermarket is in Olonzac - 10 minutes drive away.
Facilities
- Living/Dining room: The spacious living room is open plan to both the dining area and kitchen making it a very sociable living space. The sitting area has 2 comfortable sofas, a coffee table and a log-burning fire for the cooler months. The dining area has a large dining table with 8 chairs.
- TV Room: Adjacent to the sitting area is a separate TV room with a TV receiving international satellite channels. There is a DVD player, a CD player and a wired internet connection here for your own laptop.
- Kitchen: This is well-equipped for cooking with a fridge/freezer, an extra fridge, hob, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, kettle, coffee machine and toaster.
- Pool Room: Adjacent to the swimming pool area is a pool room. This has an area for drying clothes and swimwear - it also has a fridge for cold drinks and a washbasin. You can access the side garden and swimming pool from here.
- Bedrooms: Bedroom 1 is the master bedroom overlooking the front of the property - it has a king size double bed, side tables with lamps, and plenty of storage and hanging. Bedroom 2 is a twin-bedded room with a view to the swiming pool - again with storage and hanging. Bedroom 3 is a lovely double room with a high ceiling and beams, a king size bed and a window which overlooks the front garden. Bedroom 4 is a split level twin room ideal for older children - one bed is at ground level and the other up on a mezzanine floor - there's plenty of space here for children to play.
- Bathrooms: Bathroom 1 has a bath with shower over, a WC and a washbasin - and is eaily accessed by Bedrooms 1 and 2. Bathroom 2: is for bedrooms 3 and 4 and has a shower, a WC and a washbasin.
- Additional Accommodation: You may have friends visiting the area who may wish to stay a night or two - this is possible in a further room, next to the pool room, which has a double sofa bed. A supplementary charge may be payable for extra bed linen and towels - please enquire.
- Outside:The villa has a garden, mainly gravelled with attractive planting, to the front and the side of the property and a choice of two terraces for relaxing and eating. The larger terrace on the side of the property is accessed from the dining room and has a built-in barbecue and a large dining table and chairs The terrace to the front of the villa overlooks the mature garden and has a child-proof gate at the top of the steps which give access to the pool. Parking is in the driveway of the property.
- Swimming Pool: This is in a sunny area of the garden and is exclusively for your use - it is 9m x 4.5m with a paved surround and set in a newly-planted garden. The swimming pool is secured by an alarm. Sun-loungers and parasols complete the scene.
- Internet: You can connect to the internet here via a wired connection to your own laptop.
- Telephone - Sorry - there is no telephone connection here.
- Baby Facilities: Sorry - there are no baby facilities here i.e. a cot and a high chair.
- Gas, Electric and Water: are all included in the rental cost (except for heating in the cooler months).
- End of stay cleaning: Is included in the rental price.
- Bed and bathroom linen: Are 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 price.
- Damage Deposit: The owner requests a damage deposit of £100 or 120 Euros on arrival. This will be refunded to you at the end of your holiday, less the replacement cost of any breakages or damage.
- Changeover Day: Saturdays only in July and August, In other months, other days may be possible subject to agreement and availability, please enquire.
- Shorter stays: May be available out of season, subject to availability. The minimum stay is 5 nights - please enquire.
- Pets: are not permitted at this villa - sorry.
- Smoking: is not permitted in this villa - sorry.
How To Get There
- By Car: Cesseras is situated just to the North Of Olonzac, The nearest autouroute exits are No: 36 Beziers Ouest on the A9 Languedocienne, or No: 25 Lezignan Corbieres on the A61.
- By Air: Carcassonne and Beziers Airports are the nearest - Ryanair flights to both airports, and Flybe also to Beziers. Both airports are about 50 minutes away by car. Other possible airports are Perpignan, Montpellier, Nimes, Toulouse and Girona (N. Spain).
- By Train: The nearest railway stations are Beziers, Narbonne and Lezignan Corbieres. For details of train times and tickets to this region, please click on the link to RAIL EUROPE on our Home Page.
Full directions will be provided once you make a booking.
