Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or less)
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car advised Nearest amenities: 0.2 km
Notes:
Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
This welcoming and homely 2-bedroom apartment is located in a large, authentic country house on the south-facing edge of the village of Azillanet, near Olonzac, in the Minervois wine-producing area of the Languedoc.
It's a beautiful region, with the Montagne Noir behind and vineyards as far as the eye can see. The Pyrenees can be seen in the distance to the south. Wild flowers abound especially in the spring and the area is rich in birdlife. It is a veritable nature lover's paradise. The surrounding countryside is always green, even in winter, due to the many cypress, pine and olive trees.
The apartment is on the ground and 1st floor of the house. On the ground floor there's a large country kitchen with a dining area, comfortable sofas and a magnificent marble fireplace. There is a TV receiving French channels. This room opens out onto the lovely garden where there is a terrace, and a table and chairs for al fresco dining.
You can cool off in the above ground swimming pool after a busy day's walking, cycling or sightseeing!
Upstairs there are 2 spacious bedrooms which sleep up to 6 people in comfort. One room has a double and a single bed, the other has 3 single beds (though two may be pushed together to form a double if required). Both bedrooms have their own en-suite shower rooms with washbasin and WC.
Outside in the mature garden, you can enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine or relax in the shade if your prefer. The summer evenings are often warm enough to sit out until late watching the stars appear in the night sky and listening to the cicadas. The local, lovely, auberge is open in the summer months where you can enjoy the local cuisine and sample the delicious wines of the Minervois and Corbieres at a very reasonable price.
A short walk into the village brings you to small grocery store and the boulangerie van brings fresh bread to the village every morning. There is an excellent wine cave just up the road.
Your hosts, who live in a separate part of the house, are English speaking and want you to feel relaxed and at home, enjoying the house, garden and swimming pool. They will happily provide you with a home-cooked evening meal on the day of your arrival and breakfast on your first morning if you wish. The catering is wholesome and healthy and can include vegetarian, fish and meat dishes.
The lady owner is trained in massage, reiki, body-balancing and other relaxation therapies - so this could be a lovely holiday for those wanting to escape from a busy, stressful life and really relax. Please enquire for more details of the therapies on offer.
Terrace in front of the house
General view
Above ground pool set in the garden
Country kitchen sitting area
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/43991
The Languedoc-Roussillon / Herault region
This part of the Languedoc has a sunny Mediterranean climate. It can be hot in summer, but the temperature is often tempered by a breeze. Now the 3rd most visited region in France by British people, the Languedoc offers something for everyone. Miles of long, sandy beaches, coastal lagoons, vibrant cities such as Narbonne and Montpellier, historical sites such as Carcassonne and the Cathar castles, fabulous scenery, great cuisine and vineyards, vineyards, vineyards.
Olonzac / Azillanet area
The village of Azillanet is a pretty village with lots of stone houses, a little grocer's, a boulangerie van that arrives daily at 8.30am, and an 'auberge' open in the summer months for delicious local cuisine, with wine included, at a very reasonable price. Azillanet also boasts a great wine cave 'Les Trois Blasons' where you can taste the local wines and buy direct. The neighbouring town of Olonzac is a short 5km drive away, and has further shops, banks, markets, bars and restaurants. The fascinating ancient town of Minerve, steeped in the history of the Cathars, is just 6 kms away.
Sports facilities: As well as using the pool in the garden, you try something different and swim in the man-made 'swimming hole' in the River Cesse at Bize-Minevois, or from the Blue Flag beaches on the Mediterranean coast 40-minutes from here. All types of water sports are also available at the coast at Narbonne Plage or Gruissan - and many at the Lac du Jouarres more locally. Although a little hilly, the quiet roads are great for cycling and both mountain and road bikes can be hired locally - please ask me for details. Walkers - please take your boots, and birdwatchers your binoculars! You can also enjoy a round of golf at Carcassonne or Beziers. And in Narbonne, there's an extensive leisure centre 'Espace Liberte' with an Olympic size swimming pool and 10-pin bowling.Sports facilities.
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, Minerve - just 6kms away, 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. You can also buy the local wine direct from the many 'domaines' and 'chateaux' in the area - many of whom will offer you a wine-tasting - you just need to decide who is driving first! Another interesting visit locally is to the Dolmen des Fados (the Dolmen of the Fairies) said to be the largest dolmen (ancient burial mound) in the South of France. A little further afield but well worth the drive - why not try a day trip to Spain as the border is only an hour and a half away?
The Markets of the region are colourful, varied and full of local seasonal produce. Locally to Azillanet 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. In high season there's an evening market fortnightly at the canal-side town of Homps. Out of season, many of the villages hold a 'vide grenier' on a Sunday morning - these are very popular with both locals and visitors.
Restaurants: in Azillanet itself in the summer months you can dine at the Auberge, or various restaurants in Olonzac, Homps and Bize Minervois.
Supermarket: There's a supermarket 5-minutes drive away in Olonzac and another 15-minutes drive away in La Redorte.
How to get there
By Car - The village of Azillanet lies just 5 minutes north of the town of Olonzac, to the West of Beziers. The nearest motorway junctions are No: 25 Lezignan Corbieres on the A61 (Entre Deux Mers) and No: 36 Beziers Ouest on the A9 (Languedocienne)..
By Air - Carcassonne (Ryanair from East Midlands, Gatwick, Liverpool and Ireland) and Beziers Airports (Ryanair from Bristol and Luton) are the nearest - approximately 40 minutes drive away. Other possible airports are Montpellier, Nimes, Perpignan, Toulouse and Girona (N.Spain). Please enquire for drive time/s.
By Train - Please visit www.raileurope.co.uk for details of the overnight Motorail service to Narbonne (summer months only).
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Carcasonne: 45 km
Railway:
Narbonne: 25 km
Activities near Olonzac
Sports: Tennis in town Watersports Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Beach or lakeside relaxation Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Log fire
General:
Central heating, TV, CD player
Standard:
Kettle, Iron
Utilities:
Cooker, Fridge, Freezer, Washing machine
Rooms:
Bedrooms (2), Ensuite (2), WCs (2)
Furniture:
Single beds (4), Double beds (1), Cots (1), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 6
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Shared outdoor pool (unheated), Shared garden, BBQ
Further details indoors: County Kitchen / Living room: This is a cosy traditional room on the ground floor for cooking, eating and relaxing after your meal, reading or listening to music. There's a cooker, fridge-freezer, microwave (on request), and a washing machine. For the cooler months there's an open fireplace for a log fire and a TV receiving French channels. This room opens out onto the garden and terrace.
Bedrooms: A hallway and staircase leads to the spacious bedrooms on the 1st floor. Bedroom 1 has a double and a single bed, bedside table, lamps, a wardrobe and dressing table. Bedroom 2 has 3 single beds, two of which can be pushed together to form a double if required. This room also has a wardrobe, a bedside table and a chest of drawers.
Shower room: En-suite to each of the bedrooms with large shower, WC and washbasin. A further WC is available on the ground floor.
Hall and staircase: Please note these areas are communal as the owners need to access to their own separate accommodation.
Additional accommodation: The accommodation here is flexible and we can also offer - a 1 bedroom apartment sleeping 3, and a 3 bedroom apartment sleeping 8. Please enquire.
Further details outdoors: Outside: Is a lovely mature garden with a patio with table and chairs, a parasol and sun-loungers.
Swimming pool: This is an above ground pool 5 metres in diameter in the garden. It is normally open in June, July, August and into September. It is only shared with the owners who will endeavour to only use it when you are out sightseeing.
Further details
Internet: Use of the owners internet connection for checking flights etc is possible.
Telephone: Sorry - there is no telephone connection in the apartment.
Baby facilities: A cot and a high chair are available on request.
Winter heating: Is not included in the rental cost. The owners make a charge of €50 per week from 1st October to the end of April, payable direct.
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.
Welcome evening meal and breakfast: A home-cooked 4-course meal can be pre-booked for the evening of your day of arrival. The price is €17.50 per person. In addition or alternatively, you can enjoy a continental breakfast on your first morning for €6 per person. Please book in advance, and pay direct on arrival.
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 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: Flexible, subject to availability.
Long weekend stays and mini-breaks: Please enquire, subject to availability. Longer term lets may also be possible.
Pets: are not permitted here - sorry.
Smoking: is not permitted inside, but you may smoke outside if you wish.
Conditions
Winter heating: Is not included in the rental cost. The owners make a charge of €50 per week from 1st October to the end of April, payable direct.
Welcome evening meal and breakfast: A home-cooked 4-course meal can be pre-booked for the evening of your day of arrival. The price is €17.50 per person. In addition or alternatively, you can enjoy a continental breakfast on your first morning for €6 per person. Please book in advance, and pay direct on arrival.
Damage /securtiy deposit: The owner requests a damage deposit of £100 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.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Low Season
4 Oct 08
19 Dec 08
365£365
0-
0-
3 Nights
Low Season 2009
3 Jan 09
1 Apr 09
406£406
0-
0-
1 Week
Mid Season
1 Apr 09
30 May 09
406£406
0-
0-
1 Week
High Season
30 May 09
27 Jun 09
521£521
0-
0-
1 Week
Peak Season
27 Jun 09
29 Aug 09
573£573
0-
0-
1 Week
High Season
29 Aug 09
1 Oct 09
521£521
0-
0-
1 Week
Low Season
1 Oct 09
19 Dec 09
365£365
0-
0-
Flexible
61
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
See full description for details of additional costs. Minim stay 3 nights - please enquire for prices.
The owner requests a damage deposit of £100 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.
Payment accepted by UK bank transfer, sterling cheque or debit or credit card. We can also accept payment in Euros, please enquire.
Guestbook
We were very satisfied with the property - the accommodation here was very good. Mrs Z., Nottinghamshire, UK AUGUST 2008.
Availability
See below for next 6 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
Key:
11
12
Booked
11
12
Available
11
12
Unknown
11
12
Arrival/Departure dates
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/43991
Contact details for home 43991
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
Sue Caddick
Tel:
+44 (0)1509 600228
Mobile:
+44 (0)781 4656402
Be aware of time-zones
Languages:
Contact Notes: E-mail anytime
Advertiser joined: 19 Dec 2006 This property added: 10 Dec 2007
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