Paraza holiday home rental with walking, log fire, balcony/terrace, rural retreat, TV, DVD

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Maison Peridot (house)

Home description

This lovely, authentic 4-bedroomed 'maison de maitre' is situated in the village of Paraza, an old wine port on the Canal du Midi. The house is very much part of the village but is tucked away with gardens at the front and rear. To the front, the walled garden with mature trees and shrubs is completely private - here there's a vine-covered south-facing terrace with pretty planting and a pergola which gives dappled shade - it's a great place to sit and eat most of the year round. To the rear of the house is a private swimming pool, 8m x 4m, which is set amongst bamboo, hibiscus and oleanders and there's plenty of space for you to relax. Near the pool area is a further walled courtyard with tables and chairs for al fresco dining, a barbeque, shaded by a fig tree. There's also a further decked area with low table and chairs offering both sun and shade in the summer.

Maison Peridot is a 3-storey house built around 1870 - it is light, airy and spacious and is furnished comfortably in a nicely under-stated way. Colour has been introduced to the interior in the form of prints by modern artists such as Rothko, Miro and Riley, together with some lovely Indian wall-hangings. There are 4 bedrooms on the 2 upper floors: two doubles and two twins. There are 2 bathrooms: one with a claw foot bath, one with a shower. There a two particularly nice features in the house - firstly it's large mezzanine sitting room with high sky-lit ceiling, polished wood floor, opening out through French windows onto decking giving access to the swimming pool. And secondly, it's lovely cantilevered Languedocian staircase. On the ground floor is a large kitchen, well-equipped for those who love cooking - with table and chairs for casual eating. Next door to the kitchen is a more formal dining room with a library which includes local guide-books, and cookery books by Rick Stein and Elizabeth David.

Paraza is typical of many villages in the Minervois with ancient narrow streets and alleyways but it has the added interest of the Canal du Midi often busy with passing boats in the warmer months. Only 40 minutes from Carcassonne Airport, 30 minutes from the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, 25 minutes from Narbonne and 35 minutes from the Mediterranean coat, Maison Peridot is ideal for a large multi-generational family, two families or a group of friends holidaying together who want to explore this lovely region whilst at the same time enjoying the French lifestyle, relaxing in the garden or swimming pool, eating fresh local produce and enjoying the local wines.

Some of the most appealing features of the house are the traditional furnishings e.g. an old pine dresser and authentic Provencal tiles in the kitchen, and country-style armoires and beds. There are large wood-burning stoves in the kitchen and sitting room which, together with ample heaters elsewhere, make the house cosy in the cooler months.

Private pool at Maison Peridot	Bedroom 2
Front vine-clad terrace	More of the pool area

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/39815

The Languedoc-Roussillon / Aude 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.

Paraza area

In Paraza, you can play boules and there's a tennis court, but remember to bring your equipment! Boat trips on the Canal du Midi can be enjoyed at Homps, Trebes and Carcassonne. It's a great area for walking and cycling here either in the shade of the plane trees alongside the Canal du Midi, or for the more adventurous up into the Montagne Noir. Cycle hire is available locally, please ask Joie de Vivre for details.

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. You can enjoy a round of golf at Carcassonne or Beziers. In Narbonne, there's an extensive leisure centre 'Espace Liberte' with an Olympic size swimming pool and 10pin bowling.

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, 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! If you want to go further afield, you can enjoy a day trip to Spain - the border is about a 90-minute drive.

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 except Sunday until 1.00pm. Paraza itself has a small fruit and vegetable stall on a Thursday morning.

Restaurants - in Paraza itself at Cafe du Port and La Barracca, also in Roubia - La Forchette Folle, Joie de Vivre can supply you with a comprehensive list of the local restaurants.

Shops and Supermarkets - bread is available to order in the village shop, and also from the boulangeries in the nearby villages of Roubia, Canet and Ventenac. Large supermarkets: there are at least 3 with 10-15 minutes drive in St Marcel sur Aude, Lezignan Corbieres and Olonzac. There's a mini supermarket in the neighbouring village of Roubia.

How to get there

By Car - The village of Paraza lies just 20-25 minutes north west of Narbonne. The nearest motorway exits are No: 38 Narbonne Sud on the A9 Languedocienne or No: 25 - Lezignan Corbieres on the A61. the village is about an 11-hour drive from Calais in normal traffic conditions.

By Air - Carcassonne (Ryanair), Perpignan (Flybe and Ryanair) and NEW Beziers (Ryanair) Airports are the nearest being 40 minutes and 1 hour away respectively. Other airports close by are Nimes (1hr 30mins), Toulouse and Girona (N.Spain) both about 1hr 45 mins.

Full directions will be given to holiday-makers upon reservation.

Activities near Paraza

Facilities

Further details indoors:
Living room: An attractive room with french windows opening out onto the rear garden and pool area. Two sofas and 3 chairs seat 8 people around an oak coffee table. The TV receives French channels and there is a DVD player with a good selection of classic films. There is also a CD player. There's a cupboard containing games and jigsaws for the children.

Dining room: The formal dining room is next to the kitchen and the large table seats 8 comfortably. There is a library with a large, eclectic selection of books.

Kitchen: Well-equipped for cooking with fridge/freezer, cooker with oven, dishwasher, washing machine, ironing board, iron etc. The kitchen table and chairs seat 4.

Bedrooms: 2 on the 1st floor and 2 on the 2nd floor. The master bedroom on the 1st floor has a new Feather & Black king size bed with a wash-stand, wardrobe, chest of drawers and bedside tables. The 2nd bedroom on this floor has a traditional double bed, wardrobe and bedside cabinets. On the 2nd floor are 2 twin rooms both with ample storage, hanging & bedside tables.

Staircases: Please note that the house is very popular with children and teenagers, but the different levels and the 3 floors make it less suitable for toddlers or the infirm.

Bathrooms: The first bathroom is on the ground floor and has a deep claw-foot bath, washbasin and WC. The bathroom on the 1st floor has a walk-in shower, washbasin and WC.

Baby facilities: 2 cots and 2 high chairs are available by prior request.

Winter heating: This is included in the rental price. Please note that the house is heated by two wood-burning stoves, and ample heaters.

Further details outdoors:
Outside: Private parking for 2 or 3 cars. Please see the description of the gardens and terraces to the front and rear of the house in the Home Description above.

Swimming pool: There is a private swimming pool (8m x 4m) which is fenced and has a gate which can be locked if there are children in the party.

Cycles may be hired in the village - please enquire.

Further details

Winter heating: This is included in the rental price. Please note that the house is heated by two wood-burning stoves, and ample heaters.

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. Beach towels are not available, guests are requested to provide their own.

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 £150 or 215 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 there may be some flexibility in low and medium season according to availability.

Short breaks / long weekends: Please enquire - they may be occasionally available.

Pets: are not permitted here - sorry.

Smoking: is not permitted here – sorry.

Conditions

Staircases: Please note that the house is very popular with children and teenagers, but the different levels and the 3 floors make it less suitable for toddlers or the infirm.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Low	12 Apr 08	3 May 08	625£  625	0-	0-	1 Week
Medium	3 May 08	5 Jul 08	875£  875	0-	0-	1 Week
High	5 Jul 08	30 Aug 08	1250£  1,250	0-	0-	1 Week
Medium	30 Aug 08	27 Sep 08	875£  875	0-	0-	1 Week
Low 2	27 Sep 08	1 Nov 08	625£  625	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
Prices may be subject to change according to exchange rates.

Preferred payment method credit card, bank transfer or cheque. We can also accept payment in Euros, please enquire.

Availability notes

To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/39815

Contact owner

To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/39815

Contact details for home 39815 Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:	Sue Caddick
Tel:	+44 (0)1509 600228
Mobile:	+44 (0)781 4656402
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Advertiser joined: 19 Dec 2006 This property added: 7 Nov 2007

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