Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or less)
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car essential Nearest amenities: 3 km
Notes:
Pets welcome Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Nestling in the foothills of the Pyrenees, surrounded by forest, the house in St Martin Lys overlooks the river Aude, the river lending its name to the region and valley which the village is in. In the winter, crisp cool days invigorate. In the spring, the mountains and valleys come to life, as many shades of green return and the blossoms fill the air with scent. In the summer the river gives a cooling micro climate in the summer heat. The autumn see a plethora shades from rust red to vibrant orange as the forest exercises before its winter rest.
For those seeking fun in the water at a slightly slower pace the region is famed for its Trout and fishing is available either on the river (permits available for the tourist office in Quillan) or in the trout farms as you follow the valley up into the mountains.On land The Tour de France passes right in front of the house on alternate years, and there are many routes into the mountains for cycling. There are also a multitude of tracks for mountain bikes as well (more information in the welcome pack)
The footpaths are excellently marked and cater for all levels of walkers and trail runners. There is a circular walk that leaves St Martin Lys - always remember to take plenty of water and wear good walking shoes. Lots of information is available from the tourist office.Both further up and down the valley, there are several pony trekking stables and that is a fantastic pace and height to be able to take in the beauty of the area.
It is about an hour’s drive to the seaside - the beaches around Perpignan are lovely and clean and the Mediterranean is pleasantly warm. Just about 20mins further on is the small fishing town of Collioure. Adored by artists for centuries because of its unique light, it is perfectly located; looks magnificent and is well worth the extra time.The house is in the middle of some of the most stunning scenery in Europe. For those that adore the outdoors there is an endless stream of things to do only briefly touched on above, but from the most active to the more sedate? The house in St Martin Lys offers an oasis of calm for all the family, where the children can play under the shade of the tree or terrace and the evening can be spent, sitting out dining, relaxing and listening to the river rush by under a star studded sky.
Petit Pont, the house nestling into the mountains in the village of St Martin Lys
Terrace with river and mountain views whilst you BBQ
You can go a long way for a picnic, but this is in the Village
One of the double rooms
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/61345
The Languedoc-Roussillon / Aude region
The Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the most fascinating areas of Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the Pyrenees Mountains to the south. It benefits from an exceptional climate (a "Mediterranean Climate") and has an unusually rich wildlife, a spectacular coast, and surprising history. Things to see include mountains, rivers and lakes, ancient cities, towns, villages, thermal springs, abbeys, and cathedrals, châteaux and castles, notably the famous mountain fortresses popularly known as Cathar Castles. It possesses a number of World Heritage sites, including Carcassonne, the Canal du Midi, and the Pont du Gard.
In recent years it has become a popular French holiday destination, with long sunny days, Mediterranean beaches, tourist facilities, thousands of miles of walks, and rides, National Parks and wildlife reserves (such as the Camargue and the Cevennes), thermal springs and spas, grottoes and caves, and vestiges of the Languedoc's long history, including dinosaur bones and eggs, prehistoric human remains, dolmens and megaliths, geology, archaeology and palaeontology, Greek and Roman architecture, and everywhere reminders of the the Cathars, the papal Crusade against them, and the Papal Inquisition that followed the crusade.
Things to do in the Languedoc-Roussillon include a range of holidays, including naturist holidays and activity holidays. Sports include a wide range of land sports, water sports, air sports, mountain sports, winter sports, golf, hunting, shooting, hawking, and fishing. There are also numerous cultural activities, along with French regional food specialties, and Languedoc wines. Local festivals range from bull-running to the Fecos in Limoux and from sea-jousting in the north to celebrating la jour de St-Jean in the south by fire-jumping
Quillan / St Martin Lys area
The Aude département is in the South of France, in the Eastern part of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is naturally popular for tourism : for its mild and dry climate, an incredibly wide variety of landscapes (the Mediterranean coast, mountains, wooded hills, spectacular limestone gorges, wild heathland...) and a fascinating cultural history.
In the Cathar country, between Perpignan and Toulouse, there are impressive fortresses perched on rocky crests, deep gorges, the waterfalls of the upper valley of the River Aude... The medieval city of Carcassonne has 3 kilometres of ramparts and 50 towers.
The Canal du Midi, an 18th century engineering masterpiece, links the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean sea. The sunny vineyards of the Corbières and the Minervois, the sparkling Blanquette de Limoux, the forests of the Pyrenees and the Montagne Noire and the traditional festivities of the Limoux Carnival make the region a rich and unique place to visit or to live in, always with the legacy of Catharism.
Quillan situated in the heart of the Cathar country is an ideal centre to visit the Cathar castles of Puylaurens and Puivert as well as all the natural features of the area. Both the Mediterranean coast and the Pyrenean skiing resorts are within an hour's drive of the town. Andorra is about 1 1/2 hours away.
The mysterious hill-top village of Rennes-le-Château is only a short drive. Quillan has an open-air swimming pool (summer months) and tennis courts. The La Forge centre offers a wide range of sports including canoeing, rafting, rock-climbing, canyoning. Rambling, mountain biking and horse-riding are excellent with a wide range of marked paths through spectacular scenery.
Quillan has a full range of shops, banks, cafes and restaurants, hotels, camp-sites, doctors and dentists
How to get there
Nestling in the foothills of the Pyrenees, surrounded by forest, the house in St Martin Lys overlooks the river Aude, the river lending its name to the region and valley which the village is in. In the winter, crisp cool days invigorate. In the spring, the mountains and valleys come to life, as many shades of green return and the blossoms fill the air with scent. In the summer the river gives a cooling micro climate in the summer heat. The autumn see a plethora shades from rust red to vibrant orange as the forest exercises before its winter rest.
A small village, St Martin Lys is situated 2km from Axat, with its local shopping amenities and 8km from Quillan, a larger market town, with restaurants and shopping widely available. (More information in the welcome pack). T he house is in the middle of Perpignan and Carcassonne. Flights to Carcassonne with Ryan Air fly frequently from London, Liverpool and East Midlands, Dublin and Cork, the drive then to the House is around 50 mins. Perpignan has a regular bmi baby flight fro Manchester where the drive to the house is around 45mins. Both airports are served by Hertz and Euro car.
Driving is 8 hours from St Malo or 12 hours from Calais. Which gives an opportunity to ease yourself into the holiday with a gentle drive and potential overnight stay halfway down.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Carcasonne: 55 km
Railway:
Axat 3km
Activities near Quillan
Sports: Horse Riding Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Cycling holidays
Single beds (4), Double beds (3), Cots (1), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 10
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, BBQ
Further details indoors: Kitchen / Living Room
There is a fully stocked kitchen. There is a stock of dried goods - this is there for your use, but others will follow so if you can consider them when you are shopping and leave the levels as you discovered them.
The television and DVD player are one unit. Underneath in the unit there are some books including local guide books and in a red folder a plethora of information on local attractions. If you take out a leaflet to get directions, it would be great if you can return it for the next person.
There is a log fire, logs are in the wood store at the side of house, great to curl up to on a mountain night.
The Outhouse
There you will find the washing machine. Also in the outhouse you will find the furniture for the patio
The Bedrooms
There are four bedrooms:
On the first floor, above the kitchen and living room there is a double room at the front of the house and then a room with two sets of bunk beds. Please be careful using the top bunk - it’s enough of a distance to get a sore head if anyone falls. On the second floor there is a double
Further details outdoors: There are three terraces all with fabulous views; the third is covered and accessible either from outside or in side the house. The largest benefits from the cool shade of the tree. All have superlative views of the mountain and the river
Please feel free to use the BBQ area; there may even be some charcoal in the outhouse. It is a great area to get some shade and watch the river; it’s all paved so things and people don’t bounce, but the sounds if the river and the breeze coming of the mountain are great ways to spend the day.
The river is fantastic for water sports – canoeing, white water rafting and canyoning are all catered for locally (a company called Embarquement Immediat is a five minute walk from the house and provides all of the above). Obviously take care as it is a fast flowing river.
Shopping
The bread van comes around 8.30-9. She toots her horn on the way past the village and returns 10mins later. Her bread is good - there gets a little queue in the morning but she is well supplied.
The nearest supermarket is in Quillan. You generally have to pay for plastic bags, so there are some already in the pull out cupboard in the kitchen, and they will save you some Euros and again cuts down on waste. Can you please remember to leave them for the next visitors.
There are a couple of superb shops in Axat only 1.5km away going into the mountains. There are two butchers, both great but my favourite is on the corner by the Mairie. Opposite is the baker, great cakes.
Restaurants
Le Rebenty on the road between the village and Axat is superb. In Quillan there are a couple of decent pizza restaurants and opposite the station at café terminus you can get a decent meal on a great formula menu.
Swimming
Axat has an out door pool open during the French summer holidays, great pool, and great location, there is a leaflet in the red folder. Quillan also has an outdoor pool, open during July and August. Rennes les Bains about 25km away has a thermal springs where the water is always warm, again in a lovely setting.
Further details
Changeover is on a Saturday, towels are available at a small extra charge. There will be a welcome pack on arrival with details of the local area. Shorter or longer stays may be able to be accommodated. The fee is et for 6 people, 10 can be accomadated but there is only one bathroom. a surcharge of £10 per person over 6 people will be levied to contribute to cleaning
Conditions
25% rental fee on booking, fully paid 3 weeks before,
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
summer
7 Jun 08
27 Jul 08
275£275
7575
7575
3 Nights
high summer
27 Jul 08
7 Sep 08
350£350
0-
0-
1 Week
11
The owner's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
please contact owners for any further requests, longer stays etc.
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/61345
Contact details for home 61345
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
Liam Bergin
Mobile:
+44 (0)7939 962700
Be aware of time-zones
Languages:
Contact Notes: Email
Advertiser joined: 6 Jun 2008 This property added: 6 Jun 2008
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