Languedoc Gites

Olonzac

Languedoc Roussillion

3 bedrooms > Sleeps 6

Changeover day: Saturday

Two 1st class properties with outside terraces located in the heart of Olonzac, market town and Capital of the Minervois, France's famous southern wine region. Just step outside your door to be a part of the bustle and wonder of old style France, or enjoy the peace and solitude that only a small town can offer.

For all information, pictures and pricing, please visit www.languedocgites.com

LE PETIT CASTEL - House 1 (sleeps 4)
Located in the old village in the very centre of Olonzac, this charming three-story house in a quiet corner off the Hotel de Ville Square has been tastefully decorated in modern style. Featuring exposed stone work over the complete exterior of the house, it is said to be one of the prettiest houses in its area. Having renovations only completed June 2006, it features all brand new quality furnishings and fittings, all chosen carefully to suit the deco.

From the front door you enter a tiled hallway with the modern kitchen/dining room to the left. The kitchen is excellently equipped with dishwasher, microwave, oven, and a cooker. There is crockery, cutlery and seating ready for 4. To the left of the hallway is a toilet and a large utility room that can be used for storage.

Going up a spiral stairway to the 2nd floor, there is a large double bedroom, bathroom with shower, washing machine and another separate toilet.

Ascending the spiral staircase to the 3rd floor, there is another bedroom opening up from the living room with a double bed and inbuilt wardrobe. The living room has a couch that can be converted to another double bed should more bedding be required. There are additional chairs, satellite television (over 200 english spoken channels), DVD player and a Hi-Fi system. Doors lead from here onto a delightful rooftop terrace overlooking the village rooftops. There is a BBQ, outdoor furniture and chairs to seat 4.

All rooms have electric heating for the winter months. Linen and towels are supplied at no extra cost. The fixed pricing includes everything and there are no additional charges. ie. Cleaning, electricity etc.

CASTEL GRAND RUE - House 2 (sleeps 6)
Castel Grand Rue is a traditional three-storey villa right in the centre of town. On the first floor of the Maison there is a spacious entrance which closes the house off from the street. To the right is a separate laundry with a washing machine and plenty of storage space for bikes and hiking boots. Down the hallway is a Moroccan style lounge and dining area featuring exposed stone work, made cozy by an open fireplace. The Moroccan theme is carried through to the kitchen where you can cook up the freshest of country produce with a full supply of cooking utensils, cutlery and china.

Ascending a staircase which exposes the stones and archway of the medieval town wall, you reach the second floor. On this floor there is a large double bedroom, separate toilet and a twin room which has a joining sitting room with vanity and a couch which can be converted into a double bed.

On the top floor is the master bedroom with double bed and a separate modern bathroom with hydro-massage shower, vanity and toilet. A delightful sitting/sun room leads through glass doors to an open terrace where most summer living is done.

The house is bright and airy with stylish furnishings throughout. It comes fully equipped with all bed linen and towels at no extra cost. There are no additional charges for cleaning or electricity. Having only been opened for rentals from August 2004, all furnishings are new and of superior quality.

There is satellite television (over 200 english spoken channels), a DVD player, video player, and a Hi-Fi system.

For further information and pictures, please visit www.languedocgites.com

The Town

Olonzac, capital of the Minervois, is a thriving town with many restaurants, cafes and bars, patisseries, boulangeries, delicatessens and regional specialty stores. An extensive market is held every Tuesday morning (and Friday mornings also in July/August) where you can obtain the finest local produce of vegetables, poultry, meats, cheeses and wine. Parks and tennis courts dot the town, and a magnificent lake, Lac de Jouarress, is only a few minutes away. Here you can fish, swim, windsurf or simply enjoy the relaxation of gentle boating.

The picturesque rolling hills and vineyards provide a wonderful setting for cycling and walking. Relax in the warm Mediterranean Sea and sunbathe on golden sands just 30 minutes away, or discover an adventure in the snow-capped Pyrenees to the south.

Because Spain is only and hour away there is a strong Spanish influence in the local culture. The people are warm and friendly and the food and wine delicious. Caves (wine cellars), where wine tasting is encouraged, are everywhere. Fetes, festivals and markets occur all year round throughout many of the surrounding villages. For the history lover, the area is full of delights. Nearby is the captivating village of Minerve that straddles two deep river gorges. It was the site of a famous siege and the martyrdom of Cathars by the crusaders. The magnificent walled medieval city of Carcassonne is 30 minutes away. You can walk, ride or boat along the 16th century Canal du Midi, tie up to eat at any of the many restaurants that line the banks or work your way through the system of locks along the canal.

Slightly south in the Corbieres are the awe-inspiring castles of Queribus and Peyrepertuse. For splendid cathedrals, excellent markets, shopping and museums there are the bigger towns of Montpellier, Beziers, Toulouse and Narbonne.

The Region

Languedoc Roussillon is the South of the south of France. The region gets an average of over 300 days of sunshine each year and has more coastline than Provence and the French Riviera to the North East.

For many years Languedoc has been a well kept secret by visitors and residents with the unspoilt countryside, attractive local markets and untouched medieval villages.

Wine growing is the major industry in Languedoc and in the last ten years the quality of the wines has surpassed every other region in France. From being a wine lake of indifferent quality, Languedoc can now offer many of the best wines in the world.

This is the holiday that has it all. Get off the tourist track and experience delightful Southern France at its best.

Getting there

Flights to Carcassonne (the nearest airport to Olonzac) on Ryanair leave from London Stanstead daily, also to Montpellier, Perpignan and Nimes.
Alternatively, fly British Airways from Gatwick to Toulouse or Montpellier. Or, Flybe from Southampton, Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast, Gatwick, Heathrow, Edinburgh Glasgow, Aberdeen Manchester, London City, Newcastle to Toulouse.

Website: http://www.languedocgites.com

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