HOME FRANCE VACATION RENTAL
SLEEPS
8 (plus 2 babies)
SWIMMING POOL
CLOSE TO CANAL DU MIDI
40 MINUTES TO MEDITERRANEAN
BETWEEN CARCASSONNE AND NARBONNE
TABLE
D'HOTE ON REQUEST
BIKE HIRE IN THE VILLAGE
This comfortable and attractive 4-bedroomed maison de maitre
is at the top of the canal-side village of Paraza, an old wine-port on
the Canal
du
Midi. The house is very much part of the village, but is completely private
and secluded within its walled gardens, front and back.
Come in high season and enjoy the sun, or come in April/May or September/October
and enjoy perfect weather for walking, cycling and touring.
*Book two weeks in April/May or September/October
and receive a £200
discount on the second week.
Larger photo: Maison d'Etre - swimming pool
DETAILS OF ACCOMMODATION
The walled garden at the front, with its mature trees and shrubs, gives complete privacy. A south facing vine-covered terrace is surrounded by mimosa, jasmine, and passion-flowers. Under a pergola, which provides dappled shade, a table seats eight; the perfect place to eat – or sit – most of the year round. To the rear, there is an outdoor barbecue and dining area shaded by a fig tree and a decked area offering shade and sun throughout the summer. Both areas are close to the pool but can be made secure if young children are present. The swimming pool (8 x 4 m) is set amongst mature bamboo, hibiscus, and oleander with space for a whole party to relax.
The house itself, built in about 1870, and renovated by an artist, is furnished simply but comfortably. It is light and spacious, on three floors, with a large mezzanine sitting room, and a classic cantilevered Languedoc staircase. Four bedrooms on two floors provide generous sleeping accommodation for up to eight people – one king size bed, one double bed, and four singles. We can also provide 2 cots and high chairs.
Ground Floor: The large kitchen is well equipped for guests who enjoy cooking, and can cater for 8 easily. It contains a dishwasher and washing machine. Adjoining the kitchen, an atrium leads to bathroom/WC with bathtub. A ground floor dining room, which also houses an eclectic and sizeable collection of books, looks onto the front garden.
Mezzanine: The living room contains comfortable sofas and chairs grouped around an oak coffee table, with high skylit ceiling, polished wood floor, and French windows which give access to the pool. There is a TV with DVD player (and generous selection of DVDs) and CD player.
First floor: Up on the first floor,there are two bedrooms. The larger contains a king size bed and the smaller a double bed. There is also a bathroom with walk in shower, and WC.
Second floor: The second floor has two spacious twin bedrooms, and views over the roofs of the village.
One of the appealing features of the house is the traditional furnishings - authentic Provençal tiles tiles and an old pine dresser in the kitchen, country-style armoires and beds upstairs. Large wood burning stoves in the kitchen and sitting room, and ample heaters elsewhere, make it cosy in the low season.
The house works particularly well for multi-generational parties or groups of friends. Wherever it matters, there is plenty of space for a party of eight. At the same time, the choice of sitting areas inside and out means that a large party can separate out if it chooses. The house is popular with children and teenagers, but the different levels and three floors make it less suitable for toddlers or people with restricted mobility.
When not let, the owners and friends use the house frequently – so the beds and sofas are comfortable and there are small but important touches like cookery books and guide books on the shelves
Larger photo - Maison d'Etre
Master bedroom
Twin bedroom
Living room
Courtyard
Bedroom
PARAZA
AND SURROUNDING AREA
On the southern edge of the Minervois hills, Paraza makes its living
from the surrounding vineyards. The village rises above the Canal du
Midi and enjoys stunning views over the valley of the River Aude to
the volcanic hills of the Corbières, and beyond to the sharper
peaks of the Pyrénées to the south.
Sandy Mediterranean beaches are 40 minutes away to the east, and Carcassonne
is 40 minutes to the west.
The countryside around Paraza is a paradise for cyclists, offering
the canal towpath, tracks through the vineyards and quiet local roads.
Bikes can be hired in the village; suggested routes and a rescue service
are included. Canoeing is available on the river Aude a few kilometres
away. The foothills of the Pyrénées and Montagne Noire
offer more challenging walking, cycling, and canoeing, and the closest
Pyrénéan ski slopes are only one or two hours away.
This part of Southern France attracts artists and photographers, with
its colourful landscape which changes dramatically through the seasons.
Paraza is a great centre for exploring local history and architecture
- Narbonne’s fine mediaeval buildings and Roman beginnings; Phoenician
Agde; the great mediaeval walled Cité of Carcassonne; Cistercian
Abbeys; Cathar Castles from the Albigensian crusades of the early 13th
century; fortified cathedrals at Beziers and Capestang; - and the exciting
southern cities of Toulouse, Montpellier, Perpignan and Albi - all
these are within easy reach.
Shopping in the village is limited, but there is a small supermarket
in the next village and an Intermarche supermarket a short drive away.
Paraza has a superb café/restaurant beside the canal open spring
to autumn. There are several first-class restaurants in the area, and
for those who like to cook, the local markets offer an abundance of
local produce.
Table d’hote is available on request and delivered to the house
by a professional cook, at very reasonable rates.
ACCESS
Paraza
is close to Autoroute exits at Narbonne (20 minutes) at which
there is a motorail terminal. International airports at Carcassonne
(40 mins), Perpignan (1 hour), Montpellier (1.5 hours) Toulouse
(1.5 hours), Barcelona (2.5 - 3 hours). Eurostar from London
connects at Lille or Paris with TGV direct to Narbonne.
All prices include electricity/gas/water/linen. Saturday (6.00pm arrival) to Saturday (10.00 am departure) rental. Prices are in £ pounds and Euros ($ prices are approximate - with a guide price only based on the £ value)
*Book two weeks in April/May or September/October and receive a £200 discount on the second week.
| WEEK RENTALS 2008 | EUROS | £ GBP | $ US |
| 29 March - 26 April, 27 Sept - 1 November | €830 | £600 | $1,230 |
| 3 May to 28 June, 30 August to 20 September | €1,110 | £800 | $1,645 |
| 5 July to 23 August | €1,665 | £1,200 | $2,465 |
Contact the owners at
maisondetre@southfrance.com
Tel (44) 1403 268 918
Fax (44) 1403 217 048
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