Beautiful Granite Stone and Pink Marble 'Mas' in Mountain Foothills
Tranquil Location, Ideal for Walking, Cycling or Just Relaxation
Sleeps 2 (1 Bedroom Apartment)
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This stunning Mas was built of river granite and pink marble in the 1940s by the famous French aviator, Maurice Bellonte, who with Deudonne Costes were the first to fly non-stop from Paris to New York in 1930. It is set on the outskirts of a village in the beautiful wide Fuilla valley famous for its apple production, in the foothills of Mt Canigou. The Mas stands in grounds of over 8 acres which include a meadow, orchard and woodland and several stone walled terraces leading down to a babbling mountain river which runs along the length of the western boundary of the property. We offer the perfect setting for either just relaxing or pursuing a variety of activities including walking, cycling, climbing, winter skiing or just visiting the many local attractions.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 1 January 2011 - 30 April 2011 | £305 | 7 | ||
| 1 May 2011 - 30 June 2011 | £365 | 7 | ||
| 1 July 2011 - 31 August 2011 | £405 | 7 | ||
| 1 September 2011 - 30 September 2011 | £365 | 7 | ||
| 1 October 2011 - 31 December 2011 | £305 | 7 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds.
Changeover day
The normal weekly booking period covers a period from 16:00 hrs on Saturday to 10:00 hrs on the following Saturday. Other periods of rental may be possible, but please contact us for availability.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | The self contained east facing apartment has a 140/190cm double bed which can easily fold into a cupboard if required. |
| Bathrooms: | Magnificent bathroom in the apartment, feature marble bath and period wash basin. Toilet and newly installed shower cabinet each in separate rooms within the bathroom with access to terrace. |
| Kitchen: | The apartment has a newly refurbished fully equipped kitchen. It includes, a 4 ring gas cooker with oven, fridge with freezer compartment, toaster, filter coffee maker, single drainer sink with oak worktops and ample cupboard space. |
| Living Rooms: | The apartment has a large, light and airy bedsitting room with leather two seater sofa, wicker chairs, dining table and chairs and TV/DVD/CD player. Double doors onto the private terrace and garden. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
All good quality bed linen, towels (including beach towels) and tea towels, together with electricity, gas and end of stay cleaning are included. Fresh linen and towels and cleaning will also be included, midstay for a 2 week let. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge microwave iron/ironing board satellite tv internet access barbecue |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
Free WiFi internet connectivity is available in the Mas.
Logs for the woodburner in the apartment during the early and late seasons are included.
Washing and ironing facilities can be made available on request and there is additional fridge/freezer space if required.
There is secure garaging for bike storage and maintenance and also dry hanging space for walking gear etc.
We are a few degrees cooler in the mountains than on the Perpignan plain and therefore have our own natural air conditioning.
Unfortunately, due to the close proximity of the river and the number of steps and balconies at the property, it is not suitable for children or people with mobility problems.
Outside
The apartment has double doors from the bedsitting area and a single door from the bathroom onto the newly refurbished terrace and garden on the east side of the Mas. We provide sun beds with towels, wooden table and chairs and parasol. There is also a stone built barbecue and fuel for outdoor cooking and dining.
We have a well stocked organic kitchen garden and vegetables and fruit may be available dependent on time of year.
There are many quiet places to sit and relax, read a book or even paint a picture with magnificent mountain and countryside views everywhere you look. The river changes with the seasons and the sound of running water, birdsong and crickets is never far away but never intrusive. There are several places along the river bank to just sit, look and listen.
Coast/Beach
The Mediterranean beaches around Perpignan including the beautiful seaside village of Colioure are just over an hour's drive from the Mas. A short trip down the coast to Spain will lead you to the Bay of Roses including the beautiful fishing villages of Cadaques and Port Lligat where you can visit the eccentric house of Salivador Dali.
Skiing
The Ski areas around Font Romeu and Pyrenees 2000 are only 45 minutes drive from the Mas, making day skiing easily accessible with a single pass covering both ski areas.
Pyrenees 2000 offers well over 100 kms of cross country skiing through picturesque forests with snowshoe trekking also being an option.
An ideal way to finish a good days skiing is to call in to the hot baths at St Thomas les Bains for a relaxing soak on the return drive to the Mas.
Special interest holidays
We have an accomplished road and off road cyclist in the family who has laid down the gauntlet for several challenging routes around the Mas. It is a real haven for both the amateur and more accomplished cyclist especially when training for a specific event. There are many wonderful walks from the Mas or within short driving distance to suit all levels of fitness.
Travel
Our nearest airport is Perpignan which is around 50 minutes drive from the Mas.
Girona airport in Spain, and Carcassonne Airports are both just under two hours drive from the Mas.
Car hire is recommended if any exploration of the local area is required. Exploration of a wide area can be done on foot but a car would still be necessary to get to and from the Mas.
Distances
Both the picturesque spa town of Vernet les Bains and Villefranche de Conflent, one of the most beautiful villages in France are both under an hour away on foot or a 15 minute car journey. Prades with it's weekly market is twenty minutes drive. Perpignan is 45 minutes journey and if you travel another quarter of an hour you reach the Mediterranean coast and the many pretty villages down towards the Spanish border and up towards Sete and the Carmargue.
Further details
There is a restaurant in the village within walking distance of the Mas and ten minutes further on in the village of Sahorre there is a bakery, butcher and small general store.
There is a small but well stocked supermarket in Vernet les Bains and four supermarkets in and around Prades. The nearest cash point is in Villefranche but there are others in Vernet and Prades as well as several banks.
Restaurants are plentiful in all the surrounding villages, serving traditional local fare.
Everywhere you go in this area you are never far from the sight of Mount Canigou the sacred Catalan mountain. Depending on the season you can take a steady hike with an overnight stay up to the top or why not take a 4x4 trip up to one of the refuges before carrying on to the summit on foot.
Booking notes
An initial deposit of 25% of the total rental amount due is payable at the time of booking.
The balance of the rental amount is payable not less than eight weeks before the start of the rental period.
Please refer to our own website for further details (see link below).
Guest comments
The fascinating house is delightfully situated in a beautiful valley on the edge of a small village with glorious views of the mountains on every side. It is so peaceful and tranquil – an ideal place to recharge the batteries from the demands of a hectic lifestyle. The grounds are extensive and bordered by a babbling brook – just the place for a quiet read on a hot summer’s day, dabbling one’s toes in the cooling stream! The owners of Mas Bellonte, Lynn and Malcolm Preedy, make every effort to ensure that their guests have everything they need for a restful, relaxing and enjoyable holiday. You will be warmly welcomed and made to feel at home as soon as you arrive. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and can recommend Mas Bellonte wholeheartedly – it is a very special place – don’t miss it! - Wendy Down
Owner profile
Lynn and Malcolm
About the owner
We had lived in a beautiful part of Dorset for twenty years. I was a busy IT consultant travelling throughout the UK and only spending weekends at home with my wife who was a Sports Massage Therapist. When our two daughters had finished University and had flown the nest with good careers of their own, it seemed the right time to make some changes to our lives. We had spent many holidays looking at different regions of France but had always been attracted by mountains and sea, the latter being one of the reasons we moved to Dorset in the first place. We were looking for an adventure but didn't really believe we were going to find one. Little did we know!
Year purchased: 2004
Why the owner chose an apartment in this location
We wanted to live within an hour of mountains for walking and skiing but with not too tortuous winding roads. We also needed to be within an hours drive to the coast and to the nearest airport. We discovered the Mas on a potential house finding trip in the Perpignan region in March 2004. It was literally the first house which we saw on that trip and ticked every box on our wish list! As the French say, it was a "coup de coeur"- love at first sight! After some typically prolonged French purchase negotiations, the property became ours in July of 2004 and after completing the sale our Dorset home, the big move to France occurred in late November 2004. It is a truly beautiful, totally private home in a stunning location. A river runs along one boundary with mountain views all around.
Unique benefits of the property
Situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees, in a beautiful valley and in the sunniest corner of France, Mas Bellonte is perfect for outdoor pursuits. We have always loved running, walking, skiing etc. and these interests have been passed on to our two daughters, who along with their partners, are avid runners, cyclists, triathletes and climbers. Needless to say, everyone loves coming to Bellonte, where so many activities are catered for. With mountains literally on our doorstep, it is ideal for training and has helped prepare some of its visitors for marathons, triathlons and other endurance events. We think that this is the perfect setting for just relaxing, walking or serious training and are sure that you will agree with us when you next visit.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR2375
Malcolm Preedy
Tel: (France) + 33 (0)4 68 05 50 37
Mob: (UK) + 44 (0)7891 969161
Owners Website: Click here
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in June 2007,
and has advertised this property with us since June 2007.
Property Ref FR2375
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