Characterful Stone House with Magnificent Views and Private Pool
Former Smithy of Converted Winery - Views across vineyards to famous Medieval City
Sleeps 6/9 (3 Bedrooms + Futon)
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La Forge was built around 1820 as the smithy serving Domaine de Patot, a former winery. It retains many original features, including a stone drinking trough for horses and the beam to which they were tethered; the furnace is now an open fireplace. The original building now comprises the dining room/kitchen and lounge. In 2000 a tasteful modern extension was added to form the bedroom wing, two bathrooms, wc and a summer kitchen with covered patio overlooking the large pool (10m x 5m). The house faces east over open fields and vineyards towards the village of Lavalette and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne's Medieval City, which is floodlit in the evenings. One of the main features of the house is that it is completely private: nothing overlooks it or the pool (which is in the sun from dawn till about 7pm). The village (a 10 min stroll) has a general store and other shops; it's 10 mins by car to the airport and 15 mins to the local beach (details below).
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 3 December 2011 - 25 February 2012 | £600 | 7 | ||
| 25 February 2012 - 28 April 2012 | £700 | 7 | ||
| 28 April 2012 - 26 May 2012 | £800 | 7 | ||
| 26 May 2012 - 23 June 2012 | £950 | 7 | ||
| 23 June 2012 - 1 September 2012 | £1250 | 7 | ||
| 1 September 2012 - 6 October 2012 | £950 | 7 | ||
| 6 October 2012 - 27 October 2012 | £800 | 7 | ||
| 27 October 2012 - 23 February 2013 | £600 | 7 |
Changeover day
Saturday late afternoon preferred, for arrival (Saturday morning for departure) but we will be flexible if we can.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Bedroom 1 - King size bed, built in wardrobes. Patio doors to covered patio and pool. Bedroom 2 - Double bed, single bed, built in wardrobes. Bedroom 3 - Twin beds, TV, chest of drawers, wardrobe. All bedrooms have views over open countryside. |
| Bathrooms: | Large family bathroom (en-suite to bedroom 1) with bath/shower fitting, separate shower cubicle, double whb/vanity unit, wall heater with towel rail and large storage cupboard. Second bathroom with shower cubicle, wc and whb. Separate wc compartment. |
| Kitchen: | Spacious dining kitchen with large stone sink, stone worktops and exposed beams. Dual fuel range cooker, American fridge/freezer and Bosch dishwasher. Microwave, toaster and kettle. Large oak dining table. Wood burning glass-fronted fireplace. |
| Utility Room: | Washing machine, tumble dryer, large ceramic sink and storage space. |
| Living Rooms: | Main lounge with patio doors to external patio. Exposed stone wall and open fire. Exposed beams. Two leather sofas and futon behind screen. Satellite TV, DVD and CD player. Various DVDs, CDs, games and books. |
| Other: | Summer kitchen with gas hob and sink. Gas BBQ. Large covered patio overlooking pool with teak dining table and chairs. Second patio/dining terrace with table, chairs and parasol. Small outside coffee table and chairs. Sun loungers and pool chairs. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Fresh linen and towels are provided (including beach towels) and are changed weekly. Welcome pack of local 'Blanquette' (the local champagne) and basic milk, bread, cheese and ham offered free of charge. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge/freezer microwave dishwasher washing machine tumble dryer iron/ironing board satellite tv tv room fans barbecue private pool (for sole use of guests) |
| Suitability: | pets accepted |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
As the main house has thick stone walls it remains cool, even in the hottest summers. All rooms have electric panel heaters and there are fans in the bedrooms (which keep them cool at night in summer). Hairdryer in bathroom cupboard. Strictly no smoking indoors, but pets are very welcome.
Accessibility
The house is a bungalow and thus all on one level, so is generally suitable for people with mobility problems. However, there are two steps up from the driveway into the garden, and one further step up into the house. There is also a small step up from the garden to the pool area, and from the main bathroom into bedroom 1. If further information is required please discuss before final booking.
Outside
There is a compact garden with flower beds, fruit trees and three large pine trees which (according to the former owner) date back to Napoleonic times. There is a large covered dining patio opposite the pool (next to the summer kitchen) with a teak dining table and 8 chairs. There is a further external patio outside the lounge with a hardwood table, 8 chairs and parasol. There is a small hardwood table and 4 chairs in the corner of the garden which is perfect for early morning coffee while enjoying the panoramic views. There are various sun loungers, pool chairs, poolside tables and sundry inflatable pool toys, lilos etc. Please note that the garden and pool area are at a level approximately 3 feet higher than the neighbouring field, so very young children should be carefully supervised when outside. The pool has an alarm (which can be switched off when in residence) which conforms to French pool safety legislation.
Coast/Beach
‘Carcassonne Plage’ (as the locals call it - officially named Lac de Cavayere) is a beautiful man-made lake and beach which is only a 15 min drive from the house. It has pedaloes, tree-top walks, and a great ‘flying fox’ across the lake. There is plenty of parking and lots of space all year round. There are also lots of wide, sandy beaches at the coast around Narbonne (45 mins' drive).
Golf
Carcassonne Golf Course is less than 10 mins' drive from the house. It is a picturesque but challenging 18 hole, par 71 course - the first and the ninth holes are particularly noteworthy (the former requires a drive up a steep hill and the latter, a par 3, the softest of wedges back downhill). There is a good bistro overlooking the first tee, and the hotel next door boasts a world class gastronomic restaurant (with prices to match!). There are other good courses at Mazamet (1 hr drive), Toulouse (2 courses - 50 mins and 1 hr 15 mins respectively) and St Cyprien (near Perpignan) (1 hr 30 mins).
Skiing
There are several ski stations in the Pyrenees, the closest about 1 hour's drive away. These are very suitable for families or less experienced skiers (say up to higher intermediate standard) but not for experts. There are black runs, but if skiing is your main thing, to be honest you would be better going to Andorra (about 2.5 hours' drive away). It's much better - a real ski resort with several stations catering for all levels of skier, and with a full range of restaurants, hotels, night life, duty free etc.
Travel
Carcassonne Airport is less than 10 mins' drive from the house - you can fly direct from Stansted, Liverpool, East Midlands, Glasgow (Prestwick), Dublin and Shannon. Alternative airports accessible from other UK airports include Toulouse (under 1 hr), Perpignan (1.5 hrs), Girona (2 hrs), Marseille (2.5 hrs) and Barcelona (3 hrs). Other possibilities include Montpellier, Nimes, Bergerac and Pau. Driving from Calais or Zeebrugge will take about 13 hours, so you should build in an overnight stop.
Distances
Lavalette Centre - 600 m
Carcassonne Centre - 7 km
Narbonne - 70 km
Toulouse - 90 km
Perpignan - 120 km
Montpellier - 160 km
Girona - 200 km
Barcelona - 300 km
Further details
The village of Lavalette has a well-stocked general store, a newsagent, post office, and an excellent butcher (and also a hairdresser and a beautician). Close to the airport (so less than 10 mins' drive from the house) is the Salvaza shopping centre which is anchored by a large Geant supermarket; there are also a number of good (and by UK standards quite cheap!) clothes, shoes and other shops. Carcassonne itself has a wide range of shops and restaurants - visiting the 14th Century Bastide de St Louis (the heart of the town) and, especially, the 11/13th Century medieval city just over the River Aude is a must. Narbonne, on the coast (about 45 mins by car) is charming; Toulouse's old town, the 'pink city' (under an hour by car), is delightful, and on the outskirts there is the famous space centre; Montpellier, the capital of the region (about 2 hours by car), has one of the largest city squares in Europe and, behind it, an extensive warren of old streets with many cafes, restaurants, local and international designer stores etc.
Booking notes
30% non refundable deposit on reservation; balance 8 weeks prior to arrival. A returnable security deposit of £350 must be sent with the final payment.
Guest comments
'I think we've fallen in love with Carcassonne and your place there. It's so idyllic and the boys love it as much as we do.'
'The pictures on the website don't do the house justice; it is even better looking in the flesh and one of the best equipped houses we have ever rented.'
'With so much to do in the area it's easy to be out from dawn to dusk but chilling out in the garden of this magical place has to be the best of all.'
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR2750
Contact Name:
Annette Doran
(UNITED KINGDOM) +44 7725880716
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Property Ref FR2750
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