Farm in Spectacular Countryside: a Walkers Paradise
Wild Countryside in the Parc Regional de Haute Languedoc
Sleeps 6/8 (3 Bedrooms)
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The farmhouse is the heart of a group of farm buildings. On a higher level are the old bergeries literally built into the hillside. Come up and feed the animals or enjoy the view from the terrace. There are no shops in the hamlet but you can pick your own vegetables from the farm gardens. There is a village shop at Ferrals (4km) and a Sunday farmers market or you can drive into the civilized world and go to a supermarket. There is a BBQ at the rear of the courtyard or you can wander down to the spring and BBQ in the open air. The living room and bedrooms look out over the gardens and down to the source of the river Vallette. The hamlet is in the Haute Minervois 410 meters above sea level which means hot summer days magic nights. The house faces south and all of the rooms look out over the valley. The hills around are totally unspoilt and full of wild life: badgers, falcons, deer, wild boar. This is walking, mountain biking, riding, quad country or just reading by the stream
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| Rental periods | |
| 22 May - 12 June | £350 |
| 12 June - 24 July | £380 |
| 24 July - 28 August | £540 |
| 28 August - 13 September | £350 |
| 13 September - 18 October | £300 |
Notes on prices
If you would like to stay for a period shorter than one week this may be possible. Discount for small groups. Please phone or email. Payment may be made in sterling or euros.
Changeover day
Saturday is the normal changeover day but it may be possible to be more flexible. Normally departure time is 10am and arrival time not before 16 hrs in order to allow for the house to be correctly cleaned.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Bedroom 1. Ground floor. Double bed with plenty of wardrobe space. Bedroom 2. First floor. 2 double beds. Bedroom 3. First floor. 1 double and two single beds. Large wardrobe. |
| Bathrooms: | Ground floor bathroom with shower, wash-hand basin and wc. First floor bathroom. Bath with shower, wc, wash hand basin and linen cupboards. This bathroom is en-suite to bedroom 2 but shared with bedroom 3. |
| Kitchen: | The kitchen is fitted with a professional catering cooker, large fridge/freezer and washing machine. There is an electric kettle and toaster but to date no microwave. |
| Living Rooms: | The living/dining room is centred around a large fireplace with 2 sofas and 2 armchairs. The dining area has a farm table seating 8. We have not yet connected the TV to the satellite by personal choice but anticipate doing this for guests. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Towels and linen are included. The property is cleaned at the end of your stay and is included in the price. Cleaning can be arranged during your stay at a rate of 15 euros per hour. Gas and electricity are included. |
Notes on accommodation
Suitable for children. In late September or early October wood is provided for the open fire-place.
- hob/stove,
- oven,
- fridge/freezer,
- fridge,
- microwave,
- washing machine,
- iron/ironing board,
- satellite tv,
- tv,
- telephone,
- room fans,
- barbecue,
- pets accepted
Accessibility
There is a ground floor bathroom and bedroom which do make the property a possibility for a family staying with an elderly relative or someone with a light handicap.
Outside
There is a BBQ and summer kitchen at the back of the courtyard which is roofed but open at the front. There is also a BBQ in the 3rd level garden with rustic outdoor furniture overlooking the source of the river Vallette which runs from the garden. Please feel at home in all of the outdoor gardens. Behind the bergerie is a walled area which is totally private and south facing ideal for sunbathing. It looks out over the green hills and valleys. We don't have a pool but we have waterfalls and natural pools within 5 minutes walk.
Coast/Beach
Autheze is just over an hours drive from sandy Mediterranean beaches. Visit the charming village of Gruissan and the beaches of Narbonne 67 kms away. Alternatively there is a lake with a beach just outside Olonzac with picnic and BBQ areas. This is half an hour's drive.
Special interest holidays
Short stay painting courses are offered provided there is a minimum of 2 people (maximum 6). All meals are included as is transport to places of special interest. Please email me for full details and rates.
Although we do not provide accompanied walking we have an excellent collection of maps and can advise on the trails which lead off into the countryside in all directions. A number of trails are in a loop but we can arrange to collect you at the end of a walk if you choose a route which does not.
Travel
Autheze is just under an hours drive to Carcassonne airport (48kms). There are regular Ryan Air flights to Carcassonne. Alternative airports are Montpellier, Toulouse, Perpignan or Beziers, Vias. Car hire or own car highly recommended unless you are happy to stay put on the farm.
Distances
Autheze is 4 kms from Ferrals les Montagnes which has a village shop and post office. St. Pons de Thomieres is just over 20 kms away and has an excellent farmers market on Wednesdays. This is Cathar country and Minerve is a short drive away with many festivities during the summer. This is also the region of Minervois wine so taste away. Narbonne is closer than Carcassonne for anyone addicted to classy boutiques, beautiful clothes, pavement cafés and restaurants and generally hanging out.
Further details
Rainbows End Farm is a place to stay for people who like truly unspoilt countryside but within reach of Mediterranean beaches, the walled city of Carcassonne, Cathar castles and the Spanish border to allow for endless day trips. There is a riding school 15 minutes drive away offering trekking in the hills throughout July and August. There are wide tracks ideal for mountain biking or hiking which go all through the surrounding hill country. St Pons has two supermarkets and bank with a cash distributor 30 mins drive. The cathedral is well worth a visit even if just to admire the local red marble and the carved choir seats.
Going down hill Olonzac is slightly further in kilometers but only half an hours drive and also has banks, supermarkets and restaurants. There is a 12th century chapel at the bottom of the valley which has been completely restored by volunteers and is one of the most peaceful places I have ever come across. The countryside is extraordinary. Being situated at the very beginning of the hill country the scenery is a mixture of Mediterranean garrigue, pine forest, green meadows, waterfalls, ferns, oak trees, hazel and walnuts and the light green leaves of chestnuts and beeches. It's Middle Earth gone wild. In the summer every local village puts on its best frock and there are dances, concerts, light shows in Minerve, pottery exhibitions, art shows, poetry readings, jazz concerts. Autheze is in the Hérault but just across the border from the Aude so there are festivities put on from both departments.
Then there are the wine domains all over the Minervois region all competing to let you taste the best of their wines. Make sure one of the party stays on the orange juice to get you back through the winding lanes to the farm! If you just want to enjoy being in Autheze but don't want to shop or cook why not let us cater for you. We can provide evening meals to your requirement or shop for you. Children will enjoy visiting the sheep and horses
Booking notes
To book a stay at the farm you will need to complete a booking form and pay a 25% deposit to reserve the house. The balance is due 8 weeks before the beginning of your holiday.
Owner profile
Here I am on the farm with Tabasco
About the owner
I have lived at Rainbows End for over two years now. It has been very hard work starting to recover neglected land but I have had a massive amount of help from volunteers through Woof international and Autheze has seen young people arriving with back packs all around the year from as far away as Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Israel.....the list is almost endless.
My life has been transformed by moving into this magical land and my pleasure is to be able to share it with others
Year purchased: 2007
Why the owner chose a home in this location
I had lived on the Mediterranean coast in France for nearly 30 years but I had no garden let alone space for my horses. It took me over two years to find somewhere that I loved and that I could afford. Then I found Rainbows End by chance. It's within reach of the sea but far away from the crowds of the Mediterranean in a lost world of hills, farms, flowers and woodland. I first saw the farm in late February and the violets were just peeping through the grass on the rocky path down by the stream. It was enchanting and still is.
The hamlet is fairly remote but within half an hours drive you can be in a bustling market town and in less than an hour you can wander the cobbled streets of Carcassonne.
Unique benefits of the property
Rainbows End is my home and not a holiday house that I sometimes visit. With its extensive outbuildings I am able to rent the main farmhouse during the holiday periods and live in my giant barn. I can be on the spot to advise on places to visit or help but guests don't need to feel I am living on top of them.
Although remote there are a number of people living in the hamlet all around the year and in the summer regular summer visitors arrive each year. Everybody is very friendly and helpful.
If you want to experience 'la France profonde' but still be within reach of the Mediterranean and the Cathar castle country then this might just be the place for you.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR2978
Ros French
Tel: (France) + 33 (0)467 236 674
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in October 2004,
and has advertised this property with us since January 2008.
Property Ref FR2978
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