Our house is set in an old olive grove on a terrace overlooking the medieval village of Lagrasse which is ranked as one of the most beautiful in France. The countryside is hilly, with vineyards in the valleys. Sitting on the front terrace, shaded by olive and cypress trees, there are lovely views of the village, abbey and vineyards and down the valley of the river Orbieu to the hills beyond. It is only 5 minutes walk into Lagrasse, yet the house is secluded with only one neighbouring home, screened by trees.
The main room is a spacious open-plan L-shaped kitchen/dining area with French windows facing the shaded front terrace with lovely views of the village. The kitchen area is modern, fitted and well-equipped with built in electric oven, induction hob, double sink, a large fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, blender/mixer, coffee machine, toaster and electric kettle. The terrace at the front has a table and chairs for with views of the village.The dining area has a long table with 8 chairs (seating for 10) and a wood-burning stove for autumn and winter and electric radiator.
There is spacious and comfortable living room with two sofas, easy armchairs, bookshelves, coffee table, free WIFI, CD/MP3 player, and satellite TV & DVD player and video library. Smart TV including Netflix. French windows open onto a large and sunny terrace with gas Plancha/BBQ, garden and views of the village below. The terrace has ample garden furniture and a parasol for outdoor eating. They're a terraced garden of nearly an acre with thyme, rosemary, olives, cypresses and lilac.
There is a further terrace with garden furniture up stairs to the first terrace behind the house.
There are 4 bedrooms; 2 with double beds, 1 with full-size twin beds and a triple bedded room with 2 full-size beds and a pull-out full-size single bed. The twin room has a wash basin and the second double room an en-suite shower room. There is a main bath/shower room with WC and a separate WC.
Lagrasse has good basic shopping: boulangerie, alimentations, tabac, chemist & post office. It also has a number of potteries, galleries and artisanal boutiques. Visiting vans sell fresh fish, meat, vegetables and fruit. There is a charming local market on Saturday in the central covered market place. The village is well provided with restaurants in season with reasonably priced menus as well as a cafe and a small pizza shop. There is a good floodlit public tennis court and swimming, fishing and boating for children in the Orbieu river. There is also a pleasant waterfall and swimming/diving area at neighbouring Ribaute village and many options for walking, cycling, wine tasting and visiting historic sites. The ancient towns of Narbonne and Carcassonne are only 40 minutes away and Mediterranean beaches in easy reach.
Summary of accommodation/facilities:
Main bedroom with double bed (King); second bedroom with double bed (Queen); third bedroom with twin beds & wash basin, fourth bedroom with two beds and a pull-out child’s bed; bathroom with bath & separate thermostatic shower & WC: shower room; separate WC.
Hair dryers/scales and basic first aid kit.
Fully equipped open-plan kitchen/dining room with wood-burning stove; comfortable living room with 2 sofas, CD player, Sat.TV DVD/Video; telephone; 4 terraces, garden, garage and drive for two cars; heating from wall mounted heaters; swimming pool (approx 10m X 5m); 2 bikes, beach equipment, cool boxes; full-size table tennis table with bats/balls; boules; 2 tennis rackets and balls. Thermostatic electric panel heaters in each room.
Sleeps up to 9 with children; max 8 adults. Parking for 2 cars (plus 3rd in lane). The front terrace has a small table and chairs for breakfasting & drinks with views of the village.10x5m secluded private pool with terrace, secured by a lockable gate, with sun loungers, tables and parasols. Side terrace with large outside dining table seating 8/9 and gas BBQ.