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Traditional stone cottage and sun-drenched swimming pool in heart of France.

Very sheltered and sunny terrace with outdoor dining area and BBQ.

Sunny swimming pool with lawn and natural stone surround. Perfect for children.

Outdoor dining and private sunny terrace. Have lunch by the pool and lawn.

Overview
Rooms
Location
Policies

9.8

Exceptional

Popular amenities

Gym

Pool

Kitchen

Explore the area

Aigues-Vives, Occitanie

Canal du Midi Harbor Master's Office20 min drive
Chateau Comtal20 min drive
Narbonnaise Gate22 min drive
Castres (DCM-Mazamet)76 min drive

Most relevant reviews

10/10 Excellent

Nos hôtes sont accueillants, disponibles, bienveillants. Ils ont restauré avec beaucoup de goût leur propriété : tout es...

Emeline G.

Sep 4, 2023

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed and 1 Crib

1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Country farmhouse for family holidays, pool, free wifi, close to Carcassonne

This beautiful farmhouse is set in the private grounds of Chateau Clos des Archers in the centre of a historic medieval village 15 minutes from the City of Carcassonne. The house is surrounded by beautiful sunny gardens and has a wonderful sheltered swimming pool. It is ideal for a family holiday and for a safe, quiet haven. The village is on the edge of the historic Etaing de Marseillette with miles of easy cycling on quiet country lanes to explore. It has a bakery & bar with excellent shops & restaurants close by. It is also the heart of the Minervois wine region & vineyards & close to the Canal du Midi. Only 45 minutes from the sea, the property is also close to the lakes & mountains & perfect for activity and family holidays or a quiet romantic break.

Activities: We can provide the following activities and services on request and subject to production of necessary licenses and/or insurance. Prices on request.

Canoes and Cayaking expeditions
Walking and cycling tours
Catermaran Sailing
4 x 4 Landcruiser Safari
Quad bike safari
Horse riding expeditions
Fishing with local guide in the lakes and rivers of Minervois
Wine tastings, tours, vineyard picnics and wine tuition.

Catering and Chef services: If you want a special dinner preparing we can also arrange this for you.

Property manager

Alex and Pipa Francis

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Amenities

Pool

Gym

Pool

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

We ask all guests to treat the property with respect and to leave in in the same clean state as on arrival, especially the kitchen. All rubbish shoul

Arrival and Departure dates should be Saturday or Sunday unless otherwise agreed.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

Cashless transactions are available

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Aigues-Vives

Located in Aigues-Vives, this farm stay is in a rural area and near theme parks. Château l'Amiral and Château de Gourgazaud are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park and Canal du Midi. Jet skiing and snorkelling offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and mountain biking nearby.

Aigues-Vives, Occitanie

What's nearby

Aude Gate - 19 min drive
Canal du Midi Harbor Master's Office - 20 min drive
Chateau Comtal - 20 min drive
Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne - 21 min drive
Narbonnaise Gate - 22 min drive

Getting around

Lézignan-Corbières Station - 25 min drive
Carcassonne (CCF-Pays Cathare) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

‪La Boutique - ‬9 min drive
‪Trattoria Napoli - ‬12 min drive
‪Les Vignes de Bacchus - ‬12 min drive
‪Le Pasteur - ‬11 min drive
‪Bar café - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Country farmhouse for family holidays, pool, free wifi, close to Carcassonne pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Country farmhouse for family holidays, pool, free wifi, close to Carcassonne?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Country farmhouse for family holidays, pool, free wifi, close to Carcassonne?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Country farmhouse for family holidays, pool, free wifi, close to Carcassonne located?

This family-friendly Aigues-Vives farm stay is located in a rural location, within 3 mi (5 km) of Château l'Amiral and Canal du Midi. Occitania Truffle House and Caunes Minervois Abbey are also within 9 miles (15 km).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Emeline G.

4 Sept 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Parfait !

Nos hôtes sont accueillants, disponibles, bienveillants. Ils ont restauré avec beaucoup de goût leur propriété : tout est fait pour passer un excellent séjour ! Encore merci

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea M.

30 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely relaxing visit.

Had an amazing holiday. House is lovely and comfortable and pool is amazing. Pippa and Alex are wonderful hosts and nothing is too much trouble. Location is excellent for mountains, cities and coast. We will be back!!!

Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joseph R.

10 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Truly Amazing and Authentic

This has to be the nicest place we have ever stayed in. The location of the property is very handy to local shops, amazing restaurants and the best thing about, France the patisserie's. Alex and Pippa are very welcoming and share great knowledge of the local area including recommendations for day trips, where to eat and good wine of course. The House itself is breath taking. A beautiful two bedroom cottage opposite the main house with the most stunning garden and refreshing pool. We spent all hours of the hot afternoons sunbathing and swimming. We would 100% recommend this place to anyone wanting to get away from the busyness of the city and truly immerse yourself into the village lifestyle. Thanks again for a unforgettable stay. J and C

Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laetitia H.

11 Aug 2020

Un super séjour

Nous avons passé 2 semaines exceptionnelles chez Alex et Pippa. La maison est spacieuse, très jolie et très bien aménagée. Il ne manque rien ! Les propriétaires sont très accueillants. Le jardin est très agréable avec la terrasse, la piscine et le trampoline. Le village est calme et plein de charme. Pratique pour partir en excursion dans les environs. La région ne manque pas de points d'intérêt. Impossible de s'ennuyer !

Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2020

8/10 Good

Michael R.

9 Sept 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Merci pour le séjour inoubliable dans votre gite et gros bisous a Pobby.....

Wunderschönes herrschaftliches Objekt mit Salzwasserpool in toller Landschaft gelegen. Sehr freundliche Vermieter. Küchenausstattung und Matrazenrost hätten etwas besser sein können. Empfehlenswert!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Danny B.

8 Sept 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely break at a lovely cottage in a quiet French village

My wife and I, along with our 21-month-old daughter had a magical stay. Pipa and Alex are the perfect hosts and are on hand should you need anything. The village is quiet (what we wanted) but there are larger towns with supermarkets et al a short drive away. Would recommend hiring bikes from Trèbes and cycling to Carcassone. Would very much recommend.

Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Alexandre d.

30 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Un vrai moment de détente

Nous avons reçu un très bon accueil d'Alex, Pipa et leur famille. Le gîte est dans leur propriété, mais les hôtes sont très discrets et n'utilisent pas les équipements (piscine, trampoline géant, baby foot, table de ping pong), de sorte que l'on se sent chez soi. Alex et Pipa sont à notre écoute au moindre pépin (machine à laver qui tombe en panne => ils nous laissent utiliser la leur et font venir un réparateur dans la journée). La région est assez agréable: vignes et montagnes à l'horizon. Nous recommendons vivement!

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michael F.

4 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful week in Southern France

We stayed here as a family with two children. This property was ideal. The pool was great and there were plenty of activities to keep the children occupied, including collecting eggs from the chickens. The location of the property was in a small rural village which offered peace and quiet. There are plenty of amenities nearby and there is no shortage of places to visit. The owners were very accommodating and were always available to answer any questions and suggest things to do and places to visit. Overall, we were delighted with the property and would highly recommend to other families.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Gail D., Schenectady, NY

1 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming cottage in idyllic countryside

Entering the property through the wooden door in the ivy-covered wall is like stepping into The Secret Garden, but less wild and with a swimming pool added. The cottage is beautifully restored with stone walls, wood-beamed ceilings and large windows, and surrounded by lovely flower beds and potted plants. There are plenty of places for a family to spread out: comfy sofas in the living room, patio table with umbrella and loungers by the pool - both of which are shaded by the garden walls until after lunch. After driving down from Paris, where we had worn ourselves out being tourists, we very much enjoyed being able to relax by the pool for a few days before heading out sightseeing. Although the days were very hot (we stayed in late July) the large windows and fans provided in the bedrooms enabled things to cool down at night for comfortable sleeping. The kitchen is adequately equipped with plates, pots, utensils, some essential cooking supplies, like olive oil, salt and pepper, and an easy to use (and fast!) induction cooktop. The washing machine in the kitchen is a great bonus and with a simple 'fast wash' setting we were able to do laundry and hang things to dry overnight most days. Pipa and Alex could not have been more thoughtful hosts. They welcomed us with a bottle of wine, a tour of the cottage, and some dinner supplies since we had arrived in the evening after the local shops were closed. They advised us on where to buy groceries, the best beaches, towns and markets to visit: whatever we asked about they had an answer for and they offered help at every turn. For example, they provided us with a sun shade for a trip to the beach, a large picnic blanket, and sand tools for our children to use, and didn't mind at all that we took their towels to the beach. The village location was ideal for us: quiet and off the beaten path, but also within striking distance of several popular tourist sites. We took day trips East to Nîmes and the Pont du Gard and West to Perpignan and the Pyrenees. Coming home to cool off with a dip in the pool was a perfect way to end the day!

Stayed 12 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Mark H.

12 June 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house in beautiful rural setting with outstanding hosts

This lovely cottage is in a very small village not far from Carcassonne. So a chance to stay somewhere off the beaten track - away from tourist hot spots - but with great places to visit within easy driving distance. Alex and Pippa were super hosts - made us feel very at home. Some great suggestions of things to do and places to see which really made our holiday. Thoroughly recommend.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Cally G.

29 Aug 2018

Spacious, family-friendly cottage with lovely hosts in beautiful Minervois wine country

This charming, comfortable cottage is perfect for a family, situated in the walled garden of the large family home, with a private pool (not used by the family when we were in), trampoline, DVDs, games - and chickens to feed! Alex and Pipa struck the perfect balance of being available for advice and chat about the area whilst also giving us space to enjoy our holiday. Access to their kitchen garden and free-range eggs was an added treat, as was the expert advice on wine! The village is within reasonable distance of a variety of fabulous places (caves, mountains, vineyards, historic towns, Canal du Midi), whilst the cottage and pool is a lovely haven when you want to escape the heat - or just relax. Highly recommended holiday home in a beautiful part of France.

Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

3 July 2018

Charming cottage with incredible hosts!

We were in France for a friends wedding and decided to turn it into a holiday as well and we were not disappointed. The cottage is very sweet and and remarkably spacious once you're inside. 2 bedrooms upstairs, with some fantastic wooden furniture in them, and an open plan living room kitchen downstairs. There was beautiful coffee in the kitchen when we arrived and some red wine too, which was very welcoming. From the outside the surrounding plants all look fantastic and give the cottage a very secret garden type feel. The swimming pool is too is terrific, and as we were there during a heatwave it's where we spent most of our time. The location is rural, however Carcassone is only a 20 minute drive away and Trèbes is even closer than that. The hosts as well are absolutely fantastic, Alex, Pippa, and their children were all very accommodating and were eager to help however they could, which was very much appreciated. Overall an absolutely superb stay, we would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a quiet retreat with a swimming pool.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Jayne H.

27 June 2018

Lovely cottage in quiet location

We enjoyed a week in this lovely cottage. It is situated in a quiet village close to the church and is ideal as a base for exploring the surrounding areas. The castles are amazing and the changing scenery is unbelievable. Even though the weather was not the best for us we didn't let it stop us. As we had a hire car we were able to travel down towards the Spanish border. We did manage a small dip in the pool on one of the better afternoons. Alex and Pippa are lovely hosts and are able to advise on the best places to visit. Being able to use the vegetables in the garden and the eggs from the chickens is a lovely added extra.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Sophie N.

11 May 2018

Moyen

Bel endroit tres calme et reposant Maison agréable Proprietaires sympathiques Cependant la piscine n'était pas accessible et les propriétaires ne nous avaient pas avertis Grosse deception car le choix de cette location a été fait en grande partie pour la piscine Il a fallut relaver toute la vaisselle car très sale. Manque cruellement de vaisselle, casseroles, poeles en etat Les wc et sdb ne ferment pas à clef L'état de la maison est bon malgré que le menage ne doit pas etre fait souvent (pas d'aspirateur juste une balayette) Il manque des étagères dans la sdb et beaucoup de "petites choses"pour etre confortable, qui pourraient etre présentes vu le prix de la location Sejour sympathique malgré tout L'accès au poulailler pour les oeufs et au potager est un plus sympathique Le descriptif de la maison est erroné Pas de salle de fitness Pas de baby foot Pas de seche cheveux Ne fait pas 200m2 etc...

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

Shehani F.

9 Jan 2018

Lovely house in a great location

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this little village. The house is well kitted out with lots of space, a cozy wood burning stove and an atmospheric position next to the church. We did lots of driving in the area to explore the towns and villages and found it to be a great spot.

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

thomas w.

19 Oct 2017

MARVELOUS LOCATION!

We as family of 5 stayed for one, great week in the lovely house, in a tiny, quiet village surrounded by vineyards. It was really a nice place with great atmosphere. Moreover, Pippa and Alex were fantastic hosts. The pool was a welcomed refreshment. Narbonne and the Mediterranean Sea is only 40 minutes away, Perpignan and Toulouse 1 h 15, the great cave of Cabrespine (one of Europes biggest caves) 30 min only, Carcassonne 20 min. Backery near by, supermarkets 20 min. So, there is a lot to see, but also hiking and cycling is possible. 5 stars plus. We will surely come back! Dagmar&Thomas&Family

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carina S.

1 Sept 2016

Lovely property - spacious, clean, well maintained and equipped with everything a family needs

Property is in a quiet village but only 10 mins from town of Trebes (restaurants and supermarkets) and less than 30 mins drive to Carcassone. Great location for exploring the area. Alex, Pipa and family were very welcoming and always available to provide advice - best places to visit, best bike rides, restaurants and vineyards. They arranged for us to have a key for the village tennis court which the children really enjoyed and for down time there was wi-fi access. Property was lovely and swimming pool clean and very welcome in the heat. We had a wonderful holiday and would highly recommend the property.

Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rosalind C.

11 July 2016

A gorgeous place to stay!

Alex and Pipa have created a beautiful, light-filled and very comfortable home to stay in. The house is exceptionally charming inside and out - the pool and gardens are beautifully kept too. The village is quiet and peaceful and the surrounding countryside is stunning. The village of Aigues-Vives is perfectly placed for trips to Carcassone, the Canal due Midi, the Black Mountains, the Pyrenees and the Med. Alex and Pipa were very welcoming hosts and even provided us with two cold beers and their own wine on our arrival - delicious! They could not have been more helpful but were also very discreet when necessary. After the delights and bustle of Barcelona, it was the perfect place to wind down, relax and enjoy the house, the sunshine and the pool.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne A.

3 May 2016

Even better than anticipated!

The pictures of the home/property are beautiful but can not convey how charming, cozy, and unique this home is. We travelled as a family of 5 with 3 boys under the age of 8. Our children had the most wonderful time with Alex and Pippa's son (on the trampoline), as well as gathering eggs from the chickens each day, and bread and croissants from the boulangerie each morning. The house is situated ideally in the middle of many lovely towns, rural areas to explore, and Carcassone. The house has everything you need- comfortable beds, kitchen stocked with utensils, and hosts who are happy to supply extras and answer any questions that you have. We had a wonderful holiday and would love to return someday to stay in this amazing home!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Helen H.

16 Oct 2015

Fantastic holiday property and hosts.

Alex and Pipa have created a fabulous get--away-from-it-all cottage. Amazing pool, lots of light and space and the most generous hosts you could ask for. The photographs give a genuine sense of how beautiful the cottage is, and it's in the middle of some of the best French countryside and wine growing areas. We would 100% recommend staying here.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Heather M.

2 Oct 2015

Beautiful property- perfect

I think this cottage, with it's delightful, relaxing gardens, pool & outside dining area is simply the most beautiful I have ever stayed while on a holiday- it was just perfect. Good sized kitchen, wonderful lounge area - the whole cottage is designed & furnished just perfectly. Pippa & Alex were so lovely- we were quite sad to leave. H&D Moreton- UK

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

RIchard B.

10 Sept 2015

Lovely cottage and area

Really nice chilled out place to stay in perfect area for cycling. Countless quiet roads, beautiful fruit farmed filled countryside and pleasant villages etc to see. Pool brilliant, house likewise. Lovely helpful and generous hosts in Alex, Pippa and family - thanks

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cathelijn B.

5 Aug 2015

Excellent!

We are a family of five from The Netherlands and stayed for two weeks in the Cottage and had the best holiday. Entering the property through the small wooden door is like entering the garden of Eden, giving you a view of the garden, with the Chateau on one side and the Cottage with the pool on the other side. We spent a lot of time just relaxing by the pool – the pool is great - and sunbathing, followed by a bbq on the terrace. But the cottage is also a good home base to make day trips, like to Carcassonne, Narbonne, the beach, the caves, the river and Perpignan. The surroundings are really beautiful as well and just lovely to drive through and see the countless small villages nearby, separated by endless vineyards. The cottage was lovely, well equipped and tastefully furnished. Alex and Pipa were so nice and helpful, trying to make it the best time possible for us. We really felt welcome and they made our stay even better. We definitely want to come back!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Deborah B.

25 Nov 2014

We have been recommending this cottage to everyone

We spent a fantastic holiday in this cottage and have only the highest admiration for the hosts who will do anything they can to ensure that you do too.The cottage is very comfortable,the pool is great and the village is well situated to explore.Pippa ,Alex and family have it exactly right and we feel so lucky to have stayed here.We spent most days out and returned home to swim , then cook and eat dinner under the umbrella.We have been recommending this cottage to everyone.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mike K.

28 Mar 2012

Great holiday destination

This is the second time we have stayed at the cottage. Again we had a lovely stay. The cottage is clean, very quiet and in the centre of the village. Everything was as advertised In fact even more; Pippa and Alex were there to ensure you had a lovely time and nothing was too much trouble. Pippa took my husband to the dentist when he had a problem and booked a restaurant that they recommended. The swimming pool is a bonus and although we went in March and it was too cold will visit next time when we can use it. There is also a lovely shop two minutes walk away that sells lovely croissants and bread and a few small groceries The area around is lovely, Vineyards, Carcassone, Perpignan, other small towns. Limoux has nice restaurants in the square, the hills and mountains are great as is the Canal du Midi, etc. All we can say is we can't wait to visit again and we know that we won't want to leave. We can really recommend it for a great relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle of life Mike and Ann

About the host

Hosted by Alex and Pipa Francis

We moved from London to France in 2003 with our six children and bought Clos des Archers in 2004. It has been a labour of love restoring this 19th century Maison de Maitre and the cottage and grounds. We work in the wine business and we wanted to be closer to our producers.

Why they chose this property

We were looking for a large family house and one which also offered the possibility of guest accommodation for friends and family. We fell in love with the lovely proportions of all the rooms, the space and quietness of the grounds and the huge potential of the house. We were looking for somewhere that was rural but not isolated and it is quite rare to find houses of this size in a village and with substantial outside space. Being just 20 minutes from Carcassonne is a big advantage.

What makes this property unique

The orientation of the property is such that there is always a sunny and sheltered corner to be found throughout the day. The high walls (Cloister) provide privacy and shade when needed. The terraces are in full sun in the summer, as is the pool. Having proper lawn is also a great advantage for lying out in the sun while the house provides much needed shade on the north lawn for small children to play outside. The house and bedrooms never get too hot in the summer.
The surrounding countryside is so beautiful,with many lovely walks and rides leading away from the village. Within a short drive you can be up in the mountains and lakes and streams or down at the coast. It is a really safe village and area for children and everyone looks out for each other.