Property Details of Languedoc House

Welcome to Millepetit Ensoleille

Location
This handsomely restored farmhouse is located in a truly picturesque setting and is almost uniquely located right on the banks of the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
We are situated on a small working vineyard/farm or ‘Domaine’, only a few kms from the famous medieval ‘La Cite’, which overlooks the bustling town of Carcassonne. The gite is part of a larger farmhouse, were we also offer B/B over the summer months; it is adjoined to a barn that in turn is next door to the beautiful Chateau of the domaine. We are in close proximity to both the sea and mountains so you can explore fully this unusual region of South West France… all year round, wether for cultural pursuits, the history of the Cathars, sightseeing, sunbathing or just to take pleasure in tastings at any of the many wine domains of the region.

Your neighbours
A few friendly families also live on this small estate and dependant on the time of year you will find seasonal workers here and the farm a little livelier with farming activity…an ideal opportunity to sample rural life in the Languedoc-Roussillon. Apart from wine and olives, the farm also produces a variety of fruit and vegetables, which can be bought direct from the farmer, a fresher and more local source would be hard to find.

Wine tasting
The nearest ‘Cave’ for a ‘dégustation’ or tasting is only 10 minutes walk from the farmhouse…your neighbours at ‘Millegrand’ they produce amongst other varieties an award winning ‘Merlot’ and are well worth visiting.

Sports
Fishing enthusiasts take note, we are only a few minutes walk from the River Aude and fishing on the canal itself, golfers are not excluded, with the fabulous golf course at the ’Domaine de Auriac’ it’s open all year round and only a few kms away from your gite, cyclists are also catered for with 245kms of flat canal towpaths to explore…and for those of you who enjoy skiing, well why not combine a winter City break in Carcassonne with a few days skiing; the nearest Ski stations being only 70kms from us at Ax-Les-Thermes.

A French Odyssey
Both the house and estate were recently seen in TV chef Rick Steins’ ‘French Odyssey’, in his recent BBC2 TV culinary travelogue…as he sailed past his rented barge. The series celebrated the gourmet delights and sights of the 245km of the Canal du Midi.
This unique part of the Aude inspired another celebrated British TV chef to produce his own television series. John Burton Race recorded a year of relocating to France with his family in Montferrand, in his TV series and book ‘French Leave’.

Accommodation
Our first floor lounge is bright, spacious and comfortable, full of character of wooden beams and rafters, it also retains the original old stone feature sink, there are cosy sofas to curl up on whilst relaxing or just watching TV. We have installed both British Sky satellite (an new addition for the 2008 season) and French terrestrial TV. We have a DVD player, Stereo hi-fi, a broad range of books, puzzles and board games, some of which will take you back to your youth.
We offer our guests two spacious double bedrooms, both furnished in the French country style. Our generously proportioned ‘family’ bedroom has a larger queen sized bed for added comfort plus a double bed…ample space for the baby crib should it be required, all with new mattresses and bedding, plus lots of soft pillows to fall in to after a hard days sightseeing.
The other very comfortable double bedroom has all new furniture, mattress, bedding etc with lots of storage space and a view of the canal.
There is a large family sized shower room with a modern powerful shower, an ionic hairdryer and lots of storage space for your toiletries, plus a baby bath if required.
Downstairs you’ll discover a fully fitted modern kitchen, also facing the canal, again with a mix of old and new, retaining the beams and rafters, with all modern conveniences to maximise your time in the sun, including a new dishwasher. There’s a pine farmhouse table and chairs… and a high chair for baby too, from here you step almost straight out into the farmyard, with the canal only a few steps away. The downstairs area also comprises a separate utility room with washing machine, with iron, ironing board, airing rack etc. There is an outside drying area for washday.
We have installed a safe for you valuables, which is also located in the ground floor. We hope that we haven’t forgotten anything, but let us know if you think we have.

We very comfortably accommodate 4 adults, though we can cater for 1 more adult plus a baby or toddler very easily with the new addition of our family room.

Most rooms in the cottage overlook the Canal du Midi and have cooling fans for balmy evenings and reliable portable heating, for out of season rentals.


Complimentary Baby Package consists of:
High chair
Cot with new mattress and bedding
Baby bath

*Baby sitting facilities available on request*

The exterior
A few steps from your door you’ll find our private canal-side terrace, complete with table and chairs, an ideal spot to perhaps enjoy a glass of the local wine whilst watching boats amble along the canal…it’s definitely life at a slower pace.

Herb garden
Please help yourselves to our herb garden, which you will find at the old water pump…now a garden feature.

Across the canal
Crossing the small bridge over the canal brings you to a paddock where the farmer keeps his goat and horses, adjacent to here we have created a more secluded garden with shade fruit and olive trees. Next to the Almond tree under the pergola you’ll find a table and chairs plus sunloungers are available, if required…take some shade under the pergola, whilst taking in the stunning scenery, the breathtaking views of the Alaric and Corbiere mountains.
Keeping to this side of the canal a two-minute walk takes you down to the River Aude, a great spot for fishing…according to the locals.

Suitability
Suitable for all ages and interests
Lovers of history and culture
Sports enthusiasts especially fishing, golfing and skiing
Cyclists…there’s the canal towpaths and excellent mountain roads
Adventurers and…for those of you seeking a more rural retreat

Exclusions
Large groups
Request no smoking in farmhouse
Sorry, no pets

Refurbishment
Year on year the cottage undergoes refurbishment, we constantly upgrade facilities with our guests comfort in mind and your suggestions for further improvements are always welcomed.

Bed and optional breakfast
Over the summer months we also offer B/B, which is located in another part of the farmhouse…we offer a comfortable place to rest your head after a long walk or cycle ride along the canal. We have two large doubles bedrooms both furnished in a French country style. Our guests are offered breakfast before continuing their journey and our rates are very competitive.
It’s a great spot to catch your breath before heading onwards to Carcassonne.

Local Area Details

The canal port of Trebes is 3kms from Millepetit a 30min walk or 15min by bicycle ride along the canal It is a lively port in the summer with tourist information a choice of bars and restaurants supermarkets shopps bike boat and car hire available a bus service internet and English speaking doctor all the facilities of a modern town whilst retaining the charm of the old.

Trebes also has a 13thC church with uniquely painted wooden figures and a magnificent 16thC stone cross Free guide tours of the church are run over the summer months Visit the 3 locks or ecluse at Trebes also the famous Vauban aqueduct bridge and the Rode bridge all located on the canal.

The town of Carcassonne also steeped in history and culture offers many family oriented activities and is a mere 8kms from Millepetit it is well worth visiting with stylish shopping, a market three times a week for some real bargains.
There are also cinemas theatres and parks plus a great choice of cafbars and for food lovers enjoy a mealsimple or extravagantat any of the many and varied restaurants in and around Carcassonne.

En route to Carcassonne you cant fail to see the medieval Cite of Carcassonne towering over the town recently the subject of the best selling novel Labyrinth by author Kate Mosse a historic thriller which is set in and around the area of Carcassonne from the 12thC up to the present day The Cite is now a fantastic tourist attractionallow a whole day for this visit apart from the Castle itself there are a multitude of attractions within the Cite plus an endless number of fascinating and elegant shops with many little squares where you can either enjoy a gourmet meal or perhaps just a coffeea great location for a bit of people watching or just taking the atmosphere of this truly picturesque place.

Golfers need not feel excluded you are no more than 10kms from the golf course at Auriac no membership required and its open all year round.

Also on the way to Carcassonne only a very short distance from the farmhouse is the Lac de la Cavayere better known to the locals as Carcassonne plage it has a safe area for swimming a proper beach for sunbathing and a sandy games area There is also a restaurant with a cafebar, sports and leisure activities.

There are many activities catering to all ages and interests including in the vicinity...fresh water fishing is a 2 minute walk away on the River Aude and on the canal itself boating cycling golf horse riding a few minutes walk away sea fishing less than 1 hours drive away on the south coast, rambling, sailing with tuition at a nearby lake canoeing water and other board sports close by, tennis, swimming or perhaps wine tasting.

Visit Spain for some duty free gifts, Barcelona is a day out only 300kms away.

Carcassonne 'Plage' or 'Lac de la Caveyere' is only a few minutes from the gite, plus numerous other organised activities and attractions a stones throw from the cottage.
The coastal beaches and livelier resorts of the south are less than 1hrs drive away.

Within a 30km radius you can explore the Cathar trail Cathar abbeys and strongholds, stunningly picturesque circular and fortressed villages, caverns, ramble through forests, fish in the rivers, ski, snowboard, hike, cycle and sample local wine on a grand scale from the 'Caves' plus visit the endless number of tourist attractions on your doorstep.

If you have any time left on your hands you can of course simply enjoy leisurely walks or cycle rides along the Canal du Midi in the shade the 400yr old Plane trees.

Come see for yourself why so many people are discovering the relatively unknown treasure that is the LanguedocRoussillon experience a taste of what the region has to offeran intoxicating mix of both French and Spanish cultures which is reflected in many aspects of its day to day living not to mention a resurgence of the Occitan language itself Visit the region where winter is only a word not a state of mind where spring begins in February and where the sun shines for more than 300 days of the year.

We look forward hearng from you.


Directions from Carcassonne Airport to the Domaine de Millepetit

When you come from Carcassonne airport youre on the west of Carcassonne and you want to head east onto the N113 Narbonne road.
When you leave the airport turn left. There is a slight variation here, you must go right initially then come back via the roundabout, just down the road. Keep going over two roundabouts, on the edge of an industrial estate and then keep to the right hand side of the one way road as you'll fork right over the railway onto Ave Henri Gout.
Keeping on this road you'll soon come to a junction where the road drifts left but effectively keep heading straight on.
Taking this route you'll end up on Boulevard Barbs in the centre of Carcassonne.
Follow this very simple one way system, you'll fork left at the end by the Salles de Dome and then right onto Place Gambetta, building works are in progress at present but generally pose no delays.
Follow the road through the 'Place' or square and you take a right, on to brifge, taking you onto the N113, immediately to your right you'll catch your first glimpse of the splendid 'La Cite'.
Continue on this road till you reach Trebes, a short distance away.

Trebes.
Theres a left turn into the town shortly after you go under the railway line. Go through the town over the River Aude and soon after over the Canal du Midi. Following the road signs, straight on takes you to Marseillette ...this is the road you want to take.
After 3 kms youll see a row of trees on your right at 90 degrees to the road and a small sign Millepetit next to a small white concrete shelter and 2 reflective bollards (useful at night).

If you arrive after dark you'll pass a turning on your left to Rustiques then therell be three bends left right left before the track on the right.

The track leads you to the Canal and our gite, It runs behind the Chateau, past 4 cottages on your left and then swings right to the Canal The house is immediately on your right...

Bon Voyage!

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Property Features

* Close to a golf course
* Close to a Beach
* Children are allowed

Contact Information for The banks of the Canal du Midi 18thc Cottage France

Name:	sheila and Jos
Telephone:	0033-606-960278
Alt Telephone:	0033-468-769880
Fax:	--
Its completely free to send an enquiry! Use this opportunity and email the owner below to ask as many questions as you wish about this House in Languedoc.