Vacation Rentals by Owner

A Wonderful Home Perfect for Relaxing and Enjoying the View

Guest: Tracy (Barcelona)
Date of Stay: 03/31/12 Review Submitted: 04/17/12

Over the years, we have rented many homes through VRBO. While there are many vacation rental sites on the internet, I keep coming back to VRBO because the site has always proven to be a guarantee of quality--every property is just as described. As most of the properties (at least in Europe) are owned by expatriates, the houses tend to be well-located for sightseeing and extensively stocked for expat tastes (lots of comforts and great books and films in English, always a plus!). Montplaisir was no exception. On your first drive to the house, you may seem to be in an out of the way location, but it turns out to be beautifully located in your own little neck of the woods, with a stunning view of the Pyrenees from the expansive patio. There's nothing better than relaxing with a glass of wine in the warm sunshine after a long winter! The home itself was spotlessly clean and extremely comfortable, with high quality beds, beautiful decor and deluxe shower heads. There was a lovely bottle of wine and breakfast starters of jam and butter waiting for us when we arrived. Just a short drive away is the charming town of Mirepoix, with its lovely main square and lively Monday market. There were lots of activities in town when we were there for Easter Week, with Swing bands and the traditional Easter omelet. We also enjoyed daytrips to Carcassonne and Foix. One of my children is on a special, all-organic diet, but we had no problem finding everything we needed (and more) at the amazing Super U supermarket in Mirepoix. Evenings were spent in front of the fireplace watching one of the many movies we found in the house. All in all, a very pleasurable vacation!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A quiet retreat in the Pyrennes' foothills

Guest: Paul B. (Portland, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 10/16/11 Review Submitted: 11/24/11

We spent a wonderful week in this lovely home in the Ariege countryside. From the country kitchen to the comfortable bedroom it was a place of quiet retreat from the cares and concerns of the outside world. We loved the vistas of the distant Pyrenees, the warm autumn sun on the patio, and walking in the beautiful countryside. Our visit to Montsegur was a highpoint. We have stayed some VRBOs that did not live up to their pictures. Montplaisir was one of only two that were as good or better than their photos. The owner's 'guidebook' to the area was immensely helpful and complete. We would definitely recommend Montplaisir to friends AND return ourselves.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

So peaceful

Guest: Mike and Carolyn (Scotland)
Date of Stay: 10/02/11 Review Submitted: 10/21/11

We have just returned from a week in Montplaisir in early October.The house completely lived up to its description on the VRBO site.It was so peaceful and we were blessed with excellent weather which provided fantastic views of the distant Pyrenees. We enjoyed visiting the Cathar Castles and Mirepoix was interesting especially on the Monday market day. The house itself was very comfortable with 3 good bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The open fire was a welcome addition as the nights were getting cool. We would love to return to Montplaisir again

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Two retired couples.

Guest: David Maund (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 09/02/11 Review Submitted: 09/26/11

Over many years, my wife and I have rented literally dozens of houses from the VRBO website. Suffice it to say, this house was the "pick of the litter" or, as the French would say, "La creme de la creme". We spent three enjoyable weeks there this month and each day we had the option of visiting the many sites of interest the owner recommends or simply "vegging out" in the solitude of the location, with a glass of wine, enjoying the splendid views over the Pyrenees. The house is located on the top of a 500ft hill, at the end of a private road and the only sounds you will hear are the birds singing! Each of the three bedrooms has a comfortable Queen-sized bed, with a full bath and shower upstairs and a shower en-suite in the downstairs bedroom. We agree completely with the positive comments noted by previous renters. One other benefit not currently mentioned on the owner's website is that free phones calls can be made worldwide.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great find!

Guest: Gitu (California)
Date of Stay: 06/23/11 Review Submitted: 07/07/11

We ended our month long vacation in France with a five day stay at this beautiful house. The house was perfect for two of us and our two young children. The views are absolutely spectacular. Inside there is everything you would need to live comfortably and is extremely clean. The weather was getting a little warm but the house was just wonderfully cool... Another nice touch was when we got there (late evening), the owner's friend (who was managing the property) had for us a bag with some essential food items to get us started! There is also a phone and wifi which was great! This property was extremely easy to rent and the owner was very responsive. There are many activities within a 40 minute driving distance (many recommendations provided by the owners). There is a super market close by and some bakeries for fresh bread and pastries. The pictures and descriptions provided are very accurate. We wish we could have stayed here longer... We would highly recommend this property.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

What A Find

Guest: Rocky (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 06/08/11

We just got back from a glorious month-long trip through France and northern Spain. We booked this house, not knowing whether we would like this part of France or not. We also really wanted to stay in a place that was off the beaten path and quiet and peaceful. We struck gold! The house is accurately described on the website and was an absolute joy. We loved the seclusion of the place yet being able to have a couple of wonderful dinners in the town of MIrepoix with absolutely no effort. We dined one night at the owners' friends who host meals for guests as well as friends in the area. It was the best meal of our entire trip as well as being the least expensive! The owners were very helpful in offering tips on what to see and where to eat. We like exploring vineyards as do the owners so they gave us some great ideas of vineyards to visit. If you are thinking of staying in southwest France, you will not be disappointed. No crowds, great cuisine, interesting wines and tons of historical sites to visit. The house has all the comforts of home and the area is rife with fascinating places to explore. We're already talking about returning next year.

Owner response:We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed our place as much as we do.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Magical Place!

Guest: Ken (Morris)
Date of Stay: 04/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/20/11

We stayed for two weeks at this beautiful property and it turned out to be the highlight of our two month trek through Europe. The house is delightful; it has all the comforts we are used to yet manages to retain old world charm. The country French antiques are beautiful and made us feel like we were visiting someone's home, not just a rental place. Friends came and spent a few days with us and the 6 of us were totally comfortable. The owners were extremely helpful and shared advice on what to see and where to dine and purchase wine. We fell in love with this part of France: the food, the local wines, the people, the magnificent views from the house and the historical sites. We knew nothing of the Cathares and were so taken by this incredible period of French history that we read the novel "The Labyrinth" which is set in this very part of France. If you are planning a trip to southwest France for a week or more, don't hesitate, book this house. This is a first class place at an incredibly low price.

Owner response:Thank you for your kind remarks.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

What a house! What a view!

Guest: TWY (Philadelphia, PA)
Date of Stay: 05/25/10 Review Submitted: 06/05/10

We spent an incredible week at "Montplaisir" and were thrilled with everything.....espcially the views and the home comforts. Everything is made available you could possibly want. The location is perfect for branching out on short day trips. Can't wait to get back.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Beautiful French Country House

Guest: Brian&Mary (Mississippi, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/21/10 Review Submitted: 06/07/10

My husband and I have rented properties through VRBO for the past 10 years (mostly in California). This was our first time to use VRBO to rent places in France (3 different houses) and we were EXTREMELY pleased with our choices! This house was the last place we stayed, and it was SO beautiful and SO relaxing, we wish we could have stayed there longer. The owner was extremely helpful in answering any and all questions and gave us lots of good tips about where to go, where to eat, what to see. The VRBO listing is extremely accurate with great photos. The property is SO beautiful, inside and out, with a fantastic view of the mountains and ... inside, extreme comfort. Our first order of business when we arrived was to do laundry, and the laundry room was wonderful. We LOVED the kitchen, upstairs master bedroom and bath, and English TV channels. The house was very clean and well maintained. The grocery store is a 15-minute drive away and has everything you could want. The local contact met us there and gave us the key to the house, and our directions took us right to the front door. My husband is a jogger, so he went running every morning and came back extolling the beauty of the place. We visited Mirepoix and Carcassonne, and flew out of Toulouse airport our last day. Everything went very well. We could not have asked for a better experience! We HIGHLY recommend this wonderful place!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

NOT JUST A GREAT HOUSE BUT A GREAT EXPERIENCE TOO

Guest: ML (SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA USA)
Date of Stay: 05/06/10 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

WE STAYED AT THIS HOUSE WITH ANOTHER COUPLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK IN MAY, 2010. WE ALL AGREED THAT IT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE PART OF A GREAT 3 WEEK VACATION IN FRANCE. THE HOUSE IS SPOTLESS, SPACIOUS, WELCOMING AND WELL EQUIPPED- AND WE LOVED HAVING THE WASHER AND DRYER THERE. THE VIEW FROM THE HOUSE IS OF THE BEAUTIFUL SNOWCAPPED PYRENNES. THE HOUSE IS IN A VERY PEACEFUL AND QUIET LOCATION YET CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOWNS FOR VACATIONERS. THE AREA IS NOT SO TOURISTY OR CROWDED SO WE HAD MUCH MORE OF A FEEL FOR THE LOCAL LIFESTLYE HERE. THE PROPERTY IS EXTREMELY CLEAN AND WELL-MAINTAINED. THE OWNER GRACIOUSLY SHARED HIS WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON THE AREA, IT'S HISTORY AND MANY SIGHTSEEING TIPS AND WAS VERY PROMPT IN ANSWERING ANY OF OUR QUESTIONS. THIS WAS AN EXPERIENCE- NOT JUST A RENTAL HOUSE. WE WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND IT TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS. LAST BUT NOT LEAST= THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE VALUE FOR THIS EXCEPTIONAL RENTAL.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Mark Kolt (Manitoba, Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/08/10 Review Submitted: 01/08/10

Our family (two adults, three twenty-somethings, and an 11 year old) spent a wonderful 8 days over Christmas at Montplaisir, in December 2009. The house is charming and spacious and comfortably accomodated our large group. Its very beautiful and scenic hilltop location helped make every moment there pure pleasure. Don't know whether we were especially lucky, but despite the time of year, the weather turned out to be very moderate and comfortable, with no snow except on the distant Pyrenees mountaintops one can see from the yard, and shirtsleeves weather for most of the stay. There was plenty of interesting sites to see, either in the immediate vicinity (Mirepoix, Camon, Vals) or a little further afield (our day trip to the Mediterranean down the D117 had some fantastic scenery). We could easily have enjoyed another week or two there, and hope to get back some day.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/06/09 Review Submitted: 09/06/09

Tijdens de twaalf dagen dat wij in Montplaisir mochten verblijven hebben wij het ontzettend naar onze zin gehad. Genoeg ruimte, prachtige omgeving, een huis midden in schitterende groene bossen met uitzicht in de verte op de Pyreneeën. Leuke plaatsen in de omgeving zoals Mirepoix, een stadje met meerdere kunst ateliers en een leuke weekmarkt. Ook een tocht naar Andorra, bijzonder mooie omgeving en uiteraard Carcasonne is aan te bevelen. Dus meer dan genoeg om te doen en je geen dag te vervelen. Erg aangename vakantielocatie voor iemand die ook van rust houdt!During the twelve days we were staying in Montplaisir we have had a lovely time. Enough space, beautiful surroundings, a house in the middle of beautiful green forests, overlooking the Pyrenees in the distance. Nice places nearby such as Mirepoix, a town with many art studios and a nice weekly market. Even a trip to Andorra, particularly beautiful surroundings and Carcassone off course is recommended. So plenty to do and days you do not get bored. Very pleasant holiday location for anyone who also like peace and quiet!

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Guest: Sabrina DeTurk (Philadelphia, PA)
Date of Stay: 06/12/09 Review Submitted: 06/12/09

We spent a wonderful week at Montplaisir. The view is truly fantastic and the house and amenities outstanding. Mirepoix is a lovely village and the house is within an easy drive to other interesting Medieval cities.

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Guest: Barry & Brenda Epperson (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Date of Stay: 03/11/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/09

After many months, we are still extolling the rustic elegance and exquisite appointments of Montplaisir. Which feature was best: the splendid view of the Pyrenees, sublime woodland privacy or proximity to cultural attractions (sans touristes) such as the market village of Mirepoix and ancient Carcasssonne? Not far south lies Catalan country and the mountain principality of Andorra. We enjoyed a balance of road trip destinations, local fare and quiet hang-time, frequently accompained by the supple wines of the Languedoc.

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Guest: Michael C. (-)
Date of Stay: 10/22/08 Review Submitted: 10/22/08

We were lucky enough to spend 2 weeks last August at this lovely house in Belloc, near the wonderful town of Mirepoix. All 5 of us fitted very comfortably, with plenty of room to spare. (The house is rightfully listed for 6 persons).The whole experience can be described as "utterly charming" from the quiet location of the property (high hills with prime, unobstructed views of the Pyrenees) to the sense of tradition and history. Everything is functional, solid, and no-nonsense and has been this way for centuries. We were greeted every morning by the cutest, most friendly threesome of donkeys! They became our pals as we learned to share our leftover vegetables and fruit!The area is an endless well of great visits and discoveries: Carcassonne, Toulouse, Albi, Andorre etc. And you are a close enough to the sea and great mountains for winter sports.Finally, my wife and I appreciate a good meal and good wines and the offerings were plentiful: all with great price/quality ratios (despite the value of the Euro last summer) and certainly much better values by far than the Provence/Cote d’Azur area.Would we like to return to Belloc? You bet!

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