A 17th C. renovated cottage with terrace and views to Rennes-le-Chateau.
Location: Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, Europe (25 Miles from the Medieval City of Carcassonne and Airport.)
Accommodations: Cottage, 3 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 1 Bath (Sleeps 6)
Keywords: character cottage, gite, cottage, holiday cottage, holiday home,
Deep in the South of France, nestling in the foothills of the French Pyrenees 'Maison de Vigne' offers spectacular views over the surrounding countryside by day, with the twinkling lights down in the valley to remind you of your elevated position by night. The recent renovation, with exposed beams, expert stone work and tasteful decor contribute to the charm & atmosphere of this village cottage. We have 2 very good restaurants within 15 minutes walk over the river bridge in Couiza. The village of Montazels is also home to La Cave Des Haute d'Aldae, where the excellent local wines can be tasted and bought.
Maison de Vigne is at the centre of the Cathar region with hill top castles and the medieval city of Carcassonne to remind you of the fascinating and often tragic history for which this region is renowned. Just across the valley from the cottage is Rennes le Chateau, centre of a mystery still very much alive with many books written & films made on the subject. The mystery is one of sudden wealth, secret codes and a search for treasure in the latter part of the 19th C. The link with the village is very strong - in 1852 Bérenger Saunière, the priest at the centre of the mystery was born in Montazels. Just type Montazels into any search engine and take your pick of the many web sites if you wish to delve deeper. Here you will find the story that gave rise to the Dan Brown book 'The Davinci Code'.
The medieval city of Carcassonne is 40 minutes drive, or why not take the train - a 10 minute walk to the stop from the cottage. Buy your ticket on the train & travel to the heart of the city without the bother of parking. The recent best selling novel Labyrinth, by Kate Mosse features Carcassonne as its setting and her follow up Sepulchre, the nearby Spa village Rennes les Baines.
The Mediterranean coast is just an hours drive with lots of interesting villages en route and long stretches of golden sand. Our local spa villages Rennes les Bains and Alet le Bain also offer bathing in hot spa waters containing natural minerals renowned for their curative properties.
The Spanish border is just 90 minutes away with Barcelona another hour, drive just across the border and take the train from Figares, birthplace and home to a fascinating museum dedicated to Salvador Dali. You can also drive across to Andorra for fantastic scenery, skiing & duty free shopping.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer : We have an automatic washing machine for guests to use.
- Linens Provided : Bedlinen and towels are available for up to 6 people. We offer a reduction for couples (2 people using one double room).
- Off Street Parking : Parking space is in a designated area in the centre of village.
- Wood Fireplace : In addition to central heating the wood burner is great for chilly winter evenings.
- Wood Stove
- Beds
- Double Bed (2) : We have 2 double rooms on the 2nd floor with views over the Aude Valley.
- Twin/Single Bed (2) : The 3rd floor of the cottage has a bedroom with 2 single beds.
- Convertible Bed : We have a 'Z' bed available on request.
- Crib : A travel cot is available for babies.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV : French TV or UK satellite programs are available using a multi signal dish.
- DVD
- Video Library : A selection of DVDs are available for guests to enjoy.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library : A selection of music CDs are available to guests.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : A fully equipped kitchen with all you need for a comfortable stay including a 4 ring stove, gas oven, toaster, coffee maker, glasses, cutlery, plates and dishes.
- Cooking Utensils Provided : An extentive range of cooking utensils are provided.
- Refrigerator : A fridge and freezer are provided.
- Dishwasher : A dishwasher is provided for guests to use.
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio : The terrace at the front of the cottage looks across the Aude valley. A table and chairs for alfresco dining and sun loungers for taking it easy are provided.
- View/Location
- Mountain View : Views accross the Aude Valley to Pech Cardou and the Pyrennees.
- Monument View : The property enjoys a beautiful view accross the Aude valley to Rennes-le-Chateau and the hill top Coustassa Castle.
- Communications
- Telephone : Local phone call are included within the rental cost. The cottage has excellent mobile telephone reception.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : The cottage has free, fast & unrestricted WiFi access.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Rafting
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Horseback Riding
- Museums
Rate Details (In Pounds Sterling)
October 2011......450GBP/week
Nov-Dec 2010......350GBP/week
Jan-Feb 2012......450GBP/week
March-April 2012..495GBP/week
April-June 2012...550GBP/week
July 2012.........650GBP/week
August 2012.......695GBP/week
September 2012....650GBP/week
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2004
After a spell working in beautiful rural North Shropshire UK, we are back in equally beautiful rural Northamptonshire, where we have 3 grown-up children and 7 grandchildren.
Why the Owner Chose Carcassonne
We fell in love with the Languedoc after a holiday there and it was our first thought when we decided to buy a place in France. The Languedoc has many attractions on different levels - History, Scenery, Culture, Climate and Character. Midway between the Mediterranean and the Pyrennees it seemed the ideal spot to enjoy the French Experience. In just an hours drive you can be at the beach in summer or the piste in winter. We love the mountains and viewing the mountains at close quarter was what we wanted. The elevated position of Maison de Vigne means we are blessed with fantastic views from every window. The terrace at the front of the house fronts onto the lane with occasional local pedestrian traffic which is great for improving your French language skills.
The Unique Benefits of this Cottage
Maison de Vigne is at the centre of the Cathar Region with glorious views to Rennes-le-Chateau and Coutassa Castle from the vine shaded terrace and all bedroom windows. We have 2 wonderful caretakers in the village who ensure the cottage is always kept in first class condition, and are ready to welcome you to Montazels. We have furnished the cottage with everything we need for a second home in France. We bought Maison de Vigne because we loved it and over the last 6 years have been delighted to find, through the pages of our guest book and post holiday emails, that our guests seem to love it too
Property Photos
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- A 17th C. renovated cottage with terrace and views to Rennes-le-Chateau. - Carcassonne Cottage with Countryside Views
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- 'Maison de Vigne' after sundown, view through the front door to the lounge. - Carcassonne Cottage with Countryside Views
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- Early morning view through the mist from the house to Coustaussa Castle. - Carcassonne Cottage with Countryside Views
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- Character Cottage with log burner plus full central heating.
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- The fully equipped kitchen for all your catering needs.
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- Lounge leading onto the terrace.
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- View from the front door of Maison de Vigne towards the Pyrenean mountain range.
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- The Green Room.
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- The Blue Room.
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- View from the Blue Room across the Aude Valley.
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- The twin room - great for kids.
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- Seating 6, the large dining room is great for family meals.
Traveler Reviews (8)
bliss in the South of France......
Guest: lisaweyler
(Cortes Island and Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/07/11
Review Submitted: 10/20/11
Our family of five had a wonderful time at your beautiful French country cottage. It was all that we hoped for....a step back in time, quiet, restful and with stunning views all around. Our excursions were adventurous,everything from exploring Cathar castles, witnessing ancient cave art, swimming in the Mediterranean and visiting wonderful towns like Foix, Colliure and Tauteval. Thank you for a memorable holiday which filled up our hearts.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway.
Maison de Vigne
Guest: CJR
(Perth, Scotland)
Date of Stay: 10/14/10
Review Submitted: 10/22/10
Maison de Vigne is a charming house, in an excellent location for sightseeing. The views from the 1st floor bedrooms are to be recommended. Our party (4 adults & 2 children) enjoyed the homely comforts of the house for 6 nights. The local neighbours are very friendly & welcoming. We were greeted with several waves & shouts of "Bon Appetite!" while enjoying tasty snacks of bread, accompanied with local cheeses, pate & of course, a glass or two of wine, on the narrow terrace to the front of the property. On that note, we wandered along to Domain St.Jacques (local vineyard) and despite a few language barriers were welcomed to enjoy tasting of a number of the differing varieties. The property has two main bedrooms, which are both spacious with comfortable beds. The 2nd floor has a further characterful bedroom with sloping eaves & 2 single beds, which my two teenage children thoroughly enjoyed. Although there is only one bathroom, we did not consider this to be a significant issue. Otherwise, the house is spacious & well equipped. While the main living room is relatively small, this is countered by a good-sized dining room where we enjoyed a number of family meals. Carcassonne (about 40km) is well worthy of visiting, while we also enjoyed a number of local walks along the Aude & visiting other places. Limoux & Quillan are close by, giving access to a number of large supermarkets.Would definitely recommend this property.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+.
17th Century Cottage
Guest: Anne
(North East Lincolnshire)
Date of Stay: 09/05/10
Review Submitted: 09/17/10
Our stay in this beautiful cottage was very relaxing and enjoyable. The cottage is exactly as it is shown in the pictures. It is very well maintained and well stocked. The location is very central to many stunning locations and beauty spots. During our stay, we visited Carcasonne twice, both during the day and to see the beautiful castle at night. We also drove into Andorra, which had spectacular views along the way, albeit the road being a little scary due to the height. We also took the advice of the owners who recommended a visit to Mirepoix. This was a lovely place to enjoy a meal in the Medieval surroundings. We visited many different places during our stay, too many to name, but we found the neighbours and locals very helpful with suggestions for restaurants, taxis etc. A very enjoyable trip all round. I would definitely recommend this cottage to a friend, and would certainly consider returning.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+.
Charming house with a view
Guest: Couple With Small Child
(San Francisco, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/01/10
Review Submitted: 09/06/10
My husband, son and I spent one night in this lovely home. It is charming -- tastefully decorated with furnishings that look brand new. The place was spotlessly clean. The beds were comfortable. The bathroom has a wonderfully deep tub with plenty of water pressure for the shower attachment. There are nice big floor fans in the bedrooms. The owner was incredibly responsive, managing to arrange for us to rent the property at the last minute (literally -- I called him at 3pm and we checked in at 6:30pm) and making himself accessible for questions. He also quite graciously offered to refund us part of our rental fee when we were suddenly called home and could only stay one night instead of the planned four. The caretaker (an English woman) was warm, welcoming and very helpful. The house is cozy and is perfectly sized for a couple or a couple with a child. The two bedrooms we used were good-sized and airy (I didn't see the third bedroom but also wasn't looking for it since I had misread the posting and thought there were only two), but the living room is not very large. There is, however, a separate dining room. There was plenty of room for us and our 2-year old son, but if you're thinking of bringing a child, I would recommend that the child either be pre-walking or school-aged, not an active toddler. The stairs are steep, the second-story bedroom windows could easily be climbed out of if you open the shutters, and the front terrace depicted in the photo is only about 3 feet wide and steps down directly onto the street, a very narrow street with a blind corner (though thankfully not a busy street by any means). There is the town square just up the hill a bit, so an older child could be trusted to walk up there cautiously to play, but there is no outdoor space that is part of the house's property for kids to play. We weren't there long enough to explore the area, but the view from the house was wonderful and the neighboring town of Couiza, which we drove through, looked charming and unspoiled. We very much enjoyed our brief stay and would highly recommend this property (unless you have a toddler).
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, age 55+.
Perfect Week in Montazels
Guest: Kingbird
(New York, US)
Date of Stay: 01/30/09
Review Submitted: 06/14/10
This lovely cottage was a wonderful location for our family to spend a week. It was clean, comfortable, and ideally located on a hillside above town. The housekeeper was very helpful as we had very little French and the neighbors friendly. Everything was within easy walking distance: the countryside, market towns, an organic food store, the train station, and a cafe. We could have stayed all winter.
Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.
Guest: Rob & Michelle
(-)
Date of Stay: 12/16/08
Review Submitted: 12/16/08
I can safely say the house was the nicest place we have stayed in. The decor, excellent renovation, comfort, location, welcome champagne, maps and information, wood burning stove, library, friendly neighbours, tranquillity, and friendly cat all added greatly to our holiday. Thank you.
Recommended for:
Guest: Lydia & Alun
(-)
Date of Stay: 12/16/08
Review Submitted: 12/16/08
We had a wonderful time in your lovely cottage and will definitely recommend it. The cottage is actually bigger than it appears on the web site, and prettier too!
Recommended for:
Guest: Steve & Debbie
(-)
Date of Stay: 12/16/08
Review Submitted: 12/16/08
Want to stay forever - thank you for letting us stay in your lovely welcoming house. We came to find the treasure and realised that it was here, within!
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #218511
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