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Detached villa & flat in quiet stunning streamside location near the sea - Villa Heureuse
| Sleeps | 8 |
| Bedrooms | 4 |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
| Space | 1,291 sq. ft. |
| Property type | villa |
| Minimum Stay | 7 - 14 nights |
Overview
Villa Heureuse
This villa is suitable for up to 8 people. A comfortable spacious villa which has been newly renovated to a high standard. In front of the property a large Romanesque courtyard leads to the private entrance. For younger children this area can be closed off. There are a whole host of terraces to choose from for sunbathing, reading a good book, or eating or drinking 'En Dehors' The shared gate leads to the stream where you will also find a large natural swimming pool which has formed as part of the stream.
Inside the hallway leads to 2 double bedroom with en-suite bathrooms, family bathroom, Separate W.C & large sitting room/dining room with fully eqipped kitchen area leading to a large balcony overlooking the stream. Most rooms have French windows, plenty of sun & doors to the terraces outside. A spiral stairway leads upstairs to the 3rd & 4th bedroom which can be joined or separated. A large private roof terrace offers plenty of sun & magnificent views.
Villa Heureuse & Apt Riviere
The villa & apartment make the most of breathtaking views over the tumbling stream, whilst the terraced gardens offers both sun & shade. They are planted with palms, yuccas & Mediterranean plants.
Each property has it's own private area outside. The shared gate leads to the stream & natural pool great for swimming, fishing & exploring nature. The sound of running water & birds chirping help get you strait into the holiday mood. This is a place where you can really relax & unwind, yet is close to so much.
THE VILLA: Inside 9 rooms including 4 bedrooms offer plenty of space. French doors let in plenty of sun & allow you to enjoy the amazing views. From the sitting room a balcony overlooks the stream.
Upstairs the 3 & 4th bedroom are joined or separated by a sliding door. They lead too a large private roof terrace.
APARTMENT RIVIERE: Outside large patios & terraced gardens lead via a private entrance to the two bedroom apartment also offering magical private views over the cascading stream & gardens.
On entering there & a double bedroom which leads to fully fitted kitchen/dining/sitting room. From here you will find a bathroom with walk in shower, bath & WC & the 2nd bedroom with 2 single beds. It's all on one floor. The main bedroom & sitting room area have large floor to ceiling windows.
The villa & apartment each has it's own ping pong table.
Natural swimming pool & ping pong: Children or adults alike can while away hours looking for fish (bring a net or buy one locally) swimming or just enjoying a BBQ surrounded by blissful natural sounds. If you are the sort of person who enjoys being in a really natural environment & prefers the idea of pure mountain water to chlorine, but likes to be close to the action, this is for you. The Edge of the pool shelves gently, so it is a good place for children to practice swimming under supervision. The waterfall cascading into the pool is a constant pleasure to watch & ensures the water remains clean. Older children & adults love to jump in from the rocks above! Click on our website for more photos & video.
In winter spring & autumn the stream often surges after rain which is quite thrilling. In summer it continues to flow more quietly. It NEVER dries out.
There is a gate separating the properties from the stream to keep children safe, but obviously you must use prudence especially with young children.
Near to everything: The villages of Sorede & Laroque Des Alberes are only 5 minutes by car & offers a full range of shops & restaurants. The roads in the area are very easy & though the villa is in nature, there are houses round about, so it is by no means cut off from civilization. This is a wonderful place in summer to escape the crowds & is a welcome few degrees cooler with good air. In spring & Autumn everything is green & flowering so it is also a wonderful time to come. In winter it's also popular with guests who are looking for low rates & central heating.
Please click our website link for more details.
Space,comfort, great weather, walks & WIFI: The villa especially, is very spacious with large rooms. The sofa & chairs are comfortable & the furniture good quality. We are always updating, improving & listening to guest feedback.
For rainy days there is TV & WIFI but with an average 300 days of sun a year & warm micro climate there are not many of these!!
This area offers one of the best climates in France which is why the French have secretly holidayed here for years.
Walking is a great pleasure especially off season when it is cooler. There are a huge array to choose from, whether you are a casual walker or up for long hikes. Many are possible strait from the villa & apartment.Great for bird watchers also.
There is of course also the possibility of renting both the villa & the apartment if you are a larger group.
For those interested we also offer craniosacral massages for 40€
About James & Caroline Postlethwaite
We are an English family living in France. I trained in England as an Osteopath & Naturopath & James as a Medical Herbalist, yoga Teacher & writer.
Now my interest is in sharing in & discovering & opening to the deeper truth of ourselves, so that we can let go of limiting beliefs & flower into our infinite potential & be true to our hearts & souls.
So many of us have got caught up in living life on survival level only & living according to others expectations. Yet as we turn inwards again we discover who we really are on a deeper level. We can again discover our true heart center, our authentic self & live from joy. Anyone for whom this resonates is welcome to speak to me about this. I am also happy to offer healing massages.
Why James & Caroline Postlethwaite chose France
I am in awe of the situation here & the power & beauty of the river & wildlife. It's so healing & reinvigorating. To be honest James & I completely fell in love with it as we could see it's potential, even though when we bought it, it had been quite neglected. It has been an ongoing project of love which we continue to upgrade & improve. I feel so grateful to be able to share this with you. It's a real joy to see our visitors unwind & relax on holiday here.
What makes this villa unique
The views & situation are so unique. To have a natural pool to swim in right outside the property is just amazing. I love to swim in nature myself & feel so happy to give you this opportunity also. Children love it, as do adults, so it's really win win.
Being close to many other pretty villages sea & shops is also a bonus. It is though, useful to have a car as Sorede is about 40 mins walk & uphill on the way back.It is a beautiful walk much of it possible along the river. Also a great spot for keen cyclists or bird watching.
Map
Sorede is an undiscovered gem nestling in the foothills of the Alberes, part of the Pyrenees, yet only 10 mins from the sandy Mediterranean beaches & sparkling sea which is blue flag rated & clean.
This enchanting village has several good restaurants & all the necessary amenities & shops including: boulangeries, bank, post office, children’s playground & tourist information office. It's attractions include a twice weekly market, turtle zoo & riding stables.
Sorede is very authentic & friendly. A thriving local population means it is open for business all year round.
From Sorede you are well situated to visit many other interesting places including vibrant Ceret Market (overflowing with local produce) & museum of modern art. Perpignan 20 minutes drive. Beautiful Colliure, a romantic seaside village is a must.
Spain's Costa Brava, Girona & Barcelona are in day trip range.
Mountains, thermal bathes & ski slopes are all accessible.
This is a great base for sun, sea & sites either for a family or a couple.
Other Activities: hiking, cycling & all water sports
Golf: 20 mins drive to Golf Course.
Ski: Skiing is possible in 1.30 mins drive.
Available Rentals
Notes
Linen is available to hire for £6/ 7.50€ per person per week.
Cleaning is available for 15€ per hour.
For July minimum 2 week booking.
Reductions for couples possible. Please ask.
Amenities
Sorède Villa Accommodation and Amenities
- villa (detached)
- Guests provide their own meals
- 1291 sq. ft.
- Check-in: 4:00 PM /
- Check-out: 10:00 AM
- Max. occupancy: 8
- Children welcome ...
- Parties/events not allowed
- Pets not allowed
- Non smoking only
- We ask that you are respectful to neighbors & quiet after 10pm & early in the morning.
- Mountain
- Near The Ocean
- Waterfront
- Adventure
- Away From It All
- Budget
- Family
- Historic
- Romantic
- Rustic
- Sports & Activities
- Tourist Attractions
- Activities Guide
- Hair Dryer
- Heating ...
- Internet
- Iron & Board
- Linens Provided ...
- Living Room ...
- Local Maps
- Local Restaurant Guide
- Parking
- Sunbed
- Towels Provided ...
- Washing Machine
- Wireless Internet
- Blender
- Coffee Maker
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishes & Utensils
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Grill
- Kitchen ...
- Microwave
- Oven
- Pantry Items
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Toaster
- Child's Highchair
- Dining ...
- Dining Room
- seating for 8 people
- 3 Bathrooms
-
Bathroom 1 -
toilet
,
combination tub/shower
,
shower
,
The WC is separate
Bathroom 2 - toilet , shower
Bathroom 3 - toilet , shower
- The main bathroom comes with full size bath & separate walk in shower. The other bathrooms has a modern walk in shower. All newly installed in 2011
- 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8
-
Bedroom 1 -
1 queen
,
A travel cot is available
Bedroom 2 - 1 king
Bedroom 3 - 2 twin/ single
Bedroom 4 - 2 twin/ single
- The upstairs bedrooms can be joined or separated as required.
- Books
- Books for Adults
- Books for Kids
- CD Player
- DVD Player
- Games
- Games for Kids
- MP3 Dock
- Ping Pong Table
- Radio
- Satellite / Cable
- Television ...
- Toys
- Video Library
- Balcony
- Deck / Patio ...
- Lawn / Garden
- Outdoor Furniture
- Outdoor Grill
- Terrace
- 8 garden chairs
- 4 beach chairs
- Long-term Renters Welcome
- wheelchair inaccessible
- Communal Pool ...
- Massage
- autumn foliage
- botanical garden
- caves
- churches
- festivals
- library
- museums
- nude beach
- playground
- recreation center
- restaurants
- theme parks
- water parks
- waterfalls
- winery tours
- zoo
- beachcombing
- bird watching
- horseback riding
- paddle boating
- scenic drives
- sight seeing
- walking
- ATM/bank
- Babysitter
- fitness center
- groceries
- massage therapist
- medical services
- cycling
- fishing
- fly fishing
- freshwater fishing
- golf
- hiking
- jet skiing
- mountain biking
- mountain climbing
- mountaineering
- paragliding
- sailing
- scuba diving or snorkeling
- snorkeling
- swimming
- tennis
- water skiing
- wind-surfing
Reviews
Excellent!
4.4/5 -
(30 traveler reviews)
Family Holiday
We spent a wonderful fortnight in the villa with 2 teenage boys and our lively 4 year old daughter. We had a fantastic time and the children had alot of fun playing and swimming in the rock pools every day. It can get very hot during the day in August and this was a perfect way to relax and to cool down. It was very special and magical to barbecue on the rocks in the evening and watch the bats diving into the water. The close proximity to Spain makes it an ideal place for a two centre holiday - we drove onto Barcelona for the final weekend of our holiday. Thank you for introducing us to this region of France!
Lovely setting but the apartment was dirty on arr
This review refers to the apartment beneath the villa. Apartment La Riviere is in a beautiful, mostly tranquil riverside location; but it was left for us in a very dirty state by the owners. Our overall impression of it was shabby with poor quality furniture and furnishings. It has seemingly not been maintained at all for quite some time, either through a good deep clean or decoration.
The worst points were; the filthy greasy washing up bowl, dish drainer and stained sink, a dirty under sink cupboard, a smelly dishwasher (the filter full of food particles), and pots and pans with food scraps still stuck to them. In the lounge area the wall light-fitting was full of flies and dirt, the walls stained. In the bathroom the towel rail was covered in thick dust on every bar, the sink stained, the bath plug had hair in it, the extractor was covered in thick dirt and dust, the plastic shower panels badly water marked and the soap tray rusty with old used soap left in it. The corners of the floors in every single room had dirt and dust gathered in them. There were too many other things to list here, but this gives a general idea. We spent two hours doing essential cleaning to make it habitable.
When we emailed Caroline and James shortly after our arrival to list the areas where cleaning was severely lacking, Caroline's initial reaction was that we arrived early and so caught her out (we actually arrived at 4:15pm, only 45 minutes earlier than we said we thought we might, but 15 minutes after their own official arrival time of 4pm). She did offer to come the next day and clean again. However, as she had already claimed to have spent the whole of the previous day cleaning prior to our arrival, we did not see why her coming back to clean yet again would improve the situation. We also did not want any further fuss or interruption to our holiday with cleaning that should have been done properly in the first place.
This could be a lovely apartment but needs some serious and urgent attention.
The garden and river is beautiful, the natural pool is popular with locals and visitors. The town has most of what you need but you have to drive as it is a 40 min walk each way.
Lovely views
Lovely views from back of the house down to river with cute natural pool for swimming.
Well equipped kitchen with everything you need for self catering holiday. Great outside areas for eating great.
Owners James very helpful and friendly.
Would only say that it should be advertised as 3 bed-roomed rather than 4 bed-roomed house as my 22 year old son had to sleep on a camp bed on a landing at the top of the stairs. He had no privacy and the space was stifling hot.
Lovely Property, Great space for a family
We stayed for just over 2 weeks at Caroline and James' lovely property. The back garden provided plenty of exploring opportunities for our sons, and most days were spend down on the rocks fishing, or floating in the natural pool. There was lots of space for the 4 of us (including two teenagers) and Caroline and James could not have been more welcoming and friendly. They went out of their way to make sure that we had everything we needed and helped with every aspect of our stay. We were not planning on visiting this part of France again before staying here, but we definitely be back! We only scratched the surface of the amenities nearby but we loved the tortoise sanctuary and the beach at Argeles was wonderful. Easy to get to everything and Sorede was a great little town with a bakery we visited often! Thank you Caroline and James for everything x
a truly beautiful place
We, a family of four with two small boys (2 and 5) spent a lovely week in the Villa heureuse. The house is spacious and the veranda very nice to sit on in the evenings and listen to the stream rustling and to see the bats skipping in and out of the trees. The kids simply loved the stream, played forever in the rock pools, looked for frogs, dragonflys, fish... Nature is very beautiful and there are lovely short and long walks to take in the mountains nearby. Plenty to see and do in the area as well, and Sorède is a friendly place with a great boulangerie. :) We´d love to be back sometime!
A quiet, peaceful and idyllic holiday location
I came to Apartment Riviere on my own because I lost my wife recently, and over several years we had stayed in property owned by the Postlethwaites, but never this one. We had experienced the outstanding service and support that they offered, and my stay here was no exception. The apartment was well equipped, clean and everything worked. Caroline and James were very supportive during my stay, and obviously conscious of my situation. I would recommend this property without reservation to anyone who appreciated a lovely location, plenty of walks around, and who thrived on peace and quiet. A minor disadvantage is that you need a car to get around. The village of Sorede is just over a mile away, a lovely walk to get there, but uphill to get back! Small price to pay for these surroundings.
Photos
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