Set within south west France, this luxuriously equipped home comes highly recommended offering spacious, well-appointed accommodation throughout. The property has a large private heated pool set back in the tiered garden to give an amazing view whilst swimming or sunbathing.
If you haven't been to Couiza before then prepare to be impressed, with a lovely old town, it's own fortress (Ducs de Joyesue) and nestled beneath Renne le Chateau.
Places to eat locally:
Couiza is blessed with four excellent restaurants that we use regularly. They range from low price to reasonable to ‘time for a treat’.
Le Cantou is visible from the kitchen window, always handy for checking when it is open. We have enjoyed lunches and dinners here. Generally only 2 to 3 dishes on each day as it is freshly prepared, French style in this small, family run restaurant. There is a small seating area outside for warm summer evenings and is often frequented by locals.
Le Carnotzet is a firm favourite and we never have a stay in Couiza without going at least once. Recently renovated to a very high standard the couple who run this restaurant are warm and welcoming. A good menu awaits, served with style, in the upstairs eating area that has a wine bar feel to it. Do try their adaptation of the local Blanquette with chestnut. Lovely as an apperitif.
Ducs de Joyeuse is a fabulous dining experience in the local castle. People travel quite a distance to eat here so we are very lucky to have it in the village. The owners are charming and will help you enjoy their menu without a sense of pretention for this high quality restaurant. Eat inside in the vaulted dining area or outside in the courtyard. Surprisingly reasonable for the quality of food and setting, set menus start at 29 euros per person (prices as at last time visited). Arrive in plenty of time to enjoy an aperitif in the bar which is in a small vaulted old ammunitions store.
Le Petit Buffet is the newest addition. It opened in December 2017, and is already extremely popular with the locals. Run by a Moroccan, Jusef, it features all the Moroccan classics with meat that falls off the bone due to the long slow cooking. Choose from a number of options that allow you to choose from the starter, main or dessert buffet and just keep going back. If you fancy a night in but don’t want to cook they also do take aways.
We highly recommend all of these restaurants as well as plenty in Limoux and the surrounding villages. We have provided a book of cards for recommended restaurants in the house.
You will find good access to local amenities here, while exploring further afield where expanses of unspoilt scenery and enchanting villages are yours to discover.
The property is located in Couiza a commune in the Aude department in southern France.
It is located at the foothills of the Pyrenees, on the road between Limoux, going towards Carcassonne and Quillan, going towards Perpignan. Couiza, at the top of the Haute Valley of the Aude, is at the foot of the hill leading to Rennes-le-Château and is on the Aude River.
Getting to the house is easy with four airports to choose from. Our favourite is Carcassonne just 35 minutes away followed by Toulouse with frequent flights and just 1.30 mins drive on easy roads/motorway. Two further options are Perpignan and Beziers, just 1.15 mins and 1.30 mins away respectively.
Our twin room can be made into a double bed easily (superking size) please just let us know when you enquire/book.
The location provides plenty of opportunities to explore the local area. Enjoy visiting various tourist sites, for example the City of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, Rennes les Chateau - the castle made famous by the Da Vinci Code, Limoux, the Cathar Castles, the medieval town of Mirepoix, Alet-les-Bains, a once walled city with its own abbey, see the markets in Couiza and Esperaza, visit Saint-Hilaire Abbey and its various medieval villages.
The area offers activities for people interested in hiking, climbing, horse riding, cycling (mountain biking), canoeing and skiing. By car, the Pyrenees ( about 2h), the Montagne Noire (Black Mountain, 1h), Barcelona (approx 3hr) and the sea (approx 1h) or just relax on the balcony while drinking good local wines and eating a variety of local cheeses.
The small town of Couiza is located at the foothills of the Pyrenees, on the D118 between Limoux going towards Perpignan. It is at the top of the Haute Valley of the Aude at the foot of the hill leading to Rennes-le-Château and is on the Aude River.
Close to vineyards, within walking distance of café bars, restaurants, post office, cash point machine, tourist information centre, and distance of café bars, restaurants, post office, cash point machine, tourist information centre, and boulangeries. This is a place to recharge your batteries.
The location provides plenty of opportunities to explore the local area. Enjoy visiting various tourist sites, for example the City of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, Rennes les Chateau - the castle made famous by the Da Vinci Code, Limoux, the Cathar Castles, the medieval town of Mirepoix, Alet-les-Bains, a once walled city with its own abbey, see the markets in Couiza and Esperaza, visit Saint-Hilaire Abbey and its various medieval villages.
The area offers activities for people interested in hiking, climbing, horse riding, cycling (mountain biking), canoeing and skiing. By car, the Pyrenees ( about 2h), the Montagne Noire (Black Mountain, 1h), Barcelona (approx 3hr) and the sea (approx 1h) or just relax on the balcony while drinking good local wines and eating a variety of local cheeses.
The small town of Couiza is located at the foothills of the Pyrenees, on the D118 between Limoux going towards Perpignan. It is at the top of the Haute Valley of the Aude at the foot of the hill leading to Rennes-le-Château and is on the Aude River.
Access to the whole house, gardens and pool. Private and not shared.
