small private house nestled in the heart of historical Aniane..

I am called Catriona and I am a retired (but still active) fashion designer but now involved in another life as a garden designer and owner of a garden called Le Jardin des Rossignols. Guests staying in the house are always welcome to come to the garden which is about 10minutes away from the house! I have always loved having friends to stay so decided to invite paying guests to use the main part of the house and I will be living on the ground floor which is totally independant from the top two floors, with its own entrance.

I first came to the Herault valley about 25 years ago in the search of garden pottery and discoverd the jars and vases in St Jean de Fos close by an,d the vases from Anduze. In 2004 my husband Charles and I decided to move to the area to be closer to my then producers as I had started to import the vases into the UK and beyond. The whole area is magical with wonderful walks among the vinyards,villages and the hills above the gorges de l'Herault river nearby. the sea beaches are about an hour away, and great towns such as Montpellier,Arles,Nimes and Beziers all within reach by car or even bus!

My house is behind the Mairie in the heart of Aniane. It is a narrow house but with the angular triangular shape makes it feel a lot bigger than it actually is. The old beamed ceiling in the large open plan living room gives the house an authentic feel of bygone years where many families must have enjoyed their meals and life through the last 2 or maybe 300 years! I have a small but private terrace on the 2 nd floor where I have grown some mediterranean plants and shrubs. above your head the swallows and swifts circle around the town screetching warnings to themselves as the odd kite circles above them! up the corner of the house has been planted a beautiful rose Pierre de Ronsard which has now climbed up to the top bedroom window. In late summer it will re flower and is home to sparrows and the odd gecko scrambling up the branches in search of insects. It creates a welcomed shade across the windows in the heat of the day. The house has a lot of art on the walls . My husband was a painter and much is work is hanging alongside several wellknown english artsist such as Sandra Blow,Edward Bawden and Noel Forster. There are a large number of books as well - both fiction and non fiction . all are available to guests during the stay but please leave on departure!