Maison Mailhac

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Property Type: Gite Sleeps Max: 12 Bedrooms: 6 Swimming Pool: No Town: Narbonne Region: Aude Reference Number: FGD21324/F2 Contact Number: 04 68 46 07 92 Major towns and distance from property: Narbonne 20 Kms Beziers 32 Kms Carcassonne 54 Kms

Mailhac is a peaceful but active village with a population of around 330 people and locally produced wines are available at the ‘cave co-operative’. It dates back to Roman times and has documented excavations from that period. There is a general store for essential needs open on a daily basis and a post office. Plenty of restaurants are to be found in the surrounding hamlets, the nearest being Bize Minervois at 3kms distance. A large supermarket is about a ten minute drive away and Narbonne boasts many superstores which are conveniently located on the road to the beach. The village pool is a short four or five minute walk through a country lane. It is open to residents only and is always clean and usually very quiet. There is also picturesque river swimming to be enjoyed in Bize Minervois and a large lake near Olonzac offers facilities for windsurfing and other activities. The property affords a broad spectrum of interests to be satisfied being situated between mountains and the ocean with the ‘Canal du Midi’ nearby and an abundance of history in the nearby towns and numerous abbeys and ruins. There is plenty to entertain both the physically active and the more gently inclined.

The house is charming and restful. It is imposing and very spacious. Situated on the corner of two cobbled streets in the center of the village it is shielded from the midday sun by surrounding buildings thus providing cool sleeping quarters which are located on the ground and first floors. The living areas, conversely, are on the second and third floors and catch the sun throughout the day. As is typical of a house of this nature there are secluded roof terraces which offer total privacy and day long sunshine. These are perfect both for ‘al fresco’ dining and private sunbathing. In the evenings a refreshing breeze rolls off the foothills of the ‘Montaignes Noir’ while the sleeping accommodations downstairs retain their pleasant coolness due to the thick stone walls. The six bedrooms are typically furnished with double beds and a couple of bunk beds and cots are available for children. There are two full bathrooms at present and three W.C.’s and we are planning to have two more bathrooms completed for Summer 2003. There is a satellite TV system and Hi-Fi. It is suggested that guests bring their own CD’s. There is a small selection of reading materials and games. There is a microwave, washing machine and dryer. The house is readily divisible into two smaller units each with three bedrooms and one or two bathrooms. This may suit families who wish to travel together but would enjoy a certain degree of privacy. There are two fully equipped kitchens and the only common grounds would be the roof terraces.

Places of Interest

The Minervois region offers a wealth of attractions for the tourist. For example, the village of Minerve, some 12 kms distant is a fine example of Cathar history, perched on the hillside overlooking the gorges of the river Cesse. It is perfect for an afternoon stroll and some refreshment. To the south lies the ‘Canal du Midi’ and all the possibilities that it offers for boating, fishing and strolling. The cities of Narbonne, Beziers and Carcassonne are all nearby with their different flavours. Slightly further afield are Montpelier (a grand and imposing city), Sete (a little Venice), Pezenas (full of arty folk) and Perpignan (with its distinctly Spanish influence). Indeed the Spanish border is only a one hour drive south from the house and another hour and a half will see you in Barcelona. The coastal stretch is lined with unending sandy beaches and ‘etangs’. To the north is the lower part of the Languedoc National Park with its imposing scenery suitable for walkers and perfect for cyclists with its clear rolling roads. There is abundant history and numerous ruins, abbeys, churches and castles to be explored. For the less energetic there is simply the delightful scenery, warm weather, wonderful restaurants, calming waters and welcoming house.