country house rental in Beziers, Herault, Languedoc-Roussill

Location and Area Details

The Languedoc climate is Mediteranean, with hot dry summers, generally mild winters, and moderate springs and autumns. You can expect to get 300 days of sunshine a year in the Languedoc.

Located between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, the Languedoc is the idea base for a holiday. Whether your aim is to sit back with a book and a glass of wine enjoying the scenery and the good food or to have a more active holiday, you will not be disappointed.

The area is a wine lovers paradise- the vineyards of the appellation St Chinian meet the vineyards of the Minerve/ Herault at St Jean de Minervois (famous for its Muscat), just 2 minutes drive (10 minutes walk through the Garrigue) from Gimios. Saint Jean has a small, friendly restaurant converted from the former village school, general shopping and more restaurants are found in Bize Minervois and St Chinian - both 10 minutes drive by car. There is swimming in the river at Bize and St Chinian has a range of local shops - newsagents, bars, restaurants, patisseries, butchers, electrical shops, 2 supermarkets and interesting markets each Thursday and Sunday.
The scenery of the Languedoc is stunning and the climate lends itself to walking, cycling, climbing and canoeing. The National Park of the Languedoc is situated round St Pons (35 minutes by car) and canoeing/kayak centres are found near Muriel (30 minutes drive). For the history lover there are the Cathar castles to explore and the old Cathar stronghold of Minerve (with an excellent restaurant in Summer) is twenty minutes away.
The nearest larger towns are Beziers and Narbonne (originally the 1st Roman City after Rome), both approximately 40 minutes by car - Montpellier (1 1/2 hours)and the legendary Carcassonne - easily acessible by motorway or smaller roads in 1 1/4 hours.
The Canal du Midi runs through the region and there are plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling and eating along its banks.
The Mediterranean resorts of Narbonne Plage, Valras Plage, Sete and Gruissan are easily reached - none is more than an hours drive and colourful, local markets are found throughout the region.
For the rugby fan, there are fixtures at Narbonne, Beziers and Perpignan.
If you are interested in trips further afield, Spain and Andorra (Ski slopes) can be reached in about 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Just over the spanish border is the town of Figueres where the superb Dali museum can be found. Barcelona is around 3 hours drive.


Local Attractions:
The towns of Beziers and Narbonne
Wine tastings and tours of wineries at the large number of vineyards & Chateaux
Rivers to swim in at Bize Minervois and at Roquebrun/ Reals
Many villages with excellent restaurants within a short drive
The Mediterranean coast
Boats can be hired or trips taken on the Canal du Midi
Fantastic walking/cycling country
Rugby fixtures at Beziers, Narbonne, Perpignan
For longer trips, the Pyrenees/Andorra or Barcelona
This is Cathar country – Cathar sites & Chateaux to be explored
Canoeing, cycling, climbing, walking, horse-riding, tennis and golf are all in the area.

The property is approximately 1 1/2 hours drive from the airports of Perpignan, Carcassonne and Montpellier and less than an hour from Beziers. It can also be reached from Nimes, Toulouse and Girona although these are slightly further away.

Ryanair fly to Beziers, Perpignan, Carcassonne, Nimes, Montpellier and Girona /BA fly to Toulouse and Montpellier/Flybe fly to Perpignan/Air France fly to Beziers via Paris/BMIBaby fly to Toulouse
The Eurostar/TGV goes to Beziers

You will need to hire a car to reach the hamlet and for visiting the area – cheap rates are available from the car hire firms at the local airports.

Property Description
A three-storey, two bedroom house located in a small hamlet surrounded by the vineyards of the Languedoc. The house, built in the 19th Century, was originally occupied by a vineyard owner. It has been sensitively renovated, whilst retaining several original features including a wine press in the private courtyard, the tiled stone staircase and a beautiful marble sink.
The ground floor comprises a "sejour" with comfortable seating, woodburning stove and dining table and chairs. This leads through to a bright, modern kitchen and utility room with fridge, cooker and microwave. The courtyard (with table, chairs, barbeque and patio heater) is accessed from the kitchen - in Summer it is shaded by fig and almond trees and its surrounding walls offer complete privacy.
On the first floor are a spacious shower room/toilet and a bedroom with a double and single bed. The master bedroom takes up the whole of the second floor with double bed and magnificent views over the surrounding countryside from windows on both sides.

This is the general location

Outside this Self catering country house in St Chinian, France

The country house is in a very quiet area. It has a garden, a patio area (with heater), a barbeque.