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2 LANGUEDOC RENTALS - MAISON JAQUAIRE AND BREUGHEL APARTMENT
EACH
SLEEP 6 IN 3 DOUBLE BEDROOMS
RENT THE BOTH UNITS TO SLEEP 12 OR MORE
WI-FI INTERNET ACCESS
SECURE GARAGE PARKING FOR MOTORCYCLES
IN CESSENON, ON RIVER ORB
NEAR ROQUEBRUN, ST CHINIAN, BEZIERS
5 MINUTES WALK TO RIVER SWIMMING
RESTAURANTS AND CAFE BARS IN VILLAGE
LOVELY WALKS, CANOEING, WINES
LONG TERM RENTALS AVAILABLE AT ATTRACTIVE PRICES
Cessenon itself being in the Orb river valley is ideally situated for many outdoor activities including kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking and hill walking. The wonderful twisty roads all around are perfect for motorcycling.The river has many river beaches and is safe for swimming.
By choosing to stay here you can relive history. Half the house, now known as the Breughel apartment, has 17th century origins as the Palais de Justice of the picturesque village of Cessenon. A small flight of stone steps brings you to the original 17th century studded door of the old court house which still retains its original key, nearly a foot long and weighing a good 2lb! Take it away at your own peril! There was a small trap door at the top of the stairs where food was thrown down to the prisoners below. This can still be seen in the cave below.
The other half, now known as Maison Jaquaire, was a house originally built as a safe haven for the pilgrims travelling to St. Jaques de Compostelle in northern Spain.
On the right hand corner of the house you'll find the scallop shell "Jacquaire" which symbolised a safe house where pilgrims on their long and arduous journey would be welcome.
ACCESS
International airports are within easy driving distance - Montpellier (60 mins), Carcassonne (60 mins), Toulouse (2 hours), Barcelona (3.5 hours), Beziers (30 mins). There are railway stations at Beziers (15 mins) and Narbonne (40 mins) with TGV connections to Paris.
Cessenon holiday rentals
Maison Jaquaire and Apartment Breughel
Cessenon with river for swimming and sun bathing
BREUGHEL APARTMENT
Sleeps 6
Walk up the ancient stone steps until you reach the original studded wooden door (listed and therefore maintained by the mairie) of what was the 17th century 'palais de justice' for the village of Cessenon.
As you slowly open the door leaving the harsh sun of the Languedoc behind stepping into the cool interior you can feel the history. Another flight of internal stone steps take you up to the arched door of the apartment past the little internal courtyard (large enough to sit outside and enjoy a barbecue on a balmy summer's eve).
Breughel - 17th century open fireplace
A little lobby takes you directly into the Breughel-esque kitchen with its huge open fireplace unchanged since the 17th century except newly painted in the traditional basque red.The kitchen allegedly had a hatch in the floor where food was thrown down to the prisoners below during its days as a courtroom!
The kitchen accommodation offered is fairly basic (as reflected in the very reasonable rates charged) but is fully equipped with all the utensils, crockery, cutlery, etc for preparing a simple meal. As well as the gas cooker there is brand new microwave with grilling facility.
The courtyard has a barbecue.
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Beyond the kitchen are three bedrooms. The first (with double bed) is directly opposite the kitchen. The large family bathroom with bath-tub is off the little lobby before you enter the kitchen. There is a washing machine in the bathroom. Clothes can be hung out to dry in the little courtyard.
The 2nd bedroom is along the corridor and can either have a double bed or twins (please specify at time of booking).
The third bedroom has two singles (extra large) and has its own brand new en-suite shower room (with W.C.).
All bed linen and towels are also included in the price!
The apartment has been described as very quaint exuding historical charm......
Breughel Apartment entrance
Breughel Courtyard
Original kitchen sink!
Breughel - Double bedroom
Breughel - Bedroom window
MAISON JAQUAIRE
Sleeps 6
The other half of the house now known as Maison Jaquaire, was a house originally built as a safe haven for the pilgrims travelling to St. Jaques de Compostelle in northern Spain.
On the right hand corner of the house you'll find the scallop shell "Jacquaire" which symbolised a house where pilgrims on their long and arduous journey would be welcome.
The front door and window of the house resemble a shop window (that was its last use - we believe a bicycle shop) and opens directly into the very sunny dining room with large dining table to seat up to 6 people. The traditional furniture, pictures and accessories complement the original languedocienne staircase at the far end of the room leading directly upstairs to the first floor studio room.
The first room at the top of the stairs is a bright double aspect room which doubles up as a sitting room and extra bedroom. It contains a wet bar making entertaining easy!
The other rooms fan out from here featuring the main bedroom, with wood laminated flooring, opening onto the bathroom. The 2nd small bedroom (ideal as a dressing room) opens onto the same bathroom
The rooms are all quite 'quirky' with uneven floors with their quaint windows and doors; all in character with the ancient history of the house.
Maison jaquaire is charmingly decorated with a mixture of traditional antique and modern furniture complementing each other to create a very cosy 'ambience'.
See for yourself......
The two original glazed doors open directly from the dining room in sharp contrast to the newly refitted modern kitchen with white ceramic gas hob and matching electric oven. There is a large fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, microwave and all the smaller appliances you would ever need. You can step out of the kitchen to a tiny outside gravelled space, with plants and a couple of chairs, which we think was originally a small lane featuring two beautiful stone arches - there is enough space to bar-b-que.
The large garage is accessible from here.
Jacquaire - Dining room
Maison Jaquaire
Jaquaire - Kitchen
Jaquaire - Sitting room with TV
Jaquaire - Dining room with stairs
The river and beach at Cessenon
Village fountain
Canoeing on the River Orb
Roquebrun
View Maison Jaquaire and Apartment Breughel, Cessenon, Holiday rentals in Languedoc in a larger map
ABOUT CESSENON AND AREA
Cessenon nestling in the valley of the Orb is a very pretty village centred around the solid 14th century church. There is a large square with the mairie at one end; opposite you'll find a lovely butcher's shop, the bank and the local hotel with bar and restaurant. In the summer they extend their tables and chairs into the main square.
On the other side of the road is another bar where you can also sit outside and enjoy the summer sunshine. In high summer they serve snack-style lunches.
If you want a really lovely lunch or atmospheric candle-lit dinner you must visit Maison d'Emilie the smart restaurant run by a delightful and very welcoming English couple. The food is authentic French but with a little twist of their own to give it that slight edge...... their new menu rustique is to die for! All the ingredients are totally fresh and they even gather their own herbs straight from the local hillsides.
There are no less than three bakers, a tabac, a newsagents and an 'open all hours' general store close by. A little further towards the river you'll find the large '8 à 8' supermarket near the post office providing everything you'll need for basic shopping without having to drive into the large town of Beziers.
On the other hand you should not miss a visit to Beziers with its magnificent cathedral and wonderful central boulevard where every Friday you can discover the amazing and colourful flower market. Other attractions of Beziers include the theatre, the many bars, restaurants and boutiques but most of all the incredible Fiesta known as the Feria which occurs in the middle of August each year when the whole ot the city becomes a huge Spanish festival. You don't have to go to the bull-fight to soak up the atmosphere.
On the other side of the river, crossed by a magnificent suspension bridge, discover the large river beach with a camp-site just behind. During the season an outdoor pizza parlour and bar invites you to partake of its fayre.
Looking back across the river from this side is the lovely view of the village topped by its 12th century tower.
Further up the road from Cessenon you'll find the beautiful town of Roquebrun perched on the edge of the escarpment leading up from the river. Roquebrun has a famous Mediterranean garden open to the public.
Canoeing on the River Orb is only one of the activities on the doorstep and for the less sporty simply pack a picnic and relax on one of the river beaches all day.
ACCESS
International airports are within easy driving distance - Montpellier (60 mins), Carcassonne (60 mins), Toulouse (2 hours), Barcelona (3.5 hours), Beziers (30 mins). There are railway stations at Beziers (15 mins) and Narbonne (40 mins) with TGV connections to Paris.
MAISON JAQUAIRE AND BREUGHEL APARTMENT
CESSENON, NEAR BEZIERS, LANGUEDOC
Payment is in Euros (€) - £ (pound sterling) and $ values are only approximate
Discounted rates for longer-stay lettings of one month or more. 6 month contracts at very good long-term rates
| WEEKLY RENTAL RATES 2011 - BREUGHEL APARTMENT - SLEEPS 6 | £ GBP | $ US | € EURO |
| WINTER (+ HEATING) | £135 | $220 | €150 |
| APRIL, MAY, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER | £225 | $370 | €250 |
| JULY, AUGUST | £315 | $520 | €350 |
| WEEKLY RENTAL RATES 2011 - MAISON JAQUAIRE - SLEEPS 6 | £ GBP | $ US | € EURO |
| WINTER (+ HEATING) | £180 | $295 | €200 |
| APRIL, MAY, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER | £270 | $445 | €300 |
| JULY, AUGUST | £405 | $665 | €450 |
 For reservations and more information contact cessenon@southfrance.com Tel +33 (0)4 67 90 67 46 |
| Fitou, has a very good reputation for its excellent wines. The lively village is a short drive from Mediterranean sandy beaches! | |||||||
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