LA PLACETTE
NEAR NARBONNE, LAGRASSE, CORBIERES, LANGUEDOC
NARBONNE HOLIDAY RENTAL
SLEEPS 4
ROOF TERRACE
SHOPS IN VILLAGE
NEAR NARBONNE, FONTFROIDE
25 MINUTES TO BEACHES
Do you want to experience the French way of life in the Midi in an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere? Then, La Placette is the ideal place for you where the French lady owner will be happy to welcome you.
Larger photo - La Placette - Living room
La Placette is a traditional stone house with shuttered windows in the heart of the village of Bizanet. It is about 250 years old and is situated in a quiet lane opposite a "placette" with benches and a mulberry tree. It has been recently restored with loving care to the last detail keeping the character of the past centuries.
The typical elements of the architecture of rural Languedoc (exposed stones and beams, ancient stone sink, terra-cotta paved floors, ancient fireplaces) give the house its charm.It is completely antique furnished exclusively with furniture of old Languedoc and decorated with taste.
DETAILS OF ACCOMMODATION
First, you enter the kitchen/dining room and the living room with their exposed stone walls and beams and their two open fire places in pure Languedoc style. The kitchen is modern fitted (4 ring electric hob, oven with grill, hood, coffee-machine, many cooking utensils). The fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, toaster and iron are in the utility room next to it. In the living room, we keep for you books, guides and documentation about the Corbières as well as French, english and german literature.
Up the curving staircase, you come to the first floor with the bedrooms, one of them with a French double bed with an en-suite toilet room (with washbasin, WC and storage space), the other bedroom has a cosy "alcove" with 2 single beds. The bathroom on the same floor has lots of character with its cast iron bath tub (it also has a WC, an extra shower and a washbasin).
Another flight of stairs leads to the 2nd floor with the fully equipped summer kitchen which opens directly onto the wonderful roof terrace. Most of the time of the year, the roof terrace, overlooking the tiled roofs of Bizanet, is the "place to stay". It is complete with original wrought iron tables and chairs, wooden deck chairs, a parasol and a BBQ. For your pleasure, all the Mediterranean plants (bougainvillea, pomegranate, lemon plant, pine trees, jasmine,) are automatically watered. Even in wintertime, it is very sunny and sheltered and is just inviting you for relaxing, enjoying your Mediterranean food, tasting the Corbieres wines.
Larger photo - La Placette
Kitchen
Bedroom with "alcove"
Bedroom with French bed
The roof terrace in Springtime
The Cistercian abbey of Fontfroide
The Cathar fortress of Queribus
Location of La Placette
Bizanet is a peaceful medieval winegrowers village surrounded by vineyards and pine trees known as the "gateway to the Corbières". With its 1098 inhabitants, it is a typical Languedoc village with quaint narrow lanes, a fountain on the church square and several "lavoirs" still in use. Remains of the former Roman church of the XIIth century can still be seen in the cemetery, those of the priory St Amans on the edge of the village. Gregorian liturgy can be attended to everyday at the monastery of Gaussan where the monks produce wine, honey and goat cheese.
In Bizanet, there is a grocery shop, a small supermarket, a baker, a butcher, a newsagent, a post office and a doctor. On three days a week, there are market stalls selling fresh fish, oysters, poultry, cheese and fruit - in walking distance from the house.
Corbières AOC-wine is sold by the litre in the cooperative. Besides, there is about a dozen private wine cellars offering different wines, Carignan, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, black Grenache and Syrah being the most frequent vines of the Fontfroide area for the red wines and Maccabeu, Bourboulenc and white Grenache for the white ones..
A jewel of Cistercian architecture, the abbey of Fontfroide, can be reached by walking amidst the "garrigue". Founded in 1065, it is renowned for its cloister and its rose garden with over 3000 rosebushes
SURROUNDING AREA
It is rich in vineyards, castles, abbeys, pretty villages and markets.
Narbonne (15 minutes away), the previous capital town of the "provincia narbonensis", is worth a visit (archbishop's palace, gothic cathedral of the XIth century, Via Domitia, Horreum). Other Roman sites are the Roman potters museum of Amphoralis and the Oppidum in Nissan.
The Canal du Midi as well as the endless sandy beaches of the Mediterranean are only half an hour drive while the World Heritage City of Carcassonne flanked with thirty nine different towers can be reached within one hour.
The visit of the fortified village of Lagrasse with its Benedictine Abbey and cobbled streets can easily be combined with a refreshing bath in the river Orbieu.
Bizanet is ideally situated for exploring the Cathar castles in stunning nature. Every season offers its botanical richness (wild orchids, iris, genets,). The fortresses of Peyrepertuse and Quéribus perched on rocky peaks offer an unforgettable view to the Mediterranean and the Canigou together. In Villerouge-Termenès, the Medieval Rotisserie of the Castle even offers medieval food ... to be tasted without forks and knives.
The main cultural highlights are: carnivals in Narbonne (February) and Limoux (January to March), brass festival in Narbonne (May), theater festival in Narbonne (July), theater, music and dance festival in Carcassonne (July, August), philosophy and literature meetings in Lagrasse (August).
Last but not least, the Corbières is a famous region for food and wine. The covered market of Narbonne and the market of Lézignan offer a big choice of fresh sea food, fish, herbs, cheese stands. Good country restaurants are within 30 minutes drive (even two with 2 Michelin stars).
ACCESS
The region is well served by international airports: Ryanair, Buzz from Stansted to Carcassonne, Montpellier and Gerona, Flybe from Southampton and Birmingham, Easyjet from Gatwick to Toulouse, BA and Air France to Montpellier. By car, autoroute A9 over Lyon to Narbonne, motor-rail with TGV service to Narbonne.
LA PLACETTE, BIZANET. SLEEPS 4
$ dollar and £ pound prices are approximate; rental costs are based on the € euro value. Rental is normally Saturday to Saturday.
A deposit of 30% must be paid to confirm your reservation. The balance is due 4 weeks before arrival. Refundable damages deposit is required on arrival. End cleaning is compulsory (€ 50). Linens, bath and kitchen towels are available on request (€ 20 per person).
| WEEKLY RENTAL 2008 | £ GBP | $ US | € EUROS |
| Jan 6 - April 28, Oct 20 - Dec 22 | £310 | $545 | €450 |
| April 28 - June 30, Sept 1 - Oct 20 | £360 | $630 | €520 |
| June 30 - Sept 1 | £450 | $785 | €650 |
| Dec 22 - Jan 5, 2009 | £325 | $570 | €470 |
Please contact:
Annie Arndt-Jeamart
Tel: (33) 4 68 45 18 66
E-mail: laplacette@southfrance.com
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