Minervois cottage

Minervois cottage is a 3 bedroom gite providing 90 sqm of space for a maximum of 6 people. The ground floor comprises an open plan kitchen, dining and living area. Leading off of this is a double bedroom. Upstairs are 2 further bedrooms (one double, the other twin) and the bathroom with a shower/bath and a separate WC. Outside is a patio area with table, chairs and a BBQ.

The gite is within Domaine de Barthe, an ancient wine domain located in the Aude valley which joins the Corbiere and Minervois wine regions. It is surrounded by vineyards, yet is only a kilometre away from the villages of Douzens and Blomac and 2km from the larger town of Capendu with many amenities. The domain is set within 2 hectares (5 acres) of its own vines and is a few hundred metres from the river Aude itself. Being only 50 kilometres from the coast, it is in a true Mediterranean climate zone.

Guests will also be able to enjoy shared communal areas for leisure and relaxation including;

The 14m x 6m swimming pool; which is located within a secure fenced area in a secluded walled garden, just beyond the main courtyard. There is also a large sun patio with loungers and small tables plus an area for shade and a shower.

The activities/games barn contains a wealth of local information and maps and a large selection of children's toys and boxed games. In addition, there is a well-stocked library, a table tennis table, a pool table, a dart board and a table football table. There are various table topped wine barrels and chairs which are ideal for soirées and activities.

Place de Barthe (’village’ square) is just beyond the courtyard side gate. Here there are brick built barbeques and seating and tables providing a great ‘al fresco’ space for outside soirées. There is also a 'covered' full size petanque court, laid out within the huge hangar (open barn), so you can enjoy the traditional pastime out of the summer heat!

Situated in the heart of the wine regions, we are perfectly placed to explore this unspoilt area. Only 50kms from the Mediterranean coastline where you can relax on miles of quiet sandy beaches, visit traditional fishing villages, have lunch in a lively marina or wander around the old Roman town of Narbonne where the Canal du Robine runs through the centre.

The area is famous for its Cathar castles and the spectacular mediaeval Cité of Carcassonne which is only a 15 minute drive away, steeped in history and offering a complete enclosed city of shops, restaurants, original buildings, cobbled streets and ramparts to explore.

The Canal du Midi - the famous French heritage canal dating back to the 17th century, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean, runs nearby where you can walk or hire bikes and cycle along it’s picturesque banks, take a boat out or just sit at one of the restaurants and enjoy a cool drink or taste one of the speciality regional ‘plat du jour’ (meal of the day).

You can also indulge in the region’s main attraction – the wines! There are many ‘wine caves’ locally offering you the chance to educate your palate on the various exceptional Reds, Whites and Roses by having a wine tasting and buying bottles (or en vrac) at very reasonable prices.

For the more active there is swimming, water sports, tree top adventure course and picnic areas at ‘Lac Cavayere’, cycling along the Canal du Midi and canoeing on the River Aude all within easy access.

Several bars & restaurants nearby and a supermarket, with fuel (all within 2 kilometres). There are many local independent winemakers offering tastings and sale of local produce.