Holiday cottage in the Midi Pyrenees, Ariege

The Cottage details

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View from the hill behind the house

View of the village of Engravies

Cottage

Home description

The cotage is situated in a lovely village called Engravies in the Ariège region of the Midi Pyrénées. Engravies is a very small pretty medieval village situated in a wooded valley with a small stream flowing through. Staying in Engravies and traveling around the local area is like pressing a time machine’s rewind button, fascinating history is everywhere in this sun-gilded pocket. The cottage is situated in a private, tranquil and rural setting overlooking surrounding rolling hills. This is a perfect getaway for lovers of French countryside, gourmet food and wine, exploration of historical sites, relaxation and unwinding combined with rich cultural experience. The village is also a walkers, hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders paradise (as there are horses to rent right in the village). Picturesque walking and riding trails that wind through the foothills of the Pyrenees begin right from the doorstep of the properties.

A recommendation from previous guests:

“Dear Jason and Galina
 
Many, many thanks for letting us rent your beautiful villa in the Pyrenees. We had such a peaceful and relaxing stay. Over the last 15 years we have rented many different types of apartments/ villas/ gites in Europe some on a budget and a few with no expenses spared.  We were all agreed that yours was the nicest villa we had stayed in for a very long time - a spectacular setting, fantastically equipped and in one of the friendliest areas we have visited in a long time. We did not make quite as many trips as we had planned because we enjoyed spending time at the villa so much, but what we saw of the surrounding area was beautiful and interesting. 
 
Please thank Pepita again for us when you next speak to her - she is a real treasure and made our stay very pleasant. I am sure we will visit again soon, perhaps in the winter - Pepita convinced us that it would be the most romantic place to spend Christmas!
 
Many thanks again
 Amanda, Matthew, Molly and Kate Askham”

External features on site

• Garden
• Scenic views
• Barbecue

Accommodation detail

The cottage living room

Lovely and spacious 1-bedroom cottage

The cottage is a perfect romantic and relaxing retreat for couples. It comprises of one large double bedroom with a king-size bed, a very well equipped kitchen and large living room that opens to a south-facing terrace. The terrace and the garden enjoy lovely views of the beautiful rolling hills.
The Cottage has been completely renovated to modern standards and has brand new bathroom with WC, sink and large bathtub/shower, tiled floors in the living room, wood burning fireplace as well as gas heating to provide comfortable living for all seasons.  The kitchen has a microwave, gas stove, fridge, washing machine and all the gadgets that you might need to cook wonderful meals from the fresh foods that you can buy at local markets. There is a barbeque on the terrace for cooking outside.

About the location

Engravies
Engravies is the name of the little hamlet where the property is located. This tiny medieval village is in the hart of the Southern Midi Pyrenees, a slice of France that used to fall between the cracks in the guidebooks however: today it is being billed as the next Provence. The Midi is the national term for south of France but compared to Provence and the Riviera, the South -Western Midi is still largely untouched by tourism. The region, spoilt by the sun, has ochre-hued villages that belong to a different time. Here, lunch often lasts till 3 pm, which is good because once you try the region’s cuisine most likely you will become a big fan. The local specialties include such delights as cassoulet, duck confit, buttery foie gras, trout from the Mountain Rivers, sheep’s milk from the sheep raised in the mountains, wild boar and wild mushrooms. France is all about food, and it doesn’t get better than this and you can wash down all this excellent fare with wines that come from vineyards that many experts consider to be the most exciting wave of vineyards in France: full bodied Corbieres, Minervois and something you must try, the local `Blanquette de Limoux`, a local bubbly from near by Limoux that predates champagne by a century or so.

Staying at the property you are will be right in the hart of the Cathar area. In 1208 the catholic pope launched a crusade against Cathar heresy, which had taken a strong hold among the people of this region. The crusade led by Simon de Montfort finally stamped out the heretics but in doing so devastated the area. In a bid to escape their assailant, the inhabitants sought sanctuary in impregnable hilltop fortresses, enduring many months of siege until finally succumbing.
The ruins of these mysterious and legendary fortresses still stand proudly in wild and beautiful surroundings.

Château de Montsegur situated on top of a rocky mountain of some 1200 m, Montségur is the most legendary of all the Cathar castles. Impressive in its beauty and with its history of drama, it is the Cathar castle not to miss. The spectacular site is a 35 minute drive from the cottage through interesting villages and beautiful scenery.

Other Cathar Castles of exceptional dramatic beauty that are only a short drive away and are well worth discovering include: Castle Puilaurens (Lapradelle, direction Quillan), Fortreses of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse (in the direction of Perpignan toward the Mediteranean).

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

Activities near by

Walking, Horse riding

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

Engravies is very easy to get to. The closest International airports are Carcassonne (60km) and Toulouse (80km). Most major airlines fly to Toulouse including BA and Air France. Ryan Air and Easy Jet, the UK discounts airlines fly direct from London to Carcassonne which is 45 minutes drive from the properties.

A Rental car is more or less essential. We usually rent a car and pick it up right at Toulouse airport and drop it off there as well; at the Airport they have all major rental car providers.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.