Newly Built Villa with Swimming Pool in Mediterranean France

Villa Les Aiguilles details

Home description

Villa Les Aiguilles is a charming, newly built, cut stone villa located in the beautiful Languedoc region in the South of France. The villa is one of a small group of cut stone houses built in the traditional style around a lovely courtyard overlooking the pretty village of Durban and its medieval castle. Enjoying a peaceful private garden, this lovely house sleeps 10 adults in 5 bedrooms with stunning views over the unspoilt countryside. Complete with private heated pool and magnificent secluded deck, Villa Les Aiguilles is the perfect location for an idyllic holiday in this still undiscovered yet easily accessible part of Mediterranean France.

The property has been interior designed and features a fully integrated kitchen with aged stone worktop and tiling and terracotta tiled floors. All walls will are finished in Meditteranean pastel colours. To the rear there is a tiled patio with plenty of shade, an integrated barbecue - the perfect setting for a warm, relaxing, Mediterranean evening. The secluded gardens will be well stocked with a variety of plants and shrubs, with an underground irrigation system. The 9 x 5 metre pool has a stepped end and is surrounded by a magnificent hardwood deck area on which to sunbathe or admire the views of the surrounding countryside and the stunning ruin of Durban Castle. The patio and deck will be equipped with a sun loungers and parasols.

Accommodation detail

The interior of the villa:

The villa can accomodate up to 11 people. Villa Les Aiguilles is beautifully appointed to the highest standards and fully equipped with a every modern convenience - a perfect home from home in which to enjoy the unique pace and ambience of Languedoc. A short drive from airports at Carcassonne, Perpignan, Toulouse and Montpellier, the surrounding area has a wealth of attractions.

Ground Floor

• Large lounge / dining-room with fireplace and wood burning fireplace.
• Open plan kitchen with aged stone worksurfaces and breakfast bar.
• Kitchen store room.
• Bedroom 1: Twin beds with sliding door leading on to pool deck area.
• Bedroom 2: Twin beds with sliding door leading on to pool deck area.
• Bedroom 3: Twin beds.
• Large shower room and WC.
• Wardrobe / changing area, with 2 large, shelved wardrobes with sliding doors.

Outside

• Magnificent terracotta tiled terrace with built in barbeque leading to (via steps)
• Pool (9m x 5m) with beautiful hardwood deck surround. The swimming pool will benefit from removable fencing and fall detectors for security purposes. External shower. Leading to (via steps) small secluded garden planted with a range of shrubs and flowers. Single garage and additional parking for 2 cars.

First Floor

• Bedroom 4: King size bed, built in wardrobes with sliding doors
• Bedroom 5: King size bed, built in wardrobes with sliding doors.
• Secluded and private sun deck surrounded by 1m wall.
• Bathroom with lovely stone basins and colourful tiles from Bisbal in neighbouring Catalunya.
• Separate WC.

General Comments:

The villa is fully south facing and enjoys a completely uninterrupted view of the ancient Cathar ruin which dominates the village. The ruin is framed almost centrally, through the south facing windows and doors of the lounge (leading through to the pool terrace) and the upstairs bedrooms (leading on to a private sun terrace). Stunning views over the hills and surrounding countryside.

Kitchen facilities: Dishwasher, Washing machine, Fridge, Freezer, Halogen hob, Electric oven, stainless steel extractor chimney.

About the location

Villa Les Aiguilles is ideally located 30km from the Mediterranean sea at Cap Leucate and within easy reach of the ancient cities of Perpignan (60km) and Carcassonne (65km), both of which enjoy excellent transport links, including rapidly expanding international connections (Ryanair from London Stanstead to Perpignan or Carcassonne). The major metropolitan centres of Montpellier and Toulouse are both 120 km, while over the border in Spain, Girona (Ryanair from London Luton) is 150 km and Barcelona 230 km. All are well served by excellent motorways and frequent rapid rail-links.

The region of Languedoc-Roussillon still remains something of an undiscovered treasure. Nestled along a 300 kilometre expanse of unspoilt beaches between the Cote d'Azur and the Spanish border, blanketed in vineyards and bisected by the Canal Du Midi, the Languedoc enjoys a sun-drenched Mediterranean climate. Daytime temperatures average 30°C in summer, while the annual daytime average is around 22°C.

Durban - Corbieres: the town of Durban, dominated by the inevitable ruined castle, is the centre of the part of the Corbières, where small villages are linked by narrow, winding roads. Although Durban itself is on the "main" D611 road, close to civilisation! There has been a settlement here since Roman times. The château on its hill is a reminder of the chequered history of the Languedoc, criss-crossed throughout history by opposing forces; it was originally built by the kings of Aragon and was remodelled in the 16th century. As always, it's worth climbing up to admire the view. Durban itself is a typical Mediterranean village with a tree lined main street.

The village centre (a short walk or cycle (if you are feeling energetic), ensures that all essential amenities are close at hand, including a supermarket, petrol station, patisserie/boulangerie, post office, bank, doctor’s surgery, pharmacy and hairdresser, although the walk back up the hill might ensure you are ready for a dip by the time you get back with the croissants.

Fontjoncouse (8km / 8mins): in the village a restaurant run by a Michelin-starred chef, Gilles Goujon, serving food which is amazingly refined and elegant while still bursting with the local flavours of tomato, olive oil, goats' cheese, thyme ... definitely worth the trip.

The Beaches: Peyriac-de-Mer (20km / 20mins), another fishing village on the bank of the lagoon. Drive slowly, and admire the view. Part of the lagoon has been declared a nature reserve, and this is a good place for spotting flamingos, herons, storks, and other maritime birds. The smaller Etang de Doul, near Peyriac, has the notable feature of being 43% salt ... comparable to the Dead Sea! Swimming, or rather floating, in it is an interesting experience.

A delightful road from Peyriac-de-Mer takes you along the narrow strip of land between the shore and the salt marshes to:

Bages (32km / 35mins) is a picturesque fishing village on a steep rocky outcrop overlooking the Etang de Bages with its transient population of pink flamingos and other waterfowl. There is no longer much commercial fishing here, but it is increasingly popular with holidaymakers.

Sigean (22km / 25 mins): the kingdom of pink flamingoes, egretrs and seagulls, the Bages and Sigean lake covers an area of 13,600 acres. A natural expanse of water trapped between dunes and marshes, the sea and the plain. This is the home of the popular Réserve Africaine (safari park), founded in 1974. Absolutely unmissable if you have children, its 300 hectares (660 acres) next to the lagoon are home to more than 3000 animals, reptiles and birds of about 160 different species, most but not all from the African plains.

Port-la-Nouvelle (27km / 30 mins): is a popular resort with miles of sandy beaches, lots of entertainments during the summer. However as it’s also an industrial port you have to first go past some rather unsightly refinery buildings before getting to the beach. Once there however the beach is lovely. Great for kids. Explore the beaches around Sigean (2.5km from lagoon), Bages and Peyriac-de-Mer.

Gruissan (45km / 45mins): a village, port and beach rolled into one. The port is only recently built but is lively and friendly. Along the beach there are some strange chlets on piles used for location shots for the odd french film. Great for sun-bathing or wind-surfing on either the lake or sea. Nice sandy beach with little cafes on the beach and nearby.

La Franqui (38 km / 40 mins): to the north of Cap Leucate, protected from the wind by that rare event on this coast, a cliff, and shaded by pinewoods, is La Franqui, a small bathing resort 4 km from Leucate village. This is the oldest resort on this part of the coast, and the beach is lined with splendid thirties villas adorned with balconies, their large windows looking out over the sea.From the headland above La Franqui there are stunning views over the coast and the Mediterranean itself; it is a popular spot for walking and mountain biking, particularly in spring when the limestone outcrops are covered with flowers. It is also about the only place on the coast where you can go hang-gliding.

Narbonne Plage (48km / 50 mins): a little resort at the foot of the Montaggne de la Clapoe on a stripo of sand only 500m wide. Seafront of no particular interest but at one end of the resort there is a small 600 berth marina. There is also a nearby water amusement part Aquajet, which is fine but nothing special. More suited to younger children than adventurous teenagers or adults!

Nearby main towns:

Perpignan (60km / 55mins): Peripnya is first and foremost a Catalan city. Nestling between mountain and sea, the economic cultural capital of Rousillon. The city was born of the mneeting between Mediterranean civilisations and is today strongly influenced by Barcelona, capital of the new Catalonia. It’s boisterous students, sunny, palm –lined squares and good food and wine make it a great place to visit.

Carcassonne (60km / 55 mins): the city’s drawbridges, machicolations and 52 towers can be visited on foot, by train or in an open carriage. It was this fortified city that provided Walt Disney with the inspirationfor the castle in his version of The Sleeping Beauty. Carcassonne is world famousand unique in terms of it’s architectural heritage. The lower town, with it’s lovely 13th-C bastion is also worthy of a visit.

Narbonne (35km / 35 mins): pleasant to wander aroundthe town with its historic remains, in the shade of the plane trees, through narrow winding streets, along the bank of the Canal de la Robine. Also has a great indoor market open daily full of fresh local produce and great smells. Local Corbieres wine en vrac. Also a superb Olympic sized swimming pool (50m long) and an 85m flume at the Espace Liberte.

The Cathar chateaux: This chain of ruined fortresses stand on the top of limestone outcrops and can barely be be distinguished from the rocks on which they were built 600 years ago. These strongholds overlook dizzying sheer drops and offer superb views overvthe surrounding garrigues and sun drenched vinyards. Chateau de Queribus(30Km / 35mins). A 10 min. climb to the top. On a clear day you can see the Pyrenees and the sea Chateau d’Aguilar (18km / 20mins) Chateau de Termes Chateau de Peyrepertuse (38Km / 40 mins). After a stiff 20 min. climb you reach the Chateau de Corbieres. From the top of the San Jordy rock there is an exceptional panoramic view of the surrounding area. Chateau de Puilaurens Excursions on foot or horseback. Local companies offer excursions into the Cathar country following in the footsteps of the Bonhommes exploring the range of landscapes, criss-crossing the magnificent countryside. Fontfroide Abbey: (25km / 25mins).

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

Activities near by

Bird Watching, Boules, Canoeing, Cycling, Fishing, Golf, Gourmet dining, Hiking, Horse riding, Mountain biking, Parachuting, Paragliding, Sailing, Swimming, Walking, Water sports, White water rafting, Wind Surfing, Wine tasting, Wine touring

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

How to get here

Please contact the owner for full directions.

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