Home description

This is a spacious and comfortable, luxurious and well-equipped apartment within a beautiful converted chateau, with magnificent views towards the Pyrenees and outstanding countryside.

There is a pool for exclusive use by residents and guests, and a picnic area within the grounds.

The nearby village of Cuxac-Cabardes has everything you'd need, including restaurant and bar, supermarket, two bakers, a butcher and pharmacy.

Or within 30 minutes you could be strolling around the incredible ancient Cite de Carcassonne.

Closer to home are the nearby horse-riding stables, or you can simply explore the many paths and tracks through the local woods and forest of the adjacent National Park.

The chateau is set in an area of outstanding beauty, and it is impossible not to feel completely relaxed within minutes of arriving!

Accommodation detail

The spacious and comfortable apartment consists of an open-plan kitchen and lounge, affording stunning views towards the Pyrenees. The view changes by the second and you can sit and gaze for hours at the beautiful scene, which often includes horses grazing just outside the window. There is a swimming pool for the exclusive use of residents and guests.

• The high-ceilings throughout the apartment add to the feeling of spaciousness. The lounge area is tastefully furnished with leather seating, intimate lighting and is equipped with a media entertainment centre and English TV and radio is usually available on satellite. There is also a DVD player with many films to choose from. You will find a quality hi-fi system with CD player and i-Pod dock. There is a comprehensive selection of CDs, and for music lovers even a record deck and plenty of vinyl LPs, as well as a library of books.
• The two large and comfortable twin-bedrooms (each have separate en-suites with shower and sink), and are tastefully furnished with chairs and double wardrobes. The twin beds can be separated or placed together to form a double, (using an ingenious piece of foam down the middle). Bedding and towels are provided for up to four people.
• The open-plan kitchen and dining area is modern and well equipped and has everything you would need - whether you wish to cook a gourmet meal or prepare a simple snack. We can also arrange a locally home-made meal to be brought to you if you wish to stay in and you fancy a night off from cooking.
• There is a separate toilet and sink, which is accessed from the hallway. Storage facilities are provided for the additional sunloungers and deck-chairs, which can be taken to the communal area outside, to the pool, or to the nearby lakes if you wish
• There are also four bicycles for your use; two road-bikes and two mountain-bikes.
• There is usually complimentary wine in the rack, beer in the fridge, spices on the shelf and food in the cupboard.
• Everything is geared to making your stay as easy and relaxing as possible!

 

About the location

Le Petit Chateau is set within a community consisting of apartments and houses where everyone makes an effort to promote the peace and tranquillity of the area for the benefit of all concerned.

There is very little in the way of traffic, and there is a communal free car park opposite the chateau. Street lighting helps to make the area feel safe and secure.

An abundance of lovely walks are all around. The unspoilt National Park woodland is just a few metres from the chateau, and you can drive, cycle or walk down the hill to the local village of Cuxac-Cabardes. Or you could follow one of the several delightful paths through the woods.

There are riding stables, situated very close to Le Petit Chateau. Horses and ponies are available to adults and children for lessons or for hire.

It is when you enter Cuxac-Cabardes that you discover why so many people love it. You will find all that you need - a small supermarket, a butcher, two bakers, a pharmacy, and of course the friendly bar with excellent (and very reasonable) restaurant.

A small river runs through the village, with picnic benches alongside, and also a magnificent church welcomes you in the centre of the village.

There are many beautiful nearby villages, including the neighbouring Fontiers-Cabardes, Montolieu, Aragon and Saissac.

The market town of Revel is also well worth a visit, and its market on Saturdays is highly recommended.

The Medieval Cite de Carcassonne is a World Heritage site, and you will see just why when you visit. It is only half an hour away, and finding your way around, and parking, is easy.

If you like shopping, the 'new' part of Carcassonne, which is still old and very French, is full of boutiques, bars and restaurants. The street market in the main square is great fun, whether you just want to buy some local vegetables, or sit outside at one of the bars and watch everyone else do their work.

The Canal-du-Midi runs through the centre of the city, and walking, cycling or jogging alongside is a complete delight.

The town of Mazamet is about the same distance in the opposite direction, further into the Black Mountains (Montagne Noir), and has a regular market and many interesting shops, bars and restaurants. There is a breathtaking view of the town as you approach it.

You could board a train at Carcassonne station and travel to Toulouse, or to the coast at Narbonne, or even to Spain. Barcelona is only around three hours away!

Other closer attractions include the 18-hole Carcassonne golf course, and several local supervised lakes which have sandy beaches and full facilities.

Because of the varied terrain, you are never far from the active sport of your choice, such as rafting, canyoning and climbing.

The Camurac ski resort is about 90 minutes from Carcassonne, so why not consider a winter break in Le Petit Chateau, if skiing is your interest?

Narbonne Plage has beautiful beaches about an hour away from Carcassonne, and its nearby town of Gruissan is definitely also worth a visit. You can drive, or take the train from Carcassonne.

Why not gain the benefit of our experience and local knowledge, and tell us what it is you are looking for in your holiday? We can advise and help, send links to particular websites, call tourist information centres for you, and generally help you plan a holiday of a lifetime.

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

How to get here

By far the easiest, and usually the cheapest way to travel, is by air, the nearest airport being Carcassonne, served by Ryanair.

This is only about 25 kms away, with an easy and pleasant drive, by-passing the city centre, and staying on one main road marked 'Mazamet', until you reach Cuxac-Cabardes.

Very soon after leaving the airport, you will be driving alongside the Canal-du-Midi, and along typical French tree-lined avenues. The road is un-congested and well sign-posted. Your holiday will have already begun the moment you step off the plane!

As well as Carcassonne, Ryanair also flies to other nearby airports - Nimes, Montpelier and Perpignan, all of which are around 90 minutes away. Toulouse airport, served by BA from Heathrow, is also around an hour and a half from Le Petit Chateau.

Le Petit Chateau is in the South-West of the country, about 55 miles inland from the Mediterranean coast, in the region of Languedoc-Rousillon.

If you prefer to drive from England, we'd recommend a two-day journey - which would be much more relaxing and enjoyable.

A fun alternative would be to let the train take the strain. The excellent French railway will take you to Montpellier or Toulouse, and from there you can get a local service to Carcassonne, or hire a car, for the remainder of the journey.

It is easy to hire a car at the airports, but if you want a driving-free holiday, we can arrange for our English friends who live in our neighbouring village, to collect you from Carcassonne. Their charge is likely to be less than the cost of a taxi.

After reaching the village of Cuxac-Cabardes, Le Petit Chateau is just a few minutes away, higher up in the hills. Full directions will be provided prior to your holiday.

Rest assured, it is easy to find, and the directions are well signed. Or if you like we can arrange for you to be met at the local bar in Cuxac-Cabardes, taken to Le Petit Chateau, and shown around to help you settle in.

Whichever way you decide to go, we will be happy to help and advise you when planning your route.

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

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Facilities

Facility	Details
Type	Apartment (Self-catering)
Bedrooms	2 twin
Spare beds	2
Bathrooms	2 bathroom(s)
Separate toilets	1
Capacity	4
Living Area	68 m²
Suitability	Non-smoking, Suitable for children, Touring motorcyclists welcome, Unsuitable for wheelchair access
Changeover day

Facility	Details
Internal facilities	Board Games, CD player, DVD player, Electric heaters, English satellite TV, Hairdryer, Hi-fi system, MP3 Player, Radio, TV, Weekly maid service
Kitchen facilities	Combination microwave, Electric hob, Electric oven, Fridge, Ironing facilities, Washing machine
Other	There is a well-appointed hifi system, with quality speakers, ipod docking, vinyl record player and cd player, plus a large selection of cd's, dvd's and vinyl records, plus also a portable cd player and radio for your enjoyment. The TV is flat-screen with built-in DVD player, and the satellite provides English TV and Radio. The open-plan kitchen includes a good-size combination-oven consisting of convection, microwave and grill. There are four electric hobs set in the work-top, and all the pots and pans you'd need to prepare a gourmet meal. There is also a coffee maker and mini-food processor provided. The fridge has an ice-box and tray.
External features on site	Barbecue, Garden, Scenic views, Swimming pool (shared use)
Other	There is a communal picnic table and bench just outside the front door of the chateau, perfect for setting up your bbq and eating alfresco. Or just sit and relax with a book under the shade of the tree. Comfortable seating is provided for your use, which you are also welcome to take with you to the nearby lakes, and there are sun-loungers provided by the swimming-pool.

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Additional price information

• A discount applies to the weekly rate if you provide your own bedding and towels.
• Whole weeks, midweek and weekend breaks can be booked (changeover days are flexible depending on availability).
• Cleaning service can be arranged, with small local charge.
• Provisions pack can be provided, with small local charge.
• Complimentary wine and beer is provided.
• Collection from, and return to, the airport can be arranged.

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