Land with Planning Permission on the River Cesserie

Property description

Building plot for sale on the river Cesserie with approved plans for 4 bedroom villa and pool in the beautiful Herault National Park.

• Approx 35 minutes from the Mediterranean
• 20 minutes from Narbonne
• Carcassonne airport 35 minutes
• Approx 1 ½ hours from the nearest ski resort
• Montpelier about 1 hour
• Beziers about 30 minutes

From 99,000 Euros - plus £5,000 deposit

The plot

If you are looking for tranquillity, this is it. The land is situated in a hamlet near Aigues Vive, bordering the black mountains. If you love water, the bottom of the garden borders a river and you have your own private view upstream (where we thought a barbecue would be nice).

The land is not in the flood zone and has already been passed for the construction of a villa. I am an English builder who was going to build the house but bad debts in the UK have forced the sale.
If you want me to complete the original house for you I can do this at a cost of 200,000 euros (about £165,000) . If you don't like the approved house designs, these can be modified or changed. An architect designed property costs around 1,000 euros per sq metre and you can build up to 300 sq metres on the site (that's huge).

The hamlet of Caihol has mobile shops that visit most days - so you don't need to get in your car. However just five minutes away is the large village of Aigues Vive, which has 2 restaurants, a supermarket, large boulangerie (bakers) an epicerie, a hairdressers, a garage, a tabac, a tourist information centre and several chateau for wine tasting.

The area

The area is fantastic for walking, cycling or driving. The scenery is stunning. I stood in the garden and was mesmerised by the eagles soaring. I sat by the river and just watched the clear water move over rocks and an hour passed.

It is one of the least expensive areas of France, has the hottest and driest climate.

Local attractions:

• Narbonne - great Thursday market, castle and unfinished cathedral. Indoor farmer's market, lively square and pavement cafes.
• Carcassonne - the medieval restored Cite is reported to have 57 turrets and interesting shops and restaurants.
• Cathar castles of Queribus and Peyrepertuse
• The Pyrenees mountains - with the little yellow train that takes you high up to the mountain's ski resorts and plateau.
• The beaches - miles and miles of unspoilt fine white sand beaches. We like Gruissan and St Pierre, about 35 minutes from the building plot.
• Eating and drinking - there are many wonderful country restaurants that surround the village (all within five or ten minutes drive).

Activities for children

There is lots for children in the area. They certainly seem to enjoy exploring all the castles nearby and learning about gallant knights and sieges. They can paddle in the shallow crystal clear waters of the river or swim at the Espace de Liberte in Narbonne, with all the slides and flumes. There are five local beaches to choose from with over 25 miles of fine sand.

Building your house or villa

If I build the house for you, the fees can be paid in stages (i.e. 20% on commencement, 20% when the walls are up, 20% when the roof is on, 20% when the first fixing is done, 15% for second fixing and 5% retained until completion.) You should allow about 10 months for the completion of the house.

If you would like further information, please contact us.

The Villa will be a delightful and spacious property set on the edge of the sleepy hamlet of Cailhol just minutes from the village of Aigues Vives, just a few miles from the historic village of Minerve. Centrally located for everything you need. The villa is being totally built by an English builder and could be ready by January 2008.
Cailhol, a unique hamlet location in the Herault department of the Languedoc, lies on the south-facing slopes of the foothills of the black mountains. To the north the hills rise to meet the densely wooded Parc National Haut Languedoc; to the south the open garrigue descends to the vine-covered plains around Narbonne (25 mins), with the Mediterranean a further10 minutes from Narbonne
The area is renowned for its wildlife, birds, innumerable varieties of butterflies and wild boar, nocturnal and rarely seen.

The village itself is surrounded by beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers.
Your neighbours in the Hamlet are French, English and German and are very friendly. Cailhol is all on the flat and is lovely for cycling and walking and driving to the top of a valley that gives panoramic views over the Minervois and the Corbieres to the Pyrenees beyond.

Things to do near the village

Minerve- A few miles away and a major tourist attraction with its history of the burning of the Cathars and the siege by Simon de Montforte.

Beaches - 10 minutes from Narbonne is Gruissan my favourite beach village with three beaches and the scene of the film ' Betty Blue'
Etangs - Along the coast there are lakes that are a sanctuary for birds and boating enthusiasts. Look for the pink flamingoes.
Restaurants - Abound in the area, my favourite is alaso local 5 mins away in Aigne. 'Lo Cagarol'
Walkers/Hikers - Stunning views of the hills as well as the Pyrenees from the top of the hills. As well as being a haven for Walkers and Hikers as the GR77, one of France's long distance footpaths, is not far. .
Shopping - CARREFOUR shopping complex in Narbonne and markets everywhere in the local villages - one for every day of the week . The towns of Narbonne, Bezier and Carcassonne are also very nice for shopping.
Wine and Olive Tasting - Everywhere!!!
Tourist Train - From Bize Minervois into Narbonne and return - a good day out without the car.
Cathar Castles - The Cathars were the locals who rebelled against the ethics of the Rome and the Pope. The Pope sent out Simon de Montforte on his Crusades against the Cathars who built many Casles to protect themselves. Minerve was the scene of burning of the Cathars during a major seige. You are in Cathar Country.
Canal du Midi Monsieur Riquet's wonderful construction running from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Le Somail is 10 mins from Cailhol and here you can hire boats, cycle or walk the tree-lined Canal.
Travel details
Substantially discounted ferry fares on all routes are available from the UK by contacting Chateau Vary Travel.
• Cailhol is ideally situated near 4 French airports: Carcassonne, Montpellier, Toulouse, and Perpignan and is only 35 minutes from Carcassonne and Narbonne, 35 mins from Beziers and the coast
• Motorail access to Narbonne
• Motorway all the way from Channel ports
• TGV available to Narbonne