£1350 - £1650
(€1577 - €1927)
Per property per week
Country house, sleeps 6, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Contact the owner
Contact the owner directly
Philip Sharpe
(Advertising since January 2003)
Tel: + 44 (0) 7432 290 515
If requested by the owner you can print out a booking form here
Please mention French Connections.
Converted Wine Cave in Stunning Vineyard Location
The property "Au Paradis Des Cigales" lies in a stunningly beautiful location seven kilometres to the north of Bize Minervois. At the heart of the Loup Blanc vineyard, the property nestles among the vines in this forgotten valley, this property can truly offer a secluded haven in which to enjoy your holiday. Whether you are looking for an action packed sightseeing trip or planning to do little more than laze by the pool, there will be something for you. On arrival you will find a welcome lunch awaiting you, or if you prefer, dinner.
The accommodation comprises of a very individual home all on one level, furnished to a high standard with some interesting antiques. The kitchen is fully equipped and the large living area opens out onto attractive gardens shaded by ancient olive trees, there are also views over the surrounding vines. There is a good sized swimming pool, dedicated solely for the use of your party. There are four bedrooms and three bathrooms, two en suite. The owners are often on site to offer advice and help, but are completely separate, offering you full privacy.
The owners look forward to welcoming you to this truly special area of France.
Au Paradis occupies the whole ground floor of the bergerie. It is approached from the terrace shaded by ancient olive trees. The house very comfortably accommodates six people in three bedrooms. There is a fireplace and electric heating for the colder seasons.
- Large living room has several French windows opening onto the terrace, making it very easy for summer living.
- Kitchen is well equipped.
- Master bedroom is en suite.
- Two double bedrooms, one with French windows onto the terrace.
- One twin bedroom is also en suite.
- Family bathroom with separate bath and shower. The washing machine is also located here
- Separate WC
Outside, the garden has wonderful views across the vines and is very peaceful. There is swimming pool dedicated for the use of your party. There are also a number of bikes available for cycle rides.
The property is surrounded by a well kept garden. There are ancient olive trees offering shady spots to relax in the heat of the afternoon. An olive grove for the children to play in. Behind the property we have eight acres of private garrigue for you to explore.
Places of interest and local restaurants
It would be almost impossible to list all the places of interest in this incredible region. There is a good deal of information available in the house, but for those planning to explore the region in any great depth the owners would recommend buying a good guidebook, possibly the Michelin guide or the Traveler's Mediterranean France by David Burke. Both of these will give a greater insight into the area. Below you will find a brief summary of the many places of interest that await you here in the Languedoc. There is no particular order to these places, but hopefully it will give a small insight into the area.
The surrounding area
Things to do:
Within easy reach of the property there are a number of activites available to those so inclined. Horse riding through the vines is available at two local stables. Canoeing and Kayaking can be a great day out. These are offered both on the rivers Orb and Aude. Tennis courts can be found in Bize and there is an Aqua Park in Narbonne.
In the immediate area there are several places of interest. Bize Minervois is the local town and has a handful of restaurants, also a supermarket and a butcher who will cook almost anything to order, there is also a great swimming pool in the river. Minerve lies to the west and had a fortress in the Middle Ages. One of the most dramatic moments in the war against the Cathars took place here in 1210, when the town witnessed the first great burning of the heretics. The Crusaders condemned more than one hundred and forty souls to the flames. The Oppidum d'Enserune rises 120 metres above the Beziers plain and has been occupied since the 6th Century BC. Well worth a visit and also worthy of note is the view of the drained lake of Montardy, which can be seen from the oppidum. Minervois, as a region is famous for its wines and that will become instantly obvious as you tour the area. The wines are generally fruity robust reds of good quality. The exception being the excellent Muscat produced in St. Jean de Minervois only a 10 minute drive and a must for the wine cognoscenti.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is famous for being the largest medieval fortress in Europe. There are really two towns, the lower town dating from the thirteenth Century and the more famous Cite, the upper walled town, which has been occupied since earliest times. Much of what can be seen today is a nineteenth Century restoration, but it certainly should not be missed on a trip to this area. The view from a distance cannot fail to impress. If your visit includes the 14th July, they have a wonderful firework display here.
Narbonne
A major centre since Roman times, Narbonne is a city with much to offer. The cathedral dominates the skyline from a distance; in fact it has the third highest vault of any Gothic cathedral in France. It is well worth a visit, as are the Treasury and the two buildings of the Archbishop's Palace. The Canal de la Robine offers somewhere to stroll and perhaps have lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. The Halles de Narbonne is a daily covered market where fresh produce can be purchased if you are planning to cook in the evening. Finally, the archaeological museum is a must. There are excellent displays of artifacts from Narbonne's history and especially the Roman period, when this city was the capital of Provincia Romana Narbonensis.
The African Reserve at Sigean
The African Reserve at Sigean lies about 15 km to the south of Narbonne. It is a huge 300 hectare park with over 150 species of lions, rhinos, giraffes, elephants and many more, all within an African setting. It is open all year and is a great day out for the family.
Les Montagnes de la Clape and the beaches
This is an important wine growing area between Narbonne and the beaches. The scenery is simply stunning and well worth investigating. There are several good vineyards here that are open to the public. Château Pech-Celeyran at the northern end and Château Pech Redon in the south are worth a visit. There are also some good beaches; Fleury d'Aude is excellent, especially if you want to get away from the crowds. The village of Gruissan with its ochre coloured houses is a perfect spot to have a long lunch. Seafood, as you may expect, is very good here.
Corbières
This important region stretches south from Narbonne. Its sun drenched limestone hills have a beauty that is quite incredible. The area is littered with the remains of numerous monastic institutions and châteaux.
Local amenities
Nearest bakery: Bize Minervois (aude)
Nearest bar: Bize Minervois (aude)
Nearest market: St Chinian (herault) - This Market Is On A Sunday, So Good For Stocking Up On Arrival.
Nearest pharmacy: Bize Minervois (aude)
Nearest supermarket: Bize Minervois (aude)
Tourist information: Ginestas (aude)
Bize Minervois on the map
Property 3979 – Nearby place of interest
How to get to Au Paradis
For full directions please contact the owner.
Access options
Car Essential
Nearest airport
The nearest serviceable airport is Carcassonne [CCF]
Property type | Country house (Self-catering) |
Bathrooms | 3 |
Bedrooms |
3 double bedroom(s) 1 twin bedroom(s) |
Occupancy | 6 |
Suitability | Suitable for children, Suitable for the elderly, Pets welcomed |
Linen | Linen and towels are included, though we do not provide beach towels |
Kitchen facilities | Dishwasher, Cooker, Ironing facilities, Microwave, Washing machine, Electric hob, Electric oven, Fridge-Freezer |
Internal facilities | CD player, DVD player, English satellite TV, Exclusive rental, Hi-fi system, Owner on site, TV, VCR, Wood burning fire or stove, Fans in rooms, Electric heaters, Hairdryer, Wi-Fi Broadband Internet, Internet Access, Tea/Coffee making facilities |
External facilities | Garden, Scenic views, Swimming pool (exclusive use), Barbecue |
Activities nearby | Boating, Canoeing, Cycling, Gourmet dining, Kayaking, Rambling, Riverside activities, Shopping, Sightseeing, Swimming, Tennis, Theme parks, Walking, White water rafting, Wine tasting |
Changeover day: Saturday
Last updated on: 12th April 2024
Available | Booked/Unavailable |
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Accommodation rental period | Price |
---|---|
06 January 2024 – 31 May 2024 |
£1350 Per property per week
(€1577 / $1684) |
01 June 2024 – 28 June 2024 |
£1450 Per property per week
(€1693 / $1808) |
29 June 2024 – 30 August 2024 |
£1650 Per property per week
(€1927 / $2058) |
31 August 2024 – 05 October 2024 |
£1450 Per property per week
(€1693 / $1808) |
Additional price notes
All prices are per week.
Accommodation is available on a weekly basis from Saturday (arrival 4.00 pm) to Saturday (departure 10.00 am).
- For Christmas and short breaks please contact owner.
- A deposit of 30% is required with the final payment due 8 weeks before the start of the holiday. A damage deposit of £200 is also required, details of which are on the booking form. Any charges for damage or heavy cleaning will be deducted from the deposit, though we reserve the right to request more in certain circumstances.
- Price includes electricity, gas and logs.
- If you require extra cleaning midweek please mention this in the comments section of the reservation form.
- Credit cards are accepted. Please contact the owner for further details.