Le Domaine du Colombier, Pennautier.

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1 Le Domaine du Colombier, Pennautier. Le Domaine du Colombier is something really special. It is unusual to find such a spacious property a true French domaine five minutes from the centre of a village with its shops, bars and entertainments, and yet enjoying complete privacy. From the grounds you look over the village towards the Corbières hills to the west and the high peaks of the Pyrenees to the south. The house itself has two livingrooms, a large well-equipped kitchen, a sunny terrace and five good-sized bedrooms, one with en suite bath and shower. The courtyard provides an elegant entrée to the house where you can sit out in the shade. The swimmingpool is large, 11x5 metres, and a safe distance from the house. We have created a wide paddling area for small children. At least two cars may be securely parked in the garage. There is free wi-fi at the house. Pennautier is a very lively village with many festivals and events throughout the year. It has a strong sense of community identity and extends a warm welcome to holiday visitors. The entrance to Pennautier from the Route Nationale is particularly attractive a long straight road leading past the chateau restaurant to the bridge over the river Fresquel, always decked with flowers. Then past the museum and the original château in a circular street around the parish church on its mound in the middle of the village. Le Domaine du Colombier is only a few yards off this street, allowing a 5-minute walk to the shops but also quick access to the countryside beyond. Sleeps 10 plus cot in 5 bedrooms. Excellent décor, furnishings, equipment and standards of comfort. All electric. Linen provided except for the beach and sun-bathing. No extra costs except to contribute to heating costs in the winter. Keys sent to you in advance or collection arranged on site. Satellite TV. DVD player with 100 films. Free wi-fi. Easy walking distance from the shops. Large swimming-pool with paddling area. The swimming-pool is not heated. South-facing lawn, gardens, front terrace and parc. Elegant entrance courtyard. Two baths, three showers, three w.cs. Oil-fired central heating.

2 Le Domaine du Colombier, Pennautier. The Property. Le Domaine du Colombier is probably one of the oldest buildings in Pennautier. We are told that it used to be a monastery, but there is no evidence of this in the present structure. It is situated in the old part of the village, a short walk from the shops, bar, theatre and other local facilities. The property is detached, set in its own grounds and not overlooked. It consists of the main house with central heating, south-facing gardens, a large swimmingpool and a parc of conifers and bamboo overlooking the village. The attached outbuildings will normally remain closed. From the little road to Aragon, large metal gates lead to the courtyard from which you enter the house. To your left is the secure garage, large enough for two or three cars. The ground floor of the house consists of the hallway, living-room, kitchen/dining-room, sun-room and study; a w.c. with basin; a lobby for coats etc.; and a small scullery with the central heating boiler, washing-machine and large second fridge. The living-room has comfortable seating, satellite television, radio/cd/cassette, and a DVD player with 100 films for those rare wet days. Its window looks on to the courtyard. The spacious kitchen is very well equipped with a large fridge, microwave, electric oven, separate electric hob and plenty of work-space and cupboard storage. The large dining-table seats ten people with ease. The sun-room leads off the kitchen and is a long south-facing room with casual seating. At one end of the sunroom, a small study containing a desk and a large shelved cupboard leads to the scullery with its washingmachine and second large fridge. Free wi-fi. The television receives UK programmes. Porte-fenêtres lead from the sun-room on to the front terrace, again south-facing. The terrace offers outdoor seating and a large dining table. It overlooks the garden, described below, and is part-shaded by a mimosa tree. The barbecue is situated below the terrace. A qualified chef, our caretaker has offered to cook one or meals for visitors. The first floor has one large bedroom with a king-size bed and an en suite bathroom containing a bath, shower and wash-basin. The second double bedroom, again spacious, has windows on two sides and a separate closet for hanging clothes. A corridor leads to the three twin bedrooms, two of which overlook the courtyard, the third looking out over the gardens towards the village and its parish church. All the bedrooms are well provided with wardrobe and drawer space. Apart from the en suite facilities, the main bathroom contains a bath, shower, w.c. and double wash-basin. There is another w.c. with wash-basin and shower on this floor, making three w.c.s, three showers and two baths in the property as a whole. A cot, high chair and push-chair are provided. The garden extends across the length of the property, overlooked by the terrace. It contains some old and attractive trees and shrubs, together with many which we have recently planted. The grassed area is spacious with ample outdoor seating. A gate leads to the parc of conifers and bamboo, from which there are fine views of the village and the Pyrenees beyond. Children play shops in the gazebo! In the parc is situated the large swimming-pool, 11x5 metres with an extended shallow paddling area (3x3 metres) and wide seating area. The pool conforms to recent French legislation regarding health and safety in swimming-pools. It is fenced, and a child-proof gate prevents children from wandering towards it on their own. The standard of décor, furnishings, equipment and general comfort in the house is very high. Obviously some of the newly planted shrubs in the garden will take time to reach maturity, but otherwise our recent renovation of the property and its proximity to the

3 village itself and to Carcassonne render Le Domaine an ideal holiday location. Secure car parking in the garage is available for at least two cars. The Village and region. Pennautier is a village with a population of around 2,300, two and a half miles to the northwest of Carcassonne. Although new houses are being built in its periphery, the old centre of the village retains its identity, dating back to the Middle Ages and beyond. The church dominates the heart of Pennautier, surrounded by narrow streets and alleyways. Below the church flows the river Fresquel, past the estate of the impressive Château de Pennautier and its newly renovated restaurant. In the village itself, there is a baker, butcher, post office, general store, one or two bars, and a pizzeria as well as several other small shops and businesses. Mobile shops visit the village frequently. Performances of music, dance and drama are held in Pennautier s own theatre. Wine produced by the Château de Pennautier is of high quality and not expensive. The village lies about four miles from the nearest autoroute junction and Carcassonne airport, and about half a mile from the Route Nationale N113 between Narbonne and Toulouse. There are regular flights from Stansted and other airports to Carcassonne. Pennautier is regarded as the centre of Troubadour culture in France. The European Centre for the Troubadours is situated in the village and offers information about this important medieval cultural movement as well as concerts, exhibitions and other events. The troubadours created a new form of secular poetic expression, singing in the Occitan language of amor, joi e joven (love, joy and youth), marking the beginning of modern European literature and helping to enhance the social status of women. To the north of the village lies the western shoulder of the Montagne Noire, the last bastion of the Massif Central. Quiet country roads lead through wooded uplands to attractive villages such as Montolieu with its many bookshops, Saissac with its 14 th. century fortress and Revel whose nearby lakes feed the Canal du Midi. The spectacular village of Aragon is a short drive to the north of Pennautier. The Canal du Midi itself lies in the valley beyond the Route Nationale. The tow-path affords pleasant walks under the plane trees, and boat trips can be arranged in Carcassonne and elsewhere. Carcassonne is one of the most frequently visited places in France outside Paris. The largest fortified medieval city in Europe, it stands magnificent on its hill 150 metres above the river Aude. Restored in the last century, it is a dream of the perfect medieval city with its three kilometres of ramparts, thirty-five defensive towers, its moat, Viscount's castle and basilica. The river Aude rises in the Cerdagne beyond Mont-Louis and flows towards Carcassonne through dramatic gorges either side of Axat and past Alès les Bains and Limoux, home of the famous sparkling Blanquette wine. After Carcassonne, its course turns to the east towards the sea. Several historic cathedral cities are within easy reach, including Montpellier, Béziers, Castres, Albi, Narbonne, Perpignan, Toulouse and St. Pons de Thomières. By autoroute the coastal resorts of Gruissan and Narbonne Plage are less than an hour s drive away. Local beaches recently received a European award for cleanliness. Chris & Alexis Jay, 11 Moray Place, Glasgow G41 2BA. Tel/fax: cdjay@btinternet.com website: <a href=" Direct apartment rentals</a>

4 Pennautier. Local information. (see: a website in English). Carcassonne offers all the facilities necessary for daily living shops, banks, internet café, tourist office etc. The principal theatres, concert halls, museums, art galleries and festivals are located in the 'new town' of Carcassonne and in the Cité. For musical and dance events, see select rubrique manifestations en Aude. The main hospital is on the southern by-pass around Carcassonne. There are many restaurants in the Cité, in Carcassonne new town and in the surrounding area. Please add your own experiences and recommendations to the house Travel Journal. The nearest hypermarket is Leclerc to the right of the road into Carcassonne. For information about sports of all kinds, we suggest that you pay an early visit to Office de Tourisme / Syndicat d'initiative, Rue de Verdun, Carcassonne. The following facilities cannot all be guaranteed. The Tourist Office will confirm them or otherwise: Rafting. kyaking: Rouffiac; Alet-les-Bains; Quillan; Saint Martin Lys; Axat - the higher reaches of the Aude to the south of Carcassonne. Sailing, pedalos, lake bathing, pony-rides (not all available in all the following locations): Bassin du Lampy and Bassin de Saint-Ferreol beyond Saissac; Lac de La Cavayère south of the A61 near Carcassonne; Laprade and Pradelles Cabardès in La Montagne Noire; La Ganguise to the west of Castelnaudary. Golf: Golf Club de Carcassonne. Turn right off the southern by-pass. Tennis: L'Acacia, 14 Ave. du Général-Sarrail, Carcassonne; also on the banks of the Aude, and at Montlegun and Montredon to the east of Carcassonne. Horse-riding: La Cavayère (see above); La Cavale de Saint-Felix near St. Martin le Vieil north of Alzonne; Arques in the Corbières; Limoux. Bowling alley: Plateau de Grazailles on the north side of Carcassonne. Martial arts, gymnastics, saunas: 10 Ave. du Général-Sarrail, Carcassonne. Skate-boarding: By the Aude, Rue Laperrine, Carcassonne. Walking: Plenty of walks in Les Corbières to the south and La Montagne Noire to the north. Leisurely walks along the Canal du Midi tow-path. Nearest beaches: Gruissan and Narbonne Plage. Canal du Midi. Private hire of boats for day-trips - tel: (Unreliable!). Bike hire: Carcassonne golf course ( is especially beautiful. Introductions may be arranged on request.

5 Places to visit within about 50 miles of Pennautier: See ( local info ). For Carcassonne, Cité & town, and for Toulouse it is worth buying a guide-book locally. To the north. Lastours. 4 castles on one rocky outcrop. A bracing walk. Cabrespine. Limousis. Gigantic caves. Caunes-Minervois. Fortified village. Abbey & hermitage. 16th.C. houses. Montagne Noire. Fine scenery. Picturesque villages. Good walking. Castres. Cathedral and Goya museum. Beautiful river frontage. Albi. Wonderful red town. T-Lautrec museum. Brick cathedral masterpiece. St. Pons. (N.E.) Centre of the National Park. 12th. century minster. To the west. Montolieu. A village full of book-shops, antique and modern. Saissac. Fine hill-side setting. Large feudal fortress. Castelnaudary. Lake with pleasure boats. Old mill. Mirepoix. Beautiful central square. Good market. Remarkable church. Lakes at Ganguise, and three to the east of Revel in the Montagne Noire. To the south. Limoux. Interesting and picturesque town. Home of Blanquette wine. St. Hilaire. Benedictine abbey. Son et Lumiere in the summer. Alet les Bains. Medieval village with old houses, ramparts. Like a film set. Chalabre. (W. of Limoux). Medieval village with castle. Montbel lake. Espéraza. Dinosaur and hat museums. Rennes le Chateau. Mysterious, eerie. Visigoth capital. Odd shops. Views. Cathar castles at Lapradelle, Peyrepertuse, Queribus by the D117. Gorges on the road to Axat and to the north of St. Paul de Fenouillèdes. Corbières. Wild country to be explored. Canal du Midi. Pleasant walks along the tow-path or private boat hire. To the east. Lagrasse in the Corbières. Beautiful medieval village. Abbey, palace. Douzens. Museum of birds, reptiles, insects, shells, butterflies, minerals etc. Homps. Lake with walks around its banks. Lézignan. Attractive town. Good Wednesday morning market. Fontfroide. Medieval monastery. 13th. century cloisters. Rose gardens. Narbonne. Astonishing cathedral. Other old buildings. Good shops. La Clape. Hill east of Narbonne. Beautiful, easy walks. Chapel on top. Gruissan. Old village, castle. Marina. Houses on stilts at Gruissan Plage. Sigean. African animal reserve. Peyriac de Mer & Bages. Attractive villages by the inland lake. Béziers. Cathedral and basilica. Lovely park. Pézenas. 'Versailles of Languedoc'. Discreetly fine old buildings. Agde & Sète. Interesting old fishing towns. Canals & waterfronts at Sète. Minerve. (N.E). Begun in the 10th. century on a Roman site. Spectacular.

6 Markets In the Aude. This list may be out of date, but since many markets are centuries-old, I doubt it. Please tell us if any details are incorrect. Belpech: Bize-Minervois: Bram: Carcassonne: Castelnaudary: Chalabre: Coursan: Espéraza: Fleury: Gruissan village: Homps: Lézignan: Limoux: Narbonne: Quillan: Rennes-les-Bains: Rieux Minervois: Saint Hilaire: Salles sur l Hers: Sigean: Trèbes: 3rd. Wednesday in the month. 2 nd. and 4 th. Wednesday in the month. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Monday to 4.00 p.m. Saturday. Daily. Thursday, Sunday. Daily. Wednesday, Saturday. Tuesday. Friday. Thursday, Sunday. Daily. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Friday. Tuesday. Tuesday, Friday. There are also excellent markets at Mirepoix (Monday) and Revel (Saturday), places worth visiting in their own right.

7 Le Domaine du Colombier. Letting arrangements The property is let as a whole, not on a 'per person' basis. Lets are normally made for complete weeks, from Saturday to Saturday. Special arrangements may be negotiated on request. The prices set out below relate to the week beginning on each Saturday listed. Month(s) Saturdays. Full price p.w. Deposit p.w. November 2016 to April 2017 inc. 450* 100 May 6,13,20,27, 650* 100 June 3,10,27,24, 950* 250 July or 1,8,15,22,29, 1800* 400 August 5,12,19, August 26 th. and September 26,2,9,16,23,30 950* 250 October 7,14,21,28, 650* 100 November 2017 to May 2018 inc. 450* 100 *There is a 50 surcharge for single-week bookings to cover partially the extra cleaning costs. 50pw will be charged for access to the swimming-pool in May or October when it is normally closed. Each week is charged the rate for the month in which its first Saturday falls. Rates are not 'per person', but rather for the use of the house. Electricity costs are included in the rent during the summer months. At other times, other arrangements may be negotiated which may entail meter-reading etc. We do not require a damage deposit, trusting our visitors to respect the effort which went into making this property so comfortable and welcoming. A provisional booking may be made but it must be confirmed or cancelled within a week of being made. The deposit is payable on confirmation of booking. The balance is payable 6 weeks before your holiday. A sterling or euro cheque is acceptable, payable to Mr. & Mrs. Jay and addressed to 11 Moray Place, Glasgow G41 2BA. Please let us know if you wish to pay by bank transfer. In the event of a cancellation, the deposit will be returned only if the period is re-let, minus any advertising costs incurred. A cancellation after the payment of the balance will incur the loss of the deposit and balance. The telephone accepts calls from anywhere, but outgoing calls are restricted to the local area. We cover telephone costs. Our caretaker, will advise on the use of free wi-fi. Ten (+cot) is the maximum number of people allowed to stay in the house at any one time. Changeovers are normally on Saturdays, but off-season we can be more flexible in this regard. All linen is provided, including hand- and bath-towels, but you should bring your own cot sheets and towels for use on the beach or the terrace. We expect visitors to clean and do washing in the course of their holiday and not leave piles of dirty washing when they leave our cleaner has enough to do in her six hours. We expect all our visitors to leave the house clean and tidy. Cleaning during your stay may be arranged at your expense. No smoking is permitted within the house. Visitors are asked also to let our caretaker or ourselves know if they find anything broken or not working, so that we can put it right. No smoking is permitted within the house. The cot is in one of the twin bedrooms. We can provide at least two pushchairs and a high-chair on prior request. The normal arrangements are that visitors arrive at the house after 4.00 p.m. on their first Saturday and leave before a.m. on their final morning. Chris & Alexis Jay, 11, Moray Place, Strathbungo, Glasgow G41 2BA. Tel: cdjay@btinternet.com