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Modern Villa, set in the vineyards with a backdrop of the Pyrenees.

Family-friendly villa in Granès with an outdoor pool

Photo gallery for Modern Villa, set in the vineyards with a backdrop of the Pyrenees.

The front of the villa, showing the step entrance and the new ramp access.
Love this early morning view from the terrace,or shall I sit under the pergola ?
Large area of artificial grass for easy access to the lounging area and pool.
Great picture of the rafters that create a real warm atmosphere for breakfast.
The pergola offering sun shade whilst still keeping the pool in view.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10, Loved by Guests
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 13127 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Granès, Occitanie
  • Place, Musée des Dinosaures 'Dinosauria'
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Esperaza Hat Museum
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Rennes-le-Château Church
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Airport, Carcassonne (CCF-Pays Cathare)
    ‪57 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

3 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

3 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Modern Villa, set in the vineyards with a backdrop of the Pyrenees.

Villa Dendrane, is situated in the stunning panoramic valleys of forest and vineyards, near Quillan, in south Aude, Occitanie, with the backdrop of the Pyrenees to gaze over as you relax on one of the terraces, by the recently re-landscaped garden and heated pool.
The property, purchased in Sept. 2017, has had several upgrades since, including to the pool, security fencing and gates, with new pergolas, and artificial grass garden now available to view, and internal redecoration to all rooms and facilities which has now been completed.

A significant attraction of this holiday Villa, in its 1250m2 estate, with its rural setting, is the tranquillity and the varied activities and destinations that the location offers, plus the access to a number of airports, with the beach, mountains or rivers just a drive away.

The external area of the villa, offers 3 different terrace settings, the main terrace, which is a covered tiled area at the front of the villa, overlooking the garden and pool, with table and chairs to seat 6, and a useful area to eat or retreat from the sun.
The second sitting area is adjacent to the main terrace and is situated under a wooden pergola and offers a different aspect to the pool view, from the comfort of a 12 seat Rattan effect cushioned chairs and table, for afternoon snacks and evening drinks.
The third pergola is situated at the back of the property, a large 20 sq.m. area, that makes a perfect children's play area, with secure fencing, artificial grass, a locked gate, and a playhouse. This area can be accessed from the main living area through French doors, and is a perfect place for children to play, whilst the adults can supervise whilst enjoying the shaded area and the 8 seat Rattan effect sofa and table.

The garden area comprises of 1250m2 of land, the most significant garden feature, must be the newly re-tiled swimming pool. Its a 10 m x 5.5 m pool, approximately 1.5m deep across its length, with shallow step access. It also has a summer bubble wrap cover, which assists the pool heater to maintain a temperature that is inviting to all, and underwater lights. It also has a full length night time/winter security cover. The pool is not open from mid Oct to May.
It is surrounded by a 1.2m high safety fence, with a safety gate access to the pool and a separate security gate for access to the secured pool pump/filter/heater station.
Artificial grass is now widely incorporated in the garden, providing a comfortable passage from the Villa's terraces to the pool and sunbathing area and BBQ. This has been incorporated to enhance the comfort of moving around the garden. This also provides a large flat area for sunbathing on the loungers or on your towel. At the side of the sunbathing area, is the newly built outdoor cooking area, complete with new BBQ and utensils.
The garden is surrounded on all 4 sides with tall conifers, providing sun shelter and privacy, and a lockable set of main gates.

Access to the Villa has been enhanced by building a new pathway from the driveway, to allow easier mobility for those in wheelchairs, prams, or for those unable to handle steps comfortably.

The property of 127 m2 living space, boasts 4 bedrooms, split between both ends of the Villa.
In the "East wing" there is a double bedroom, known as the "London Room" , with a fitted wardrobe and dressing table and side cabinets, and the "New York Room" which has a single bed and a bunk bed, with side table and chair and fitted wardrobes.
In the "West wing", there is another double bedroom, the "Paris Room", with fitted wardrobes and chair, and the 4th room, the "Barcelona Room" also has a bunk bed, with a single bed being accommodated too. Thus maximum sleeping capacity rises to 10. However, there is also a camp bed, that can be made up, and the sofa, will open up into a bed and take 2 or 3 people, if required, thus the villa could sleep 14.!! Plus there is 2 cot beds available to host the smaller members of your family.
Electric radiators are sited in each of the rooms for the colder weeks, and free standing fans are provided for the warmer months.

There are 2 bathroom/shower rooms, one on either side of the Villa. The "East wing" has the main bathroom with a bath/shower arrangement, with a separate toilet. The shower room in the "West wing" is accessed via stairs, it is a wet room walk-in shower with toilet and hand basin facilities.

The main room in the Villa, is a large 55sqm open plan lounge and dining area, with a separate kitchen area offset too. The living area has undergone an updating and now boasts a new large 7 seat sofa, coffee table and a 49" Smart TV, linked up to English and French TV. Although reception can be compromised and we recommend you use a Firestick or similiar. A DVD player is also provided, along with a selection of DVD's to help entertain. English language reading books, maps, and Tourist Information guides are also provided to utilise. A book swap system is in place too.
Free WiFi is provided ,with the codes being available at the Villa. The TV also has internet connection.

The kitchen area boasts a large area of worktops and cabinets, with microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, toaster, kettle, hob and main oven, ventilation hood and a central smoke and CO2 alarm.

There is a separate utility room with a fridge, chest freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer, ironing board, camp bed [ if required] and a mobile airer. A retractable washing line is also sited outside by the garage.
For those choosing to stay in the colder weeks, there is a log burner in the lounge and a supply of logs is kept outside in the shed.

An "Enhanced Welcome pack" is now included, comprising of, soaps, dishwasher tablets, washing machine tablets, shampoo sachets, cotton wool, tea bags, coffee sachets, sugar sachets, sweeteners, Plus water, wine, ham, cheese and bread. Plus a variety of cleaning products, toilet and kitchen roll are available.
2 Supermarkets are available, all approximately 5 kms away, in 2 different directions, all opening on Sunday morning too.

ACTIVITIES:
Rafting/canoeing/kayaking along the River Aude between Axat and Quillan is popular, Lake beaches at Puivert and Lake Montbel, indoor and outdoor pools in Quillan and other local towns, the African park, Dinosaur museum, several traditional museums, Water and fun parks, the Red Tourist train from Axat, Horse riding, Climbing walls, Jungle Jim type parks, Airbus museum, Canal cruises, Futurscope, Space museum, Karting, Fishing, Bicycle tours and hire [ can recommend 2 rental sites], Mountain biking along 870km of tracks in Aude, Road cycling along previous Tour de France routes, on relatively quiet roads, Hiking/walking through forests or mountains on paths, beach activities, quad bike and motor bike hire, and of course skiing at several different locations, the nearest is Camurac, Mijanes, and Ax-les-Thermes, Les Angles, Puyvalador and Formigueres are not far away too.

ACCESS:
Having a car, either your own, or a hire car, is essential for access to the Villa, and for getting around the area. But motorways and good local roads, make travel to the Villa comfortable. The final few kilometres are undertaken climbing up to 350m and offer some breathtaking views when approaching Granes via St. Ferriol. There is onsite, off road parking for 2 cars available.
Train travel to the area is possible, the nearest station at Quillan, is accessible from Perpignan and Carcassonne, but your own transport is required to get from the stations. Quillan, being the nearest town to the Villa, is about a 12 minutes drive.
Airports, there are several within a short drive to the area, but the closest is Carcassonne, which is only 40 minutes away by car. Car Hire is available at the airport. Other airports that can be considered are Toulouse, Beziers, Perpignan, Montpellier, Barcelona and Girona, although car travel from there is longer.

PETS:
Are allowed.

SMOKING:
Allowed outside only.

HISTORIC PLACES:
Carcassonne is the nearest city, a UNESCO world heritage site, with medieval wall and fortifications over looking the Aude river.
Toulouse, a modern city but with medieval architecture, home to aerospace and the bustling Place du Capitole.
Narbonne, an area with a combination of a city, with Roman history and beaches, fishing villages, islands and lagoons.
Perpignan, a blend of Catalan culture and history, near the Spanish border and Pyrenees, with a reputation for great feasts and produce. Montpellier, a cosmopolitan city with plenty of nightlife and a history of medical schools and education.
Andorra, a small mountainous country , combining great skiing and scenery with low cost shopping centres and museums.

BEACHES:
Accessible via train, but preferably a car or motor bikes would be required for the journey. The beaches of Languedoc tend to be golden sands and more attractive than the pebbly beaches of other areas of the south of France. The nearest beaches are situated between Narbonne and Perpignan. The best beaches near Narbonne are at Le Franqui, Leucate, and Gruissan, which are about 90 minutes away. Just further South near Perpignan, there is Argeles, Colliure and Banyules, a bit further again near where the Pyrenees meet the beaches, there are several miles of craggy inlets offering secluded retreats. If its a naturist beach you need, then just North of Narbonne, near Beziers, is the renowned Cap d'Agde.

MOUNTAINS:
A motorised form of transport is definitely required to access the vast mountain ranges of the Pyrenees, and the views and towns on the way are beautiful, Ax-les Thermes being a favourite on the way to Andorra. There are several skiing sites in close proximity, the nearest just being 44km away

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Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
Respect local noise limit times (22.00-08.00)
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Pets

Pets allowed
Inform owner when booking.
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Outside only.
Smoking only outside, using ashtrays for ash and butts.
Notify owner prior of reservation of the type of pet.
Respect local population and noise limits (22.00-08.00)

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Respect local noise limit times (22.00-08.00)
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 5434293000145363

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Granès

Located in Granès, this villa is in a rural area and near theme parks. Château d'Arques and Château de Puivert are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at The Nature Trail And The Green Labyrinth and Galamus Gorges. Take in the nearby slopes with skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as sledging.
Map
Granès, Occitanie

What's nearby

  • Musée des Dinosaures 'Dinosauria' - 8 min drive - 5.4 km
  • Esperaza Hat Museum - 9 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Rennes-le-Château Church - 15 min drive - 11.2 km
  • Abbey of Alet-les-Bains - 19 min drive - 16.1 km
  • The Nature Trail And The Green Labyrinth - 20 min drive - 18.2 km

Getting around

  • Esperaza Station - 6 min drive
  • Carcassonne (CCF-Pays Cathare) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Le Terminus - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Restaurant L'Espinet - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Pétanque et poulet bicyclette - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Le Brantalou - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Bar Lespinet - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Modern Villa, set in the vineyards with a backdrop of the Pyrenees. have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Modern Villa, set in the vineyards with a backdrop of the Pyrenees. pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at Modern Villa, set in the vineyards with a backdrop of the Pyrenees.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Modern Villa, set in the vineyards with a backdrop of the Pyrenees.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Modern Villa, set in the vineyards with a backdrop of the Pyrenees.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Modern Villa, set in the vineyards with a backdrop of the Pyrenees. located?

This family-friendly Granès villa is located in the mountains, 4 mi (6.5 km) from Musée des Dinosaures 'Dinosauria', and within 12 mi (20 km) of The Nature Trail And The Green Labyrinth and Rennes-le-Château Church. Château d'Arques is 11.6 mi (18.7 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 25 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 25 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 25 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.0/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

A wonderful and hot holiday hosted in an excellent

An excellent villa in a location close to all the activities the Aude valley can offer. The house is spacious and fully equipped; perfect for a large group wishing to self cater during their stay. The pool is an excellent feature and was well maintained regularly. We would thoroughly recommend the restaurant only a half hour way in the forest opposite the house, and the canyoning tours in the Gorges de Galamus. The listing was accurate and met our expectations and we would recommend to friends.

8/10 Good

michael d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

amazing 3 weeks visit

We just got back after staying for 3 weeks in the property. We had an amazing time the pool is awesome (we have been going to France for over 6 years) its clean & extremely safe and the heating works superb we had some problems with he hot water which got sorted out very fast by the owner. there are insect nets on all windows which is very useful for indoors , all in all a smashing holidays thank you Michael
Stayed 21 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sandra N., England, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Multi functional home for all ages

The Villa is set in a quiet valley, with easy access to supermarkets, bakeries, vineyards and the many historical places to visit. We loved our car tour around the Cathar castles perched on hilltops and a walk up to (if not in places, scramble) the castle ‘ Peyrepeteuse’ with simply amazing views. The mountains and views are spectacular as are the dawn and sunsets at Villa Dendrane. The gite has options for different sleeping configurations and the outside areas provide the same. The pool is great and with the fence around it, safe for little ones. Mike is ever helpful via email.
Stayed 10 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Becky H., Shepshed

Lovely relaxing stay in beautiful surroundings

We really enjoyed our stay at the villa, our 21 month old loved the Wendy house, toys, the pool and spotting the tractors and horses going by. Lovely comfy sofa for relaxing at night, plenty of nice furniture outside too. Best stocked kitchen we've seen as far as utensils, decent pans,cutlery etc. Bonus of leaving food for the next visitors and using some bits others had left. We visited Carcassonne, Quillan (beautiful and very close by). We visited Ille sur yet, the orgues site, only €5 entry and a nice amble round the site (handy with a little one as it takes an hour max.) fab drive to theatre with lovely views, and great vineyards to buy some supplies too! We went to canet em roussillon (near perpignan) we had a lovely paddle in the sea, visited the market and had lunch, there is a little amusement park and a beautiful 2 level carousel, we tried our luck with the teddy grabbers. Finally we visited the dinosaur museum, our daughter loved it, visit the creperie l'atelier. Lovely food and small play area for little ones. Lovely memories made, thanks again xx

10/10 Excellent

Karen B., Edinburgh

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A beautiful holiday

You approach villa Dendrane through stunning landscape, beautiful vine fields and staggering mountain roads, and when you think it can’t improve, you reach the villa. Situated on a perfect location, overlooking rows and rows of vines with the mountains as a backdrop, we were instantly besotted. The villa was spotless, and a beautiful welcome pack awaited us of bread, cheese and wine. There was also an extremely helpful folder with every bit of information you may need. (How to operate the utilities, pool care, etc...) there was nothing left out. Our bedrooms were very comfortable, and very well set out. Because of the villa layout four of us took one side, four the other, which gave each family their own bathroom (and space). The kitchen is better stocked than ours, with every utensil you could possibly need and everything very easy to find and operate. This was definitely our most relaxing holiday to date, with the rural setting, the beauty of the villa, and the stunning sunsets each evening, we will definitely return here and make more memories to last a lifetime.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Vinicius S., São Paulo

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Really nice property in a rural zone

The place is amazing. Mike really cared about the details, giving us guidance and helping us finding everything we needed. The whole family enjoyed the trip. Mike, thank you for the breakfast and the compliments! =]
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

6/10 Okay

Tracy A.

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Appréciation

Expérience agréable. Résidence au calme
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Fréderic L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Séjour agréable et reposant

Conformément aux attentes, le séjour fut très agréable et reposant. Notre enfant a bien profité de la piscine (et nous aussi), ce qui était idéal après quelques excursions comme notées dans le descriptif (musée des dinosaures très proche, visite de Carcassonne...)
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Frédéric C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Trop court...

Nous avons passé une semaine de rêves dans une villa de rêves et dans un cadre utopique ! Nous avons hâte de revenir 😁
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Reda T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Superbe séjour, avec un très jolie cadre

Nous avons passé un superbe séjour dans la villa de granes, la maison est très bien équipé, la vue de la terrasse avant est magnifique, et la communication avec les propriétaires est impeccable. Je recommande pour passer de belles vacances avec ces amis ou sa famille !

10/10 Excellent

Laurianne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Très bon séjour

Nous étions un groupe de 6 amis et nous avons passé un très bon séjour à la villa de Mike et Pauline. La communication avec les propriétaires est remarquable ! La piscine est très agréable et sécurisée pour les enfants. Nécessité d’avoir une voiture pour se déplacer. Merci pour tout ! Laurianne.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Andrea S., Gwent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Had a fab holiday

Villa is set in beautiful place. Pool was stunning, had a wonderful relaxing time

10/10 Excellent

Noeleen R.

Brillant holiday in villa Denadrane.

My family and I spent a week at the villa last week. I was fortunate to win the weeks holiday in a raffle at work through R charity. Pauline and Mike had kindly donated a weeks stay as a prize in the staff raffle. I was beyond thrilled as it meant I could bring my parents sisters and their families on a holiday. The villa was nestled in the most breathtaking location.the views were stunning enjoyed each evening as we sat on the terrace eating our dinner. The villa easily accomdated my family of six adults and one child. The rooms were really spacious and kitted out with the best linen and towels.the beds were so comfortable it was like sleeping on clouds. The food welcome pack of bread cheese and wine was so appreciated after our flights. The kitchen was equipped with every utensil pot and pan you could think of. The showers were both really powerful and brilliantly hot each morning for all of us. My niece especially appreciated the play house and the large selection of toys at her disposal.she had a brilliant week playing house and we even played bowls on the front lawn. The supermarkets in Quinlan were easy to locate and were cost effective especially when doing a weeks shop for a family of seven. We visited a number of the local towns including Rennes Les chateau Rennes Les bains Camon Alet Les Bains Quinlan Linoux We went to Lourdes which is 3 hours drive but it was worth the time and a good excuse to visit Toulouse. Also we went to carscionne a beautiful medieval city with loads of character. As a family we had a fabulous holiday in a beautiful well-equipped villa. We will recommend it to all our family and friends.

10/10 Excellent

Marcin B.

Perfect Villa

We really enjoyed our stay at this villa, it was well equipped and clean, nicely decorated. The villa sits in quiet and small village, however you need a car to go to small town with shops - approx.. 3 KM. We were not using a swimming pool as we stayed on February. We were busy skiing in nearby Pyrenees ski resorts , therefore we did not have much time to explore nearby restaurants or local attractions. Definitely great summer location to visit vineyards then enjoy afternoon by swimming pool.

10/10 Excellent

Raquel C.

Fin de año 2018/19

Una casa muy chula, muy acogedora, con un amplio salón para poder estar todos los huéspedes!! Fuimos a visitar Carcassone, está cerca y es muy bonito para hacer una excursión.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Emily H.

Perfect Escape

A fabulous five days were spent at the Villa Dendrane! We would highly recommend. The villa surpassed all of our expectations, the views were incredible (even better than the photographs!) And despite visiting in late October, the weather was nothing but glorious, a perfect Autumn getaway! The accommodation could only be described as a real-life tardis, it’s unbelievably spacious, with so many nooks and seating areas to relax in the sun (or shade) and watch the day go by. The property was very clean and well maintained, with lots to keep us entertained (heated swimming pool, barbecue, satellite tv, books, board games). The nearest super market and cafes were only a short drive away too, so we couldn’t have wished for anything more. We can’t wait to visit again!

10/10 Excellent

Natalie M.

Wonderful relaxing family holiday

We had a memory making week stay at the villa. It’s always hard to amuse and please children with age gaps, we have a 14, 11 and 3 year old and I can truly say that everyone had an amazing week away. The villa was easy to find from the directions, and located in a breath-taking area, opposite a vineyard and with open views of the Pyrenees. The villa was large, and is ideally laid out for two families with 2 bedrooms at either end of the villa, or in our case ample distance from teenagers! The kitchen had everything we needed to cook meals. The Wi-Fi fully passed the teenager test without any complaints. The multiple seating areas were fantastic throughout the day, and sitting outside to play many Uno games in the evening is a memory I will cherish. The villa was very clean and well maintained, and the welcoming gift of wine, cheese, ham, milk and bread was lovely. The pool… what can I say other than it was wonderful. We took large inflatables with us, but actually there were inflatables and many toys there already. The pool is a lot bigger than most villas, and it was so nice to be able to have fun with the older children. The pool has a floating turtle thermometer, which our toddler latched onto and named Sophie. Sophie came on many adventures with us in France also, and ate out at restaurants with us. There were tears when we had to bid farewell to Sophie. The artificial grass was actually amazing, it made a nice clean pathway from the villa to the pool. We ate out at the local restaurant ‘Petanque et Poulet Bicyclette’ which is literally a 2 minute drive away. It’s in an amazing woodland setting, with many feathered animals and chickens. The food there was lovely and definitely worth a visit. We also ate out at the nearby ‘Relais de la Haute Vallee’, the menu was very small, but the steak there was perfect. I’d recommend a visit to the nearby town of Couzia, there’s a nice riverside walk with the clearest water I’ve ever seen, so you can see all the fish so clearly. Also in Couzia there is a tourist information shop which is worth visiting, especially as next door there is a very nice patisserie. There is also a horse and donkey riding school in the village. We took a day trip over to Andorra, which took us through the Pyrenees. It was a spectacular drive through the mountains, with some hairpin turns that weren’t for the faint of heart. Thank you for a truly memory making holiday, it was perfect.

10/10 Excellent

Geoff F.

Stunning villa, brilliant for families

This is a great property, particularly for families with its well equipped accommodation & very safe pool. Secluded but with easy access to all the local villages & sights. Secure parking for the hire car was a plus as well as the ample toys, games & pool gear. Full laundry facilities was a bonus too for when the kids decided that staying dry wasn't on their agenda! If you have the option I would fly into Perpignan & drive the incredible journey from there & stock up with wine from the many vineyards on the way, well worth the extra hours travel.

8/10 Good

Fiona H.

Impressive location, great little find

This is an area of France I haven’t really explored (bar Perpignan and Andorra in my youth!). Arriving at the villa I found it to be spacious and clean ready to cater for the wide range of ages that were holidaying with me. It is central to an area of France that deserves to be fully explored - Narbonne beach, the medieval citi of Carcassone, local chateaux (Arques, Renee and many more). Toulouse is well worth a visit as it’s a beautiful city but it was too hot for me to explore fully. Le train rouge meandered through the midi Pyrenees and after wetting our appetite for height and views, we ventured to Ax-les Thermes with thermal spas in the open and ski lifts waiting to be mounted. The excellent Sunday market in the sleepy town of Esperanza bought the town to life and it took several hours to explore and drained my bank account! Other activities pursued by the party were kayaking and canoying which were thoroughly enjoyed albeit very tiring. The quirky Pétanque et pulet bicyclette restaurant was a delight and situated within a forest within walking distance of the villa. It was akin to dining in a tree house and the kids loved it! Coming back to the villa at night allowed for whoever wasn’t on cooking duty to splash in the pool and those in the kitchen were able to utilise the well stocked kitchen and BBQ areas. There were plenty of books, DVDs, a toddler play area, washing machine, ball games and the pool to keep everyone occupied. Mike and Pauline were readily on hand to answer any queries. It’s definitely well worth a visit despite it being in a very rural location as it is easy to reach the delights this region has to offer.

10/10 Excellent

Delphine I.

Une région et une villa magnifique !!

Nous avons passé de très belle vacances ! La villa correspond exactement aux photos qui se trouvent sur le site. Elle est très pratique pour deux familles avec des enfants en bas âge ( beaucoup de jeux disponible sur place, tout est sécurisé et tous le matériels de puériculture nécessaire). Les petits manques seraient un peu plus d'ustensile de cuisine, une essoreuse à salade par exemple ;) , des DVD en français et un rien de propreté en plus. Mais même avec ces manques.... Vacance réussie Delphine
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Ala N.

tres tres bonne

Bonjour tres bon sejour ,maison et piscine parfaites et emplacement tres calme seul petit bemol : il n'y a pas de climatisation comme indiqué dans le contrat cordialement Nadege et Alain
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Tom T.

Very nice stay

Lovely villa which is very well stocked and provided for
Stayed 11 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Liam D.

Perfect Autumn getaway!

My girlfriend and I stayed here for a week in late October and couldn't recommend it highly enough. It really is a home from home with stunning views and everything you could possibly need for a perfect stay (wifi, wide variety of British TV channels, fully equipped kitchen). The villa is a short drive from some quaint, little towns which are perfect for a bite to eat or a drink in the sun. The pool area and terrace were a personal highlight of ours and we can't wait to spend many more hours here when the BBQ area is complete. All in all can't wait to return in 2018. Kind regards, Liam

10/10 Excellent

Fiona F.

Lovely Villa, Amazing Views, Will be going back!

I stayed with my boyfriend and the family, we had the beautiful Paris room and our own bathroom while the rest of the family took the other end of the villa with their own bathroom. The beautiful beach was an hours drive away and it was completely worth it the views along the way were amazing and there is nothing like a family roadtrip to get everyone in the mood for a day at the beach!! We spent the nights on the veranda out to the front, the real magic happens when it gets dark and the bats start to leave their hiding places!! Over all everything was clean, very imaginative with the room designs and exactly as described in the description, we are already planning our next holiday there! I ant wait for it to be fully refurbished, I would make sure that you rent a car to try the beaches and the stunning mountains to the south! Thanks for the trip! Fiona

10/10 Excellent

Laura C.

Relaxing Autumn break

The villa has amazing views from the drive up to it, to sitting on the terrace. Lovely private surroundings, very spacious and well equipped with everything you need for a perfect family holiday. Very clean, towels and bedding was provided. Good size pool with lots of inflatables to play with. Will definitely be booking for next year. Owners where very helpful in helping us plan our holiday, travel cot provided for us upon request

About the host

Hosted by Mike and Pauline Drane

Host profile image
Hello, I'm Mike, and this is my wife Pauline in the picture. I'm recently retired and Pauline still works for the NHS in Liverpool. I spent many years in retail management working for 3 of the big food retailers, [ and one of the little ones.] before taking early retirement in 2017. Pauline has worked in the NHS for over 20 years in several different administrative positions. I was born in Norwich, before going to Birmingham to study Accountancy, from there I started my retail career. Pauline left school and started her career at the ground floor, working in many different departments, before moving onto management in 2005.
It had always been a dream of mine to live in France, after enjoying so many holidays in the summer on the South coast with my 3 boys. We kind of found South France by accident really back in 1998. Previously, family holidays were all about going to Greece or Cyprus, but the price of flights for a family priced us out of going there in the summer holidays. So a change of direction, saw us drive down to the French Med instead, and for the next 12 years the boys enjoyed the beaches and camp life with sites all across the coast. But Argeles-sur Mer always stayed a favourite of mine, and after getting to know the area on the car travels, it became set in my heart as my place for the future. However, buying a second home in France and enjoying extended breaks in the sun with my family is just as good, whilst they pursue their careers in the UK.

Why they chose this property

So buying this property in September 2017, was the realisation of this dream. The setting, in the valleys and the shadows of the Pyrenees, is supreme. I wake up, stroll through the French doors and sit on the terrace with my croissants and coffee and gaze over the vineyards and mountains to my right or absorb the glare of the pool ahead of me, listening to the twitter of the birds. I sit there, and wonder, "Where did it all go so wrong ?". To use a famous quote.
The property needed an upgrade, a refresh, so we took the opportunity through the autumn and winter of 2017/18 to make these changes. The photos available are now post-refurbishment as the building team has finished the landscaping and remedial works outside.

Languages:

English, French
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