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Saint Hilaire is a large village house on the corner of two ancient narrow roads which has been very sympathetically restored. It is full of character with every room having large wooden beams (or 'poutre', as they are called).
The house is actually a house and barn on 3 floors, but they are now together, which gives a sense of lots of different places to go. You will find a space for yourself here. There is also lots of storage space in the loft for cases and bags.
Accommodation:
GROUND FLOOR
There is an extremely large open-plan living room/dining room/kitchen. The kitchen is well equipped and there is a dining table with four chairs. A chaise longue, two armchairs, a 'steamer chair' and a coffee table surround the fire. There is a television which can show videos from a library of recorded feature films.
In the rear lower barn there's a bathroom, separate toilet, and a scullery with a washer-dryer.
COURTYARD and GARDEN
The walled courtyard is small (7' x 8'), but there's enough space for an outside bench and small barbecue. There's some planting including climbers and a small olive tree.
There is also a 26 ft garden.
FIRST FLOOR
The first floor has two light and airy double bedrooms and two single rooms, one with French windows looking out over the neighbour's award-winning garden.
The second upstairs 'bathroom' has a large glass-walled shower, rather than a second bath. A wall fan blows warm air in the winter and provides a cooling breeze during the hot summers; There's also a second toilet and a handmade blue pottery sink made by a local potter from Mirepoix.
ALL YEAR ROUND
This is an all year round house. Locals go skiing in the winter in the Pyrenees and there is a ski club for children in the nearest town.
From October to March the wood burning stove can be lit and a good supply of logs is kept in the house for the winter months. The stove heats both the downstairs and one of the upstairs bedrooms. There are also radiators in all the bedrooms.
Because Saint Hilaire is only rented out when the owner is not staying, it is cared for on a regular basis.
LOCAL AREA
The small village of Saint Hilaire, which has an excellent baker and butcher and a small supermarket, lies in the Corbieres hills, surrounded by vineyards. It is equidistant between Limoux and Carcassonne, so there is always something to do every week, all year round. The area is well-known for its spirit and conviviality.
It's famous for being the place where the first Brut (sparkling dry white wine) was invented...by the monks of the Abbey. From there Brut went on to become champagne.
There are beaches at nearby lakes, plus natural jacuzzis in the gorges of the Corbieres and only 30 minutes to the coast. The Corbieres hills and the Pyrenees offer good walking from easy routes to hard trekking and a good time to stroll down to taste the wines produced by the local 'Domaines' is in the late afternoon.
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Independent Comment
Located in the medieval quarter of a pretty village, this traditional village house provides a most convenient hideaway. Situated in a narrow street, the front door opens into an attractive and spacious open-plan living/dining/kitchen area where you immediately feel at home, with its original features including beamed ceiling, winding wooden staircase and large fireplace with wood-burning stove for winter. Upstairs is like a tardis, with no less than 4 reasonably sized bedrooms on the first floor and an optional 5th bedroom on the top floor.
A comfortable base for a holiday in a picturesque area. You have the convenience of a short walk to the village shops and bars/restaurants and you can take advantage of lots of recommendations for activities and sightseeing provided by the owner.
© A Week or 2 in Languedoc |
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