Gite de la Garrigue

Welcome to the heart of the Corbieres, a rolling landscape of granite hills, cloaked in oak, chestnut and pine forests, with mountain streams that bubble up in brooks, rock pools and light cascades; its rocky outposts of ancient Cathar castles – Termes, Queribus, Aguilar, Peyrepetruse and Montsegur, set against the snow capped Pyrenees, lending an other worldly ambience to this most earthly of paradises, an hour from Carcassone airport and 2 from Bezier, Toulouse and Montpellier. The Gite comprises of an upstairs bedroom looking out onto the hills, bathroom with WC ensuite, and downstairs a kitchen-lounge with double sofabed and outside eating area. Stairs lead from the bedroom to the terrace with a magnificent view of the craggy massif from behind which rises the sun and moon, to flood the terrace in warmth and a mellow night time luminescence. Interaction wiill be minimal apart from Cecile who will present and receive the keys. Occasionally we may meet as neighbours or on the terrace Vignevieille, Languedoc-Roussillon, is centrally placed in the Corbières, and is an ideal base to explore this region. Vignevieille is 6km by road from the Chateau at Termes, and 5km by footpath over one hill side. Another footpath leads to Salza 8km over the telegraphed hill on the other. The Grande Randonee 36 which goes through Termes to the Pyrenees can be accessed 5km away just past Durfort, and the entire area invites an easy ramble. For swimmers a walk down through the village onto the other side of the road leads you to the village tennis court and play area by the river Orbieu and a bathing spot. 5km upstream there are the rock pools and cascades at La Conq just past the village of Monjoi and downstream are bathing spots by the weirs just before the villages of St Martin des Puits, St Pierre des Champs and Lagrasse. Before Termes there are also spots along the gorge. For cultural pursuits as well as the Cathar Chateaux, the nearest of which is in Termes there is the town of Lagrasse with its Medieval Abbey and market square, dotted with bijoux jewellers, craft shops and epicerie selling the finest regional gourmandaise. It also hosts music and literary festivals. For Art lovers, there are the art trails of the Artistes a Suivre around the town of Couiza in May, Albas in July, the Sculpture trail at Mayronnes all year and the Gallerie Cabrerisse at St Laurent de la Cabrerisse March - October. For Gourmands there is the noted Michellin 3* restaurant, L’Auberge de Vieux puits at Fontjoncouse – about 40minutes away, Le Moulin Neuf at Lanet about 10km and En Catamini at Ferrals. For simpler, nearer but also delicious fare there is Cafe Milo at Termes as well as multiple eateries in Lagrasse and St Laurent. And for after a dip in the Mediterranean, an hour away there are the oyster shacks at Gruissan and Leucate. Or for alternative bathing you can unwind in the warm healing waters of the pool at the spa town of Rennes-les-Bains with the nearby mysteries of Rennes-le-Chateau The quickest way to get around is by car. Bikes are available. The Gite is situated in the village of Vignevieille, which has a post office (Mon, Wed and Fri 9am -12.30pm, Tue and Thu 2.30 – 6pm) with PC, printer internet and basics like toilet paper, milk, coffee. The village is visited by the a baker thrice weekly, the goats cheesemaker, cow cheesemonger, chicken butcher and greengrocer weekly, announced via the village tannoy. Hypermarkets and shops with all mod cons are found in the market towns of Limoux - 35min, Lezignan 35 min, with smaller Spas and Superette at Lagrasse 20min, St Laurent 25min and La Roque de Fa 25 min