Village house south of Carcassonne

Stylishly-renovated historic village house with panoramic views of the Corbières hills from a magnificent roof terrace; private garden. Relax in a tranquil village, enjoy walks, swimming, Cathar castles, markets and vineyards. Two bedrooms, sleeps 4. La Maison de Lacamp is a newly-renovated, stone-built eighteenth century village house. With exterior walls a metre thick, it's cool in summer and cosy in winter. The house features a wonderful roof terrace with sweeping views across to the hills, stylish living areas, a state-of-the-art kitchen, two bathrooms, one an ensuite in local marble. There is a private, shaded patio garden beside the house with a table, chairs and a barbecue . There are shops, restaurants, art galleries and abbeys in nearby villages; we are 40 minutes from Carcassonne, an hour from Mediterranean beaches, and 90 minutes from Toulouse. The ground floor features a state of the art kitchen with dishwasher, large fridge, microwave, etc.; a seating area in front of an enclosed fire; and a separate dining room. On the first floor is the main bathroom (with washing machine and shower), the living room (with satellite TV), and the second bedroom (which can be set up either with a king or two singles); with a beautiful view up towards the Plateau de Lacamp. The top floor features the main bedroom, which has views across rooftops and towards the hills, but is very private; it has an ensuite bathroom in local stone; and leads to the upper kitchenette and the roof terrace - a great space for summer evenings. We can provide a folding bed (to be set up in the living room) for a fifth guest. On booking, we will send you detailed directions to the house, and a guide to the area, covering everything from swimming spots, walks and castles to vineyards, restaurants and shopping tips: if you like eating locally-sourced food, there are great opportunities to sample yoghurt, cheese, honey, olives, vegetables, organic chicken, lamb, goat and beef, and of course wine, which can all be sourced in the near vicinity of the village; locally caught seafood, oysters and mussels can also be obtained just an hour away from coastal producer . You have sole use of the house and adjacent garden. We like to welcome and meet guests and can provide guidance about local walks, farms, shopping, historic sights, art... If we are not in the village at the time of your stay we can be reached by phone, and always check to ensure you have arrived safely and have everything you need. The Corbières are renowned for Cathar castles including Termes, Peyrepeteuse and Queribus, all easily reached from the village. The famous Benedictine abbey of Lagrasse is 20 minutes away. Carcassonne, with its walled city, a World Heritage Site, and fabulous market, is 40 minutes away; the Canal du Midi, wonderful for easy walking and cycling is also a World Heritage Site and can be reached in 30 minutes; at your doorstep are many walks through fields and into the aromatic 'garrigue' - lavender, wild thyme and juniper abound. The area is equally delightful in the spring, when rare wild orchids appear, and in the autumn, when the vineyards are turning red and gold. Fine local honey, goat's and sheep's cheeses, yoghurt, olives, olive oil and related products (soaps and bath oils) are all available from local farms which you can visit. Vineyards in the area produce prize-winning wines, many of them now organic. Chateau Borde-Rouge, Haut-Gléon, and Villemagne are particularly recommended. Horse-riding and bike rentals are also available nearby. There's a thriving musical culture in the area, with a rich programme of live classical, contemporary and world music, in churches, abbeys and village squares. Mediterranean beaches (including Gruissan, Narbonne Plage and La Franqui) are approximately an hour's drive away. We particularly recommend Leucate, which has beautiful clear water, is safe for children, and is accessible via a relaxing backroads route. La Franqui is beloved of wind surfers. There is a local deli, baker and butchers, and a bar/restaurant in the neighbouring village, 1 km away; more restaurants, craft shops and art galleries, in Lagrasse, 12 km away. The closest airport is Carcassonne (Ryanair flights from London Stansted, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Cork, Dublin, Brussels, Oporto - routes and schedules vary seasonally). We are 90 minutes from Toulouse (2/3 British Airways flights a day to Heathrow; direct flights also to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and many other cities). Other nearby airports include Perpignan, Beziers, and Montpellier. You can also get to Carcassonne by train - the faster services from Paris are about five and a half hours. The A61 autoroute is 30 minutes from the village. It's a two-day drive from London (think of stopping overnight in the Loire, e.g. around Orleans); a long day from Paris; about three and a half hours from Barcelona. The village can be reached by taxi from Carcassonne, but a car is essential for shopping and getting around the area. We provide a detailed guide to the house, appliances etc., and to the area, once a booking has been confirmed. This includes detailed driving directions, some of the great wild swimming spots in the vicinity, beaches, shopping, museums and art spaces, restaurants, etc. The area around the house is wonderful for walking, especially during the spring and autumn. There are a host of leisurely walks that can be done right from the door of the house, and others within a short drive away. We are near the GR 36, one of the French national 'grandes randonnées' - there are magnificent sections with views of the Pyrenees not far away. If you are a keen walker, let us know: we are delighted to share details of great routes we have discovered over the last ten years.