Le Petit Castel

Description from the owner

* Sleeps 4 comfortably

* 2 private double bedrooms on separate levels

* Outdoor private sun terrace with BBQ

* All mod-cons including dish washer, washing machine etc.

* Free unlimited Wi-Fi Internet access

* Satellite television, DVD player, Hi-Fi etc.

* DVD library and book library

* All quality linen/towels supplied and no extra costs for cleaning

* Located in Olonzac, Market town and Capital of the Minervois

* Easy parking only 15 metres from the house (no reserved places)

Located in the old village in the very centre of Olonzac, this charming three-story house in a quiet corner... off the Hotel de Ville Square has been tastefully decorated in modern style. Featuring exposed stone work over the complete exterior of the house, it is said to be one of the prettiest houses in its area. Having renovations only completed June 2006, and refurbished November 2009, it features all brand new quality furnishings and fittings, all chosen carefully to suit the deco.

From the front door you enter a tiled hallway with the modern kitchen/dining room to the left. The kitchen is excellently equipped with dishwasher, microwave, oven, and a cooker. There is a LCD flat screen TV to entertain whilst cooking. There is crockery, cutlery and seating ready for 4. To the left of the hallway is a toilet and a large room for storage.

Going up a spiral stairway to the 2nd floor, there is a large double bedroom, bathroom with shower, washing machine and another separate toilet.

Ascending the spiral staircase to the 3rd floor, there is another bedroom opening up from the living room with a double bed and inbuilt wardrobe. The bright living room with a 2nd TV has a couch that can be converted to another double bed should more bedding be required. There are additional chairs, satellite television (english spoken channels), and DVD player. Doors lead from here onto a delightful rooftop terrace overlooking the village rooftops. There is a BBQ, outdoor furniture and chairs to seat 4.

All rooms have electric heating for the winter months. Linen and towels are supplied at no extra cost. The fixed pricing includes everything and there are no additional charges. ie. Cleaning, electricity etc.

The Wireless Internet service is unlimited and free.

The area offers a variety of things to do depending on the type of group you fall into.

For a family with young children the Mediterranean beaches are a must. The beaches are kept clean and dogs are not permitted on them. Swimming is safe with plenty of lifeguards in season. A trip through the etangs (salt lakes) that run from Narbonne down to Peyriac de Mer is worth the visit just to see the pink flamingos. A little further south is the African wild life park Sigean.

An afternoon boat ride on the Canal du Midi is a must. The departure takes place in Homps, 5km from Olonzac. Returning to your port of call, one could have a late afternoon drink or an al fresco dinner at one of the many restaurants right on the edge of the canal.

Being a fantastic area for hiking and cycling, hire bikes that can be delivered to your door (see our links page). Ply the canal towpaths and local roads through the vineyards.

The village of Minerve (seven kilometres from the houses) was a strategic place for the Cathars and an important stopover for the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostelle in Spain during the medieval times. It was also the home of Simon de Montfort.

The Fontfroide Abbey, along with the abbeys Fontcaude and Lagrasse are all less than half an hour away. The ruined but still spectacular fortresses of Peyrepertuse, Montsegur and Queribus are the scenes of the the last desperate struggles of the Cathar rebels.

Carcassonne and its famous medieval castle, which has been seen in a number of films, has a wonderful covered market and an 18-hole golf course.

For Bastille day, 14th July, Carcassonne becomes one of the busiest places in France and hosts a spectacular fire-works display. Pézenas, known as Molière's town, is the place where the famous playwright used to spend his summers away from Paris. His plays are now being performed there on a regular basis.

Further along, you can visit Le Pont du Gard, a Roman Aqueduct, and the cities of Arles and Nîmes, both graced with arenas dedicated to bullfighting also dating back to the Roman era.

Narbonne dates back to pre Roman times and was once the capital of the Languedoc.

There is a beautiful covered market in Narbonne, Les Halles where the quality of food is excellent from butchers through fishmongers. It operates from Monday to Saturday and is augmented every Thursday and Sunday by a huge market both sides of the Robine Canal, a tributary of the Canal du Midi.Read more

Additional Location Information

Location Type Away from it all, Lake, Village

Additional notes from owner

For special events and holidays, enquire directly for prices.

Payments can be accepted in Euros, Pounds Sterling or Australian Dollars. For currency conversions click here...
In mid and low season shorter stays are negotiable.

Taxes, Heating, electricity, linen, cleaning costs etc are all included in the above prices. Upon request, linen can be changed over weekly at no extra cost for bookings longer than a week.

What Past Guests Are Saying

• AmnTho
  Sydney, Australia

  An exceptional 6 stars out of 5 for Le Petit Castel !

  Left on 10/06/2012 for a stay in October 2012
  
  

  Bonjour Derek
  I have finally got to the computer to compose an email to you. Usually after a busy day I
  just collapse.
  
  Initially we spent two weeks in Montpellier which was a great introduction to le Midi. We
  stayed in the Old Quarter, then visited Nimes and the Pont du Gard: those Roman towns are the best examples of Roman architecture which I have ever seen. Ahurissant!
  
  We had an eventful trip down to Olonzac last Saturday as "il pleuvait aux cordes"
  (excuse the spelling and grammar). Larry (my husband) locked the keys in the car at the G20 supermarket on the route d'Oupia about 45 minutes before the supermarche closed. They stayed open for us which was wonderful. The car mechanic who arrived did not have an electronic opening device - however, he managed with the old flattened coathanger device...and we were off.
  
  Le Petit Castel is everything...and more...that I had hoped for. Il est super bon...très
  très très fort...charmant totalement! The location in the middle of Olonzac is very convenient. We are very comfortable and relaxed here; we have internet access and satellite TV and all the :mod cons". Thank you for the welcoming hamper and the fantastic information folder which has helped us plan some of our trips.
  
  We have spent time just simply walking around Olonzac which has been lovely. The school is so quiet (they must drug their children!) and we said "Hello" to the two white swans and the ducks in the parc. We attended the Tuesday markets and bought diabolically good saucisson pistache, couscous, fresh fruits and a cyclamen plant for the lovely G20 staff. The tomatoes we also bought were so sweet and so tasty - I have not tasted anything so good in years!
  
  Then we drove to Minerve. What can I say? The whole town is breathtaking! Just the sheer geographical location...at the junction of the two rivers in that deep gorge...and the steepness and degree of preservation of the village...were all most impressive. We attended the Musée Hurepel and learnt about the extermination of the Cathars. Then we had a very interesting talk to the monsieur who runs it. Apart from walking around and seeing all the different historical remains, we then had a few words in my very bad French to the 92 year old lady who lives opposite the Hurepel and who knows the history of the town inside out.
  
  The countryside around Olonzac is so green and peaceful and lovely...ah - it is good for the soul!
  
  The French people, both in Paris and in the Midi, have been wonderful...very polite...very
  helpful...very tolerant of my lack of French and my accent.
  
  I give Le Petit Castel , as well as France itself, 6 stars that is, 6 out of 5 !
  
  We are going to Homps today for a brief cruise on the Canal du Midi and again "il fait beau".
  
  Will write again.
  Regards.
  
  Anne Maree Thomas; 5 October 2012

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Families w children

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• PeterRJ
  Sydney, Australia

  Great Place to Stay

  Left on 09/03/2012 for a stay in April 2012
  
  

  This is a great place to stay. It is modern with all appliances that we needed. A real bonus for us was the free Wi Fi and the two Tv's with English speaking channels. The village offers places to eat and a supermarket which are not all that common. The weekly market is large and only 30 meters away. The roof top terrace was great place for our evening meal. The place is convenient to many historical villages most being within an hours drive away and a boat ride on the Canal du Midi was excellent and a must do. The local wine was excellent and cheap. The aussie owners were helpful and we hope to stay longer next time..

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Families w children

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• Federico D
  Florence, Italy

  Perfect stay in the south of France

  Left on 08/29/2012 for a stay in August 2012
  
  

  We really had a great time at Le Petit Castel. The booking process was very easy despite the fact we made our reservation just 2 days in advance. The owner provided perfectly accurate information about the house. Once we got there we were welcomed by the owner's father who was very kind, showed us the house around and provided information about the area. They also gave as a present a good bottle of red French wine that we enjoyed on the lovely balcony on the roof (we loved it!)
  The house has really everything you need to feel at home...just perfect.
  The only thing you need to consider is that the house is on 3 floors connected by a narrow set of staircase: not a problem for us, but could be less suitable for people with disabilities.
  The village is lovely and the overall experience is just perfect if you want to relax in the countryside of southern France enjoying a slow paced life, good food and wine. The area is also very beautiful with Carcassonne and the Mediterranean within an easy reach.
  We can't recommend this place enough.
  
  Federico & Fulvia

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  Detailed ratings for this rental

  • Check in
    
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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

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  Was this review helpful? Yes