Aspiran - Charming 3 bed house with stunning views  

Description from the owner

This delightful, 19th century 'maison vigneronne' offers a real slice of French village life but with the views you would expect from a home deep in the countryside. Exposed beams, original floor tiles, and period furniture give this family home an authentic and well-loved feel, while TV (UK free to air channels), WiFi internet, telephone and DVD player provide modern conveniences. With 120sqm of bright airy living space, including good-sized bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, this is a home to relax in and enjoy. Not only does the house have a large, sunny terrace with beautiful views out to the Causse... du Larzac - perfect for dining on relaxed summer evenings - but a flight of stone steps lead down to a big, private, courtyard garden where you can barbecue, play boules, or just laze under the shade of the mulberry tree with a good book and a glass of locally-produced wine.

THE ROOMS

Entering the house from a quiet village street, a door to your left leads into the vast cave, or cellar, still containing the wine pressing equipment for which the room was originally built. This area now provides ample storage for bikes and firewood, plus a utility area for the washing machine. At the back of the cave a heavy wooden door leads out into the garden.

From the front door, an elegant stone staircase and a wrought iron banister lead up to the living and sleeping areas on the first floor. To the left at the top of the stairs is a light, airy bedroom with pretty French windows leading out onto a small balcony that overlooks the terracotta-tiled village rooftops and church tower. This room has a king size bed, a free-standing wardrobe, a chest of drawers and bookshelves. Across the hallway is a shower room with rain shower, wc and hand basin.

A second bedroom, overlooking the garden, is furnished with a set of wooden bunk beds, a sofa bed and an old pine chest of drawers. Opposite this bedroom is a large bathroom, with original terracotta floor tiles, a built-in double vanity unit, a full size bath tub, a wc, and a spacious, pebble-floored, walk-in shower. This is a real family bathroom!

The master bedroom also overlooks the garden. It is a delight to lie in bed in the morning with the window and shutters open, look out at the (nearly always blue) sky and listen to the birds. This bedroom is furnished with an ornate 19th Century wrought iron French bed (adapted to UK King size) an enormous wooden armoire and marble-topped chest of drawers. All bedrooms have ceiling fans to cool you down during the hot summer nights.

Beyond the master bedroom, the corridor opens out into the bright and comfortably furnished living, dining and kitchen areas. The living room has a large sofa, armchairs, bookshelves and wood-burning stove. In the dining area an antique walnut dining table comfortably seats 4 (6-8 when extended) and a large wooden buffet contains a good selection of tableware and crockery. There are lovely views from the living and dining room windows.

The freshly tiled, fitted kitchen includes a large butler sink, an oven with 4-ring gas/electric hob, microwave/convection oven, fridge/freezer and dishwasher, and is well-equipped with everything that you would expect in a self-catering holiday home - and more.

A glazed door leads from the living and dining area onto a large, sunny terrace where outdoor meals can be enjoyed at a 6-seater wrought iron dining table while you watch the sun go down over the hills. A stone staircase leads down from the terrace into the large, private walled garden. A barbecue and comfortable garden furniture make this an ideal alternative for al fresco dining, or just a lovely place to sit and relax after a day in the sun.Read more

Additional Location Information

THE LOCAL AREA
The village dates back to the 12th century, and much of it still protected by the original stone ramparts. But it is very much a working village, and is exceptionally well-provisioned, with a bakery, bar/café, grocery stores and library bordering the plane tree-shaded village square, plus a tabac, post-office and chemist. The vine-covered hillsides surrounding the village leave you in no doubt that you are in the heart of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region; very drinkable locally produced wine can be bought at the cellar doors of an impressive range of winemakers - some within walking distance of the house. Over the last decade or so Languedoc-Roussillon has started to shed its table-wine-producing image, and some very interesting new wines are starting to appear.
Only a kilometre, or short bike ride, from the house, the river Herault opens as wide as a small lake as it winds its way lazily out towards the Mediterranean, and little 'river beaches' dot its banks; perfect for lazy afternoons swimming, sunning, fishing or dozing. Twenty kilometres upstream, the river offers the adventurous an opportunity to kayak down its rapids as it cuts through some stunning gorges and flows under ancient stone bridges.

WITHIN AN HOUR OR SO
About 25 minutes drive away; just beyond the pleasant town of Clermont L' Herault (with its excellent Wednesday market) is the Lac de Salagou where sailing, windsurfing and swimming can be enjoyed. The picturesque hillsides surrounding the lake are very popular and well-signed for mountain biking, horse-riding and walking trails. The popular antiques centre, Pezenas (15km), has a very good local market on Saturdays and is a lovely place to wander in the early evenings, with its rabbit-warren of tiny lanes lined with local craft shops and some interesting restaurants (tapas in the shady garden at Les Marronniers is recommended).
The coastal towns of Agde (home of the region's largest water park, Aqualand), Cap d' Agde and Sete (sailing), Marseillan and Bouzigues (Oyster and mussel farming), the long white beaches of the Mediterranean and the wild landscape of the Camargue are all under an hour's drive away. The vibrant university city of Montpellier, with its maze of ancient narrow lanes brimming with fascinating places to shop and dine, is only 40 minutes away. Montpellier also has a remarkably efficient electric tram system, so you can park and ride without the worry of navigating the city centre. And slightly further afield, but still within easy reach, are the mysterious and legendary Cathar Castles of Peyrepertuse, Queribus, Montsegur and Carcassonne.
Going north, you will find some lovely ancient villages such as St Guilhem le Desert, with its beautiful Benedictine abbey. Millau Viaduct (the world's highest , at 350m) is one hour's drive north up the A75, and well worth the trip. And there are some unique natural sites not to be missed; the Cirque de Navacelles and the Cirque de Moureze are both well worth a visit, as are the caves at Demoiselle, Clamouse and Labeil. Put on your walking shoes, pack a picnic and your swimmers and explore!

Location Type Away from it all, River, Village

Rental fees

Additional notes from owner

1. Easter and Christmas/New Year holiday periods will be charged at High Season rates.

2. Special discounted rates are available for long letting periods (over 1 month), depending on season. Please email the owners to discuss.

4. Bed linen and bath towels can be provided at an extra charge of EUR10 per person per stay. Alternatively, guests are welcome to bring their own. Please advise at time of booking.

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• coral and david Lawrence
  Sydney, Australia

  #9 Rue Souville, Aspiran

  Left on 03/21/2013 for a stay in September 2012
  
  

  What a wonderful experience staying at #9 Rue Souville. From the beginning of our negotiations Hilary Galea who could not have been more obliging. Our stay for 6 months was memorable. The house is well equipped and handy to larger towns and city if needed. The village is typical with houses opening onto the narrow streets. The village of aspiran is very well situated for a tourist's interests, being in the middle of the Cathar area of south France, close to the Pyrenees and Spain and surrounded by good and not expensive restaurants. Not to mention the terrific wine produced in and around the area and the French cheese that one cannot afford unless living in France.
  We were very sad to leave and would highly recommend this to anyone who wishes to enjoy life to the fullest.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Families

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• Bob and Barbara
  norther Virginia, USA

  A great month in Languedoc

  Left on 05/28/2012 for a stay in May 2012
  
  

  Hillary, the absentee owner, covers her bases by having her charming English parents, Audrey and Eric ensure that your arrival is comfy and enjoyable. A lovely village house,well-located in the best part of Languedoc (especially if you like good wines!), it sleeps 7 (inc. children) and is generally well equiped. Hillary is already planning for minor purchases for future renters but fear not...it is 95% comfortable even for the demanding american visitor. The house has lots of charm, is easily accessible from a near-by major highway and is close to lovely outdoor markets, historic sites and even a few very good restaurants. We loved our month-long stay in aspiran and would recommend it to virtually any visitor for a week or month (or longer). A great find and a very good price/value relationship.
  One note of caution...no central heating but not needed for most of the year and when you do need heat there is a great fireplace which does a superb job as well as two space heaters. Also, if you are addicted to TV either you will be disappointed or you shouldn't come to France for vacation...as most of you would not understand French anyway!
  A satisfied visitor

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Romantic, Families

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  Response from The Galea Family - 10/15/2012

  

  The Galea Family

  Owner

  Thanks to Bob and Barbara for their kind review. An update on the TV situation .... we couldn't go survive not being able to watch the Olympics this summer, so have now installed a 32-inch flat screen TV with English free-to-air satellite channels in the living room.

• Jim Phillips and Renee McLeod
  San Diego, CA

  Tres Magnifique!

  Left on 12/11/2011 for a stay in November 2011
  
  

  My wife and I spent a wonderful 10 days here in early November 2011. The house has lots of character (the exposed original walnut beams, for example) yet has all the modern amentities needed for a comfortable stay. We agree with all ther other reviewers who have stayed here: Aspiran is a welcoming, authentic village and makes a great base for wine tasting, hiking, and just general exploring of this unsung region of France. We highly recommend staying here for a relaxing yet stimulating stay in rural France.

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• Sheila Parry
  Farnham, Surrey, UK

  Getting away from it all in aspiran

  Left on 07/08/2011 for a stay in August 2010
  
  

  Airy, spacious house with stunning views, local walks and freshwater swimming. Ideal for getting away from hubbub and relaxing holiday in authentic French village.

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• Sharon Harvey
  Petersfield, Hampshire

  A fabulously relaxing break

  Left on 05/17/2011 for a stay in August 2010
  
  

  A gorgeous house retaining its original character,yet with all the necessary mod cons to make our stay as comfortable as possible. The village of aspiran is like stepping back in time, but again with the occasional modern surprise - a champagne bar hidden away in an old street! The perfect base for a get away from it all holiday.

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• Marek
  London

  Quiet retreat in a real French village

  Left on 09/28/2010 for a stay in September 2010
  
  

  This beautiful house on the edge of an unspoilt village is an ideal place to get away from it all and absorb some warm French air. Spacious and airy, with a large patio overlooking the hill which shelters aspiran from the autoroute, this home feels immediately welcoming and relaxing. Beautiful old furniture is combined with modern fixtures, including a stunning main bathroom with walk-in shower, and a very well equipped kitchen. The beds were comfortable and there is plenty of storage space in all the rooms.
  Positives: peacefulness (apart from the over-enthusiastic binmen); space; views; friendly locals; figs fresh from the tree!
  Negatives: Steep stairs up to the apartment are a bit daunting for the elderly or infirm. No pool or hot-tub (hint-hint). No TV or DVD player (some people may consider this a positive!)
  P.S. The house now has wireless internet!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Friends, Tourists, Families w teenagers, Romantic, Luxury, Families w children

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  Response from The Galea Family - 11/18/2010

  

  The Galea Family

  Owner

  Many thanks for the positive review Marek. Can't promise the pool or hot-tub in the near future, but for TV-aholics we have given way slightly: no satellite TV, but there are some great films in our video/DVD library, and a portable DVD player with a screen just about big enough to keep the kids satisfied (especially when they're allowed to watch movies in bed!).

• frank and sheena
  glenurquhart scotland

  A Magical Year in aspiran

  Left on 06/09/2010 for a stay in January 2008
  
  

  We decided to take a year out and live in France and chose aspiran because it was not your typical tourist town - more a real French village. The accommodation at No 9 was also typically French - a beautiful spacious house with open views at the rear and views over the very varied village roof tops at the front. The large terrace at the rear was ideal for long breakfasts. There was a lovely enclosed courtyard to the side where we spent many lazy afternoons under the fig tree sampling the local wines and sharing barbecues with friends of various nationalities. In the cooler evenings we sat round the roaring wood burning stove in the lovely sitting room. The location of aspiran is superb. We were a stone's throw from larger towns (Clermont L'Herault,Pezenas), various Grottes (we found Grotte des Demoiselles really stunning), the beach - 7 kms at Sete and within easy reach of the mountains. Montpellier is also an easy journey from aspiran and is a very vibrant city with lots to see and do. However, there were also many amenities on the doorstep. In aspiran there were various shops including a baker, a greengrocer, a mini supermarket, a tabac and a hairdresser. There is also a bar/restaurant and a champagne bar. Within a 10 minute walk from the house there is another restaurant which is very good, and just beyond that is the river Herault - here locals fished and swam. - so did we! The village is surrounded by vineyards and we enjoyed many walks through them and the woods overlooking the village. There were lots of different birds to see, among them the shy Golden Oriole, the comical Hoopooe and the beautiful European Bee-Eaters. We found the villagers to be friendly and courteous and the children always greeted us with 'Bonjour Monsieur'dame!' We have nothing but praise for our accommodation and location. We would recommend it to anyone.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Friends, Groups, Tourists, Families w teenagers, Romantic, Luxury, Families w children, Rugged

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• P&C
  Scotland

  Great house, great location!

  Left on 05/12/2010 for a stay in May 2010
  
  

  What can I say about this place! Beautiful old house, very nicely finnished inside, comfortably furnished, home from home!(except it was warm,dry & sunny!)
  Best bits, sitting on the large balconey having all our meals while enjoying the views & sitting in the shade under the tree in the court yard garden. Can't think of any bad bits!
  Location was great, plenty to see & do. Caves, rivers, the sea,lovely villages to look around, the markets, everything with in an easy drive.
  Plenty of excellent local red wine! & some excellent places to eat within the local area.
  Would recommend to all!!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Friends, Tourists, Families w teenagers, Romantic, Luxury, Families w children

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• Yves
  Québec, Canada

  Day-to-day life in Languedoc

  Left on 05/07/2010 for a stay in March 2010
  
  

  Having travelled in different parts of the world over the last thirty
  years, my wife and I wanted to experience something different: to live
  the day-to-day life of a small southern French village. We found this authentic but renovated «vigneron»
  home, and this was just the house for us.
  
  My daily walk to buy
  croissants and baguettes at the local bakery and to start a discussion
  with the friendly owners Anais and Nico; reading a good book in the
  afternoon in the lovely shaded side garden; our quiet dinners on the
  large deck overlooking the valley; and on cool nights, lighting up the
  fireplace (lovingly referred to as «The Beast») while sipping a glass
  of local wine, all these cherished moments reminded us of the song
  `Douce France` by Charles Trenet. Needless to say that the house is
  large, airy and provides all the comforts of home.
  
  What was also
  marvellous is that Aspiran is centrally located for a wide variety of
  other activities: eating oysters in Bouzigues, going to the beach near
  Sète, slowly driving through the vineyards of St-Chinian, Faugères and
  Corbières with many stops for wine tasting, visiting medieval villages
  like mysterious Olargues or well known St-Guilhem-le-Désert and
  Minerve. We also spent time gift hunting in close-by Montpellier,
  Clermont L'Hérault and Pézenas. Finally, we``escaped`` for a few days
  to visit le viaduc de Millau and les Gorges du Tarn et de la Jonte.
  
  
  We have thouroughly enjoyed our two month stay in Aspiran and we hope
  to return again some day.

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• C Mellor
  New York, US

  Wonderful relaxing holiday

  Left on 04/29/2010 for a stay in August 2008
  
  

  This charming house is a hidden gem on the edge of the lovely village. We admired how the owners had sensitively retained the traditional features of the property, whilst at the same time providing all modcons - including great showers! The kitchen was very well fitted out and the living accommodation is open and airy, which was great for us to 'chill' and enjoy being together. The terrace offers the most wonderful view across the valley, perfect for eating outside and watching the sun go down - which we did, often! We picked figs from the trees in the walled garden, which is another lovely place to relax.
  
  We thought the surrounding countryside was beautiful, particularly the rivers where the boys enjoyed swimming and exploring. The area is full of history and there is plenty to see and do. We loved getting croissants from the village every morning too!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Families w teenagers, Romantic, Families w children, Rugged

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