15th century home in wine village, sleeps 9
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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 5 |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
| Sleeps | 9 |
| House | |
| Suitability |
|---|
| No Pets |
| No Smoking |
| FlipKey traveler rating |
| 16 reviews |
| Stayed here? Write a review. |
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All reviews are written by verified travelers
Details
| Rental type | House |
| Minimum Stay | 7 nights |
| Living space | 2500 square feet |
| Bedrooms | 5 Total |
| Bathrooms | 3 Total |
| Sleeps | 9 |
| Suitability |
Pet friendlyNo Smoking allowedNo Suitable for childrenAsk Suitable for the elderlyAsk Wheelchair accessibleNo |
Description from the owner
Breathtaking vaulted ceilings highlight this restored, 15th-century, village home. Chosen for its location in the heart of the Languedoc (called by one travel magazine "the last undiscovered region of France"), this ample, well-equipped home puts you 20 minutes from the Mediterranean in one direction, an hour from Carcassonne in the other, with wine country on every side.
The house was purchased in 1999 by US owners, who stay there often to perform maintenance as well as enjoy their favorite region on earth.
It's a stone village house, two stories in front, three stories in back. It has a mostly restored ground floor, a late 19th...Read more
Amenities
Location
15th century home in wine village, sleeps 9
Pezenas, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
What's Nearby:
Additional Location Information
Our house is in Valros, a small village neighboring picture-perfect Renaissance-period Pezenas. Pezenas (with its dozens of antique dealers, a sidewalk cafe culture, abundance of artisans' shops, and summer-long arts festival) is a special discovery for all our visitors. In 2011, stage 15 of the Tour de France bicycle race went through Pezenas.
But it's only your first taste of a strikingly varied and delightful region that provides an all-you-can-eat feast of things to see and do, no matter what your interests.
In June 2011, for instance, UNESCO added 25 new properties to its "World Heritage List," bringing the total to 936 globally. One of these new properties, a vast limestone plateau called the Causse, is 45 minutes from our door. The rural Causse contains the cheese caves of Roquefort, many fortifications of the Knights Templar and Hospitaller, Grand Canyon-scale gorges, the world's tallest suspension bridge, the glove-makers of Millau, and is criss-crossed with pilgrimage routes.
Want history? You're in an area first settled by the Phoenicians. Conquered by the Romans. Lost to the Visigoths. Invaded by the Saracens. Fought over mercilessly during the 13th century crusade against the Cathar heresy. Playing a major role in the later French Wars of Religion. And filled with events and echoes from the Revolution.
Today, the Languedoc is making history again with the world's highest suspension bridge, 45 minutes from our house. Lord Norman Foster's Viaduc de Millau, which only opened a few years ago, is already a recognized engineering wonder of the world, attracting an international fan club of awestruck visitors.
Want shopping? Welcome to paradise. Pezenas, a few minutes from the house, shelters a well established and very select artisans' hub amongst and sometimes in restored mansions from the days of Moliere. Small ateliers sell beautifully crafted, one-of-a-kind leather goods, designer clothing, jewelry, hand-loomed silks, art, home goods and the unclassifiable. The person behind the counter is often the artisan.
Up the highway 45 minutes is Montpellier, site of Europe's first medical school, now a cosmopolitan high-tech hub offering a wealth of Paris-quality goods to an affluent and sophisticated audience.
Want superb French food and drink? Bon appetit.
As you will soon notice, this is serious wine country. And boutique vinters are everywhere, including our little town. Les Creisses, in Valros, sells almost its entire exquisite production to an exclusive Swiss resort. But you can buy a bottle locally, at the vegetable store.
Within an hour's drive are distinctive appellations such as Faugeres, Saint Chinian, and Minervois. A bit further south, past the wind farms and into the arid Corbieres, you will enter one of the world's foremost "fortified" wine areas. Here, renown wineries like Mas Amiel, in the valley beneath the cloud-touching old fortress of Queribus, ages its wine in the sun. Their incomparable complex sweet wines, some aged 20 years, pair fabulously with treats ranging from chocolates to local anchovies, salted and in oil.
But that's just wine. Oyster farms use the same warm salt lagoons as flocks of flamingos, 20 minutes away from our house.
An hour's drive south, in the middle of nowhere, is one of France's newest Michelin 3-star restaurants. Prepare to spend a few hundred per person on a meal you'll never stop talking about.
How about an olive oil tasting at Oulibo? Or some of the best bread baked on earth, a 5-minute drive from Valros?
Exploring restaurants is part of the fun for many visitors. Pezenas has plenty of them, some traditional, some nouveau, some ethnic. And let's say you're plain tuckered out ... well, maybe it's "pizza night" in Valros, when a van parks in the town square and right there in its ovens makes some of the best thin crust we've ever had.
So you're probably wondering about exercise? We walk in the vineyards. We hike in the mountains 45 minutes away. We swim in the Mediterranean, 20 minutes away. And some guests rent bicycles, because bicycling is a French obsession.
Our home is the perfect base for dozens of day trips and a memorable French holiday. The house has its own website where many of the day trips we've done personally are described in detail. We collect at the house every guide book and map we can get our hands on, for your convenience. Plus our guests (we've been renting for almost a decade) leave their personal notes about what they've seen and done.
Rates
Rates shown in $ USD (change)
| Date | Weeknight | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Minimum Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Summary | $200 | $200 | $1,400 | $0 | 7 nights |
| Jun. 3 2012 - Jun. 10 2012 | - | - | $1,400 | - | 7 nights |
| All Other Dates | $200 | $200 | $1,400 | - | 7 nights |
| Can't find rates for your travel dates? Contact the owner | |||||
Additional notes from owner
Check in is 4 PM Friday. Check out is 10 AM the following Friday. Between those times, our housekeeper comes in to clean. This is a so-called "self-catering" house. We provide linens and towels, but otherwise you're on your own.
Availability
AvailableUnavailable Last updated: March 14, 2013 ◀▶
What Past Guests Are Saying
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Lisa
Edgewood Rhode Islandinspiration for three artists
Left on 05/21/2012 for a stay in July 2011
Thank you for providing Victor, Cecily and I with the gift of a week in your lovely house in Valros. Our trip was wonderful and we owe much of the pleasure to the book of day trips and your beautiful space. I could go on and on about the brilliance of the Pezenas market, or Escargot de la Mer steamed with garlic, or the town of Roquefort or even the yogurt selection at Carrefort-this is an exquisite place and we wish to visit again and again.
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Steve and Lee
Washington, DCOne of the best trips ever!
Left on 08/01/2011 for a stay in May 2009
This incredible 15th century home in the small village of Valros is steeped in history, and yet has all the modern conveniences of a home away from home. It is also well located for the tourist interested in exploring Languedoc, the oldest and one of the most scenic regions in France.
Whether you are interested in food, wine, antiques, or exploring the ancient towns that dot the landscape, there are enough day trips listed by the innkeepers to keep you entralled for weeks. And, there is nothing like returning to the house after a long day of sightseeing, relaxing by the amazing ancient stone fireplace, and having a glass or two of a wonderful wine bought during a tour of one the many vineyards. In addition to the fascinating history of the region, it is the largest producer of wine in France.
And, don't miss the Saturday market in nearby Pezenas, it was among our most memorable experiences.
Bottom line: This was a trip worth taking and then taking again.
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Toni
USAA home away from home
Left on 07/27/2011 for a stay in October 2010
This was the 2nd visit to the 15th century home. It is clean, cozy and you can experience the every day life of the townspeople. The house is located in a very quaint village. The location is convenient to many major tourist spots/towns.
The owners provide detailed information for you with regard to tips and guides to the tourist sites. Great resource information on restaurants which included pricing, type of food and when they were open. The price value is outstanding for a week stay. It is spacious and there is a cute little fireplace which we enjoyed on the cool evenings.There are quite a few wineries close by that are small and at some we visited you feel that you are enjoyng the wine tasting in their home.
I would definately plan to stay here on my next trip to the Langeudoc-Roussillon area.
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Mark P
Petersburg, VaI'll be back!
Left on 07/25/2011 for a stay in December 2004
I thought my 1828 house in Virginia was old. Parts of the house go back to the 12th c. To see the double vaulted ceiling and the enormous fireplace in the living room are worth the visit alone. All made out of stone. Check out the photos and especially the videos. This place sleeps 9 people and is only $1400 per week. That's less than $156 per person per week. I paid more than that for one night in a very average room in the Florida Keys. I was there in December. My only regret was not having my bicycle. Some days were warm enough to ride. The Tour de France has gone through the town within the last few years and it came close again this year. I'll be back with my road bike. Great restaurant in town, bakery down the block (go very early), excellent local wine, and pizza from a truck. We had a great time.
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Dolly
Petersburg, VAWhat happens in France stays in France
Left on 07/23/2011 for a stay in December 2004
We stayed here for one week around Christmas in 2004, with a group of good friends. It was lovely and restful, and a great getaway. The rooms were comfortable and well decorated and the kitchen was cosy. There is a great living area as well, with books and lots of stuff to look at. The town is one of those beautiful medieval towns you see everywhere in Europe, and the house is one of those houses you always want to see the inside of. Our room was in the front, and in the morning we would wake up and look out on the little cobblestone street, with an ancient church around the corner, and then go around the corner to find some pain and patisserie to go with our cafe. Sunday night we ordered from the pizza truck. Other days we would all pile into the car and explore the region. It was, quite simply, a wonderful experience, combining the comforts of a very different home with our many excursions. The one restaurant in town was the only thing open on Christmas, but the meal was fantastic. I would definitely recommend this place, and I hope to go there again one of these days.
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jr hutchison
CTCharming home in a spectacular location
Left on 07/11/2011 for a stay in May 2011
I invited a group of friends, family and significant others to stay together for a week in this lovely home nestled in a quaint French village. The location is perfect for day trips around the south of France and northern Spain. Simone and her co-owners make it very easy to stay at their incredible home by availing guests to a detailed house book and step by step Web site. The house has old world charm coupled with just the right amount of modern conveniences. If you are looking to disconnect, unwind, relax and engage in lively conversation, this is the perfect choice. Their home is clean, inviting and engaging. Highly recommend you staying here. We would certainly love to come back!
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Rod Givens
Petersburg, VATwo Unforgetable Weeks in authentic Surroundings.
Left on 07/11/2011 for a stay in December 2009
From the beautiful fire place to the wonderful floor tiles, this home has lots of visual delights. All the modern amenities are there but the home is simple and restful. The city of Pezenas has restaurants and shops and a monument to Moliere. The Mediterranean is a short drive from the house and there are lots of flea markets in the area. All of this made for an unforgettable time in France.
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Merri B.
San FranciscoA Castle a Day
Left on 07/06/2011 for a stay in October 2010
This house offers a magical escape into an earlier time-- but with modern conveniences. We loved the well-worn stairs, the neighborhood cats' hellos at the front door, the church bells chiming us awake every morning, and the overflowing library. Not to mention the surroundings-- the village, the adjoining towns, the nearby sea, and the seemingly endless supply of castles. Can't wait to get back!
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Greg
Smithfield2nd time here even better than the first
Left on 07/03/2011 for a stay in April 2009
This was a return visit for us - the last time having been during the fall grape harvest. I didn't think it would be as good, but it was nice to be proven wrong. The local scenery was bursting with spring colors; the local fresh food and wine were stupendous and walks through town and the area around town were simply wonderful. We opted to let our college-aged son stay in the third floor bedroom (where we had stayed previously)- and he appreciated the private bath and terrace as much as we had. I love that the house can accommodate a wide range of configurations of people; the whole group eating in the dining room or on the terrace in back to curling up alone with a good book in one of the comfortable chairs or couches in the main room.
It's great to feel part of place - even for a short stay of a week - so much more satisfying than staying at a hotel. It really began to feel like "our house in France" too. -
Laura Laramie
Rhode Island, USAAuthentic French Small Town Charm
Left on 07/03/2011 for a stay in October 2009
Not only is it lovely to stay in this comfortable, historic house and village, but the ease of traveling only an hour in any direction will bring you to varied and wonderful sights and destinations.
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Helen
MichiganFood - wonderful food and sharing it with friends.
Left on 07/01/2011 for a stay in May 2009
This getaway is absolutely perfect for a family reunion or a for bunch of buddies who want to re-connect in one of the most beautiful spots in the world - the South of France. The house is homey and welcoming. And outside is adventure - a trip to the mountains or the Mediterranean. We spent a day in the Languedoc, sipping its famous wines. We adored the food - their super markets would put the best Whole Foods to shame. Will want to visit again, if only to eat like we can't in the states and hang out in a comfy haven.
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Connie & Terry
Providence, RIImmersed in Southern France
Left on 06/30/2011 for a stay in June 2010
There's always something to do: natural hikes to take through fields, vineyards, mountains, bird sanctuaries along the Mediterranean, locks and canals, the medieval fortifications of Carcasson, the engineering grandeur of Millau new bridge - and then there's Valros and the house itself: welcoming, comfortable, fully equipped when you don't want anything to do. Good food within a short walk, even a pizza truck for Sunday evening take-home. We still miss the morning carillon - such a reasonable and glorious alarm-clock alternative. We'll be back!
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Jonathan
Harvard, MAPerfect Place in the South of France
Left on 06/24/2011 for a stay in November 2003
This is the best, most interesting, most convenient place I have ever stayed while on vacation. The extended description on the FlipKey site is very accurate, and matches our own experience well. My wife, our one-year-old, and I used it as a home base for a trip around the south of France. It's a good balance of antique beauty and contemporary convenience. The sweet little town of Valhros is easygoing and fun (real-life residential, not particularly touristy), with terrific local food and places to poke around, but also easy proximity to larger and more touristy towns like Pezanas, with its weekly street fair, and also local vineyards. There are countless easy day trips you can go on, from here. Beyond looking like a museum, the house itself is clean, comfortable, and well appointed, and has many rooms on different floors, so you can find a quiet place indoors or out to read your book or have a snack, and get away from everyone else. I see that they redid the bathrooms and kitchen since I was there. They weren't too bad then, but they look a lot better now. Also, the owners are really nice and helpful. Definitely stay here! It's terrific, and also a really good value. That was one of the very best vacations I ever had.
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Sharilyn
Toronto CanadaIf the walls could talk!
Left on 06/23/2011 for a stay in September 2006
My best friend and I had a wonderful stay! Every area of the home had a unique decor and charm, and you could only imagine the wonderful stories the old walls would share from the last few hundred years. It's not a 5 star luxury resort but the experience of being in a home with such character, in the heart of a real little village, makes it a far more interesting experience.
The location was perfect for night time walks, our day trips (Montpellier, and east to Nice and west to Barcelona), visits to the beach and markets...and of course, the local pizza truck which makes the best seafood pizza.
Simoen and Tom think of everything. The website is jammed with great resources for travel planning, including detailed itineraries, directions, tips and tricks - that added great value. Hard copies of this are available at the house, along with wonderful books and movies, beach chairs and anything else you'll need.
Definitely recommend it!
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Julie
Niagara on the lake, Ontario, CanadaIncredible!
Left on 06/23/2011 for a stay in August 2010
We were a family of two adults and two teenagers. The house has everything you could possibly need for a week's stay or longer. It is extremely comfortable with a great deal of space. The library that Tom and Simone have assembled is great; if you happen to have time to read! This was our first trip to France and we felt incredibly spoiled being in this region. I feel certain we saw the 'real France': Valros is a wonderful, small, friendly town with plenty of everything either in town or in nearby towns which are easily accessible: shopping, dining, hiking, touring, vineyards, the Mediterranean. Our only problem was that one week was not long enough. We will be back!
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Jim & Lisa Rattray
Rhode IslandA+ Rustic relaxation!
Left on 06/20/2011 for a stay in April 2005
Valros was everything we hoped for in a French countryside holiday - quiet, friendly and a superb launching point for some great adventures!
We were charmed by the old world feel of the town, how eager the residents were to engage us in English and teach us a little French and how easily we just slipped into French life. And make sure you discover the winery hidden away in the village!
This old stone house is absolutely dripping with character and probably filled with a million stories over its 500-year history. Still, it has been updated with all the modern conveniences!
We loved Valros - and look forward to when our journeys will again take us through the Languedoc region.
Enjoy!
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