l'Olivette Chambres/Table d'Hotes, Bed & Breakfast

Description from the owner

We would like to welcome you to our friendly home from home high class accommodation, situated just 5 minutes walk from Quillan town centre, yet set in a stunning and tranquil area, with gardens of 2 acres and fabulous views over the town and the hills beyond from the large south facing terrace.

There is a swimming pool for your relaxation on the extended terrace with a sunbathing area to the side. Breakfast is normally taken on the terrace in the warmer months and evenings meals too, where you can sit, eat and drink till late at night, with no worry of disturbing the neighbours, only the wildlife will hear you.

All four bedroom...s are en-suite, with doors leading directlly onto the garden, with a seating area allowing guests privacy and independance. There are tea and coffee facilities, with TV giving French and English channels. The parking area is also accessible to the side of the property from each bedroom,

Within a short drive from Quillan there several large lakes, with a lifeguard and beach for swimming, with a bar and restaurant on the lakeside.

Quillan is a small town of 3,500 residents, situated in the high valley of the Aude, the foothills of the Pyrenees. It is an ideal area to visit for all water activities, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, canyoning and fishing. You can also go Quad biking in the hills on a half or full days trek, or for those wishing for a more calmer activity why not go trekking for a day or half day on a horse. Many outings take place throughout the warmer months for both of these activities.

For those who love exploring and walking the Pyrenees offers a multitude of walks and trails, with the rich history of the Cathars , who over 900 years ago, in their quest to break away from the Catholic church and the evils of the world, built castles on the mountain tops. These castles are dotted around throughout the area and can be visited either on foot, or by car and stretch from the Mediterrean to Foix in the Pyrenees, one hours drive from our house.

The Knights Templars had a fortress at Rennes le Chateau and therin lies the mystery of the Holy Grail and the parish priest Sauniere, who discovered documents hidden in the altar at the end of the 19th century, which many believe was the gold sacked from Jerusalem by the Knights.

Throughout the year there is a market held on Wednesdays and Saturdays and during the summer months there is a market held every Thursday evening with entertainment and time to relax and enjoy a drink in one of the bars surrounding the market whilst listening to the music.

Every July there an international folk festival, with many groups from around the world, performing dance and song, twice a day, afternoons and evenings during the festival in the squares in the town centre. There is also a Jazz and a Guitar festival held every year and the town fete held in the middle of August attracts entertainments, show bands, cabarets and music, with a large fairground and a full beef spit roasted, to be enjoyed by all set out under the trees in the town centre.

Quillan also boasts shops and banks for all your needs, plus many bars and restaurants to choose from if you wish to eat out in the evening rather than joining us at home for a sumptious meal.

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Our evening meals are eaten on the terrace and last late into the night. The dinners are 4 courses, include aperitifs, all drinks and coffee, all for 20 euros per person. An experience not to be missed.

We really enjoy sharing our area with our visitors and will happily pick you up at the end of the day if you have decided not to drive but to take one of the many trails through the mountains to small villages tucked away in solitude, then when you want to be collected just give us a call. We can also arrange to pick you up from the airport or trains stations if you prefer not to come by car .

However, if you come by car you can always do a trip to the Principality of Andorra, just one and a half hours away, or visit the Costa Brava in Spain, or to Figueres to visit Salvador Dali's museum, which is the same distance away. The Mediterrean though is only one hour's drive away. There are many resorts to visit in the Catalan area of France, Canet Plage, Argeles sur Mer, San Cyprien, Collioure, Port Vendres to name only a few. On the road down to the Mediterrean the D117, you will drive through the Defile de la Pierre Lys onwards towards Puilaurens, the Gorge de Galamus, Peypertuse and Queribus.

The many vineyards are not to be missed, the wine of the Languedoc Roussillon, comes from the warmest, driest and sunniest area of France, producing full bodied reds, sweet dessert and aperitif wines, the famous Blanquette de Limoux, which is a sparkling wine made by the champagne method and pre-dates champagne by over 200 years. This is know as the Blanquette de Limoux There are many producers in Limoux with an annual week-end fair the week-end before Easter to celebrate the vintage.Read more

Additional Location Information

We are on Google Earth

We are situated just 150 metres off the D117, the main road which runs through from Perpignan, following the Pyrenees round to Foix, Pau and onwards to Biarritz.

Quillan is a small town of 3,500 inhabitants in the Catalan area of France so has a Spanish feel and the local music shows a Spanish influence. Quillan is ideally situated for exploring on foot or by car, or bike the historic region of the Cathars and their many castles perched on mountain tops. Water activities, rafting, canyoning, kayaking and swimming abound all around the area and are all within easy reach.

The Mediterrean is just one hour away, Spain and Andorra an hour an a half and the medieval city of Carcassone is just 45 minutes away.

Parking and secure parking is available for all guests at l'Olivette.

If arriving from Carcassone, the D118, at the traffic lights in just on the bridge in Quillan, take the right turn towards Foix. Stay on this road which swings to the left and after 300 metres there is a yellow arrow indicating
on the right. Take this right turn and we are just 150 metres up
lane, the first house.

From Perpignan, on arrival in Quillan go straight through the first set of traffic lights and take a left turn at the second set, direction Foix and then follow instructions as above.

Location Type Mountain, River, Town

Rental fees

Additional notes from owner

The rate is for a double room, breakfast included. Additional single bed in room, 20.00 €
Children under 5 no charge sharing parents room
7 night stay for the price of 6
Single occupancy of double room 40.00 €
Evening meals 20.00 € per person, 4 courses, incl all drinks, aperitifs, wine, beer, coffee etc. No charge for children under 10.
Family room 95.00€ per night for children 5-10 years old, double bed plus bunk beds for children.

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• LukasBarrera
  Valencia, Spain

  Confortable, muy agradable, buen desayuno

  Left on 03/25/2013 for a stay in March 2013
  
  

  Desde luego es un muy buen B&B.; El sitio es precioso, las habitaciones muy limpias, individuales y completas, con su ducha y servicio.
  La pareja que lo regenta son muy muy simpaticos, agradables y serviciales. Nos aconsejaron en todo momento y nos ayudaron en lo que quisimos. 100% recomendable.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Families w children

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• Sheila M
  Bridgeport, Connecticut

  Silvia and Roy run a cracking B

  Left on 10/29/2012 for a stay in October 2012
  
  

  Our experience was superb! We arrived by car (an easy drive from Perpignan airport) to this pretty lavender planted property on a slope overlooking the red tiled roofs of Quillan with its mountain views. Warmly greeted by our hosts, we were shown to a charming bedroom with modern en-suite bathroom, comfortable beds and french doors on to a patio with chairs and table. The tray with electric kettle and tea bags or coffee was a welcome touch.
  During our 3 night stay to explore Quillan, we were made to feel very welcome and comfortable. Silvia and Roy provided ample breakfasts of delicious and varied fare, every kind of food we enjoy. We are an English couple, living in the USa, and it didn't take long to strike up interesting conversations and mutual connections with our friendly hosts who couldn't have been kinder. They went out of their way to provide pertinent information and direct us to the local places and businesses that fulfilled our particular quest.
  L'Olivette is a lovely, spacious home with every convenience including wifi, English TV, a sunny, furnished patio and a pool.
  Carcassonne, our next destination was an hour's drive away with a lunch stop in Limoux.
  We also discovered there is convenient and cheap local transport - bus from Perpignan to Quillan. Train or bus from Quillan to Carcassonne - for 1Euro per person.
  Thanks to Silvia and Roy for a wonderful stay!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends

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• Barry Woodward
  Barnes, London UK

  Bed, Breakfast & Bonhomie !

  Left on 05/26/2010 for a stay in September 2008
  
  

  We came across this little gem by a bit of a 'pin in the map' method but oh
  what a find!
  
  Silvia and Roy went out of their way to make our stay as enjoyable as
  possible. In fact being there was like staying with that favourite relative (that
  you probably never had!) - you're in danger of getting spoilt rotten!
  
  OK, unlike staying with a relative you will get a bill at the end of it but this
  IS their business and you won't mind handing over the cash one little bit!
  
  We like to go to different places each year but this is so good we've been
  back already in 2009 and it's extremely likely we'll go again!
  
  Quillan and the surrounding areas are absolutely lovely, with both rolling
  vistas and rugged rocks. There's loads of history, legend and folklore to
  explore, not to mention the culinary delights of an area shaped by French
  and Spanish influences. And the coast is only an hour and a half away too!
  
  What more could you want? !!
  
  Barry, Pauline, Chris & Ariel
  Barnes, London, UK
  26/05/2010

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

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

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• Geoff
  Blackpool UK

  A great relaxing long weekend

  Left on 02/20/2010 for a stay in February 2010
  
  

  l'Olivette is a beautiful modern house set on the hillside above Quillan. It is a short walk into town, and an easy drive to the coast or up into the mountains towards Andora.
  The en-suite accommodation is first class, at least matching expensive four star hotels, whilst the catering is even better. Believe me, your only problem will be too much good food !

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• Adrian and family.
  Zoetermeer , Holland

  An absolute marvellous place to stay.

  Left on 02/16/2010 for a stay in November 2009
  
  

  When speaking in superlatives I take the risk that too many people will decide to take a break at l'Olivette. Nevertheless the owners Sylvia and Roy Golden-Darby absolutely deserve a review with the most positive comment I can give.
  The warmth and heartiness on arrival, the comfortable rooms, with own bathroom, the superb meals and kindness of the hosts, made me feel at home. With this kind of Bed&Breakfast accomdations, the hotels in the area must do their utmost in order not to lose lots of clients.
  Sylvia and Roy, Thanks again for my stay in July and November last year !

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Friends, Tourists, Romantic

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  Was this review helpful? Yes