Marseilles, France 2009
Visit to Marseilles
Holiday home to rent near Lagrasse
contact tel : (0033) 06 25 04 30 29 housenearlagrasse@gmail.com
corbieres-proprietes-services.com
Our lovely, peaceful, country cottage is just a 5 minute drive from the renowned medieval village of Lagrasse, situated in the heart of the beautiful Corbières wine growing region.
This recently renovated house is tastefully furnished. It can accommodate up to 4 people with 2 upstairs bedrooms, one large double and one twin bedroom opening out onto a private partially shaded patio.
Enjoy alfresco dining on the sunny upstairs terrace. The comfortable beamed sitting room and dining area open onto a modern fully equipped kitchen. The house has a large, bright shower room and fresh towels are provided. There is a small laundry room with washer for your use. The property is suitable for use throughout the year and offers comfortable beds and quality bed linen, heaters and fans are at your disposal to use depending on the season.
The village offers magnificent views of the Corbières Mountains. There are good walking opportunities and riverside swimming close by. The property lies in one of the most splendid valleys of this region and is just a 5 minute drive from the picturesque village of Lagrasse. Lagrasse is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in the South of France. It offers some of the best places to swim in the region and has plenty of local amenities: Baker and grocery shops, chemist, doctor, artisan boutiques and a great choice of places to eat and quench your thirst.
Summers tend to be hot and sunny in this region, while spring and autumn are mild and are beautiful times to visit.
The village of Lagrasse has a long and interesting history, with an Abbey open to the public, a beautifully covered market, which comes to life on Saturday mornings. Many pretty houses from the 14th-16th century line the lovely, cobbled streets of this charming village. The views of mountains, vineyards and olive groves are stunning.
DISTANCES:
LAGRASSE, 5 minutes by car
CARCASSONNE , magnificent medieval city and castle is just a 40 minute drive away
CARCASSONNE AIRPORT 35 kms
NARBONNE and Mediterranean beaches 30 minute drive.
SPAIN 1 hour away
Notre charmante petite maison est à seulement 5 minutes en voiture du célèbre village médiéval de Lagrasse, situé au coeur de la belle région viticole des Corbières. Cette maison, récemment rénovée est meublée avec goût. Elle peut accueillir jusqu'à 4 personnes avec 2 chambres dont une grande chambre double et une chambre à lits jumeaux ouvrant sur un patio privé partiellement ombragé. Profitez de manger en plein air sur la terrasse ensoleillée. Le salon confortable avec poutres apparentes et la salle à manger s'ouvrent sur une cuisine moderne entièrement équipée. Il y a une petite buanderie avec lave-linge pour votre usage. La maison dispose d'une grande salle de douche lumineuse avec des serviettes fournies. La maison est adaptée pour une utilisation tout au long de l'année et propose des lits confortables avec des draps et couettes de qualité. Il y a des radiateurs et des ventilateurs à votre disposition.
The medieval town of Haute-de-Cagnes, France.
On a hill above the Mediterranean Sea is the ancient village of Haute-de-Cagnes. Its narrow streets are an invitation for exploration.
Cruise the Canal du Midi aboard Hotel Barge Enchanté
Enchanté is a spacious, double-decker hotel barge that has been built to the highest standard to offer a stylish on board ambience that is perfect for enjoying a cruise through this sun-drenched region.
The hotel barge is tastefully furnished in a contemporary style, creating a bright, art deco atmosphere. She has a large saloon with outstanding attention to detail, including an open-plan demonstration galley where guests can see their skilled chef at work. On the lower deck, there is also a computer with internet connection for guests’ use, as well as the requisite Wi-Fi onboard.
The luxurious air-conditioned accommodation is in four equally spacious twin or double-bedded suites, the largest of any hotel barge on the Canal du Midi and all with superbly appointed en suite shower rooms.
Outside, the spacious sun deck boasts an alfresco dining area, a gorgeous spa pool and comfortable loungers to relax in while the countryside drifts slowly by.
Enchanté is a hotel barge that offers an alluring blend of luxury and modernity. She is a vessel that will charm any discerning traveller on her sedate journey through the Midi countryside.
THE CANAL DU MIDI
This 330-year-old waterway skirts the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean before meandering inland through ancient villages, Roman fortifications and famed vineyards. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this canal is defined by its beauty, lined with shady plane trees which often touch to form an arc of green above the water from bank to bank, and crossed by pretty arched bridges. The warm Mediterranean weather and relaxed pace of life is sure to lull you into unwinding as your luxury Canal du Midi barge meanders gently downstream.
This is the perfect place for cycling or walking along scenic tow paths, or simply watching the scenery pass by as you relax on the deck of your Canal du Midi barge with a cool drink. In the distance you can see the Pyrenees, whereas closer to hand are the vineyards that stretch for thousands of square miles. Enjoy private wine tastings at one of the various chateaux en route.
You will discover a marvellous blend of ancient Gallo-Roman and traditional influences reflected throughout this very historic region. Explore this further with your tour guide when you visit the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, the cathar stronghold of Minerve or the underground Roman market in Narbonne.
Midi cuisine is a delicious combination of Provençale and Mediterranean flavours. Fresh seafood and regional specialities, paired with the excellent local Corbières and Minervois wines, produce an unforgettable repertoire of gastronomic experiences.
WHAT IS HOTEL BARGING
Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especiallly on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept. Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have since been painstakingly converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers.
This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans. The pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise covering maybe just 50 miles along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths as their floating hotel glides gently along. Guests enjoy an intimate atmosphere, high levels of personal service and immersion into the culture, history and gastronomy of regions of Europe such as Burgundy, the Midi, or the Italian Veneto.
Every day there is an excursion, perhaps to a chateau, a vineyard for a wine tasting, or some other ‘off the beaten track’ location. About half of European Waterways’ bookings are for whole boat charters, ideal for families. Otherwise, clients book a cabin to join other like-minded people. A ‘slow boat’ European Waterways barge cruise offers the ultimate in experiential travel. A truly unique experience!
European Waterways offer luxury hotel barge cruises on the beautiful canals and rivers of Europe, such as through Burgundy, the Midi, Alsace, the Po Valley, Holland and the Scottish Highlands.
The exclusive collection of hotel barges accommodate up to 20 passengers who may charter a whole barge with family or friends, or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis.
Each barge is fully crewed with a Captain, chef, hostesses, deck-hand and tour guide. The 6-night cruises include gourmet meals, fine wines, open bar, excursions and the use of facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.
Cycle the Cathar Castles with Explore
A 7 day cycle ride with Explore (explore.co.uk) from Carcassonne to Perpignan via the Corbieres hills and the foothills of the Pyrenees, exploring the 12th century Cathar Castles of Lastours and Peyrepertuse amongst others. Followed by relaxing rides along the Mediterranean coast through Canet Plage and Collioure.
Cruise the Canal du Midi aboard Hotel Barge Enchanté
Enchanté is a state of the art, double-decker hotel barge that has been built to the highest standard. She provides luxurious accommodation for up to 8 guests in four equally spacious twin or double-bedded suites, the largest of any hotel barge on the Canal du Midi (approx. 165sq ft each including en suite) and with superbly appointed bathrooms.
The hotel barge is tastefully furnished in a contemporary style, creating a bright, art deco atmosphere. She has a large, spacious saloon where the attention to detail is exceptional. She also has a demonstration galley allowing guests to see the skilled chef at work, CD/iPod sound system, a computer with internet connection for guests’ use, and heating and air conditioning throughout. There is a spacious sun deck, with alfresco dining area and gorgeous spa pool.
Cruise Highlights
• Private winery tour and tasting of fine Minervois wines
• Tour Narbonne’s Archbishop’s Palace and experience the colourful market
• Visit an olive oil press to sample the famous Lucques olives
• Visit beautiful Lagrasse and its 8th century abbey, with lunch in a stunning location
• See the Cathar hilltop village of Minerve with its spectacular setting
• Tour of the medieval city of Carcassonne
• Excellent towpath for walking and cycling
• Biking Plus option available
Canal du Midi
From Roman times, a link between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic had long been on the minds of those wishing to avoid a trip around the Strait of Gibraltar. Charlemagne considered it in the 8th century. François I and Leonardo da Vinci talked about it in 1516. But it took a wealthy salt tax collector in the 17th century to bring it to pass.
Pierre Paul Riquet (1604-1680) of Béziers supplied the vision, the drive, and even part of the financing for the Canal du Midi. In 1666 an edict by Louis XIV proclaimed that construction could begin. Seven million cubic meters of earth were excavated for the project, which employed 12,000 men over a period of 12 years.
The Canal du Midi was built to enable the more efficient transport of goods and add to the mobility of the French navy. It was also intended from the beginning to bring glory to Le Roi Soleil, Louis XIV, the Sun King. Covering 150 miles, it includes 328 structures such as locks, tunnels, bridges, and aqueducts. The canal's 63 locks include double, triple, quadruple and sextuple staircase locks.
The canal has changed little in its 300 years. Now lock gates are steel rather than timber. An aqueduct was built to create a waterway over the River Orb. And a water slope was built at Béziers to allow boats to avoid the sixrise staircase. In 1996 the canal was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
The high quality of construction that went into the locks, aqueducts, and buildings is responsible for making the Canal du Midi the oldest canal in Europe still functioning. The canal remains not only functional but of high quality, making it the most popular canal in France. The banks of the canal are lined with pines, poplars, cypresses, and plane trees.
What is hotel barging?
Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especiallly on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept. Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have since been painstakingly converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers.
This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans. The pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise covering maybe just 50 miles along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths as their floating hotel glides gently along. Guests enjoy an intimate atmosphere, high levels of personal service and immersion into the culture, history and gastronomy of regions of Europe such as Burgundy, the Midi, or the Italian Veneto.
Every day there is an excursion, perhaps to a chateau, a vineyard for a wine tasting, or some other ‘off the beaten track’ location. About half of European Waterways’ bookings are for whole boat charters, ideal for families. Otherwise, clients book a cabin to join other like-minded people. A ‘slow boat’ European Waterways barge cruise offers the ultimate in experiential travel. A truly unique experience!
European Waterways offer luxury hotel barge cruises on the beautiful canals and rivers of Europe, such as through Burgundy, the Midi, Alsace, the Po Valley, Holland and the Scottish Highlands.
The exclusive collection of hotel barges accommodate up to 20 passengers who may charter a whole barge with family or friends, or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis.
Each barge is fully crewed with a Captain, chef, hostesses, deck-hand and tour guide. The 6-night cruises include gourmet meals, fine wines, open bar, excursions and the use of facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.
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