L'Oustal Des Fleurs

Details of the Villa

As you first enter the villa through the stone archway you catch a glimpse of the white wooden shutters, flower-filled pots and green foliage climbing the thick stone walls – instantly, you know that you have arrived somewhere special and that your authentic French village holiday has begun. L'Oustal des Fleurs is an elegant 19th-century ‘maison de maitre' in a traditional Languedoc village known for its wine. Yet the setting couldn't feel more peaceful and rural, with a lovely flower-filled garden, pretty patio and terraces and the sound of birds in the trees. Hammocks, loungers, dining tables under shady trees, colorful flowers and a stone barbecue create a little natural haven for relaxing and dining outdoors. Indoors, the villa has been tastefully restored and decorated by its charming owner who is a talented interior designer. Many period features have been preserved, such as wood paneling, fireplaces and terracotta floors, whilst creating a spacious and very elegant home combining period furniture, modern comforts and personal touches. Guests usually while away the time relaxing in the villa's garden or swimming pool or strolling to the village for coffee and croissants. On more active days, they head to Lac Jouarres only 2 km away for stunning scenery, boating, fishing and windsurfing. Alternatively, just a one-minute walk away is a delightful park with tennis courts, pond, wildlife, rose garden and children's play area. L'Oustal des Fleurs is a unique and very personal home offering elegance and style in an authentic village setting never too far from plenty of things to do and see. #### Features House Interior The ground floor has a large living and dining room with a fireplace (which sadly is not in use) and is filled with period furniture and an open-plan, fully-equipped kitchen - ideal for enthusiastic chefs who want to wow fellow guests with their culinary gifts (and why not use a few local ingredients too?) French doors lead from the kitchen to the lovely garden, and a separate drawing room contains two very large, comfortable sofas, two Louis square back chairs and a fireplace. This “maison de maitre” is tastefully restored and decorated and furnished to a very high standard, with many original features remaining and elegant wood paneling. The sleeping accommodations consists of 4 luxury double bedrooms, two of which boast large en-suite bathrooms whereas the other two share an equally spacious bathroom. The house also boasts a games room with a professional snooker table, table tennis and plasma television with Wii Nintendo, Xbox, Playstation and children's games (you'll need to bring your own if you fancy playing more grown-up computer games!) as well as several pieces of gym equipment. Outside Grounds The garden is ideal for children, with high walls and gates providing a great deal of privacy for the large Mediterranean courtyard and outbuildings. The landscaped garden has mature plants, flowers and trees, in particular two “plaine” trees which offer ideal shade for eating outdoors near the large barbecue area - which looks absolutely stunning when it's lit up at night. Lockable, sliding glass doors lead from the garden to the indoor pool and on top of the barn you'll find a superb roof terrace with views over the village. Step out of the house gates and you'll be in the village! One minute's walk away is a most delightful big park with 4 professional tennis courts, a large pond with ducks, wild life, a beautiful rose garden, a children play area and swings. Maid services, cook, driver, translator or babysitting services available on request. There's also parking space on the property for one medium sized car and plenty of parking space just outside. #### Location The sun baked Minervois region is bursting with history and spans Herault and Aude. It's filled with ancient Cathar villages and vineyards under wide, open skies. The village of Olonzac is the capital of the Minervois and is lively and energetic all year round, and on Tuesdays hosts one of the best weekly markets in the area. The village has everything you'd ever need: cafes, bars, restaurants, grocery stores, bakers, wineries, butchers, doctors, a pharmacy, a hairdressers and more. Only two miles away, the Canal du Midi runs through the village of Homps, where you can stroll along the banks in the shade of the trees or take a boat trip and relax on the water as you watch the world go by! The village of Minerve is only 20 mins away, and has been selected as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France! Near the village the river disappears underground in a large, naturally-carved tunnel which can be explored by the more adventurous in your group. Within the village there is a large artistic community and many of their workshops are open to the public. The Canal du Midi is an UNESCO World Heritage Site - this 360 km network of navigable waterways links the Mediterranean and the Atlantic through 328 locks, aqueducts, bridges and tunnels and is one of the most remarkable feats of civil engineering in modern times. Built between 1667 and 1694, it helped pave the way for the Industrial Revolution. Lac de Jouarres lake is only 2km - it's worth a visit for the scenery alone, but you'll also find opportunities for boating, fishing and wind surfing on its shores. During the summer season, the lake has lifeguards and there is a restaurant/snack bar and sun-loungers for public use. You can walk the perimeter of the lake in just over an hour, and the swimming area has been prepared using pebbles and geotextiles to prevent weed growth. The sailing/fishing areas are away from the bathing area, so there's no need to worry about the two activities overlapping! In the summer season, a range of surf board courses is on offer in the sailing area. Further afield, there's plenty to see and do thanks to range of opportunities for day trips. Try a day in Montpellier, Nimes or Toulouse or explore the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean coast to discover ancient castles and picturesque villages that have been untouched by time. Walking and cycling are very popular in the Montagne Noire thanks to the rich diversity of wildlife and scenery. And if you really want to travel, the Spanish border is only an hour and a half away! #### T&Cs