Le Vieux Moulin, Family Rental ideal for families with toddlers, 5 minutes walk to village, shared fenced heated pool [GR012C]

South of France Water Mill close to Sommieres, the First Floor Gite sleeps 7-9

Friday to Friday arrival/departure day (flexible out of season)

Available for long term winter rentals. Please contact us for further information

A beautiful stone watermill, on the Vidourle River, that evokes those bygone times, but has been sympathetically renovated and brought up to date with characterful furnishings and modern touches.

On the edge of a village, which means you can walk to a bar, restaurant and local shopping, and only 5 minutes drive to Sommières, it is ideally placed to relax and enjoy the tranquil environment or go further afield to explore the area. 

The First Floor Gite is one of three individual pieces of accommodation, it is perfect for a family holiday. (The other two properties GR012B and GR012D can be let independently or all three together GR012A for 27 people).

First floor gite: (100m2) - sleeps 7 to 9

An external stone staircase (gated at the top and protected at the bottom) leads you up to this spacious and luminous gite, with high ceilings, beams, tiled and stone floors and walls. Opening the front door you enter the kitchen, which has an old fireplace and farmhouse table seating at least 8, plus a comfy window seat with plump cushions for those quiet moments.

From here, two steps down, there is access to the living room, where there are 2 sofas (one is a double sofa bed). The dining area has a lovely balcony to enjoy the view.  TV with English Free View.

Total Number of Bedrooms: 3

Bedroom 1 - 1 double bed with zip down middle to convert into 2 singles plus cot

Bedroom 2 - 1 double bed 160cm - travel cot possible

Bedroom 3 - 3 single beds under eaves of house with velux window (a fourth mattress can be added - a great room for teenagers). This room is reached via narrow wooden stairs which are shallow, but open, with a hand rail both sides and gated top and bottom.

Portable air conditioning unit in first floor gite bedroom 3

2 independent WC's
1 shower room
1 bathroom

In the corridor is a cupboard with washing machine.

The above accommodation is on a circular route which joins with the dining area, by locking one of the bedroom doors all rooms are private. 

This gite interconnects by a walkway to the Riverside Gite and a stairway down to the Ground Floor Gite both of which can be locked.

Private garden apprx 100m2 with table, chairs and BBQ - and an original mill grinding stone - views towards the enclosed play park and mini football pitch.

Winter Lettings:
Please note the Ground floor gite is not let in the winter (October to 11th April).

Washing machine
Dishwasher
Fridge

Oven gas and electric hob and electric oven
Microwave
Hand Held Blender
Kettle
Toaster
Iron and Ironing board
Hairdryer

Charcoal BBQ

TV - English Free to View TV (no French Channels) 
DVD player (with children's DVDs)
Internet via Wi-Fi
Baby Cots and High Chairs available (6 of each)
Baby listeners, sterilisers, changing mats 

Portable fans available - one for each bedroom

Electric heating with large old fashioned radiatiors

Central Heating central via "pompe a chaleur" or gas if very cold (additional charge).

Garden Furniture - exterior dining tables for each gite to seat 8

Shared Facilities with the other 2 gites on the property GR012B and GR012D:-

Games Room:
Pool table, ping pong table, board games and books, children's toys and pool inflatables.

2 Kayaks (seating 2 adults and 1 child each)for use on the river with life vests, plus a good selection of bicycles for all ages with 2 baby bike seats/helmets.

Playground area - fenced

Ample shared parking - for 10 in the grounds

A welcome pack on arrival to inlcude items such as:

Tea, coffee and sugar sachets
Bottle of UHT milk
Bottle of wine and water
Dishwasher and washing machine tablets
Breadsticks, tapenade, saucisson nibbles
Toilet, kitchen paper, bin bags and cleaning materials
Charcoal

The following can be arranged, at an extra cost, plesae ask for details:

Babysitting 
Shiatzu massage

A long driveway, lined with palms, trees and shrubs, leads you into the extensive grounds, apprx 20,000m2, it is an attractive approach, opening out to reveal your first glimpse the honey coloured stone buildings and grey hue of the windows that blend in with the surroundings.  The property is on the River Vidourle.

This gite has it's own enclosed private terrace of apprx 100m2 and shares the remainder of the garden with the other two gites (GR012B and GR012D which can be let independently).

Lawned Area - mini football pitch and enclosed playground area with swings, slides, climbing frame - shared with the other gites.

Boules can be played in the car parking area (it is not marked out)

The 11m x 7m x 1.2-3m pool has Roman steps and is full fenced. With a salt water system,  the pool  is heated (May to October depending on the weather) and is shared between the three gites (the other two are (GR012B and GR012D).  For the Summer there is a bubble cover

Garden furniture - table and 2 easy chairs on each private terrace, plus 2 large dining tables and chairs next to the pool.

In the grounds for shared use - 10 sunloungers - 4 with cushions, the remainder are wicker

BBQ - dedicated portable charcoal

Ample shared parking

The area surrounding the mill is idyllic countryside - superb for peaceful walks, cycle riding and fishing.

Across the River Bridge from the property pick up the yellow footpath signs for walking and cycling.

Salinelles village - 10 minutes' walk (at night a torch is recommended).

As you approach the village there is an ancient site of a waterwheel where you can try your hand at being the donkey!

Just before you arrive at Le Vieux Moulin there is the Roman Chapelle St Julien with amazing family tombs - worth a look!

By the by Salinelles was used as a location for the French Film - Tango - Patrice Leconte.

Sommières: apprx 3km
A delightful town, in the heart there is a series of small interlinking squares and well worn meandering cobbled streets, lined with an array of shops from butchers to boutiques. 

On Saturdays there is the most fabulous colourful market where shopkeepers and stall holders wait to sell you wonderful artisan products and food - from fruit and vegetables, to olives, to bread, fresh pasta and cheeses galore.

Park this side of the bridge and walk in (it is much the easiest way) - past the small square on to the bridge stop and take in the view of the river and the lovely clock tower - in a few minutes, as you meander the plane tree lined riverside you will be in the centre.
 
By the by, Laurence Durrell had a house here!

You are in the heart of the wine growing region, olives and olive oil production plus Pelardon goats cheese from the Cevenol and honey from the Vidourle Valley plus, The Cartagene – the “Farmers Aperitif” made from a centuries old recipe.

St Christol: apprx 10 mins - Parc Ryrolian - Climbing Course for the Tarzan's amongst you!

Calvisson: apprx 17km
Well worth a visit on Sunday morning for the market and that quintissentially French pastime of coffee at the Cafe des Sports in the square whilst watching the world go by and listening to the banter that fills the air.  The Newsagent sells UK papers if you cannot resist!

From Calvisson a pleasant drive is the back road to Nimes on the D40 via Villevielle where there is a lovely Chateau and a nice looking restaurant.  The 28km route is scenic, views to olive groves, oak copses, vineyards and rolling countryside.  A wide road that meanders through lovely countryside, with not too much modern development.  Cycle path and jogging route runs alongside some of the way.  On to Caveirac and Langlade and finally to Nîmes.

Rent bikes from the converted Railway Station and use the "Voie Verte" cyle route mentioned above.

Perrier - yes the famous one! at Vergeze apprx 30 minutes

Petit Paradis - Zoo at Vendargues - apprx 5 minutes

Nîmes apprx 35km - the ancient capital of Gaul - the Roman Amphitheatre is a must see.

Steam Train at Anduze - apprx 45 mins

Nearest Mediterranean Beach at La Grand Motte apprx 35km

Apprx 30km - The Camargue, The Cevennes, Pont du Gard, Uzes and the unique Bambouseraie d'Anduze (Bambous Garden).

Golf Nimes, Golf Montpellier, Golf La Grand Motte, Golf Uzes

Ski-ing

For nature lovers just two steps away from the property you are in the beautiful countryside where you can enjoy the garrigues and the vineyards.

For more information about this region please refer to our Languedoc Regional Guide and Provence Regional Guide

ACCESS

For more information on reaching the Cote d'Azur please refer to our South France Travel Information Guide

Montpellier Airport - apprx 30 minutes drive - Easyjet from Gatwick, Ryanair from Leeds/Bradford 

Nîmes Airport apprx 35km - Ryanair from Liverpool and Luton

Nearest Motorway junction - Lunel apprx 15km

Avignon apprx 80km

Marseille apprx 170km

Nice apprx 300km

Rail:
Nearest station is Lunel apprx 17km and Nîmes apprx 35km
TGV from Paris to Avignon to Nimes and Montpellier

In the village, apprx 10 minutes walk, you will find:-

Baker 
Grocer (inside the Bakers)
Cafe-bar 
Pharmacy 
Post Office

Restaurants - a choice of 3 in the village including Château de Salinelles and

Pizza and Takeaway Delivery:

From Pierre de Feu Restaurant, Salinelles  
(closed Monday and Tuesday and the pizza oven is working on Friday, Saturday and Sunday), they will also deliver other foods that can be warmed up - ask them what they have!

Tel: 04 66 35 19 60 - Gregory speaks English
email: restaurant.lapierredefeu@orange.fr 

Apprx 5 minutes in the car in nearby Sommières:

Super-market (Intermarche and Lidl)
Cafe's,bars, restaurants, shops

Carrefour in Villevielle apprx 6kms

Recommended Restaurant - Korrigan's Crèperie

Local Markets:-

Saturday - Sommières
Everything you could imagine - the hustle and bustle, the buzz of "bonjours" all around you, whets your appetite for a coffee and the inevitable pain au chocolat to fortify your next foray meandering through the strees to seek out those hidden gems. Enticed by aromas of spit roasted chickens, traiteurs selling portions of paella, cooked mussels and other delicious smelling goodies are tempting for an easy supper!  It is "de rigeur" to buy your Oysters from the traders and then take them to the nearby bar in the square, Les Delices du Liban, get your beer or wine, and eat them! Don't forget your Swiss Army knife - always handy to slice off that next bit of cheese!

In the Summer there is also a Wednesday night market in Sommières.

Saturday - Lunel
Sunday - Calvisson, Lunel and Aigues Mortes
Monday - Nimes
Thursday - Lunel

Mas Montel and Mas des Cabres - Aspères - apprx 3kms
St Christol - apprx 10 minutes (very good red)
Tornac for Rosé

Golf apprx 25kms - Baillargues

Nearest Beach - La Grand Motte on the Mediterranean - apprx 30 minutes

River - on site!  2 Kayaks available for guest use with life vests (shared with the other 2 gites GR012B and GR012D which can be let independently).

Horseriding in Sommières

Windsurfing - Palavas, Grau du Roi, Carnon Plage

Bicycles - available on site for guest use