Manoir Ventenac, Luxury Maison de Maitre near Narbonne, 10m x 4m Pool, Walking Distance to Village [AU028A]

Splendid South of France Maison de Maitre to sleep 6-14, perfect for a family villa holiday.

Manoir Ventenac is a sympathetically restored, very grand ‘Belle Epoque’ Maison de Maitre near Narbonne and just 5 minutes from the Canal du Midi.

It was built in 1830 as a show of influence for the wealthiest local landowner and wine producer in the area.

This magnificent property has great volume offering 600m2 of living space, including 4 ensuite bedrooms.  The 12000m2 of garden with lawn, private pool and mature trees, provide the perfect backdrop for that relaxing holiday with family or friends.

Set on the edge of Cathar Country, not far from the Mediterranean beaches and close to numerous wine producing villages, it is the perfect location to explore all the area has to offer.

Now available - Sister Property  sleeps 8 people with own private pool (not overlooked by the Manoir).  Ideal for a large family group.

Both properties together can provide luxury villa holiday accommodation for up to 22 people.

Large family holiday property in South of France sleeping 6-14

The Manoir has regal metal gates and an impressive façade of quarried sandstone with a curved stone balustrade and staircase rising to the front terrace – a very popular spot for evening drinks, overlooking the sheltered front courtyard, where there is a large gravelled external café style seating area.

The inside of the property is like something out of Elle Decoration. As many original features as possible have been retained, including Languedoc tiled floors,  beautifully restored chandeliers, period fireplaces with stucco and cornices, wall freizes and Trompe-l'oeil on the stairs dating back to 1830.

Ten steps lead you up to the property entrance and into the grand hallway with original floor tiles and stairs to the first floor.

Off the hallway there is a Salon on the right and to the left the impressive dining room.

The Salon, a period French styled room with lovely original floor tiles, restored chandeliers, fireplace and faux library wallpaper, as well as a desk top computer with speakers and printer. 

The Dining room has been restyled by the owner in 2015, a fabulous dining table which can seat everybody in your holiday party! The orginal floor tiles, stunning wall frieze and cornices blend the new and old harmoniously.

Floor to ceiling arched windows in both rooms bring light and give access to the terrace.

The New kitchen (awaiting photos), stylish and modern. featuring double dishwashers, double fridges etc.

In the basement there is a utility room with washing machine and drying facilities.

On the ground floor there is a large bathroom with free standing bath, shower, double sinks and wc.

From the ground floor the 26 step stone staircase with original bannister with fabulous decorative crystal sphere takes you to the first floor accommodation.

All bedrooms have been decorated to the highest standard and beautifully accessorised, each has a feature wall with Farrow and Ball wallpaper and all beds are hotel quality. The bathrooms are luxury Italian marble.

Bedroom 1 to the right
200cm king size bed (or a twin) plus 1 extra sofa bed/futon bed that converts to a double - so could be used as a family suite. It has a splendid fireplace, huge very attractive mirror, sofa and table with 4 chairs.

The ensuite bathroom has a large walk in shower, double sinks and a wc. The windows look toward the front garden.

Bedroom 2 to the left
200cm king size bed (or a twin) with a lovely marble fireplace and terractotta tiles
The ensuite has a large shower, wash hand basin and wc.

To the left again a door leads to another long, large, light spacious corridor with funky "books" wallpaper and through to two further bedrooms.

Bedroom 3
200cm king size bed (or a twin) with a nice fireplace and windows to the front and the street which are decorated with deep brocade pelmets and curtains framing the view. Cot and sofa bed//futon.
The ensuite has a large walk in shower, wash hand basin and wc.

Bedroom 4

Two single beds (or can be a king size bed) with a fireplace, a lovely mirror and views to the front. The ensuite has a walk in shower, wash hand basin and wc.

Another set of stairs with 18 steps takes you to the second floor corridor.

On the right there is a bathroom with shower, double sinks and wc - this bathroom is shared by Bedrooms 5, 6 and 7.

Bedroom 5

Queensize bed (160cm) and painted wooden flooring.  Views to the village from the windows.

Bedroom 6

Two single beds and a pull out double bed (sleeping places for 4 people) and painted wooden flooring.

Bedroom 7

Two single beds.

The sitting room and all bedrooms are fully air conditioned (optional extra). Portable fans are available if air conditioning not required.

No smoking is permitted inside the property.

This South of France Holiday Rental is well equipped

Contemporary kitchen appliances inlcuding:

Gas Oven with Gas Hob
Two fridges in the kitchen (1 large, 1 medium) with integrated freezer
Microwave
Hand Blender
Juicer
Electric Kettle
Toaster 

Iron and board
I-pod dock and Satellite TV

Honesty Wine Cellar

Leading off the kitchen is a Utility Room with:

Washing-machine
Dishwasher (2)

Hairdryers (2)

Wii Console with TV in living room
i-Pod Dock

Televisions with French TV and some English channels in Salon and Bedrooms 1 and 6.

Wi-Fi available throughout the house

Desktop computer with internet access and printing facilities

There are numerous English and some French books availlable for lending and a selection of DVD's.

Reversible Heat/Air conditioning in main sitting room and bedrooms on timed hours (optional extra)

7 Portable fans available if air conditioning not required

2 Cots and High Chair available

Games Room with Ping-pong, pool, table foot, board games, children's toys.

Pool inflatables also available

Trampoline in the garden

Boulodrome opposite the property

Garden furniture - dining tables for up 22 and sun loungers

Car parking opposite the property

Local Chef or outside Caterers possible, plus Wine and Food Tours can be arranged - please ask for details

The large garden, over 3 acres, has numerous fruit trees, including Figs. There are sheltered private areas to read a good book – or just chill out in the hammock or on one of the various terraces – Perhaps take a sunbed and find some shade in the garden.

In addition, a shallow brook runs through the bottom of the garden laden with fish - ideal for the youngsters to get a line or a bucket and see what they can catch!

The 10m x 4m x 1.6m pool is surrounded by a terrace and has Roman steps, is fenced and has a security cover.

A courtyard leading from the kitchen overlooks the garden. There are numerous tables to seat up to 22 in total and a parasol.

Weber Portable Gas BBQ in the garden next to the kitchen

There is also a trampoline.  In addition there is also a games room and a table tennis room with a ping pong table

Across the road from the property there is:

Boulodrome Piste
A full size football pitch with nets and goal posts
Two full size public tennis courts

Rugby Stadium 500mts away (games during the season)and other sporting events

Explore the area from this South of France Villa

Approx 13km west of Narbonne and 1km north of Villedaigne on the main road to Carcassonne.  Surrounded by vineyards and sunflowers, it is close to the River Aude and the Canal du Midi, fifteen minutes drive to the Corbières mountains with their mysterious Cathar castles (Queribus, Peyrepertuse - apprx 1+ hour away) and approx 35km to the Mediterranean beaches at Narbonne Plage.

The Canal du Midi is within sight of the house and only 5 minutes by Car - with numerous restaurants along its length at Ventenac, Paraza, Rubio, Le Somail. The tow path is ideal for walking or cyclying. Boat hire is also possible at Homps and the Owners.

Local Wine - do not miss out on a Degustation - the Wine Cave at Ventenac offers a good selection of wines from the region.

Narbonne – the closest large town approx 15 minutes away by car. The Cathedral dominates the main square, lots of restaurants, cafes, shops and indoor market Les Halles open daily until noon (except Sundays).  Street market on Thursday.

Pezenas approx 1 hour - a lovely Renaissance town with lots of cafes, bars, restaurants, Artisan boutiques and a lively Saturday market.

Beziers approx 50km Major market town, noted for its bull-fight 'Feria' in August.

Carcassonne - approx 30 minutes - includes the modern town as well as the Medieval Cité, which is in the Top 100 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  The Summer Festival offers an array of events.

Mediterranean Sea - there a numerous ports and beaches within eay driving distance such as Gruissan where there are water sport facilities for hire and the old town and modern marina offer a good choice of bars and restaurants.

Abbaye de Fontfroide - approx 40 minutes - one of France’s best preserved Cistercian monuments. The Abbey is open from March to December and there is also a very good restaurant open on site as well as classical music concerts.

At Homps there is a lake – a child friendly place to swim and visit if the beaches are a bit too windy. With free parking, a lifeguard, a cafe and toilets.

Collioure - approx 1 hour - a lovely cove on the Cote de Vermeille with a town beach, rocky coastline, restaurants, shops and winding streets.  Known for its "special light" it attracted painters such as Matisse and Derain - there are lots of galleries!

Rennes-le-Chateau as featured in Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and the other Cathar Castles - Queribus and Peyrepertuse - are within easy reach.

Spain – only an hour away to the border and beyond where there are  many lovely coastal villages. The Dali Museum at Figueres is worth a visit.

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

ACCESS

For information on reaching Languedoc, please refer to our South France Travel Information Guide

International airports are at:

Carcassonne - (Ryanair to Stansted, East Midlands, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Cork and Dublin).

Beziers approx 50km (Ryanair from Bristol, Luton, Manchester and Edinburgh)

Montpellier approx 85km. (Easyjet Gatwick, Ryanair Stansted)

Perpignan approx 100km (Ryanair Stansted, Birmingham, Flybe Southampton)

Nimes approx 140km (Ryanair Lutonand Liverpool)

Toulouse approx 175km (Flybe; Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow Southampton. Easyjet Gatwick)

Girona (Spain) approx 2 hours (Ryanair to various UK airports)

South of France by Road:
1040 km south of Calais (about 12 hours drive non-stop)

South of France by Rail:
Paris to Narbonne - direct train 4.30 hrs.

Stations at Narbonne, Lezignan and Beziers

Amenities close to this South France Villa

In the village, approx a 1 minute walk you will find:

Small Supermarket
Baker
Tabac
Bar
Restaurant/Pizzeria
Pharmacy
Dcotors Surgery

There is also a vegetable market on Friday and Sunday mornings.

Large Market in Narbonne on Thursday plus daily vegetable market in Les Halles (except Sunday).

Larger supermarkets are in Lezignan-Corbieres - approx4km

Recommended eating places - Narbonne, Ventenac and Paraza

Golf - Beziers St Thomas - approx 30 minutes - 18 hole, Par 72

Tennis courts (2) opposite the house

Horseriding - locally

Canoe Hire approx 20 minutes by car

Windsurfing - approx 30 minutes by car

Bicycle Hire in Ginestas - approx 5 minutes away
Bicycle Hire in Paraza - delivery available too - Mellow Velos 04 68 43 38 21

Nearest Beach - Narbonne Plage approx 30 minutes drive

River Aude - approx 500 mts

Lac du Jaures at Homps approx 15 minutes

The house has a classic motor launch that can be rented for the day with Captain, for tours and parties.

Canal boats can be rented locally at Homps.