La
Chapelle de Pierrou - 2009
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La
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“La Chapelle de Pierrou” ---
an unusual holiday-cottage of high quality for 2 to 4 persons
For
those who want a peaceful break from a busy life, this very special
holiday-home in a very special place. “La Chapelle
de Pierrou “ nestles in the hills above the village of
St Polycarpe, about 5 km from the charming market-town of Limoux
and
35 minutes drive from the fortified city of Carcassonne.
This
ancient Romanesque chapel on the domain de Pierrou has been lovingly
converted b y the present owners with a great respect for its form,
its lovely
stonework, floors, timber and roof. The nave has become a handsome
living-room, the only departure from tradition being the patio-windows
to fill the space with natural light; the hexagonal apse has
become a beautifully-fitted dining-kitchen; the porch has become
a warm-welcoming
bedroom. Outside, lawns give way to vine-clad slopes and flowers;
there are magnificent views across the hills of the Corbiéres.
The
little road which connects Pierrou to the village goes no further
than the domain; this is the end of the
road so there is no passing
traffic, nothing to disturb the peace except perhaps the
cry of a bird of prey slowly circling above the hills. This is
the kind
of house and surroundings, where, although near to many places
of interest well worth visiting, one could be happy to ‘stay
put’ enjoying that rather special ease and calm that comes
from a combination of architecture and nature ---- honey-colored
stone , flowers and vines and shady trees …………..
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THE
HOUSE, despite
its respect for tradition, is fitted out to a very high
quality modern standard. The kitchen & bathroom
have impeccable tiled or marbled surfaces and fittings and
there is all the modern equipment necessary for comfortable
living --- washing-machine, dishwasher, ceramic plaques & separate
oven for cooking, refrigerator & freezer, micro-wave,
electric kettle & coffee-maker --- and for the living-space,
handsome furniture , television (if you want it !) & music-stereo.
There is one double-bedroom and a large sofa-bed at one
end of the large living-room (which can be screened-off),
so
it is possible to sleep four. |
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OUTSIDE, there
is a barbecue and eating area & lots
of space for sitting in sun or in shade. Across the lawn
there is the attractive façade of the main buildings
of the domain and gardens. There are chairs & sun-loungers
for browsing, and vine-clad slopes to explore when you
want gentle activity --- guests are welcome to roam in
the 300 acres of this beautiful domain and to take paths
which lead off in to the hills or down into the valley.
The village of St Polycarpe retains the charm of its
narrow lanes, its medieval abbey and its Roman aqueduct.
The pretty town of Limoux straddles the river Aude, and
is historically interesting as a still-flourishing centre
of the wine-industry & a one-time centre of linen
production. Limoux is famous for its ‘blanquette’,
a pre-cursor of champagne, its white chardonnay & red-wines,
and has many wine-caves for ‘degustatation’.
It’s a town that loves to celebrate the joys of
wine & good-living; as well as its many good restaurants;
it has one of the great street-festivals of France, lots
of open-air feasts & dances in the town-squares,
and numerous theatre-plays & concerts of all kinds
of music & dance. The owner of “Pierrou” is
himself an acknowledged leader of quality wine production
and would be happy to advise those who want a little
guidance about local wines.
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FURTHER
AFIELD, for those who want to tour around, there are
the battlements of Carcassonne, its walled city a UNESCO-protected
world-monument (as is the nearby Canal du Midi). There
are many abbeys, chateaux & churches to visit all
around. To the east there is the garrigue of the Corbiéres,
to the south the High Valley of the Aude with its gorges
and passes .; to the north-east , the Mediterranean is
just over an hour’s drive, and a similar distance
to the west takes one well into the Pyrenees. And there
are fine cities within a day’s return drive ---
Toulouse, Montpelier, Narbonne & Perpignan -- not
to mention the border with Spain. But we suspect that
many visitors to the Chapelle will be content to stay
around Perriou --- to relax in the garden, to saunter
around the domaine, and to drive just the quiet back-roads
into town (like going back in time fore those used to
crowded Britain) to do the shopping or pass a pleasant
hour drinking coffee or wine under the arcades of Limoux…………..
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Abbey
of Saint Polycarpeaf
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Rents
per week in Euros
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1
Jan. to 17 April
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390€ |
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18
april to 26 June
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510€ |
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27
June to 17 July
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570€ |
| 18
July to 28 August |
630€ |
| 29 August to 30 Septembre |
510€ |
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1 October to 31 December
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390€ |
Rents include all bedding and all services.
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When we
have agreed availability we will ask you to send us an ordinary British
bank cheque (or agreed alternative) for one-quarter of the total rent;
on receipt of that we write to confirm the reservation with advice on
further payment (We simply ask you to send another cheque for the rest
2 months before the holiday).
The rents quoted here include all services, bedding, house towels and
fuel.
Dominique
& Tom TWENTYMAN
Domaine de Saint Henry – 11 270 LAURAC LE GRAND –
FRANCE
From UK 0871 717 42 17 (10p per min all day)
Elsewhere 0033 (0)4 68 60 54 13 / 0033 (0) 6 24 19 32 02 /
E-Mail:
tom.twentyman@club-internet.fr
Website:
www.holidayhomefrance.com
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