L'Hirondelle
Why “l’Hirondelle” – because each year in the summer swallows visit Capestang and is area and can be seen performing their aerobatics against the back drop of an Azure sky.
We started off with a stone built house just over 100 years old and over a period of 4 years we have lovingly restored it into luxurious maison de village in southern France, which sleeps 6, comprising of three double bedrooms, fully fitted kitchen, spacious open plan lounge/diner, two bathrooms and a ground floor toilet, terrace, garden, BBQ, spa pool, garage and is situated in a calm area of the village.
It is in an ideal spot to wind down after the hustle bustle of everyday life, yet with plenty of attractions in the area you can do as much or as little as you wish.
THE REGION:
It is in a village called CAPESTANG (population approx 3,500), which is close to the PYRENEES, the MASSIF CENTRAL and just 25 minutes from the MEDITERRANEAN SEA.
Why is it called Capestang?
Prior to the Middle Ages the village was on land jutting into a lake or etang, so became known as Cap d’Etang. The lake was drained but remnants of it can still be seen from the top of the nearby L’Oppidom d’Enserune, which was a Roman settlement where many artefacts still exist, showing a dartboard appearance from the shape of the fields below.
It is a village which is popular with tourists but is not spoiled by them. The essential character of a southern French village still being retained.
It is an area is full of antiquity and items of historical interest dating back to 3,000 BC. This village has been in existence for at least 1,000 years and parts of the old village wall and other buildings still exist.
It is a centre of the Languedoc viticulture region where the local wines have become exceptionally good over the last few years.
There facilities for walking, lazing on the beach (some of which are family orientated, such as Valras Plage, where there is a kiddies playground and sheltered areas to make safe areas for the children and it is patrolled by lifeguards). There is swimming in the sea, lakes and nearby swimming pools with other water sports. You can hire a boat for a leisurely ride along the canal, or hire cycles for a ride. It is a very good area for cycling and walking. For the motorcyclists, there are some excellent roads for riding hereabouts but beware of the speed traps. There are even areas where you can do some light aircraft flying.
Wine tasting, eating out and exploring old relics are also good options. In fact with such a good choice of restaurants which can be reached on foot
the car can rest in the garage at night.
The locals are so very cheerful, friendly and helpful and overall it has a calm and peaceful atmosphere and is an ideal place to wind down. It is also makes an excellent base for touring the region.
Our house is situated within 300 metres of the village centre where there are a number of shops, cafe's, restaurants, a very striking church and other amenities. At the eastern end of the village, there is an InterMarché
Supermarket with a Lidl supermarket at the western end.
This area is blessed with a Mediterranean climate meaning that it is hot and dry in the summer and the winters are relatively mild, with lovely comfortable spring and autumns in between.
LE CANAL DU MIDI crosses the northern part of the village and
is about 500 metres from the house.
ABOUT OUR HOUSE:
Our house is mostly stone built and terraced. Having good modern insulation it is comparatively cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This is augmented by a “green” system which provides heating and cooling to the main living area and the three bedrooms. A wood burning stove gives added heat and comfort in the coldest months.
It is built on two floors with the ground floor and is mainly open plan, consisting of a front porch, then a spacious lounge/diner extending into the kitchen giving a spacious living area. In here there is an HD multi channel flat screen satellite and local TV, an audio centre, a comfortable 3 piece suit and book shelves with a selection of books covering all interests. In the dining area there is a dining table with 6 chairs and also a dresser.
There is an integral garage, large enough to accommodate most makes of car. At the rear of the garage there is the laundry area with a washing machine. There is a downstairs toilet with a wash basin with a rear porch area.
The kitchen is fully equipped and includes an electric cooker, dish washer, fridge freezer, micro wave oven and a granite surface work top.
To the rear of our house there is an outdoor terraced area with a barbeque and garden furniture to allow for outdoor eating and beyond this a garden in which there is a spa pool.
After mounting the stairs to the second floor there is firstly a double bedroom furnished with a pair of single beds, built in wardrobes with ample hanging and storage space.
From here the next room is the main bathroom which is quite large and has a tub, shower, wash basin and a W/C.
The next bedroom is also fitted with built in ample sized wardrobes. It has twin beds and an en suite shower room with a shower, wash basin and W/C.
The final bedroom is furnished with a double bed and again ample sized built in wardrobes and drawer space.
The beams have been left exposed throughout the second floor and in the single storey kitchen giving high ceilings and a pleasing ambience.
In the roof there are two Veluxe skylights allowing addition daylight to the stairs and upstairs landing, giving a light and airy feeling.
In the bathroom there is a heated towel rail which can also be used to provide heat.
The domestic hot water system is heated via solar panels on the roof feeding a 300 litre tank.
We also have a telephone and inter-net access.
GETTING THERE:
Capestang is about 15 minutes from the Beziers West exit of the N9 Autoroute.
It is about one hour from Montpelier, Perpignan and Carcassonne Airports, two hours from Toulouse and three hours from Barcelona Airports.
Alternatively, if you prefer about 12 hours driving time from the channel ports. It is also an easy day’s drive from Bilbao in Spain. There is also a Motor-Rail terminus at nearby Narbonne and the journey by EuroStar, TGV and SNCF should take about II hours to Beziers from St Pancras, London.
RyanAir fly from Stansted to Carcassonne and Perpignan, to Beziers, Nimes & Gerona from Luton Airport - EasyJet Gatwick to Toulouse & Barcelona– Babybmi East Midlands to Toulouse.