L'Ancienne Ecurie

The ancient village of Argens-Minervois in the Aude Department of France. The village nestles on a gentle hilltop, surrounded by vineyards of the Minervois wine-growing region and with far reaching views of the Montaigne Noire, the Corbieres hills and, in the distance, the Pyrenees.

Argens Minervois is situated in the Department of Aude in the Languedoc Roussillon Region of France - the Region that is described as the 'Cinderella of the South' in the Lonely Planet Blue Guide 2009.

This ancient settlement is on the banks of the Canal du Midi, a World Heritage Site, and approximately half way between the Roman city of Narbonne and Carcassonne, another World Heritage Site and the second most visited place in France.

The gites are in a small no through road towards the top of the village, within a few yards of the local shop and less than five minutes walk from the Canal.

Road travel - Using autoroute links, it is now possible to reach our village within a day's drive of Channel ports. Visit our 'links' page for some suggested stop over accommodation.

For Satnav users, GPS - 43.242132, 2.766673

Air travel - Low cost carriers serve the international airports of Carcassonne (35 minutes), Beziers (Cap d'Agde) (50 mins), Perpignan (50 mins), Toulouse (1.5 hours), Montpellier (1.5 hours), Nimes (1.75 hours) Gerona (2.5 hours) and Barcelona in Spain (3 hours).

Rail links - Regular Eurostar services to Paris and the TGV service from there to Narbonne, bring the Languedoc within 10 hours total travelling time of London. The local town of Lezignan Corbieres has regular connections with Narbonne, Carcassonne and Toulouse. Our local village taxi can be booked for the ten minutes' journey from there.

This property is in the elevated older quarter of Argens Minervois and about a hundred metres from the Canal du Midi.

L'Ancienne Ecurie was originally the mule and sheep stalls of the 16th century château that dominates the village skyline. It is situated in the corner of a large Mediterranean garden that offers ample space for outdoor living for most of the year. The property has been updated and newly equipped this year and provides all that is required for a comfortable stay.

Sleeps 2-4 - double bed in mezzanine bedroom and two single chair beds in lounge.

Ground floor: 
Lounge - comfortable with feature exposed stone arches and door to small terrace and garden. TV (available for DVD playing only), hi fi, books and games. Choice of DVDs and CDs available from owners' library. Two chair beds and other seating. Wardrobe for coats and for those utilising chair beds.

Kitchen/diner - well equipped - high quality hob and oven, microwave, washing machine, iron. Ample worktop and storage space + table and chairs.

Shower room with separate WC - hairdryer.

Sun lounge overlooking garden.

WiFi internet available in owners office by arrangement.

Mezzanine bedroom:
Attractive beamed space, with air conditioning. Double bed and storage facilities.

Heating:
Under floor heating in lounge area and reversible air conditioning unit in the rest. Further portable heaters are available if required.

Garden:
Level access, south facing large Mediterranean garden, with shaded areas and terraces, barbecue, and outside furniture for relaxing and dining.

Our two self-catering holiday gites, situated in Argens Minervois, on the banks of the Canal du Midi, are available to rent on a weekly or short-break basis.

• Sleeps 2-4 - double bed in mezzanine bedroom and two single chair beds in lounge.
• Lounge - TV (available for DVD playing only), hi fi, books and games. Choice of DVDs and CDs available from owners' library. Two chair beds and other seating. Wardrobe for coats and for those utilising chair beds.
• Kitchen/diner - well equipped - high quality hob and oven, microwave, washing machine, iron. Ample worktop and storage space + table and chairs.
• Shower room with separate WC - hairdryer.
• Sun lounge overlooking garden.
• WiFi internet available in owners office by arrangement.
• Mezzanine bedroom:
• Attractive beamed space, with air conditioning. Double bed and storage facilities.
• Heating:
• Under floor heating in lounge area and reversible air conditioning unit in the rest. Further portable heaters are available if required.

There are two steps of 20cms into each of the doors; the toilet and shower room are on the ground floor with a width restriction of 60cm max.