Perched atop the medieval hilltop village of Castelnau-de-Guers and at its heart, just 3km from the beautifully preserved medieval town of Pezenas with its many shops, cafe bars and restaurants, this large authentic 1850s winegrower's manor house has recently been refurbished sympathetically to keep the natural beauty and character of this family home.
With 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 large lounges, music room, library, dining room that sits 12 easily and kitchen which opens out on to the terrace and pool area, this property is ideal for an extended group of family and friends.
Located close to the some of the best beaches in the Languedoc but within easy reach of the mountains, the house is in a great location to explore all that this part of the South of France has to offer.
The shops local to the house including boulangerie, general grocer and bar restaurant are within 300 metres.
The house is but steps away from the now ruined 12th century feudal Château, the former home of the Barons Guers which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Hérault Valley and from Saint-Sulpice Church built by Benedictine monks.
It is right in the heart of Picpoul de Pinet wine country.
Accommodation Details:
Ground floor
From the main front entrance, turn right into a comfortable lounge with a large corner sofa and further comfortable seating and traditional stone walls. The kitchen is accessed by a couple of steps from the lounge.
The kitchen with its bespoke cupboards has a large range style cooker, dishwasher, American ice making fridge freezer, coffee maker, microwave and other appliances. The kitchen leads into the dining room with a dining table to seat 12. The kitchen door opens out onto to the terrace, garden and swimming pool.
If you turn left at the main entrance, there is a ground floor WC and access via a separate door to a very large room, where once the wine was made and stored with its vats and grape baskets. Here you will now find a full size table tennis table. The washing machine is also housed in this area. This room leads into the romance of erstwhile stables, now unused.
First Floor
The original old wide stone spiral staircase takes you to the first floor landing.
On the right hand side of the landing you will find the music room with floor to ceiling large window and a Juliet balcony, an upright piano and classical guitar for guests to use and comfortable seating. The wifi hub is in this room with coverage throughout most of the house.
Bedroom 1 is a large room with original beams and floor tiles. It has a king size bed, original floor tiles, a large wardrobe, freestanding mirror, chest of drawers, table and chairs, floor to ceiling windows with Juliet balcony overlooking the front courtyard.
Bedroom 2 has twin beds, with shuttered windows, beautiful original tiled floor, fitted wardrobe and table and chairs.
Bathroom 1 has a freestanding bath with shower attachment, twin vanity basins, large storage cupboards and independent WC
Bathroom 2 has a large walk-in 'rain' shower, sink and WC.
On the left hand side of the first floor landing there is a second large lounge with comfortable seating and a TV. A floor to ceiling window gives a view of the church tower. A couple of steps lead up to the library with comfortable chairs and a desk.
Access to the shower room and WC.
Bedroom 3 has original floor tiles, king size bed, chest of drawers, table and chairs and fitted wardrobe.
2nd Floor
The spiral stairs continue to the top floor. On the left you will find bedroom 4. This has a king size bed, fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers, 2 window chairs and a table.
On the right hand side of the landing you will find the last 2 bedrooms, 5 and 6 with 2 bathrooms, 1 ensuite.
Bedroom 5 has twin beds, wardrobe, chest of draws, table and chairs.
Bedroom 6 has a king size bed, wardrobe, chest of draws, table and chairs. Bathroom 3 is an ensuite with shower, vanity basin and WC.
Bathroom 4 with large walk-in 'rain' shower, twin vanity basins and WC.
Equipment and Facilities At The Property:
Dishwasher
Washing machine
Large American style fridge/freezer
Range style oven
Microwave
Electric Kettle
Coffee Machine
Hairdryer (one on each floor)
Piano
Classical guitar
Fans in each bedroom
Wi-Fi internet access
TV
Gas BBQ
On-site car-parking for at least 4 cars
Outside Details:
Large, private walled garden with pool.
Gates from the street open into the large courtyard at the front of the house where there is plenty of room for parking.
A crazy paving pathway leads you to the pool and garden area. The 9m x 5m pool has a beach style entrance offering easy access.
There is outdoor dining and seating for 12, sun loungers and chairs together with a gas BBQ.
The terrace provides both sun and shade.
Local Shops & Facilities:
As this South of France manor house is near the centre of Castlenau-de-Guers nearly everything is on your doorstep within around 300m.
An excellent boulangerie (also does pizzas twice a week)
General Grocer
Café-bar/tapas
Tabac Presse
Tennis courts
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
In the local vineyards, which surround the village, you can have a tutored tasting of local wines and food during the season. Or in the summer a full or half day Wine Tour.
Lots of places to explore from this South of France Holiday property other than Castelnau-de-Guers itself.
Pezenas 3km away is a mediaeval market town with a beautiful Renaissance centre, interesting architecture, narrow winding streets full of artisan shops and boutiques, plus numerous excellent restaurants, ice cream parlours, cafes and bars. Wine tasting and live music on a Friday evening in July and August - L'Estivale. Colourful market on Saturday mornings.
Bike hire and horse riding are available in the environs.
There are at least 8 Mediterranean beaches less than half an hour's drive - Marseillan Plage (20 km / 12.4 miles), the famous Cap d'Agde beaches (24 km / 15 miles), Portiragnes (29 km / 18 miles), Serignan Plage (30 km / 18.6 miles), Valras Plage (34 km / 21 miles) and more.
Marseillan: (14 km / 8.5 miles). A beautiful harbour town with lots of excellent seafood restaurants and famous for its Noilly Prat vermouth. The Noilly Prat distillery has guest tours and a wonderful cocktail bar.
There is a nearby golf course: Golf St Thomas: (18km / 11 miles). 18 holes.
Beziers: (26 km / 16 miles). Large market town, renowned for its colourful 'Feria' in August. This includes street music, carnival and bull-fights. The old quarter winds its way through narrow streets with lots of interesting independent shops, bars and restaurants. Worth seeing is the old bridge over the river Orb built in the first half of the 12th Century and its wonderful cathedral with a view stretching for miles.
Montpellier: (45 km / 28 miles). This city is the jewel in the heart of the region. The old town is clustered with medieval streets and squares surrounded by shops and restaurants. Its huge Place de la Comedie, with its operas house and restaurants and street music and markets is ideal for whiling away any afternoon or evening wining and dining.
Meze: (18 kms / 11 miles) An occupied settlement since ancient times, Meze sits on the north western coast of L'Etang de Thau and is now an important centre for oyster production. The harbour is active with fishing boats and yachts and is a pleasant stroll, while the town itself has narrow streets to explore especially the attractive vaulted passage ways.
The Canal du Midi, with its mouth at L'Etang de Thau winds its way through the Languedoc and boats can be hired for the day from locations such as Beziers and Colombiers,
Agde: (18 km / 11 miles). An old historic town and fishing port, founded by the Ancient Greeks. Nice market, excellent seafood restaurants.
Cap d'Agde (23 km / 14.2 miles) has a wonderful large harbour with many restaurants. It also has 'Aqualand' with its water-slides and also sports a 27-hole golf course.
Lac du Salagou: (30km / 18.5 miles) to the north sits amidst the orange / red spectacular volcanic hills surrounding the deep blue lake. It offers watersports, walking and cycling.
Cirque de Moureze: (27 km / 15 miles) north is a collection of gigantic limestone rocks giving it an other wordly feel. There are hiking trails through this heritage site.
St Guilhem-le-Desert: (42km / 26 miles) is a gorgeous medieval village with its Romanesque abbey and narrow streets winding their way to the river gorges where canoes can be hired.
Narbonne: (56 km / 35 miles). The Canal du Midi runs through the centre of this Roman city, famous for its cathedral.
Parc Naturel du Haut Languedoc: (ranging from 40 km / 24 miles at its edge to 70 km / 42 miles at its centre) north west sits in the foothills of the Massif Central. With its peaks and gorges it offers great canoeing on the river Orb.
ACCESS
Southern France International airports are at:
Beziers Cap d'Agde airport: (28 km / 17 miles).
(Ryanair from Bristol, Luton, Stansted, Edinburgh, Manchester).
Carcassonne airport: (118 km / 73 miles) - (Ryanair to Stansted, East Midlands, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Cork and Dublin).
Montpellier airport: (56 kms / 35 miles) International flights worldwide. (Easyjet from Gatwick, Luton and Ryanair from Leeds Bradford, British Airways from London).
Perpignan airport (114 km / 71 miles) (Ryanair from Stansted, Birmingham, Flybe to Southampton).
Girona (Spain) (218 km / 135 miles) - (Ryanair from various UK airports)
Toulouse and Barcelona (Spain) also have international and transatlantic flights.
South of France by Rail:
Beziers and Agde have railway stations with nearby car rental.
Paris to Beziers is 4.20 hrs by TGV (Train Grande Vitesse).
South of France by Road:
740 km / 460 miles south of Paris (about 7.5 hours drive non-stop)
1,030 km / 640 miles south of Calais (just over 10 hours drive non-stop).
