Recently renovated, our family friendly house is beautifully light and spacious over 3 storeys in the village of Belesta, surrounded by the glorious hills and mountains of the AriĂšge.
The house itself has 4 light and airy bedrooms on the 1st floor, 3 double and 1 twin. Each equipped with ample storage and comforts. Each room has been designed to be inviting and comfortable with high quality linens and bedding. You will find a wardrobe, drawers, bedside tables and lamps in each room The twin room is opposite one of the doubles, down a small corridor, handy if you want to be close to younger children. We also have a cot should you require it, plus stair gates and a high chair. The property has two beautiful and spacious bathrooms, both with showers and storage.
The sizeable open plan Kitchen/diner and living area have a double height ceiling to one end, and large doors to the garden flood the room with light. The kitchen is fully stocked with everything you could possibly need, even a salad spinner! There is a microwave, dishwasher, fridge freezer, electric hob, oven and grill and a raclette grill for the nights when only melted cheese will do. You'll find some basic ingredients in the kitchen, herbs and spices, oil, tea, coffee, sugar and a welcome basket to start your holiday off.
The kitchen doors lead out onto the sunny terrace - with plenty of space to eat, relax, drink or barbecue. This opens out into a lawned area with palms, figs and vines, perfect for relaxing in the sun. Carry on walking through to the secret vine garden, where you can quietly enjoy your morning coffee and croissant. The garden has some outdoor toys for your use and some buckets and spades to take to the lake.
Also in the house are a games room with table tennis, table football, jigsaws and toys. There is a laundry on the ground floor with both a washing machine and tumble dryer. On the first floor, between bedrooms, there is a generous landing with reading nook and tv den for you to plug in your own console. A door from here leads out into the quieter area of the garden.
The village of Belesta has everything you need in walking distance from the house; supermarket, patisserie, friendly restaurant and bar, local artisan shops and the weekly market. From our door follow walking routes into the hills behind the house and see the local ruins, or through the woodland to the phenomenon that is Le Fontaine de Fontestorbes, a section of the river that rises and falls intermittently. Further afield you can follow many walking or cycling routes through the Ariege and the Pyrenees.
There are two swimming lakes nearby; Lac Montbel approx 25mins from the house, which in addition to the beautiful scenery also offers various water sports, horse riding, high ropes course and swimming. The second lake in Puivert is 15 mins away. Lac de Puivert is a swimming and fishing lake perfect for families, especially those with younger children, the water is sectioned off to keep the littlest ones safe and a lifeguard is on duty during high season. Both lakes have 'buvettes' or restaurants, and Lac de Puivert has a bustling Marche Nocturne in the summer months, where you can buy you dinner from local food traders and eat on the beach. During the summer you will find Marche Nocturnes in many of the local towns and villages, Leran near Montbel has music and dancing and there have even been fireworks at Roquefixade.
Other activities available in the area include white water rafting, horse riding, many places for cave exploration, our favourite is La riviere souteraine de Labouiche near Foix where you journey by boat through the caves. There are also adventure climbing parks for children and teenagers and there are many other opportunities for exploring the area either by bike or on foot.
The house is situated in the heart of Cathar country and is easily accessible to the various regions in the Languedoc. The historical chateaux of Montsegur and Roquefixade are only 15km drive away. Visit the famous fortified city of Carcassonne, just over an hourâs drive, or the vineyards of Limoux. A must see is the medieval town of Mirepoix where many delightful restaurants cafes and shops can be found surrounded by beautiful medieval buildings.
Ax-les-Thermes is approximately an hours drive, you can visit spas, local markets and take the cable car up into the ski-fields. The journey to Ax is almost as breathtaking as the views of the mountains when you arrive, with secluded French villages and look out stations en route. Try stopping at the Col de Chioula, there are plenty of walks, and a couple of lovely restaurants with amazing mountain views.
We are situated approximately one hourâs drive from the Pyrenees and an hour and a half from the Mediterranean coast. Spain and Andorra are also easily accessible if you have a little more time to spare.
With 3 airports offering flights to the region, Toulouse, Carcassonne and Perpignan, you will be spoilt for choice for if you want to fly and hire a car. Ferries to Calais, Dieppe, Le Havre, Caen and many other ports make the journey to the South of France very easy. Le Shuttle gets you across the channel in 30 minutes, and you can catch a train all the way to Toulouse.
