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Laroque d’Olmes, Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Number of guests
Sleeps up to 24 (16 adults + 8 children)
Property description
Sheltered by wooded foothills but looking out to the Pyrenees a few miles to the south, Château de Queille sits up on a rock cliff which falls sheer to the River Touyre below. The river runs almost 360° around the rock, creating an exciting 'presqu'île' of the property.
This is a wonderful French holiday home for up to 16 adults and 8 children. It has its own Romanesque chapel, a clifftop swimming pool and gorgeous gardens. There’s plenty to entertain guests of all ages, including a trampoline, table tennis, a full size billiard table and a very large kitchen where you can cook and eat together, enjoying ingredients from the wonderful food market nearby. Your guests can also make full use of Lake Montbel, ten minutes away, popular for fishing, sailing and pedalo hire, and take easy daytrips to the beach.
Location
Near the hamlet of Bentefarine (often called Ventefarine). The village of Camon is a 5 minute drive. Within 10 minutes of the medieval town of Mirepoix and also Lavelanet. Mirepoix has a fantastic market and a very good supermarket. It is a 1.5 hour drive to the coast.
Airports: Carcassonne (40 mins, RyanAir); Toulouse (1hr); Montpellier (2hrs); Perpignan (75 mins); Gerona and Barcelona (2-3 hrs).
Stations: Pamiers (30 mins); Carcassonne (45 mins).
Accommodation
The house has an interesting history, having been a Cathar refuge in its time. An 11th century chapel and the remains of an ancient forge, both within the grounds, provide impressive evidence of earlier importance and grandeur.
Today, the house comprises two adjacent, connected buildings: the core of the old house and a newer wing. Both have been completely renovated and restored and are fully furnished in a clean, simple and uncluttered way.
On the ground floor of the main house there is a very large kitchen/dining room with an enormous open fireplace and a pantry, a small library and an elegant saloon. There are high ceilings and stone or terracotta-tiled floors throughout. Stone stairs lead up to two magnificent bedroom suites with their own bathrooms and one other small twin bedroom (connected to one of the doubles). Up again, there's an enormous (11 x 30 metres) room set out as a children's dormitory, with ten single beds, two showers and a ping-pong table.
The newer wing has five bedrooms and two bathrooms plus one study. There’s also a large music room (with grand piano) in this part, on the first floor, plus two studies, and a spacious gallery with a full size snooker table.
Outside, a very dramatic pool sits on the cliff's edge. There is a pool house with a summer kitchen, barbecue etc and shower. The garden falls over four terraces of flowers, paths and a waterfall into beautiful surrounding parkland where there are numerous walks.
Parties of 16 adults or up to 24 with children, can easily be accommodated. However, the place is equally comfortable, spacious and peaceful with just one or two couples. The price is the same, regardless of guest numbers.
Facilities
Entertainment gadgets include a DVD/video player, a small library of films, satellite TV and two CD players. There’s a good selection of books for adults and children, and lots of board games.
There are two open fires, one huge one in the kitchen and one in the salon.
Utilities include a washing machine, tumble dryer and laundry room. There are three dishwashers, three fridges and a freezer. A high chair and cot are also provided.
Mobile phone signals can be received here.
A caretaker, with two dogs, lives on the premises year round and he is very happy to do cleaning during your stay on a pro rata basis. A cook can be arranged, if required.
Area
This Minervois wine area of Languedoc-Roussillon is fascinating, famous for its beauty, its architecture and its Cathar history. All the Cathar castles are within an hour or so (Montségur, Rocquesfixade, Peyrpeteuse, Puilarens, Quillan …). There’s plenty of walking opportunity, and riding stables nearby.
The medieval walled city of Carcassonne lies on the right bank of the river Aude and is featured on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. It has some two miles of ramparts, a large number of shops and craftsmen, and a permanent exhibition on the restoration of the Cité in the 19th century. Guided tours are easily arranged.
Shopping is in Mirepoix, about 10-15 minutes away.
Winter visitors can ski at Mont d’Olmes (45 mins) and Ax les Thermes (1.5 hrs). Horse riding is available close to the chateau. Boating on Montbel lake (15 mins)
A list of good places to eat locally is provided in the chateau, and includes the Abbaye Chateau de Camon in the village of Camon.
Prices
From £3,000 to £5,000 per week.
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Contact the property owners
Phone: 07771 856031
Fax: N/A
Please note that you cannot rent this property directly from The Big Domain. If you wish to rent Chateau de Queille, or would like to enquire about availability, please click on the Contact the Property Owner button above, and use the form provided to contact the owner directly.
