top of page
Une belle maison de vacances en location courte et longue durée en Occitanie
In between house jobs (watch this space…..potential tree house to be built) we managed to fit in a trip to Carcassonne castle, the seaside at Gruissan (eat at La Perle for fresh seafood as well as ice cream, crepes and waffles), and some horse riding (just in the next village- Routier). It was overcast for Gruissan, but crepes and waffles kept the kids on board! On season this area is really vibey with lots of beach clubs along the coast. I can’t wait to return in the summer for a cocktail or two. 💃
That’s a wrap. Officially end of the season. The pool has been winterised and won’t reopen until the late Spring. ❄️
Exploring Toulouse. I will definitely be back. So many shops and eateries to explore. We had time for a long lunch in the square, a little cultural trip to the cathedral, before a quick snooze back at the hotel before the late rugby match at the footie Stadium.
The idyllic setting for a relaxing getaway with friends and family #pincardel #southoffrance #limoux #alaigne
Lunch in Carcassonne, at Place Carnot. Amazing service at Le Longchamp. Highly recommend 🙌 #carcassonne #placecarnot
Cozy nights in the wine vat room 🍽️
Signs of Spring 🌸
Ski trip to Font-Romeu Pyrenees 2000 ⛷️ 🎿
Lunch at ‘Le Creneau’ inside Carcassonne Castle. Delicious food and friendly staff. We walked in, with no reservation, (6 adults, 7 children) and they were very accommodating. Please note that in peak season you would need to book. Also pictured is the entrance to Chez Christine. Another one for the list of restaurants to try here 😊 🏰 🥘 🥗
Merry Christmas one and all 🎄#christmas2024 #southoffrance
As we approach September we have the insulating pool cover out and ready for action. Super easy to use and on wheels, so you can move it out of the way. Roll out the cover, over the water’s surface, to keep the water temperature (warmed by the sun in the day) consistent #swimmingpool #swimmingpoolcover
Friday night- pizza night at Capiès, a lovely family run domaine just 5 minutes drive away #domainedecapies #pizza #southoffrance
Carcassonne castle - a must visit with guests. We wandered around the ramparts, ate lunch at Le St Jean (but have also pictured three others that look great-we will try these on our next visit….if you’ve been there please let me know what you thought), bought ice creams, friendship bracelets, sweets, and tablecloths! We popped to the Place de Carnot (Carcassonne central square) afterwards for a quick mooch (Sephora for the teenagers!) 🏰 #carcassonne #carcassonnecastle #stjeancarcassonne #southoffrance
Lovely afternoon spent wine tasting in Alaigne at the wine cave of @domainenjc #domainenjc #domainenjcwines 🍷with wine maker Nicholas Coates.
Dinner in Limoux, at Le Concept. Brasserie and Pizzeria. Very kid friendly. Reserve a table on a Tuesday evening and take in the vibe of the night market. Limoux is the famous home of two French sparkling wines- La Blanquette de Limoux and the Crémant. A must drink whilst in this region. 🍾 🥂 #premierbulle #sieurdarques #leconceplimoux #southoffrance
Golfing in Carcassonne ⛳️ #carcassonnegolfclub #carcassonne🇫🇷 #southoffrance #golf
Impossible to leave Marie’s without some deliciousness…..#boulangerie #patisserie #croissants #painauraisin #brioche #bagette #southoffrance #holidaymodeactivated #dietstartsonmonday
@domaine_de_pincardel ……where kids can be kids #thegreatoutdoors #noscreentime #summer2024 #southoffrance #wholesomefun
Although our local bakery at Alaigne has closed, disrupting our morning cycles to get 🥐, a little shop now occupies the same space. It is a little convenience shop selling basics from sausisson, fruit and veg, cold drinks, wine, ice creams and some household products (cleaning products and cupboard staples like pasta, crisps, pet food and flour). More expensive than the supermarkets but if you need something quickly- it’s just up the road and you can cycle there. For croissants I have to be a little more organised now and leave earlier for a longer (mostly flat) cycle to Limoux….or realistically, on holiday, having a lazy morning and taking the car to the shops! There is also a bakery at Belveze -for the seasoned cyclist who loves hills #localshop #alaigne #southoffrance #belvezedurazés
Our poor grass is frazzled by this sun 😢 Just taking it all in before our next guests arrive. The dorm is ready for the kids 😁 and the 🍾 is on ice for the adults. holidayswithkids #southoffrance #summernights
Cute lunch at La Buvette in Alet-les-Bains. The vista on this drive is completely different to the other side of Limoux (Carcassonne and Narbonne beach bound- straight roads and more open flat scenery with farms). On this 24 min journey you are driving towards Quillan and Couiza - bordered by hills and mountains that can reach up to 750m above sea level! Beautiful. This is the way you’d drive to the ski slopes. At La Buvette there is plenty of tree cover so it feels cool and breezy in this heat. The evening menu and outdoor kitchen look great so i’ll have to return of an evening to sample (see menus pictured). Parking is free along the roads. You could combine this trip with a visit to the Abbey, wander around the medieval village, canoeing on the river and then pick up supplies on way home for dinner at Super U or Lidl. #aletlesbains #labuvettealetlesbains #southoffrance
Early morning cycle to Limoux for a coffee (or herbal tea in my case….weird fact- I’ve never had a tea or coffee). Luckily, it was overcast this morning, which made it easier (I'm not a cyclist….yet!). Relaxed at home during the day and then sauntered off to the night market in Limoux….jeans were a massive error. Lulled into a false sense of security with the sun hiding behind the clouds 🙈 The Limoux market is every Tuesday from 5-11pm. Restaurants get chocka so best to book ahead/book as soon as you arrive 😁 Oooh and I've discovered a new cocktail. Ran out of Prosecco.…so here we have Aperol with pineapple juice and a dash of soda. Delicious. #grandcafelimoux #lecommercelimoux #limoux #cycling #southoffrance
Dinner on the kitchen deck followed by some alone time by the pool (whilst the kids watch a movie). Just me and the chirping crickets 😃 The night sky is stunning - so clear. This weekend we have seen so many shooting stars! Magic. Tranquility #peaceful #relaxing #private #holidays #southoffrance #stargazing
So thankful for the tiled floors that keep the house cool in the summer ☀️ #southoffrance #holiday2024 #aude #frenchfarmhouse #frenchwinery
Dinner in Limoux avec mon amie #limoux #southoffrance
Another beautiful day at Pincardel ☀️ #gites #southoffrance #holidaymode
A sneak peek at the upstairs bedrooms before friends arrive #gitesinfrance #summer2024 #southoffrance #friendsandfamily #makingmememories #holidaymode
The kids took themselves off for a lovely bike ride to Mirepoix. I dropped them off at the Voie Vert in Belveze (flat cycle path all the way there, <22k each way). I then drove to meet them for lunch with the rest of the troops. It was pottery extravaganza in the Mirepoix market square today. Lunch was had (Galettes, Croque Monsieur, Salads, Poke bowls and ice creams) whilst watching the world go by….refuelling tanks for the cycle back home! SuperU supermarket, recycling points, and a petrol station are just around the corner so you can tick off a few admin jobs in one place. And yes, I know we are nowhere near Les Champs Elysees but this song has been stuck in my head (since the Paris rugby 7s singing in the stands) and I need others to share the joy. You’re welcome 😜#cyclinginfrance #voieverte #summer2024 #mirepoix
Aquaviva in Carcassonne….always a hit with the kids 🙌 #carcassonne #lacdecavayère #parcaquaviva #southoffrance
Quick minibreak earlier this week, to Paris, to catch some Olympics action. Super easy on the train (Carassonne- Bordeaux-Paris). The return was a pain due to a 1 hour delay (Paris- Toulouse) but overall very positive. On reflection (and next time) I'd opt to fly (probably cheaper and quicker!). Teenage daughter had the itinerary set from Instagram/tiktok (Sephora, rooftop bar at Galleries Lafayette, Angelina’s bakery, shopping) so we were in her hands! #olympics2024 #parisolympics2024 #franceholiday #rugby7s #womensrugby7s #mensgymnastics
A fab afternoon spent at Eaurizon (Base Nautique), in Puichéric. Just the other side of Carcassonne, towards Narbonne. There are lots of different activities available. Today, we did a kiak through simple, occasional, rapids. Take a picnic and enjoy! #eaurizonactivitespleinenature #outdooradventures #kiaking #southoffrance
Carcassonne castle 🏰 A must see when holidaying in this region. #carcassonne #southoffrance
Pizza time on the Ooni oven 🍕 #homemadepizza #oonipizzaoven #holiday2024 #limoux #southoffrance🇫🇷
Games time 🙌 #tabletennis #waterpolo #footballgoals #competitive #holidays #summer2024 #southoffrance
Night swimming and fun. You had me at fairylight. #fairylights #poollights #colourchangingpoollights #nightswim #summerfun #gitesdefrance #carcassonne
Looking to relax? Looking for peace and quiet? A place for the kids to run around and make noise without worrying about upsetting the neighbours? We’ve got 11 acres for you! #relax #unwind #holidaymodeon #summer #southoffrance
Shopping list: pastry and pastry dish. Fruit tarts incoming 😋 #fruittrees #flora #garden #countryside #summer2024 #southoffrance
Scorching day today, 35 degrees ☀️ #gitedefrance #franceholidays #summer2024 #limoux #carcassonne🇫🇷
Skiing in Les Angles 🎿 ⛷️ #skiing #skiinginthealps #snowday #halfterm #southoffrance
Front field ready for some football goals or a wedding marquee 😃 #southoffrance #holidays #wedding
Ready for Christmas at Pincardel #happyholidays #merrychristmas #festiveseason
Making our way to the Dieppe ferry…..we stopped for a day and night in Versailles ⭐️ We had an amazing day spent exploring the park 🌲 🌳 and gardens 🌸 We had Lola dog 🐶 in tow so had to take turns in the gardens (dogs not allowed in the palace or gardens, but welcome in the park). We ate at La Flotille by the Grand Canal, which is next to the bicycle hire and golf cart hire. It was average food wise but the setting was lovely, as was the service. I definitely recommend hiring a golf cart or bikes. Versailles is vast- the whole estate is over 800 hectares! You can also book the little tourist train and row a boat on the grand canal. It’s just stunning. The palace itself has 2,300 rooms. The garden is free but you need to buy tickets to access the garden, palace and other estate buildings such as the Trianon. These can be bought separately or part of a whole pass. For the palace- order well in advance and, ideally, plan your trip mid week and for an early morning entry. You will need a lot of time and comfortable shoes. #versailles #palace #france #roadtrip
Gosh the French do baking well….all this deliciousness. I’m going to need a carb detox when I get home 😂 Stocked up on baguettes 🥖, pain au chocolates, croissants 🥐 and cookies 🍪 I’ll be back for the fruit tarts! 😋 This huge bakery is in Limoux (15 mins) and next to GIFI - the go to store for bits and bobs (think Tiger, Ikea, B&M, Home Bargains). Here you can pick up bits for the swimming pool, beach, kitchen, your pets, sweets, self care etc. TIP- If you break something during your stay you can pop here to replace items 😉 (it’s normally the water glasses that fall victim). #croissants #painauchocolat #chocolatines #bagettes #southoffrance #bakery #gifi #food
Date night (adults) at l’Odalisque in Limoux (15 mins drive). Just a short stroll from the main square. Highly recommend. Just delicious food and lovely air con (perfect this evening. It was super hot today!). It’s a Tuesday so the night market is on again this evening. Much livelier (as you can see in the video) compared to last week when we went 2-3 hours prior. Typically, started filming just as the live band went on a break though. Bustling vibe. Summer fun on a Tuesday. What’s not to love?! #lodalisque #restaurantlimoux #southoffrance #summer2023 #lobsterbisque #boeuf #magret #melon
Scorching day here at Pincardel with temperatures reaching 36 degrees! ☀️ The fruit trees 🌳 are thriving. We have the mirabelles (orange, red and yellow varieties. Larger than a grape but smaller than a tomato), lots of pears 🍐 not yet ripe (but getting there) and figs🍃 a plenty (ripening soon). Guests are welcome to go fruit picking. Try making a crumble with the mirabelles or have them with some ice cream or yoghurt or even make a jam. The figs are great in salads with cold cuts 🥩 and a great accompaniment for cheese 🧀 - again you can make jam with these too. Pears, all of the above. Enjoy 😃 #fruit #fruitstrees #figs #pears #mirabelles #southoffrance
Mirepoix hosts a market in the central square Place du Marchéchal Leclerc, by the Cathedral, every Monday morning from 8.00am to 1pm. This is a beautiful and varied market where you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, honey, fresh breads, saucisson, olives, snails, mussels etc etc, jewellery, bags, shoes, clothes, home wares, art and so much more. Well worth a visit. There are lots of restaurants, and actual shops selling their wares, around the outside looking onto the market too. Watch the world go by over a coffee, or a superb ice cream (from the stall outside restaurant Maurice….their salted caramel is amazing), buy a traditional market basket and fill it with yummy goodies for lunch at home, a new summer dress (or two) and inevitably some souvenirs the children have acquired (a music box and friendship bracelets in our case today!). We just all love Mirepoix. An easy 25 min drive. There are parking spots in the streets parallel to the market, or you could try the free parking lot at Avenue Gilbert Fauré (10-min walk to the square) or park at Super U supermarket and walk into town (5 mins or so). We found parking on the approach road, before the traffic lights at the crossroads which was super easy (2 min walk). #mirepoix #mirepoixmarket #southoffrance #shopping #saucisson #icecream #summer2023
⭐️ Night volleyball ⭐️ Great fun, although now there may be more water outside of the pool than in 😉 🙈😂 #swimmingpool #nightswim #poolights #garden-lights #summerfun #friends #southoffrance
L’Autre Jardin in Mirepoix (25 mins drive). Perfect for an adult date night. Delicious food and fantastic service. I’d definitely go again. Loved the Asian influence in some of the dishes. It’s worth noting that they do sushi on Friday lunchtimes too #lautrejardin #mirepoix #mirepoixfrance #southoffrance #datenight
Pizza Le Roll restaurant in Belveze du Razes, just 8 mins away. Parking available right there (opposite the pharmacy). Pizzas 🍕 salad 🥗 entrecôte 🥩 and hamburgers 🍔 and yummy desserts 🍨 🍰 There’s a little play area in the garden for under 7s (bouncy castle etc). Open every evening the summer (except Monday). You can also order takeaway (for collection). #belvezedurazés #pizza
A beautiful afternoon spent in Lagrasse. It’s a long drive (1 hour 10 mins but the drive alone is stunning). Make a day of it- Take a picnic, swim in the Orbieu river, have a drink and ice cream at Le Recantou and visit the Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse (Lagrasse Abbey). Easy pay and display outdoor carpark a stone’s throw from the walk along the river #lagrasse #southoffrance #riverswimming
Follow us on Instagram
Nos services
- Informations sur le service
1 h
19,99 euros19,99 €
1 h
19,99 euros19,99 €
1 h
19,99 euros19,99 €
Book Online: Bookings
bottom of page