Location :
Languedoc is more an idea than a geographical entity. The modern region covers only a fraction of the lands where once Occitan or the Langue d’Oc were spoken, which stretched south from Bordeaux and Lyon into Spain and northwest Italy. Although things are changing, the sense of being Occitan remains strong, a regional identity that stretches back to the Middle Ages, when its castles and fortified villages were the final refuges of the Cathars, a heretical religious set. The old roman town of Nîmes is an entry point; beyond Montpellier and Sète, the latter a busy town much dissected by waterways and famed for its oysters, although its open-air market features a dazzling display of a huge variety of seafood. Inland the great plain is a vast sea of vineyards backed by the less-productive mountains of the Cévennes.
The main attractions in the region include its natural features – rivers, lakes and limestone caves with strangely-shaped stalactites. Roman influence continues in the three-tiered Pont du Gard, a masterpiece in stone which has survived the centuries almost unscathed.
To the west, dominating an escarpment and with views to the mountains and sea, Carcassonne towers above the sprawling modern mass. The entrance through the mighty stone walls is by a drawbridge hung with heavy chains, then along a narrow uphill path and through a second defensive wall. Without shops and cafés to keep one in the sometimes mundane present, it would be easy to fall under the spell of Carcassonne and to imagine oneself back in the days of chivalry.
Practical info : The property is actually situated 15 minutes drive north-west of Béziers. The property being 25km from the sea and 30km from the mountains there are plenty of outdoor activity options such as tuna fishing or hang gliding outside visiting the main towns. If you fancy a game of golf, the St. Thomas Golf course is just about 15 minutes drive and there are 3 stables here if you enjoy horse riding, a tennis club and a swimming pool as well as a football and rugby pitch! One thing you will not be able to ignore is the vines and of course the delicious wines produced in this neck of the woods; Coteaux du Languedoc, Faugères, Saint Chinian, Minervois, Fitou, Corbières, Cabardès etc to name just a few!
The nearest airport is Montpellier (Fréjourges), just around 50 minutes drive, where you can catch a low-cost regular Ryanair flight to London Stansted, (flying time approx 1½hrs). Other airports where Ryanair operate out of include Carcassonne and Perpignan. Air France work extensively out of Montpellier. Motorway and train access are found in Béziers from where Barcelona can be reached in a few hours!
Description :
This property is good for someone looking for a cheap house and who does not mind a bit of work involved at the same time. Indeed, you’ll need to fix up the roof because of the leaks and you’ll need to redo the electricity as well as add some new units to the kitchen to get it up to the sparkling level it merits. You’ll probably want to brighten up the interior of the rest of the house too because the current state really isn’t that fashionable. Sounds like a lot of work? Well, yes it is, but the potential is there, that’s the important thing you’ve got to realise. Especially when we’re talking about some substantial interior volumes in the 3 spare rooms and the loft. Just think of the space you could have at your disposal once these rooms are smartened up sufficiently. The 1 bedroom has a BD and a sink and the kitchen has a fireplace, which is a feature of many older houses. The shower room offers a sink, a shower, a WC and a small cupboard. The garden with its rose bushes allows a welcome opportunity to enjoy the Languedoc sun.
- Lounge/dining room 17m2
- Kitchen 13m2
- 2 x hallways 3, 6m2
- Bedroom 17m2
- Shower room 3m2
- Loft 48m2
- 3 x spare rooms 10, 10, 10m2
- Garden 40m2
- Convector heating
Our opinion : Not for the faint-hearted. But this is a treasure trove waiting to be opened.
Price : 90 000€ (Excluding French Legal Fees)
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