La Maison Verte was built about 400 years ago, directly onto the medieval walls of the village of Caunes-Minervois. This two-storey stone village house enjoys unobstructed views across vineyards towards the Pyrénées Mountains in the distance.

Inside, three sun-filled double bedrooms all face south. Two of the bedrooms have double beds and one has two single beds, accommodating five to six guests, although four people would be ideal. Crisp cotton bedlinen, pillows and towels are provided. The mattresses are new and comfortable. One bedroom has an en suite bathroom with basin and lavatory. The other bathroom has a shower, basin and lavatory. Both bathrooms are on the first floor.

Downstairs, two living rooms are filled with natural light and connect to the separate dining room and the well-equipped kitchen. Double French doors leading from the sitting room to a wisteria-covered terrace which in turn leads to a walled garden. Guests can dine in the garden surrounded by flowers and scented with lavender.

The rooms are limewashed in Provençal pastels and decorated with finds from local antique markets. The house is filled with books, music and pictures.

The owner of La Maison Verte, Ingrid Hudson, also owns Le Savetier, a house sleeping four, in the same village, and another house, L'Ecritore, which sleeps two.

Special features:

• Pets welcomed • Bilingual assistance available on site • Maid, Cook and Driver can be arranged on request • Credit cards accepted

La Maison Verte is located in the medieval village of Caunes-Minervois. There is a good range of shops and services within a short walk, including two restaurants, grocery shops, a café, a bank, a butcher, a hairdressers, a newsagent and a lively artists' studio.

Caunes-Minervois is famous for its 11th century abbey. The locality is full of medieval architecture dating from the time of the "heretical" Cathar Christian sect and its suppression, including castles and fortified villages. The walks in the Black Mountains behind the village and through the vineyards in front of the village, are very picturesque, and perfect for cycling, too.

It's just twenty minutes to the spectacular fortified town of Carcassonne, which, like so many other towns and villages in this part of France, was built with great ramparts surrounding it.

Carcassonne is an official UNESCO World Heritage site; another landmark which has this designation is the Canal du Midi, a masterpiece of 18th century engineering which links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The Canal is an ideal spot to walk or cycle alongside.

Caunes-Minervois lies at the foot of the Montagne Noire, where there are lakes, castles and forests to be discovered. Across these mountains is Albi, another impressive medieval city which was also the home of Toulouse Lautrec, and houses a museum in his memory.

It's an hour's drive to the Mediterranean past small villages where there are many opportunities to taste and buy the local wine. The climate here is typically Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild winters.

The living room opens onto the terrace	The kitchen
One of the double bedrooms	The second double bedroom
The bedroom with two single beds	The bathroom
The garden	The living room
The kitchen	The terrace

We have so many memories of our stay in Caunes-Minervois, and a large part of them revolve around what turned out to be a most magical house. The welcoming environment and exceptional decoration - along with, of course, their charming owners.
Stephen H. - Toronto, Canada

We had a lovely time in your charming house - too short. We must come back.
Helen M. - Canada

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful house with us. I loved it and could have stayed for ever.
Lesley H. - Knavesborough, UK

We have had one of the best weeks ever in France. I already have plans in place for our next visit. I loved the peace and the tranquility and the unfailing friendliness of the locals. And the home itself; charming, tasteful and stylish.
Butch R. - Cape Town, South Africa

A perfect week! We only wish it was a few weeks longer. Our favourite thing, besides this house and the village, was driving through the mountains. We are grateful to have had the chance to enjoy this part of the world in a house so rich in history and beauty.
Paula B. - Evanston, Illinois, USA

It was everything we wished for in the French countryside and more. Thanks to Marlene and all the locals who made this such a memorable holiday.
Sonia T. - Cape, South Africa

This is a perfect house in a wonderful location, probably the loveliest interior design I’ve encountered. The swallows, the poppy strewn lanes and wildflowers in the fields of corn are all things to remember. The kind locals and welcoming atmosphere were wonderful.
Johana R. - London, England

We are having a last glass of wine on your beautiful terrace in the sun. We both feel that it is the warn friendships we have formed with the citizens of Caunes that have made it such a wonderful experience.Thank you Ingrid and Christopher for all your advice and being there when we needed anything.
Marilyn and Terry M. - Ontario, Canada

It is a rare surprise when a destination is even better than expected, and this is certainly how we felt on entering your beautiful home. It is obvious that much talent, time, thought and love went into the design of this wonderful house. You have created a welcoming, warm and very personal retreat. Thanks for everything and best wishes.
Vicki and Ed S. - Charlotte, NC, USA

We absolutely agree with everything in your guest book, it’s a beautiful house, lovely village, fantastic area. We had a wonderful time.
Vanessa L. - Watford, England

We’ve stayed at this propert before and have a wonderful time on both visits. I’d recommend to any of your guests to return in another season. It is bliss to see the colours change and to spend more time with people one met before in the village.
Joanna R. - London, England.

This place touches the depth of my heart. Not only is it beautiful but it transports you into another magical time in history far from the stress of the world we live in. To be able to share this special place with my beloved children and grandson is a memory that will be forever engraved as one of the most treasured times in my life.
Bev A. - Cape Town, South Africa.