The swimming pool

Les Cyprès is a peacefully situated south-facing holiday home built in the traditional local style. The building dates back to the mid 19th century, but has recently been totally renovated while retaining the original character. Les Cyprès sleeps four guests in a double bedroom and a twin bedroom.

Furnishings are simple and comfortable and there is a light and airy feel to the house. A balcony looks over the garden and down to the village. The extensive and secluded private garden is ideal for relaxing, sunbathing, and enjoying the swimming pool. (The pool isn't heated and is normally available for use between mid/late May and late September/early October.)

The balcony

The property is set in a hectare (two and a half acres) of grounds, with open grassy areas, mature trees, and an outdoor dining area, giving lots of space to relax and for children to play. The 11x5 metre pool is set in the garden, and is surrounded by a terraced area, ideal for sunbathing. The owner lives in a separate house on the property and shares the use of the pool. In practice, guests have sole use of the pool since the owners mostly swim in the early mornings!

Inside the house is a well-equipped kitchen and dining room with a table for four, an electric cooker, microwave, fridge-freezer, and dishwasher. The shower room has a walk in shower, washbasin and WC plus separate washroom with washbasin and WC. Free WiFi is available.

The living room

In the living room is a comfortable sofa and a selection of books, including books about the local area. There is also a TV/DVD player with UK Freesat receiver. Upstairs are the double and twin bedroom and bathroom.

Les Cypres is on the edge of the traditional village of Caunes Minervois, about five minutes walk from the centre. The home makes an excellent base for a relaxing holiday and is ideally situated for exploring Cathar country and the Languedoc.

The famous abbey at Caunes-Minervois

Caunes is a village rich in character, famous for its historic abbey and marble quarry, but with all everyday amenities, including post office, bank, small supermarket, garage, butcher, baker, pharmacy, café and restaurants. There is a small market three times a week.

Caunes is in the north west of the delightful and unspoilt Minervois "pays", a wine producing region between Carcassonne and Narbonne. Scenery and climate are typically Mediterranean, but the Montagne Noire and the Parc Régional du Haut Languedoc are only a few kilometres to the north with shady pine forests and mountain lakes.

The nearby rural chapel of Notre Dame

The coast is about an hour away and there is easy access to lakes and river bathing. There is a golf course in Carcassonne. The area is great for natural history, archaeology or just relaxing.

It is a fantastic area for walking and cycling; there are also a number of local climbing sites - including at Notre Dame du Cros, just a couple of kilometres from Caunes. Caving and horse riding are also possible. The mediaeval cité at Carcassonne (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is just twenty minutes away.

The local vineyards and countryside

Languedoc-Roussillon is famous for having 300 days of sunshine per year which makes it a great place for holidays or longer stays at most times of the year. The whole region is rich in historical sites, particularly those relating to the Cathar crusades, including Lastours, Queribus, Peyrepetuse, and Montsegur.

The abbeys at Lagrasse and Fontfroide, the caves at Limousis and Cabrespine, the Canal du Midi, the towns of Narbonne, Montpellier, Toulouse and Perpignan, and the "book village" of Montolieu are all within easy reach.

The Cité in Carcassonne

There is a fascinating variety of scenery; coastal plains, vineyards, rocky garrigue and mountains. The Languedoc is an important wine growing region that has seen many improvements in recent years and there are many opportunities for wine tasting.

Local fairs and markets are always interesting; they take place thrice weekly in Carcassonne, the Saturday morning market in Carcassonne is a must for lovers of French markets, and Rieux-Minervois, weekly in Olonzac, Lezignan-Corbières and St Pons, and don't miss the Friday flower market in Béziers! There are also annual fairs and fetes such as the Marble Fair in Caunes in early June, the Olive Fair in Bize Minervois and many similar events throughout the year.

The cloisters of the abbey at Fontfroide

Access to the area is straightforward; road and rail links are good, with motor-rail stations at Narbonne and Toulouse.

The nearest airport is Carcassonne, with low cost flights to London Stansted, East Midlands, Liverpool, and many other destinations in the UK. Toulouse, Perpignan, Beziers and Montpellier all have airports as well. There are ample local car hire firms if needed.