La Maison Secrete - Beautiful restored house with garden and jacuzzi
House with 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6, Garden
A beautiful, charming 19th century stone house with traditional, original features renovated and equipped to a very high specification. La Maison Secrete (The Secret House) is situated in the historic and beautiful Ariege region of southern France on the edge of the charming village of Belesta, at the foothills of the spectacular Pyrenees and the beautiful Belesta Forest. This property offers outstanding views of the hills and mountains beyond and has a garden that backs onto the lush Belesta Forest. The house has its own website with additional photographs and further details- please email owner for website details.
Fantastic Home Cinema System in Spacious Lounge
Grand Log Fireplace
Rear of House. Perfect for Dining and Relaxing.
La Maison Secrete - on the Edge of the Belesta For
Features: Fully furnished to a high specification, large, comfortable lounge, large fully equipped kitchen, spacious, separate dining room, utility room with washer/dryer, drying room for ski wear, traditional features: exposed beams, wooden shutters, wooden floors, large fireplace with log burner delightful, furnished south facing garden, furnished balcony with beautiful views of farming hillside, forest and mountains, small roof conversion, state of the art home cinema projector and music system, digital satellite with BBC TV and radio channels basement with large log storage, exterior luxury heated 6 seater jacuzzi.
Belesta is situated in Ariege (Languedoc-Roussillion/Midi Pyrenees region), South of France in the foothills of the Pyrennees. 1 ½ hrs from the Mediterranean coast and the beautiful sandy beach of Canet Plage; 30 miles from Andorra (fantastic skiing resorts) and the Spanish border.
Belesta is a traditional French village with traditional amenities: town square, mairie, market hall, church, excellent boulangerie, pattiserie, charcuterie, tabac, great local wine shop, two bars and two very good French restaurants, post office, cash machine. The village is set around the Sur L’Hers (river) where you can fish for trout. Nearby (5min walk) is the Fountain Fontestorbes- an intermittent fountain spring, one of only six in the world. The Fete de Citrouille (Pumpkin) in the Autumn is a rare event with colourful exhibitions and local gourmand and craft market.
The scenery around Belesta is spectacular: mountains, gorges, rivers, chateaus, ski resorts (Mont d’Olmes-9 miles away. 5 Euro bus journey from town square), prehistoric caves, fabulous vineyards, lakes, fantastic restaurants and markets. There is an abundance of activities. It is a walkers paradise with many trails straight out of the front door. Ensure you hire a car to explore this facinating area of France.
Facilities for this holiday house in Belesta, Midi-Pyrenees
1 Bathroom, 2 Separate WC's. Spacious, luxury bathroom.
Kitchen:
Cooker, Hob, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Washing Machine, Iron. Large, fully equipped kitchen comfortably catering for six people and their guests. A tumble dryer is also installed within the utility room.
General:
Real Fire, House Linen.
Dining:
Seating for 6.
Entertainment:
Satellite TV, DVD, Radio, CD System. A state of the art home cinema dvd projector and music system, a true cinema experience is installed in the house!
Outside:
Terrace, Garden, BBQ, Parking, Balcony, Garden Furniture. An outdoor luxury 6 seater jacuzzi is installed in the garden.
Suitability:
Not Suitable For Wheelchairs, Not Suitable For Elderly, Sorry - No Pets Allowed, Sorry - No Smokers.
Smoking is permitted in the garden.
Local activities in and around Belesta, Midi-Pyrenees
The list is endless! But key points to note: Mirepoix. Chateau Montsegur and other Cathar buildings. Carcassonne. Gorges, rafting, rambling, cycling (the Tour de France always passes through this mountainous area),prehistoric caves, fishing, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding.
An information pack is provided at the house to provide you with a comprehensive listing of activities and sightseeing opportunities. Walking maps can be purchased from the local village shops and supermarkets.
The Stunning Old City of Carcassonne: Located at the heart of the Toulouse-Montpellier-Barcelone triangle, at the crossroads of two major traffic roads dating back to the most ancient times, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, from the Cévennes to the Pyrénées mountain range where the Aude has its source, Carcassonne blooms in the plains of the lower valley, inviting you to walk in and out of its streets. Discover its history, its local cuisine, its wines, or simply enjoy the scenery. From the Bastide Saint-Louis to the medieval Walled City, Carcassonne offers a wealth of monuments to visit and discover ! You can take a leisurely stroll along the streets on your own and be charmed by the buildings and the people you'll meet along the way; or you can be accompanied by our interpretive guides who are intent on restoring the memory of their city. All paths are open for your visiting pleasure!
Foix
The County of Foix was an independent medieval fief in southern France, and later a province of France, whose territory corresponded roughly the eastern part of the modern département of Ariège (the western part of Ariège being Couserans).
During the Middle Ages, the county of Foix was ruled by the counts of Foix, whose castle overlooks the town of Foix. However, it should be noted that in 1290 the counts of Foix acquired the viscountcy Béarn, which became the center of their domain, and from that time on the counts of Foix rarely resided in the county of Foix, preferring the richer and more verdant Béarn.
January 24, 1917: A few people are standing in the small churchyard in Rennes-le-Chateau, watching silently as the coffin of Berenger Sauniere is lowered into his grave. Of these people, how many truly know the secret that is being buried with this charismatic priest ?
On the large central square you can still admire the half-timbered houses supported on wood pillars, creating a magnificent covered arcade. The ends of the joists of the richest houses are sculpted, and the most beautiful sculptures are on the house of the Justice du Seigneur, which became in 1500 the Maison des Consuls, showing women's faces, bearded heads, a tortoise and other fantastical images.
The character of Mirepoix is quite distinctive and the town oozes charm. Half timbered houses line the central square, with their upper storeys overhanging the walkways below. During its long history, Mirepoix was nearly destroyed twice, by both floods and fire, but has been rebuilt and is now considered to be one of France’s prettiest towns.
City of Toulouse
Toulouse is a confident city. France’s fourth-largest metropolis not only has a rich architectural heritage, but the intellectual verve that comes from being at the heart of Europe’s aerospace industry and space programme. Add to this a vibrant student population and some high-profile modern art and it comes as no surprise that the Toulousains are feeling good about their town.
Toulouse, dubbed ‘Ville Rose’ because of its pink buildings, sits astride the Garonne river and the historic Canal du Midi, midway between the Med and the Atlantic. The heart of the town is the vast, arcaded place du Capitole, where the impressive, grandiose Capitole building forms the seat of local government. It is worth popping in, if only to see the floor-to-ceiling 19th-century paintings, including Henri Martin’s elaborate depiction of Toulousain life at the time.
City of Perpignan
The last major town in Languedoc before the Spanish border, it’s easy to see why the flavour of Perpignan is essentially Catalan. There’s a real mix of cultures in this corner of the region: Catalan, Romany and North African all co-exist in this sunny city of palm-lined squares. For the visitor, it’s useful to know that this is not only one of the best places in the region to sample local food and wine but also a city with a relatively busy airport that has several handy air connections overseas. However, it does lack buzz – Barcelona is too close and too big a rival for little Perpignan to hit the big time. It’s also worth noting that over recent years Perpignan has become a stronghold for Jean-Marie Le Pen’s rightwing Front National Party who claim the city’s original white inhabitants have been overrun by foreigners.
Cathar Castle Montsegur
Perched at a height of 1200 metres (3900 ft), the ruins of the current site at Montségur is not actually the work of the Cathars. The theatre of terrible events in the year 1244, the fortress was largely remodeled in the second half of the 13th century. The place however remains haunted by a painful past: more than 200 Cathar priests found death in this mythical place, burnt at the stake as heretics for their alternative Christian faith in a huge inferno. Eight centuries after, the flames from this past age still fuel speculation and rumour.
Gorges of Galamus
3 miles north of Saint Paul, the awe-inspired site of the Gorges of Galamus is an imposing, protected place . It probably was the first inhabited place in Saint Paul : our ancestors found shelter in the limestone caves that can be seen in the giddy cliffs .
The river Agly rushes down a deep break, much to the pleasure of the adepts of canyoning and rafting .
Typical mediterranean plants grow on its steep slopes, such as evergreen oaks, jumper trees while Bonneli eagles soar over the winding narrow road that clings to the cliff .
To the South, the impressive Gorges de la Fou, cut through the mountain - the exact replica of galamus - opens to the South and the gallo-Roman bridge .
Andorra
Great for skiing and boarding. Andorra is duty free so alcohol and cigarettes are very cheap.
Heading south from Toulouse. South of Mirepoix at the foothills of the Pyrenees, east of the town of Lavelanet. Situated on the edge of the village of Belesta and the Belesta Forest.
Rental rates for this house
Price Per Week
Quoted In
Approximately equivalent to
UK Pound
Euro
US Dollar
1 Nov - 30 Nov 2007
£295.00
€324.50
$442.50
1 Dec - 31 Jan 2008
£350.00
€385.00
$525.00
1 Feb - 31 Mar 2008
£295.00
€324.50
$442.50
1 Apr - 30 Jun 2008
£350.00
€385.00
$525.00
1 Jul - 31 Aug 2008
£550.00
€605.00
$825.00
1 Sep - 30 Sep 2008
£350.00
€385.00
$525.00
1 Oct - 30 Nov 2008
£295.00
€324.50
$442.50
1 Dec - 31 Jan 2009
£350.00
€385.00
$525.00
Rental Notes: Flexible changeover time applies throughout most of the year so that you can obtain the cheapest flight options. This cannot be guaranteed during busy periods however. Contact us.
A welcome pack is provided which includes information on the house, sightseeing opportunities, restaurants, bars etc. Milk,juice,water,tea and coffee will also be available.
Please provide your own towels. A limited number of dvds/cds are present in the house; however, you may wish to bring your own. There is the facility to play your iPOD/mp3 player through the music system.
Last minute discount!!10% discount if booking start date is less than 28 days away. Long stay discount!!£100 discount if booking length is more than 13 days. Long stay discount!!40% discount if booking length is for more than 3 mths. Early Bird stay discount!!15% discount if booking start date is greater than 6 mths away. £45 charge applies if jacuzzi is required during the mths of Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov,Dec.
Guestbook
"What can we say? Great house, great area. We are coming back!" - Graham & Kate Jackson, Norwich
"We had such a good time. We loved your house, the area, the food, the wine, the weather, the walks...
" - The Stronach Family, Leamington Spa
"Your house is beautiful Marc and we didn't want to leave it! The area is just fantastic, so many places to explore.
" - Faye Forrest, West Midlands
"Fantastic! I just loved the beautiful and stunning scenery. Your house is a very comfortable retreat. Well equipped and a delight to stay in. " - Angela Taylor, Teacher, Lancashire
"The area is stunning. Great time. I'm very jealous of your house!! " - R J Hawkesford, Headteacher and Family, Studley
"My girlfriend and I spent the days snowboarding and the nights by first dipping into the jacuzzi and then watching DVDs on the home cinema system with a blazing log fire on the go. We are back next year!" - Robert and Katherine, Dunfermline, Scotland
Availability of La Maison Secrete
This property is normally available
for rent between January
and December each year.
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Owner joined site on:
30 August 2007
Property listed since:
31 August 2007
Holiday House in france - Midi-Pyrenees - Ariege - Belesta
