click here for a larger
picture
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Built for a wealthy wine maker
over 100 years ago on the edge of the village of Aigne,
la Maison du Beaupré is spacious and very comfortably
furnished, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Relax by the 18mt swimming pool and enjoy the luxury accommodation
of this tastefully renovated house, which sleeps up to eight
in four bedrooms.
La Maison du Beaupré is
built on three levels, with the living accommodation on the first
and second floors. Access to the house is by a gate from the
street level, from where stone steps lead to the front of the
house via a series of terraces, or from the drive which leads
to the parking area (shaded from midday) at the back of the pool
house. The house has been totally renovated and modernised in
2003 and offers comfortable and spacious accommodation. As much
as possible the original features of the house have been retained,
such as the original tile floors with their beautiful patterns,
and the exposed roof beams in the salon. Full central heating
provides comfort during the cooler months and all bedrooms are
equipped with fans for the summer. A telephone is available
in the hall on the first floor and in the salon on the second
floor. The terrace in front of the house is ideal for the winter
months as it benefits from full sun, being south/east facing.
The terrace by the pool is perfect for summer al fresco meals.
Step through the old front door
into the hallway, which has retained its original diamond pattern
inlaid floor, with a large star motif at its centre. Doors lead
off the hall to three bedrooms and the stairs at the end lead
to the second floor.
 
The salon
On the second floor is the heart
of the house: the large and spacious salon and the kitchen. The
salon is stylishly furnished with sofas and easy chairs, arranged
around the wood burning fire place with marble surround. The
dining table in the dining area of the salon seats eight, and
an antique 18th century French "armoire" holds all
the glassware. From the salon stairs lead to a mezzanine, which
has a day bed for relaxing, and a desk (and telephone point)
for those who need to work. A stereo system with CD,
cassette and radio and a Television and
DVD player provide entertainment. ADSL (broadband) internet
access with WiFi capabilities available.
Kitchen
The kitchen is fully equipped
with dishwasher, microwave oven, electric stove
and oven, larder fridge, coffee maker,
kettle and toaster. The pale wood units are topped
by a pink granite work surface, which harmonises beautifully
with the original patterned tile floor.
 
click on the picture of the
pool for a larger view
A few paces from the terrace
in front of the house and across a lawn is the swimming pool
and the old "pigeonnier", which now houses the summer
kitchen and the pool operating room. The swimming pool is 18mts
long, 3.5mts wide and 1.4mts deep, making it ideal for those
who wish to swim lengths as well as just splashing about. Set
against the rocks by the side of the pool is a shower with a
mosaic base and thermostatically controlled hot & cold water.
A WC and wash hand basin is located in the pool operating room.
The terrace in front of the "pigeonnier" overlooks
the pool and is ideal for dining in the evening. The kitchen
in the "pigeonnier" is fully fitted and equipped with
gas cooker, electric oven, microwave
oven, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, electric
coffee maker, kettle and toaster.
Beautiful handmade tiles decorate the splash back and work surface
and the kitchen is of course well supplied with all glassware,
crockery and cookware. A BBQ along with large dining table &
chairs, sun umbrellas and sun loungers complete the furnishing
of the pool side area.
 
garden with view towards upper terrace and pool house
Bedroom 1 is to the left of the hall and is stylishly
furnished with a double bed (1.6m) and antique wardrobe from
Brittany. The room overlooks the terrace at the front of the
house, and catches the morning sun. This bedroom has it's own
en-suite bathroom, with bathtub, WC, wash hand basin and built
in "coiffeuse". The bath has an overhead shower and
shower-screen.
 
Bedroom 1 with en-suite bathroom
Bedroom 2 on the right of the hall also overlooks
the terrace at front of the house, and is furnished with two
single beds, wardrobe and chest of drawers. Bedroom 3
is reached via a short corridor, from where you have access to
the utility room, which is equipped with washing machine,
tumble dryer, iron and ironing board and vacuum cleaner,
and an additional fridge/freezer for extra storage. Bedroom
3 contains two single beds, a wardrobe and a secretaire. Bedrooms
2 and 3 share the second bathroom on the ground floor, which
has a bathtub, shower cabin, wash hand basin and a built in "coiffeuse"
(vanity unit). There is also a separate WC.
 
Bedrooms 2 and 3 and bathroom 2
Bedroom 4 is on the second floor. Its decor has
an Indian focus with a carved wooden headboard and delicate embroidered
curtains. It comprises a double bed (1.6m), built in wardrobes,
dressing table and the window overlooks the terrace at the front
of the house and the rooftops of the village. This room has its
own bathroom, with bathtub, shower cabin and vanity unit, heated
towel rail and separate WC.
 
Bedroom 4 and bathroom 3
More about Aigne
The village of Aigne centres
around the old mediaeval nucleus, also called the "circulade"
because of it's circular shape. It has become a magnet for artists,
and is now home to painters and sculptors, who regularly open
their studios and galleries to the public. The village is also
home to Lo Cagarol, an excellent restaurant in the village square.
A small grocery store and post office provide daily essential
within the village, and a number of wineries in the village allow
you to sample and buy the local Minervois wines. The municipal
tennis court is just across the road from La Maison du Beaupré
and guests can use the court free of charge. Aigne is located
close to Minerve, the former Cathar stronghold, which is spectacularly
situated on an rocky outcrop between the Cesse and Brian rivers.
More restaurants and shops can be found in nearby Olonzac, where
a weekly market is held on Tuesdays. Narbonne and Beziers are
both a half hours drive away, and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean
oare only a little further.
Access
International airports are
located at Carcassonne (53km), Perpignan (90km), Montpellier
(113km), Nimes (164km), Toulouse (137km) and Barcelona (290km). |
