Beat high airfares - flexible arrival days are available at this property, Close to Saint-Chinian, this light and airy village house in Assignan offers up to four people the opportunity to spend a wonderfully relaxing holiday, enjoying the surrounding countryside and the local food and wines.

Le Pistachier is located in the centre of Assignan, a quiet and charming village eight kilometres south-west of Saint-Chinian. It has recently been beautifully renovated, incorporating a host of features whilst offering every modern comfort including broadband internet access.

The front door leads into the kitchen, which is fully equipped with all you need to prepare meals and eat at the table there. There is a dishwasher, fridge, deep freeze, gas cooker, electric oven, microwave oven, complete cutlery, crockery and utensils, as well as an electric kettle and plunger cafetiere coffee maker. The dining table is surrounded by four chairs. The utility cupboard in the kitchen holds an ironing board and iron along with miscellaneous cleaning equipment.

  

From the kitchen a doorway leads into the spacious sitting room. Just on the left is the original carved stone sink, sculpted from a single block of locally quarried stone. Above it is a tailor made rack holding the drinking glasses. The telephone is on a little table just next to the sink.

The spacious, cool and airy living room has a large window right ahead, which looks onto the square and French doors to Carriera de la Gleiza, where on a warm evening there is space enough to eat outside its portal literally on the street - a folding table and chairs are provided (can also be set up just outside the kitchen door). Just leave enough room for the occasional vehicle to pass!

  

The comfortable sitting area centres round the attractive fireplace (decorative only), and is furnished with an l-shaped sofa, armchair, television (with satellite receiver) and DVD player. A broadband internet connection is available, for connections either via WiFi or ethernet cable.

  

Stairs lead from the living room up to the first floor where you have two bedrooms.

The old beamed ceilings in both bedrooms indicate the age of the building at more than 250 years. Each has a fan for the hot spells in summer. The "la Place" room (below) looks onto the square and is furnished with a double and single bed, night tables, chest of drawers and a wardrobe. Its bathroom is adjacent on the landing and contains a power shower, WC and basin. Situated on the landing inside the airing cupboard is the washing machine/dryer.

  

The "la Gleiza" room has an an en suite bathroom, again with a power shower, WC and basin. This bedroom overlooks the street and is furnished with a double bed, night tables, chest of drawers and built in closet.

  

Le Pistachier has been completely renovated and newly furnished for 2006. There is electric heating throughout the house, making it comfortable in the winter months.

Assignan is a 'pas du commerce' vineyard village, i.e. it has no permanent shops apart from a post office. However mobile services call throughout the week - the baker daily at 8.45 am, the grocery at noon on Wednesdays and the butcher at noon on Fridays is a feature of your stay, when the villagers gather to make their purchases literally outside the house in the Place du Marche. You will lack little from this service.

A much wider choice of everything is available on market days in St Chinian - a most colourful experience. It takes place on Sunday mornings from 9 - 1 pm and on Thursdays same time, and the shops, restaurants and bars in St Chinian itself are only a five minutes drive away. There are two supermarkets in St Chinian, both stocking a good range of products.

Assignan is an ancient village first mentioned in 936. and today there are approx. 140 permanent residents. The village has its own communal tennis court which can be used for a small fee.

Just a short walk from Le Pistachier you can find a number of wineries, all of which produce excellent wine (some organic and even biodynamic!), which can be tasted and bought locally. The endless vineyards give rhythm and colour to the undulating hills and valleys throughout the year, from pale green in the spring to the russet and gold colours of the autumn.

For those who wish to walk or hike, there are over 30 mapped walks in the immediate vicinity of Assignan/St Chinian/Canal du Midi area. See the book in the living room. There are two very good walks that start in the village itself and which explore the wonderful open countryside which surrounds Assignan. You can be in the 'garrigue' (bush/forest) and vineyards within three minutes of leaving the house in any direction. Le Pistachier takes its name from Pistachier lentisque and Pistachier térébinthe both of which grow abundantly in the surrounding countryside.

The area has an attractive range of recreational activities all within easy access. They include walking, cycles for hire (in St Chinian), canoeing on the River Orb, fishing in the St Pons national reserve areas, horse riding (between Assignan and Villespassans, about a mile away), day trips on the Canal du Midi, visits to vineyards and 'caves' (There are five in the village), visits to the beach - a forty minute drive, and of course eating out can be experienced in almost all the small towns and villages of the area.

With its calm and tranquil atmosphere, Assignan is ideally placed for a relaxing holiday, exploring the surrounding garrigue, enjoying the local wine or venturing further afield to explore all the Midi has to offer.