Our Gîte

The gîte is on the ground floor of our chalet, and is made cool by its stone construction and varnished slate floors in the living areas.

There are three bedrooms, a double with its own washroom and French window, and a single, and as well the music room, which features bunk beds (or single beds) and a piano.

The living room, complete with wood-burning stove, and a sofa bed looks out through patio doors to the secluded back garden and the swimming pool area, which features a traditional Catalan barbecue.  The recently equipped kitchen has washing machine, dishwasher, microwave oven and a dual-fuel cooker.   Gas is supplied.

As well as the washroom, there is a fully equipped shower bathroom with W.C. and washbasin unit.

The flat has its own front door which opens onto a shady sitting out area which is totally private.

At the front of the house is a large parking area which can accommodate a number of cars. Children may camp on the front lawn (tent available).

The local tennis court is just outside the front gate and is in good condition.

What we offer

In the flat you will find all crockery, cutlery and cooking equipment, the beds are provided with linen and towels are supplied.

Babysitting and maid service are available if required for a small extra fee.

There are electric radiators in every room and hot water is also provided. The charge for electricity is included in the rental, but wood for the wood-burning stove will be charged for if required in the winter months. Charcoal for the barbecue will be provided at cost price.

About our valley

Our gîte is in the upper part of the Agly Valley (the valley of the eagles) a vast glacier-hewn trough in the Pyrenean foothills, leading to the Mediterranean near Perpignan. It is ideally placed for access and for exploring the region.

The nearest airports are Perpignan (45 minutes) Carcassonne (1 ¼ hours) and Toulouse and Gerona in Spain (each 2 ½ hours). You can fly to Perpignan (and the others) by Flybe, Ryanair, Easyjet or BMI Baby.

The chalet is in the quiet village of Caudiès de Fenouilledes, which boasts a general store/newsagent, post office, pharmacy, baker and butcher.

As well there is a restaurant (the Clos des Augustins) and the Café Rivière, which sells pizzas and light meals to its patrons. You can laze in the sun and splash in the pool; go for strenuous walks on the Grande Randonnée 36 which passes through our village, explore the surrounding country side with its churches, Cathar castles and widespread forests, spend a day at the beach at Le Barcarès or join in the many adventure activities which are available.

Activities

Perpignan is the gateway to Spain – city which still has its old centre and fascinating buildings including the Palace of the Kings of Majorca.

Other towns include the market town of Quillan, 22 minutes away in the Aude Valley, which provides most facilities, after a thrilling drive down a majestic gorge.

There are the duty-free shops of Andorra, the thermal baths at Rennes les Bains, Carcassonne which retains a lot of charm despite its 2 million tourists a year, Limoux – centre of the upper valley of the Aude, the outdoor activity centre at the Pont d’Aliès (Sud Rafting) which offers well managed activities on the river (kayak, rafting, canyoning and hydrospeed)

A visit to Narbonne can include the Roman remains in the region or the delights of the Canal du Midi (which is less than 2 hours away) The area is a walker’s paradise, with well marked paths which can lead you to the wonderful Cathar castles at Puylaurens, Queribus and Peyrepertuse.

Vineyards abound and Caudiès is proud to be the only place in the valley (at 350m+) to produce a proper sparkling wine and delicious Chardonnays.

The commune operates a leisure site at Castle Fizel with restaurant, large swimming pool, climbing wall and riding stables.

Potholing takes place in the many extensive cave systems which thread through the limestone canyons.

Students can visit the various museums of prehistory at Tautavel and Belesta, and the less energetic can ride on the TPCF (Train du Pays Cathar et des Fenouilledes), which is based in Caudies,or on the even more exciting Little Yellow Train, which takes one from Villefranche de Conflent up the gorge of the River Tet, to the Spanish border and Latour de Carol, a major railway junction.

In winter the nearest ski areas are about 1 hour away at Camurac, Mijanes and Puyvalador

Prices and booking information 2011

           Price per adult per week:          Price per child under 12

Minimum booking 2 adults

Nov - March (ski season) £80                           £50

April - June                  £100                           £50

July - August                £120                          £75

Sept - Oct                   £80                            £50

Changeovers are usually Saturday to Saturday, out before 10.a.m. and in after 4 p.m. and but in mid and low seasons more flexibility is possible.

Short breaks are also possible, and reductions are available in the low seasons for longer lets.

Booking should preferably be by email. The rental is payable in advance a week before arrival into a UK bank account (details to be provided).

A deposit of £150 is required at time of booking, which will be refunded if no charges are incurred. Euro zone clients may pay into a French account.   How to pay information will be sent at time of reservation.

To reach us

Caudiès de Fenouilledes stands at the upper end of the Agly valley, on the D117, which threads its way across the Pyrenean foothills from Perpignan to Bayonne.

At Pont d’Aliès, it joins the D118 which takes you to Quillan and Carcassonne, or to Axat and Font Romeu.

It is 51 kilometres (30 miles) from the centre of Caudiès to Perpignan airport, where the road joins the N7 to the Spanish border.

From the N7 one can access the A9 which leads to Spain or north into the French motorway network.

The nearest airports are Perpignan (45 minutes) Carcassonne (1 ¼ hours) and Toulouse and Gerona in Spain (each 2 ½ hours). You can fly to Perpignan (and the others) by the low-cost airlines: Flybe, Ryanair, Easyjet or BMI Baby.

For further information about  this gîte please contact Gill and Mike Williams.  Please book by email.

Tel: 04 68 38 29 42

International Tel: 00 33 4 68 38 29 42

When booking this property please mention Relax in France