Welcome to the heart of the Corbieres, a rolling landscapes of granite hills, cloaked in oak, chestnut and pine forests, riven through with mountain streams that bubble up in brooks, rock pools and light cascades; its rocky outposts of medieval villages, some of the most beautiful in France, overlooked by ancient Cathar castles – Termes, Queribus, Aguilar, Peyrepetruse and Montsegur – and all against the backdrop of the snow capped Pyrenees, lending an other worldly ambience to this most earthly of paradises.
The Gite comprises of an upstairs bedroom which looks out onto the hills, bathroom with WC ensuite, and downstairs a kitchen -, dining room with double sofabed and outside eating area. Stairs from the bedroom lead to the terrace from which to watch birds small and large, circle, swoop and twitter across the variegated vista of the hills and from behind which rises the sun and moon, to flood the terrace in warmth and a mellow night time luminescence.
The Gite is situated in the village of Vignevieille, which has a post office (Mon, Wed and Fri 9am -12.30pm, Tue and Thu 2.30 – 6pm) with PC, printer internet. In addition it is visited by the local baker thrice weekly, and goats cheese maker from Lariere 5km away, cow cheesemonger, chicken butcher and greengrocer weekly.
Vignevieille is 6km by road from the Chateau at Termes, and there is also the traditional path that goes to Termes over the hill side at the back as well as other hill tracks to Salza over the telegraphed hill on the other side and another alongside the river. The Grand Randonee 36 which goes through Termes to the Pyrenees can be accessed 5km away just past Durfort.
A walk down through the village and onto the other side of the road leads you to the village tennis court and then the play area by the river Orbieu where one can swim in the lovely river with safety. 5km upstream there are the rock pools and cascades at La Conq just past the village of Monjoi and downstream there are plenty of swimming spots on the Orbieu on the way to Lagrasse.
For cultural pursuits as well as the Cathar Chateaus there is the town of Lagrasse with its Medieval Abbey and market square, dotted with bijoux jewellers, craft shops and epicerie selling the finest regional gourmandaise. It also hosts music and literary festivals.
For Art lovers, there are the art trails of the Artistes a Suivre around the town of Couiza in May, Albas in June, the Sculpture trail at Mayronnes all year and the Gallerie Cabrerisse at St Laurent de la Cabrerisse all year.
For Gourmands there are noted Michellin 3* restaurant, L’Auberge de vieux puits at Fontjoncouse – about 40minutes away, Le Moulin Neuf at Lanet about 10km, El Catamini at Ferrals as well as the multiple choices of Lagrasse and St Laurent.
For a salty dip the Mediterranean is an hour away with the oyster shacks at Gruissan Plage and Narbonne plage to tempt you if a dip does not.