The house is set in 120 acres in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Languedoc - the unspoilt France which offers a wealth of activities, sparkling Mediterranean beaches and the Pyrenees close by. Bags down, pour glass and relax! This is simple luxury in real France - do everything or nothing!

Lofty but warm and welcoming this escape is beautifully designed with every detail considered. The layout makes communal living and privacy equally possible. 

There are six double bedrooms that comfortably accommodate up to 14 guests and a separate two bedroom apartment. Outside there are landscaped gardens, a tennis court and pool. There is a live in couple [nearby] who help with everything from house keeping to concierge.

The living space in the main house runs the full length of the building, from the grandeur of the Salle des Fêtes and the intimacy of the bar, to the open plan, professional kitchen and the comfort of the fumoir cinema space. Book the house in autumn and winter and you will be as warm as toast - the house has three roaring open fires and underfloor heating.

The kitchen has been designed for those who love to cook and should you wish, arrangements can easily be made for a chef instead.

The ground floor and garden wing have direct access to the gardens, pool area, courtyard and tennis court. The courtyard has an outside kitchen and an 18th century fireplace. The garden wing is a less formal setting and acts as a games room or a luxuriously casual snug to get away from the crowd.

In the main house there are four bedrooms on the first floor with beamed ceilings and en-suite marble bathrooms. Two have baths and all have walk-in showers. The bedrooms are situated around a dramatic atrium from which the staircase sweeps to the main floor living space.

The other two bedrooms are located in the garden wing. All bedrooms have satellite television and DVD players.  

There is a further two bedroomed flat off the courtyard that is suitable for extra guests or staff. One bedroom is a double and one has two singles. The flat also has a shower room and a kitchenette.

Gardens and Pool
From every window and terrace the views show the idyllic rural setting this escape sits in. The 15 metre swimming pool has an electric cover and a thermal exchange heating system [not needed in summertime]. There are also landscaped gardens and an all-weather tennis court. The sheltered courtyard garden along with the variety of other terraces surrounding the house all provide plenty of options for outdoor living and dining.

The location
A thousand years of history combines with one of the last unspoilt Mediterranean landscapes to create an atmosphere nearly as intoxicating as the new generation of excellent local wines. Foodie delights can be found in abundance.The Corbières is now one of the most rewarding travel destinations in southern Europe yet still feels charmingly undiscovered. From broad white sanded Mediterranean beaches to the foothills of the Pyrénées from the languor of Louis XIV’s engineering masterpiece - the  Canal du Midi - to the ramparts of la Cité in Carcassonne. This area is a paradise for the body and the soul.

History
These lands have formed part of both Spain and France in their day, as belied by the system of vertiginous mountain-top chateaux that were built to defend the ever changing frontier. Latterly, they acted as the final strongholds of the Cathar heretics in the Albigensian crusades of the 12th century. Long before, the area had been an important Roman and then Visigoth possession, and the extensive limestone caves around the village of Rennes le Chateau are believed to be the hiding place of the Treasure of Jerusalem and the Ark of the Covenant, plundered from the sacking of Rome by the Visigoths. Now, the area is rapidly growing in popularity, due in no small part to the books of Kate Mosse and Dan Brown who have brought the mysteries of Rennes le Chateau to a global audience.

Food and Drink
There are lots of local restaurants, those in the nearby villages being relatively simple but tasty, through to plenty of Michelin starred indulgences. Local shops and markets brim with beautiful produce and unctuous cheeses, as well as the gorgeous local figs. Nearby is the Bas Languedoc, with a cuisine that is characterised by elaborate fish dishes  such as bourride [fish stew], sardines and sea bass - all fresh catches from the local fishermen. There is a huge number of vineyards and wineries in the area, Languedoc has the highest area of vines under cultivation in Europe. Also of interest are the white wines of Limoux, including the methode champenoise Blanquette, and the wines of Fitou and Cote Roussillon, where the popular Picpoule de Pinet is made.

Culture
Cultural events abound, particularly in the summer. The jewel in the crown is the Carcassonne Festival. Much of this is set in the stunning medieval Old Town and consists of a month of high quality culture and music, attracting names like Sylvie Guillem, Elton John, Sting and Diana Ross. Another hidden gem is the modern art museum in Ceret. It was created in collaboration with Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse and contains a great collection of Picasso's ceramics as well as works by other impressionist and modern artists who were  attracted by the light and beauty of the area.

Markets
There are some terrific food markets around the villa. The best is in Carcassonne in the main square on Saturday mornings as well as its brilliant covered food market on most days. There is also a small organic one in Lagrasse on Saturday mornings and a large one in Lézignan-Corbières on Wednesday mornings. In Narbonne there is an amazing covered food market that is open every morning of the year. Lonely Planet says: "Narbonne’s covered market is arguably one of the most beautiful in France. Built at the turn of the 20th century it is a masterpiece of art nouveau style, with panels of frosted glass, decorative stonework and a wonderful cast-iron roof." The market is a culinary dream and not to be missed.

Activities
The only limit to the activities at THE WINE STORE is your imagination. From sloth-like to super-charged, there is a huge amount to do. There really are no excuses for boredom when in the South of France. Flop by the pool, enjoy a leisurely game of ping-pong in the cloistered shade of the courtyard or get out there hiking, biking or swimming in lakes and rivers. Beautiful beaches are within easy reach and there is plenty more adventure to be found locally including white water rafting and in the winter skiing and tobogganing.

Walking
The house is surrounded by amazing walks, many of which are part of the famous Grand Randonnèes hiking network and other historic pilgrimage routes. Discover the historic Cathar Castles, picturesque villages and rolling vineyards of the area. Follow the “Cathar Trail” through the beautiful Aude department and the Corbières Mountains, exploring its highest peak, the Pech de Bugarach, the breathtaking Gorges of Galamus, charming little villages and scenic landscapes, crossing lush green winelands and barren plateaus. Visit enchanting castles at dizzying heights and enjoy the view of the Corbières, the Pyrenees and the sea. There really are few who will not enjoy the impressive French countryside.

Cycling
The Aude is fantastic cycling territory, both on and off road, and the Tour de France passes near to the house each year. There are hundreds of kilometres of minor roads to explore by bike, and an extensive network of old fire roads and trails for mountain biking. Equipment can be rented and delivered to the doorstep

Swimming and Lakes
For some the 18 metre pool is enough, but there are many lakes and rivers nearby for a more natural swimming experience. For example, within 15 minutes there is a stunning lake and a series of waterfalls above la Bastide en Val and the river rapids at Ribaute are like a scene from Swiss Family Robinson.

Beach
To add to the freshwater swimming opportunities, within 45 minutes you can be lying on a white sandy beach by the Mediterranean. Leucate, la Franki, Gruissan and Narbonne Plage are all within this radius and vary from vast expanses of emptiness to St. Tropez-style [almost!] beach clubs. Our favourite spot is Restaurant le Pilotis at Leucate which is rebuilt on stilts every spring in the sand dunes - wonderful.

Adventure
There are plenty of things to satisfy thrill seekers. Nearby you can find canoeing, kayaking, rafting and canyoning. The rivers in the area gush down from the Pyrenees, providing plenty of water and drama. For lovers of sailing sports, the local lakes and beaches offer ideal conditions. There are three main winds in the region, each producing optimal conditions in different places. On the Mediterranean coast, the beach resorts of Leucate and Gruissan [45 minutes away] are ranked among the world's best spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The Aude has a rich and varied subterranean network. Three of the giant caverns are open to the public; Cabrespine, Limousis and Aguzou plus, there are many labyrinths and subterranean rivers that can be explored with specialists. There is a large series of caverns on the Montagne Alaric near to the house. Also not to be missed is the massive vertical wind tunnel in Lezignan-Corbières offering the thrills of skydiving without a plane!