Le Jardin Des Fleurs

About this property

Pretty climbing roses, jasmine, lavender and terracotta pots of geranium. Soak up the charming ambience of this authentic farmhouse in southern France, set in beautiful gardens by the banks of a historic stream and surrounded by wheat fields and summer sunflowers of the Lauragais countryside.

Around a 15-minute drive from Castelnaudary and the Canal du Midi, Le Jardin Des Fleurs is a delightful farmhouse that dates back to the 19th century. Its gorgeous garden leads down to a gentle-flowing stream where water flows from the Montagne Noire to the Canal du Midi – if you follow the stream and walk for 40 minutes it brings you to an attractive lake with a play area and French restaurant serving traditional fare. Look out for red squirrels on your way and you may be lucky enough to spot an otter!

Back to the enchanting home, up to 12 guests will be made to feel welcome at Le Jardin Des Fleurs and there will be a bottle of sparkling Limoux waiting in the fridge for you. Split across three wings and with six bedrooms across two different parts of the house, the layout could suit two families travelling together or a group of friends. Gather in the grand salon with its high ceilings, comfy sofas and large dining table or cook up a feast in the kitchen, the central heart of the home with doors leading out to the kitchen terrace and barbecue.

The six bedrooms are all a good size, two with en suite bathrooms including the romantic double in the east wing with its own clawfoot tub. We also love the ground floor bedroom with French doors opening out to the garden terrace. Across the home there is a true sense of rustic French character with exposed stone walls and traditional furnishings alongside a wonderful feeling of warmth and charm.

Dine together in the shade by the stone barbecue, cool off in the large swimming pool which can be heated on request and drink coffee or Languedoc wine beneath the picture-perfect pergola with trailing roses and passionflower. The more energetic can play badminton and boules or wander down to the little bridge near the house for picnics by the stream and a game of pooh sticks!

Find a fantastic boulangerie and excellent auberge (formerly with a Michelin star) in Saint-Félix-Lauragais, about a 10-minute drive away, or head south to nearby Castelnaudary for boat trips along the Canal du Midi and restaurants serving Cassoulet. The Saturday morning market in Revel is not to be missed, considered to be one of the finest in France, whilst food lovers will also appreciate the especially pretty Monday morning market in the gorgeous town of Mirepoix.

You could even spend the day in Carcassonne visiting its medieval citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before leaving the hordes of tourists behind as you return to the sleepy Lauragais landscapes of this captivating region.

Le Jardin Des Fleurs is set amongst the beautiful Lauragais landscapes in the Aude department, close to Haute-Garonne and Tarn, 14km from Castelnaudary and the Canal du Midi. Both Carcassonne and Toulouse Airports are less than an hour away by car whilst Castelnaudary is the nearest train station (with connections to Narbonne or Toulouse for TGV services from Paris).

This is a relatively unknown area of France meaning you can soak up the authentic ambience of local villages and towns without hordes of tourists. Start off at the end of your garden where a gentle-flowing stream passes, taking water from the Montagne Noire to the Canal du Midi. This stream has historical significance and in the late 18th century the then US president, who so loved the Canal du Midi, walked along this very stream. Nowadays you can potter along the pretty towpath and reach a lakeside restaurant (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) in about 40 minutes for traditional French cuisine and ice-creams as well as a play area. Otters have been spotted in the stream recently and look out for red squirrels in the garden.

Food-lovers note that there is an excellent restaurant (formerly with a Michelin star) with a picturesque terrace in Saint-Félix-Lauragais (8km) - it’s the perfect place for a special celebratory meal but do book ahead as with all good restaurants in the region. The same village’s main square is home to a boulangerie with a fantastic reputation (closed Mondays). Closer to home, the tiny village within walking distance usually has a travelling pizza van on a Monday night.

The Saturday morning market in nearby Revel (15km) is known to be one of the best in France, taking place in the central square. Mirepoix (50km) also hosts a gorgeous market on a Monday morning and it is such a pretty town to visit. Meanwhile, Castelnaudary (14km) is the place to go for a delicious lunch of cassoulet, perhaps followed by a boat trip along the Canal du Midi. Other local delicacies include goat’s cheese, foie gras, venison and duck whilst wine-lovers can venture further afield towards the Languedoc vineyards of Carcassonne and Minerve.

This region is wonderful for cycling along the country lanes as well as lakeside walks, summer swimming and seasonal watersports at Bassin de Saint-Ferréol, just a 20-minute drive away.  The incredible scenery of the Black Mountains is also waiting to be explored with its little villages, forests, streams, lakes and historic castles.

You may also wish to spend the day in Carcassonne (58km), one of France’s most visited destinations with its medieval citadel, a unesco World Heritage site. For a change of scene, don’t miss the old town, La Bastide Saint-Louis, with its atmospheric café terraces, restaurants, wine-bars, shops and markets.

Accommodation

House Interiors

West Wing (via steps)

-    Grand Salon with lounge and large dining table (for 14 guests), table tennis and French windows opening on to front drive

Central Wing Ground Floor

-    Dining room with table for 8 guests
-    Kitchen, well-equipped including electric cooker, hob, kettle, fridge-freezer, microwave, dishwasher, blender and cafetiere. Doors lead to al-fresco dining terrace and barbecue 
-    Pantry with dishwasher, sink, small fridge and laundry area
-    Den

Central Wing Upstairs

-    Bedroom 1 with double bed and en suite bathroom with bath and shower
-    Bedroom 2 with twin beds and cot. Both bathrooms on this floor can be accessed from Bedroom 2 (via lockable doors)
-    Bedroom 3 with double bed and en suite bathroom with corner bath and two sinks

East Wing Ground Floor

-    Library with choice of books and desk
-    Bedrooms 4 with double bed, sink and French windows opening out to garden terrace
-    Shower room (shared between bedrooms 4 and 5)

East Wing Upstairs (via ironwork spiral staircase from library)

-    Bedroom 5 with double bed and sink
-    Bedroom 6 with large double bed and open-plan bathroom with clawfoot bath

Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (12x6m including Roma steps) with perimeter alarm system. The pool can be heated via oil heating (extra charge) or via the solar pool cover (free of charge). Open approximately May to October
-    Pergola with table for 8 guests
-    Shaded area for al-fresco dining (12 guests) and stone barbecue (a few steps from the pool)
-    Badminton and boules
-    Field opposite the house with two stone buildings    
-    Garden leads to stream

Facilities

-    Broadband Wi-Fi
-    Heating
-    TV with British channels and Apple TV
-    Library with desk and books
-    Board games
-    Boules and badminton
-    Table tennis
-    Washing machine