About this property
Manoir Belle Époque Estate is a beautiful Maison de Maître originally built in the 1830s by a wealthy wine and brandy producer, as a symbol of his affluence during this opulent era.
It is now lovingly restored and decorated by its owners, talented interior designers who have turned it into a large, modern home with plenty of original character, perfect for families and groups of friends. In addition, a newly restored wing adds a touch of contemporary, chic French style. The two homes blend harmoniously together to create a wonderful estate full of character and charm, with plenty of space for everyone both indoors and outdoors and even two swimming pools.
The position is semi-rural but on the edge of a lively village surrounded by sunflowers and vineyards, with a grocery shop, bakers, butchers, bar, pizza restaurant, post office and pharmacy – all just a 5-minute walk away. There is even a park with children's' slides and swings, all within pram pushing distance! Just a 5-minute drive away is the Canal du Midi at Ventenac, with its good choice of restaurants and within easy reach are Lezignan-Corbieres and the Cathedral City of Narbonne and its high quality sandy beaches beyond. Carcassonne is just over half an hour away.
In keeping with the Belle Époque and this villa’s origins, this lovely home is designed for fun and good times for all, with a hint of elegant grandeur from times passed. In the Manoir, a grand curved staircase and balustrade onto the front balcony and terrace compliment the indoor marble staircase and grand dining room. A games room and ‘honesty wine cellar’ stocked with Languedoc wines, and a large garden full of fruit trees, hammocks, shady terraces and a big pool, keep everyone happy. There is even a fenced in shallow brook with small fish through the back garden, where you can try your luck with a line and hook or bucket. The newer wing was the old wine and brandy barn 200 years ago, yet today it blends together perfectly both traditional and modern styles.
With the two homes providing stylish and comfortable accommodation for up to 22 guests, Manoir Belle Époque Estate will delight the senses and provide an idyllic location for a holiday or special reunion or event in the Languedoc.
Manoir Belle Epoque Estate sits in a picturesque village nestled amongst the charming vineyards and sunflowers of the department of Aude in the heart of Languedoc. Here you will find boulangeries, butchers, a small grocery shop, a bar, pizzeria restaurant, post office, pharmacy, doctor's surgery, a park with children play area and even a vegetable market every Friday and Sunday mornings. Larger supermarkets are located in Lézignan Corbières (4km). In Ventenac there is a Wine Cave, perfect for getting to know the fabulous wines of the region.
The Canal du Midi is a few minutes' drive away. It offers some delicious restaurants and is a very popular area for outdoor activities lovers, with plenty of walking, biking and boat hiring options.
The imposing Corbières mountains where one can visit the fascinating Cathar castles, can be reached in just 10 minutes. Furthermore, the Mediterranean coast is a half hour journey, offering easy access to the beautiful beaches in Gruissan and Narbonne. When the beaches are too crowded, why not head to Homps and take a dip into the lake? It is a family-friendly option well serviced with a café, life guard and plenty of free parking.
Gruissan also has a pretty old town and a modern marina with a good choice of places to eat and drink. In Narbonne, the closest large town (15mins) and classified as a unesco World Heritage Site, one can take a stroll down its beautiful 'promenade', visit museums, explore its sparkling market place and relax in one one the many cafes and restaurants.
In 30 minutes you can reach the fortified town of Carcassonne, also a unesco World Heritage site. Deeply steeped in history, it is a lively citadel where myriads of events and festivals take place throughout the year.
A bit further afield is Pezenas, (about 1hr) a gorgeous medieval town with a wide selection of traditional shops, bars, restaurants and a Saturday market selling fresh local produce and clothing. In the Cote de Vermillon, we recommend visiting Collioure, nestled in a little cove and a paradise for art lovers.
Furthermore, bear in mind that the Spanish border is only about an hour away: Figueras and Cadaques are just two examples of coastal villages making for fabulous day trips out!
Finally, the property is served by 9 Airports: Carcasonne, Bezier, Perpignan, Toulouse, Nimes, Montpellier & Girona and Barcelona in Spain too!
Accommodation
Manoir + New Wing: 22 pax/11 bedrooms/8 bathrooms
Manoir: 14 pax/7 bedrooms/6 bathrooms
New Wing: 8 pax/4 bedrooms/2 bathrooms
Manoir Interior
Lower Ground Floor
- Fully equipped kitchen with 2 dishwashers, microwave, hob, oven, coffee machine, breakfast bar, 2 fridges, 2 freezers, a small dining table, an I-Pod docking station and Satellite TV (access to front courtyard)
- Well-stocked “Honesty Wine Cellar” with some of the best wines from the Languedoc
- Utility room with washing machine and drying racks
- Games room and a table tennis room with a ping-pong table as well as a full sized table football and pool table
Raised Ground Floor
- Grand hall
- Dining room with 1 sofa and I-Pod docking station
- Living room with 2 sofas, 2 armchairs, decorative fireplace, Wi-Fi box
- Family bathroom with a shower and bath
- Terrace overlooking the courtyard
First Floor
- Master suite: sleeps 4 - 1 hotel extra large double (can be split into 2 singles), day bed for 1 child (and option of a pop-up bed for an additional child) and en-suite shower room with W.C. and double sinks
- Bedroom 2: sleeps 2 - 1 hotel extra large double (can be split into 2 singles) and en-suite shower room with W.C. and sink
- Bedroom 3: sleeps 2 - 1 extra large double (can be split into 2 singles) and en-suite shower room with W.C. and sink
- Bedroom 4: sleeps 2 - 2 singles (can be made into a large double) and en-suite shower room with W.C. and sink
Top Floor
- Bedroom 5: sleeps 2 - 1 standard double
- Bedroom 6: sleeps 3 kids as kids' dormitory with 3 single beds or 1 large double (splitable) with single day bed
- Bedroom 7: sleeps 2 - 2 single beds (can be pushed together)
- Shared large family shower room with double sinks
Manoir Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air Conditioning
- Heating
- Electric fans
- Satellite TV
- Barbecue
- Hair Dryers
- Iron
- Ironing Board
- Washing machine
- Drying racks
- Table tennis
- Table football
- Pool table
- Boules pitch (opposite Le Manoir)
- Selection of children's toys
- Hammocks
- Bikes on site available for hire
Manoir Outside Grounds
- Private heated swimming pool (shape: rectangular/ size: 9x4.5m/ depth: 1.6m) with full EU child-safety barrier and locking gate
- Large poolside terrace
- Shaded terraces
- Private walled courtyard
- Summer kitchen with BBQ and outside seating for up to 17 guests
- Garden with fruit trees (1 acre)
- Children's play area
- Shallow brook (fenced in)
- Garage (on request)
- Secure parking
- Trampoline with safety barrier
- Two full size village tennis courts are located opposite the house just 200 yards away
New Wing Interior
Raised Ground Floor
- Kitchen-diner, well equipped including dishwasher, microwave, American style fridge-freezer with ice-machine. Dining table, sofa, Bluetooth speaker, satellite TV. Doors leading to deck and swimming pool
- "Honesty Wine Cellar"
- Utility room with washing machine, iron and ironing board
- WC
First Floor
- Living area/salon with sofa and TV, monopoly board games and books
- Balcony with table and chairs overlooking gardens
- Double bedroom (super king-size) with en-suite bath/shower and WC
Second Floor
- Double/twin bedroom (king-size bed)
- Double/twin bedroom (king-size bed)
- Twin bedroom (standard beds which can be pushed together to make a double)
- Shower room with WC
Please note fold-up beds can be provided for up to three additional children, on request and subject to a surcharge
New Wing Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Heating
- Air-conditioning (top floor bedrooms only)
- Bluetooth speaker
- Satellite TV
- TV which can be connected to laptops/tablets (exc. leads)
- Washing machine
- Iron and ironing board
- Board game and books
- Table-tennis
New Wing Outside Grounds
- Raised decked sun terrace over the fenced stream, with sun-loungers and al-fresco dining table
- Heated swimming pool (3.5m x 4m) with full EU child-safety barrier and locking gate (open end of May to end of September). Accessed via steps from decked area
- BBQ
- Garden kitchen
- Tree-house (3 levels)
- Table-tennis
- Mature gardens
- Ample car parking
Reviews (4)
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Jackie K
Manoir Belle Epoque is situated at the edge of the village of Canet with its boulangerie and small super-market, bar, coffee and pizzas all available. Many of the interior features of the house are original so that it retains its 'belle epoch' style combined with top quality modern kitchen and bathrooms - a perfect mix. Jay and Melanie's attention to details made our stay truly memorable, before, during and after our visit. There is a brilliant games room (not yet pictured on the website) which was a huge hit with our teenagers and their parents, as was the pool with its safety barrier to protect the younger children. Plenty of shade and space in the garden and courtyard - we wanted for nothing. Thanks to you both and it was a pleasure to meet you.
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Kiran B
We were 2 families from Sweden staying for a week in this beautifully renovated mansion. The interiors are very tastefully done. The garden is very pretty with a little stream. It has a nice seating area at the front of the house where we enjoyed all meals outdoors. The pool is great with a good surrounding fence to ensure little ones are not running off. The owners Jay & Melanie facilitated a lovely stay, with lots of great tips for beaches, restaurants and local facilities. They recommended Wendy from Vin & Vacances for a private wine tasting at the house which was absolutely superb. I can thoroughly recommend booking Wendy. They were also able to book an outstanding babysitter for us. The location is ideal, close to the Canal du Midi (great for power walks and running) and in Canet - just a 5 min morning walk to the bakery. A multitude of medieval towns and villages are within a 30-40 min drive away, and vineyards everywhere. High points were the villages of Olargues and Minerve in the national Park, the fortress at Carcasonne, the boat trip through the lock in Narbonne plus cathedral. The lovely beach town of Grissan is only 30 mins by car - gorgeous sandy beach. Travelling from Sweden, flying into Beziers airport was ideal. A perfect vacation trip.
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Kath
Our group consisted of 10 adults and 12 children. The property was very well appointed for large groups- plenty of cutlery, pots and pans etc. There is an honesty wine cellar which was very reasonably priced and well stocked. Manoir Belle Epoque was amazing- The pool was very safe- fenced and accessed by lockable gates, this provided great peace of mind. The large garden and games room kept the children entertained for hours- giving the adults much needed respite. The children loved the freedom that houses and gardens provided - something which doesn't happen often back in the UK. The hosts, Melanie and Jay were brilliant- very friendly and easy to contact. The village is just a few minutes walk away and a good selection of small shops and a couple of restaurants. We didn't make use of the chef that you could pay to cook dinner, we took it in turns to host every night, stocking up at the local Carrefour. The region is absolutely beautiful and we'd love to return.