Our gite
This free standing cottage with its own gate and garden is suitable for max. 2 people (no pets). It is a lovely home away from home with comfortable beds and all the mod cons you could wish for on your holiday. From the cottage you can see the first mountains that are part of the Pyrenean mountain range. Its location, Belvianes-et-Cavirac, is known as the 'Gateway to the Pyrenees'. From Belvianes and Cavirac, many walks and drives take you to places of natural beauty literally within minutes.
There is a separate bedroom with two beds (kingsize 2 m by 1.80) which can be made up either as 1 large double or 2 seperate beds (included). There is a bathroom with a shower, a sink and a toilet, a fully equipped kitchen with everything you may need during your stay, a nice cozy living area with electric heater, tv, satelite, stereo and dvd, and a dining area.
The views from all sides are stunning and the surrounding area invites you to go on lovely walks and drives.
Surrounding areaThis holiday cottage is situated on the edge of the pretty Occitan village of Belvianes-et-Cavirac with its volcanoes, lovely walks, several medieval monuments and ancient trail (pilgrims and Cathars used it) to Quillan.
Belvianes is only 3 km from the lively pictoresque town of Quillan, where you can find lots of cafes and restaurants, a tourist office, a post office, a chemist's, several shops e.g. a lovely brocante, three supermarkets and several bakeries.
While having a cappuccino at 'La Palace' on the square behind the church street, you can see the imposing medieval ruins of a fortress on the other side of the Aude river, overlooking the square. The remains you see today are from the 12th century. It is worth climbing to the top for a wonderful view over Quillan.There are festivals from Spring till Autumn and every Wednesday and Saturday morning there is a lovely market in the town centre or near the train station.
On the other side of the Pierre Lys gorge, just 10 minutes away, is a nice open air heated swimming pool in Axat (only open in Summer), where you can also get aboard a steam train for a lovely journey on the 'Train Rouge Touristique', e.g. to St. Paul de Fenouilllet. In Quillan there is a lovely natural swimming lake; the entrance is on the roundabout with the trout, opposite the Carrefour supermarket. Also, at the roundabout between Axat and Belvianes you find a large tourist office, which is only open in the Summer season. The Tourist office in Quillan is open from Spring to late Autumn.
On the other side of the main road and only 300 meters from the holiday cottage, is the lovely Auberge du Chalet, a restaurant where you can have snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinners or just a drink on the terrace. Also the Maison Templière hotel-restaurant has some wonderful food. It is just down the road from the cottage (10 minutes walk, following the old rainway line). They also have an outdoor swimming pool (Summer) that you can use as a client.
From Belvianes you can choose from a wide range of day trips or activities, from visiting Cathar Castles, pretty villages, ancient abbeys, caves and other sites, or to go wine tasting, river rafting, walking, horse riding or just relaxing in a hot Spa at Vayamundo Quillan, Rennes-le-Bains or Ax-les-Thermes, or on hot Summer days on one of the beaches (Puivert Lake, Quillan Lake, Arques Lake or the Mediterranean near Perpignan). As the wintersport centres are from 30 minutes to 2 hours away, Belvianes is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors in all seasons.
The Route du Vin (wine route) starts just outside the door. Belvianes is also known for the beautiful walks in the area, most of them even start from our holiday cottage. With Montségur only 50 minutes away and many other castles nearby, it is a wonderful central starting point for interesting daytrips.
Around Belvianes are, spread out like the feathers of a peacock's tail: the Aude region, the Corbières, the Ariège, the Pyrenees and the Roussillon.
The enigmatic hilltop village of Rennes-le-Chateau that has become so famous after "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" and "The Da Vinci Code" is only a 25 minute drive away. Being a local guide I know many of the interesting places that are connected to the Rennes-le-Chateau enigma. Apart from the cottage we also do guided tours to e.g. Rennes-le-Chateau and the Cathar sites. More info: CLICK HERE.
Well worth a visit is the medieval Cité de Carcassonne where you can stroll through the ancient streets and visit the castle & museums, shops and restaurants.
AVAILABILITY AND PRICES
2021
From 1st april to 29 May: 399,- euros per week.*
From 29th mei to 28 August: 499,- euros per week.*
From 28th augustus to 26 September: 399,- euros per week.*
From 26th september to 30 October: 299,- euros per week.*
*Excl. final cleaning (40,- euros) and tourist taxes (0.85 cent p.p.p.n.).
Optional: towel sets for kitchen and bathroom use: € 10,- euros.
Service
We believe in service. When you arrive the fridge freezer will be working, and if it is cold, the heater will be on when you arrive. As we will be your neighbours, you can always come to us, whether for advice on day trips and sight seeing or helping with e.g. the tv/satelite or stereo. The final cleaning isn't included in the price, but we want everyone to come into a nice clean home, so the final cleaning has been made obligatory (€ 40,- euros).
You can also hire Anneke as your private guide to make your day trips even more interesting! Prices start at € 150 euros a day, excl. transport, lunches and entrance fees.
EXTRA SERVICES
As we are also active in the travel business, we help arrange incentives and accompany tours through the region, from one person to full sized groups.
Contact us for more information.
Hope to see you soon!
Anneke Koremans
Le Conte du Graal
anneke@barinca.fr
PanOccitania.com