| The Villa was built in XVII Century and belonged to the Consul of Carcassonne. Today the present house and unique gardens owe their architecture and charm to the loving care of a patron of the arts, Monsieur Courjaire. Friend of Violet le Duc (who restored Carcassonne), he donated several buildings to the town including the theâtre and the principal street is named after him. Dedicated also to his home, he completely restored Gondal, building a dam to irrigate the land, planting over 12,000 trees and decorating the park with paths, statues and columns. No expense was spared to make the villa into the exquisite mansion it is today. Full of charm and finesse the interior has been recently renovated by the present owner with antique furniture and all « mod cons ». « I cannot sing its’ praises enough » said one guest.
ACCOMMODATION
GROUND FLOOR: Large entrance hall leading onto :
- the sitting room,
- dining room
- separate fully fitted kitchen which includes dishwasher, oven, hob, microwave refrigerator and deep freeze.
- Also provided are telephone, television and video.
- Garden furniture and barbecue
FIRST FLOOR :
- one master bedroom with en-suite bathroom,
- two double bedrooms,
- two twin bedrooms,
- one separate bathroom
- two separate lavatories(one up and one downstairs).
Outside - a wonderful landscaped garden with pond, statues, columns and views over the rolling hills of Carcassonne. Facing south is a terrace with garden furniture and barbecue overlooking the swimming pool (11m x 5m). Centuries old trees provide plenty of shade and the park and grounds are yours to explore.
The local villages of Cazilhac and Palaja are 15 minutes walk. Local shops include boulangerie, small supermarket, butcher, newsagent and pharmacie - ideal for everyday shopping. Big supermarkets and restaurants are in nearby Carcassonne - 10 minutes drive. Riding, golf and tennis are with easy distance. In fact there’s something here for everyone !
CARCASSONNE
Carcassonne is a fairy-tale remnant of the Middle Ages. An intact walled city that is probably the highlight of Languedoc. Begun by the Gauls, then Romans, Visigoths and Franks, Carcassonne was a major fortress in South West France and controlled land stretching from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees. In the mid 1800’s it was restored by Violet le Duc (also responsable for renovating Notre Dame) and is today a perfect medieval walled city. To visitors it is a heart-stopping site with its’ round towers and fortified walls dominating the plains below. The « Cité » has narrow cobbled streets, lots of shops and a succession of restaurants. During the summer months there are music, drama and dance festivals plus an exiting Medieval « son et lumière ».
THE CATHARS
Carcassonne played a major role in Cathar history. The Cathars were a religious sect who acheived a wide following in Languedoc during the Middle Ages. Mystically inclined, rejecting the concept of hell and believing in reincarnation they also accorded equal status to women. At the beginning of the thirteenth century, Pope Innocent III launched the Croisade des Albigeois against the Cathars. His armies systematically besieged their castles and towns (Beziers and Carcassonne) exterminating the religious populations. The Corbière countryside is today witness to this appalling destruction where historic remains of the castles lay perched on top of craggy peaks. Both Minerve and Montsegur are certainly worth a visit and within easy distance from Villa Gondal.
Some of the finest wines in Languedoc come from the Corbière and Minervois and winemakers always welcome a visit. In fact, from visiting Castles, to sampling local dishes and tasting wines there is something here for everyone in one of France’s most unspoilt and romantic region. Languedoc is bursting with charm, it has a fascinating history, excellent wines, fields of sunflowers and lavender - plus much more, that has somehow been missed by the hordes. So take this opportunity and have a holiday to remember !
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