Traditional Country Stone House on 14 acres in Gard

Description:

Traditional stone house renovated on large wooded grounds in a quiet green valley with a flowing creek. Watch the stars and listen to silence. Enjoy the sun on large terrace with panoramic views on forest and mountains. Entertain friends with a barbecue on the covered terrace on the creek side. Warm up by the open fireplace inside if need be. There are many nooks and special places for reading or writing in the tastefully furnished living room and sitting room. The modern kitchen opens to a large covered terrace. Village and swimming by the waterfall at 5 km. Town Ganges at 12 km with a famous farmers market. The Cévennes national park is at your door! Ideal for getting away for it all! 

From the large stone terrace in the East with panoramic of Pic d’Anjau, enter into a warm living room of 21m2 with open fireplace, sofa-bed and office corner. The 16m2 kitchen has modern amenities with dining table for 4+ and lots of storage. Step out to the covered terrace (40 m2) ideal for entertaining, equipped with a table for 10 or more and a stone barbecue. The sitting room, 33 m2, has a large deep down sofa, stereo chain and DVD. A step down area finds a cozy space with antique bed (single) and library corner. Double doors lead to the sun drenched front balcony. Two bedrooms upstairs, one is 21 m2 with queen size bed and direct access to the hill behind and view in front on the forest; the other one is 16 m2 with a double bed; there is good storage space for belongings. A child bed is available if needed.

The bath room, 10 m2, with separate toilet space, has a spacious oval corner bath tub and shower. A sky-light admits lots of light. An alcove provides linens and ironing space. Natural wood paneling and tiling on the walls give a warm feeling. For the summer heat, coming back from swimming you can shower in a very original bathroom below with walls carved in the raw rocks and vaulted ceiling.

Geographical location:

The village, St Laurent le Minier, is about 5km from this little hamlet and it has a bar, two restaurants, and a nearby shop/bakery. Just at the entrance of the village the River Vis, one of the purest in France, has a beautiful waterfall that draws vacationers in the summer and the pools below it are large, and deep enough to dive in. Close upstream are gently sloping beaches safe for small children. 

Up from St Laurent Le Minier, the wild valley of La Vis climbs to the Cevennes plateau passing by the spectacular Cirque de Navacelles and joins the E11 freeway to Paris at the biggest bridge of them all in Millau. Hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, swimming, tennis and more are right at hand. Numerous medieval villages within an hour drive hold festivals all summer. Famous 'Grotte des Demoiselles' and Mt. Aigoual are within an hour drive. Sandy Mediterranean beaches at 65 km. Two major cities, Montpellier and Nîmes at 50 km with TGV and large airports. 

Property Type: beautiful country house on 14 acres
Accommodation Type: self-catering
Location Type: Hamlet 15 minutes from small town and
45 minutes to large city
General: linen provided, telephone
Kitchen: modern 6 ring gas stove, fridge, grill,
oven
Living Room: fireplace, sofabed, living area
Dining: dining area & a spacious covered terrace
Bathrooms: 1 1/2 bathroom
Bedrooms: 3 bedrooms, sleeps a maximum of 6 people
Accommodation: 1 Queen; 1 double; 3 single; 1 sofabed
Outside: barbecue, garden, terrace, garden chairs
large dining table sitting up to 12
Suitability: children welcome, pets not allowed,
unsuitable for elderly, not wheelchair inaccessible

Location information --
Nearest international airport: Montpellier/Nimes 50/60 kilometres
Nearest beach: Just over 1 hour
Nearest TGV railway station: Montpellier or Nimes
Car: Necessary

The master bedroom upstairs has 2 armoires, a secretary and a comfortable queen bed. The other bedroom has a secretary and bookshelves. Also upstairs there is a walk-in cabinet for clothes and storage. The kitchen has a 6 burner stove with butane gas, an electric oven, a refrigerator and a dish washer. Small espresso machine, a toaster and cooking utensils, dishes for 12; table for 6. The covered terrace has table for 10+ and a barbecue in stone. The sitting room has a stereo chain and a TV to watch DVDs. Washing machine and dryer are in the vaulted cellar below. Bedding and bath towels are provided. Mosquito nets are available above the beds. Central heating for cold season. High speed Internet unlimited. You will have to buy phone cards at the Tabac to call out.

Local Activities: cycling, fishing, horseback riding, mountain
biking, mountaineering, swimming, tennis, walking, canoeing, nature
trails, kayaking

Nearby Cities and villages of Montpellier, the historical Roman city
of Nimes with its arena, Laroque, Cap d?Agde, Bezier, ancient
cities of Pezenas, Clermont L'Herault, Arles, Aigues Morte,
Narbornne and Avignon.

Sites to See:

Abime de Bramabiau (45 km)- Cavern with underground river springs.

St-Guilhem-le-Désert (35 km) - Main stop along the roads of pilgrimage to St

James of Compostella.

The Abbey of Gellone and its medieval village,

an UNESCO World Heritage site and listed as one of the most

beautiful villages in France.

Grottes des Demoiselles (45 km)  - The imposing dimensions and the richness

of this cavern's decorations inspired the name of Subterranean

Cathedral.

Grotte de Clamouse - Cavern with exceptional aragonite

crystallisations; Guided Visits, Sound and Light show.

The Vis Canyon and River - Fishing, Swimming, Many Waterfalls. The

Vis River is a protected river, one of the cleanest rivers in France

and the drive along this canyon is just beautiful.

Cirque de Navacelles (45 km) - Classified as a Natural Treasure of France,

it is an exceptional site to visit.

Causse Blandas (45 km) - one bears witness to histoire and prehistoric

presence with the many comlechs, dolmens et menhirs that date 2500

years before Jesus Christ.

Glassmaker's Route: In the Countryside of Orthus we find witness to

five centuries of glassmaking activity. (Expositions, boutiques of

regional products, open glassmaker shops.)

La Bambouseraie (35 km) - A unique bamboo forest in Europe, founded in 1855.

Prehistoric Archaeological Village of Cambous, Viols-en-Laval (35 km)  - this village is a European reference of prehistoric architecture constructed

approximately 4500 years ago

The Observatory of Mt. Aigoual and France Meteo. (43 km)  - Offers panoramic

views from Mt. Ventoux to Mt. Blanc, from

Canigou to the Pic du Midi, from the Le Puy chain to the

Mediterranean sea.

Anduze (35 km) - A medieval village known for its pottery and flea market

Couvertoirade (55 km) - Village médieval fortifié

Sète (65 km) - Fisherman's wharf and beaches on Meditterrean Sea

Camargues with renowned wild life (55 km)

And Much More!

Per week
Quoted Price Euros:

Period 

7 Jan - 14 April 2011 500

14 April - 30 June 2012 600 
30 July - 14 July 2012 700

14 July - 18 August 2012 800 
18 August - 8 Sept 2012 700 

8 Sept - 13 October 2012 600
13 October- 22 December 2012 500

17 Dec 2012 - 5 January 2013 600

Weeks run from Saturday 4pm to Saturday 11 am. Normal minimum booking
during summer period is 2 weeks, although, depending on the period,
one week bookings or additional weeks are sometimes available. We
request a booking deposit at a rate equal to 30% of the total
rental. The balance is payable 6 weeks before rental commences. For
bookings within 6 weeks of rental, payment is required in full. A
security deposit of 200 Euros is payable when moving in,
refundable within 7 days after leaving less unlikely damage or excess clean-up
fee. Rates quoted include all linen, towels, and departure
cleaning. Rates also include electricity and dial-up internet.
Telephone dialing out is with phone cards. Supplement for central
heating off season if needed: 50 Euros per week.