Go rock climbing
The more adventurous can go rock climbing nearby in the marble quarries or the limestone cliffs at Caunes-Minervois (12km) or in the dramatic Gorges de la Cesse (20km) near Minerve.
La Belle Demeure
Rieux-Minervois, Carcassonne, Languedoc
- 6-12
- 6
- 6
FROM
£ 2,860
PER WEEK
Beautiful interiors and grounds - 5 minute walk to village
Accommodation
At a glance
- Sleeps 6-12
- 4 Double Bedrooms
- 2 Twin Bedrooms
- 6 Bathrooms
- *Air Conditioning
- WiFi
- Town House
- Gated Private Pool
- Small Party Rate (up to 6 people)
- Shops 400m
- Restaurant 400m
- Ground Floor: Entrance hall. Front living room (WiFi). Dining room. Library. Kitchen (oven, microwave, induction hob, two dishwashers, fridge freezer). Cloakroom.
- First Floor: Landing with doors opening to small balcony over front courtyard garden. Laundry area with washing machine. Double bedroom 1 (super-king) with living area, Sat TV, en suite bathroom and separate shower. Double bedroom 2 (super-king) with Sat TV and en suite shower room. Twin bedroom 3 (can be a king-size on request) Sat TV and en suite shower room.
- Second Floor: Double bedroom 4 (super-king) with living area, Sat TV, en suite bathroom and separate shower. Double bedroom 5 (super-king) with living area, Sat TV, en suite bathroom and separate shower. Twin bedroom 6 (can be a king-size on request) Sat TV and en suite shower room.
- Outside: Courtyard garden leads to front entrance. Steps down via rear doors from hall lead to outside dining and living terraces. Large Mediterranean style gardens. Barbecue. Private (and on-street) parking.
- Walled garden with private pool (11m x 4.5m), W/C and fridge.
Dating back to 1882 and situated in the charmingly laid back wine village of Rieux-Minervois, this unique and imposing property enjoys an enviable location just a 400m stroll from the village square and excellent amenities that include a bakery, butcher, grocers, local bar, weekly market and one of several restaurants that are within walking distance.
La Belle Demeure was constructed in 1882 and is the most beautiful three-storey French Victorian townhouse comprising 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. To the rear is a large and private Mediterranean garden with delightful walled private pool. A large central hallway, with beautifully corniced ceilings and Italian porcelain tiled floor, runs from front to back. This leads to the rear double doors which step out to the al fresco dining area, gardens and walled pool area. Many features have been beautifully preserved and provide the history and aesthetic of the house. The rear rooms have single south-facing windows which overlook the gardens whilst the front rooms are north-facing, some with views to the Montagnes Noires.
Décor has been very carefully considered and includes some fabulous furnishings and fixtures throughout from well known brands both European and British, that grace the pages of high-end interior magazine pages. Particular attention has been paid to bedroom comfort with quality bedding and unique beds in each room.
The ground floor consists of a front living room, decorated with striking pinks and greens, and a dining room in subtle lilacs and sage with matching chairs and wood panelling. The exquisite library room overlooks the rear gardens and is adorned with contemporary leather sofas and armchairs. A kitchen, with large island, is opposite and similar in colour tones to the library that gives a sense of uniformity of schemes of these two lovely rooms. Upstairs, three large 'suites' and three en suite bedrooms over two further floors are each uniquely decorated and immaculately dressed to exacting standards.
Nestled in hectares of picturesque vineyards, numerous local wineries surround the town while the impressive UNESCO World Heritage site of Carcassone (famously one of the few remaining medieval cities in Europe with walled fortifications still intact) is just 24km. Roman and Gothic influences abound in Narbonne (40km) while the coastline around Gruissan (55km) is renowned for sweeping salt flats and eye-catching flocks of pink flamingos. Marseillan (92km) and Sète (120km) are just two of the numerous fishing villages along the Etang de Thau (92km) which is the largest string of lagoons in France and source of some of the finest oysters and mussels in the country. It is also worth noting that Carcassonne, Perpignan (98km), Montpellier (138km) and Toulouse (138km) all have direct air links with the UK making this wonderully unspoilt region very accessible.
- Note that the pool is open from May onwards only and closed from end of October onwards. Please check at time of booking.
- *Air conditioning/heating is available at extra cost of £450 (£325 for small party rate) per week payable in advance or locally on arrival in euros 500€ (350€ for up small party rate).
- Please note that there is a local tourist tax to pay: £2.50 per night for guests aged 18 and over.
- La Belle Demeure is a no smoking and no vaping property. Pets are also not permitted.
- Parties paying the 6 person rate will have access to any three bedrooms only to be selected in advance of travel. Other rooms will be closed and will not be available on arrival.
Pricing & Availability
Additional Pricing Information
All Prices are per property, not per person.
Please note that all visitors to France aged 18 and over are required to pay a Tourist Tax. We collect this tax prior to your holiday and remit it on your behalf. The notes above specify the amount per person per night which will be added to your booking.
Please note: 6 person rate is available outside of July and August weeks. Parties paying the 6 person rate will have access to any three bedrooms only to be selected in advance of travel. Other rooms will be closed and will not be available on arrival.
Location of La Belle Demeure
Locality
Great Things to Do Near La Belle Demeure
Visit Caunes-Minervois
The pretty village of Caunes-Minervois is well worth a visit along with its Benedictine abbey. The church within the abbey is adorned with a beautiful reddish marble quarried nearby, and also used in many prestigious buildings around Europe including Versailles and the Louvre. The abbey also has other interesting features including 17th century monastic buildings, a crypt and a 12th century cloister.
Walk into the village
Wander to the village to mix with the locals at the bar, or to enjoy a leisurely meal at the local restaurant. You can sample some of the delicious local wines without having to worry about driving home.
Taste the local wines
In such a key wine-growing area, it would be almost a crime not to sample some Languedoc wines during your visit! You can even take a vineyard tour to see a little behind the scenes and meet the vintners.
Market days
Rieux-Minervois hosts a market three times a week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. The centre-ville comes alive with stalls offering fresh produce and regional fare, as well as a variety of goods and souvenirs. The best place to buy ingredients for an al fresco lunch or a barbecue back at the house.
A picture postcard walled city
As you approach Carcassonne, the sight of the medieval cité sitting atop its hill guarded by multi-tower ramparts won't fail to inspire. This superbly restored fortified town is a real delight to behold, with its fairytale turrets and cobbled streets full of boutique shops and inviting restaurants. It also has a dramatic history to discover, with stories of siege and tragedy as well as trade and prosperity. For all these reasons, it is deservedly popular, so we recommend getting there early in the day.
Cathar castles
Visit one or two of the area's castles which were associated with the Cathars, a religious group that were heavily persecuted in the medieval era. As you wander around a formidable fortress perched on a high hilltop, the tales of siege and battle, bravery and tragedy are not difficult to conjure up.
Take a boat trip
At Carcassonne, you can join a pleasantly unrushed canal boat trip on the Canal du Midi. Commentary is given in English and Spanish as well as French.
Day at the beach
The coast is about an hour's drive from Rieux-Minervois, either at Narbonne-Plage (60km) with its marina, or at the less developed Gruissan (55km) which is backed by lagoons and salt flats.
Walking and cycling
Bike hire is available in Carcassonne and there is plenty of opportunity for cycling as well as walking in the surrounding countryside, which is characterised by rows of vines. Families will find easy-going routes suitable for all ages alongside the Canal du Midi.
Visit Narbonne
Take a day trip to this attractive and interesting city which was once a seaport but now lies about 15km inland due to centuries of silt pushing the shoreline out. However, the Canal de la Robine offers a pleasant waterside setting for a stroll. After working up an appetite, the large covered marketplace, Les Halles, is a great place for soaking up the atmosphere whilst sampling some tasty morsels. In the afternoon, take in the sights which include a partially built cathedral, the medieval bishop’s palace with museum and art gallery, and the Horreum, a Roman underground warehouse.
Natural park Narbonne
On the coast just outside of Narbonne you can immerse yourself in nature with the chance to see plenty of wildlife at the 'Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Natural Regional Park'. This protected area comprises unspoilt beaches, marshland and lagoons, and vineyards. Plenty of paths for hiking and walking.
Teeing off
Keen golfers will find they are only 30km from the 18 hole course at Golf de Carcassonne. The course is 5758 metres, par 71 overall.
River sports
Various activities are available along the River Aude from the Parc Carmen Peany base at Puichéric (9km). Canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle down the Aude river.
Nearby
Towns/Villages
| Rieux-Minervois | 5 mins | |
| Carcassonne | 30 mins | |
| Narbonne | 45 mins | |
| Pézenas | 1 Hr 10 mins | |
| Perpignan | 1 Hr 15 mins | |
| Montpellier | 1 Hr 40 mins | |
| Nimes | 2 Hrs |
Beaches
| Narbonne Plage | 55 mins | |
| Valras Plage | 1 Hr 10 mins | |
| Marseillan Plage | 1 Hr 25 mins | |
| Sète | 1 Hr 30 mins |
Airports
| Carcassonne | 30 mins | |
| Béziers - Cap d'Agde | 1 Hr 10 mins | |
| Perpignan | 1 Hr 15 mins | |
| Montpellier | 1 Hr 35 mins | |
| Toulouse | 1 Hr 35 mins |
ports
| Bilbao | 5 Hrs 40 mins | |
| Santander | 6 Hrs 30 mins | |
| St Malo | 9 Hrs | |
| Caen | 9 Hrs 45 mins | |
| Le Havre | 10 Hrs | |
| Roscoff | 10 Hrs 30 mins | |
| Cherbourg | 10 Hrs 45 mins | |
| Calais | 11 Hrs |
