Minervois wines, Mountains and Mediterranean! Le Grenier is perfectly placed to explore all of them (but only if you can drag yourself away from the beautiful private pool!). A superb location with amenities an easy walking distance, including restaurants, cafés and shops.
Le Grenier spreads across the entire upper floor of a converted barn at a former wine Domaine built in 1882. The imaginatively designed first floor conversion is adjacent to the main house (will not be occupied) and offers approximately 200 square metres of indoor and outdoor living space so there's plenty of room for everyone to find their own favourite corner. A rear external staircase from the terrace provides access to the Domaine's Mediterranean style gardens, where guests can explore and which also lead to your private walled pool area.
The rear terrace - partly covered with Roman roof tiles held up by vast oak beams and partially exposed to the azure blue Languedocienne skies - is where most guests spend their time relaxing. The terrace has three large, balustraded arches hewn out of thick stone walls and which beautifully frame the Mediterranean gardens which stretch into the distance. At one end of the terrace are comfortable outdoor iron sofas and armchairs whilst at the other is a terracotta-tiled dining table with matching dining chairs. Upholstery is in dazzling turquoise and white - perfectly complementing that South of France summer vibe, and the sound of a trickling water feature helps to keep the terrace feeling cool during hot, sunny, Mediterranean days and balmy nights.
Inside, through the double French doors, Le Grenier is quite charming and its rustic-luxe look continues throughout the living spaces and bedrooms. The large lounge is suitably lofty in its proportions and flows through into the equally lofty kitchen. Presented throughout in a palette of neutral colours to help keep it cool in the hot summer months, the two huge leather sofas are framed in industrial ironwork, whilst the armchairs are deep and squishy. Continuity of style prevails as the same finishes run through into the sociable dining space and kitchen beyond with high end appliances. There are three similarly furnished bedrooms, all of which are en suite and feature quality furnishings and extra attention to detail such as sustainably sourced carpets. The two doubles are king sized and both overlook the terrace whilst the twin-bedded room is located at the front. Each bathroom has both shower and bathtub and, for a truly immersive experience, there is dimmable lighting, white robes and a complete range of toiletries.
Situated in the wine village of Rieux-Minervois it's just a short walk to the village square (400m) where the boulangerie, boucherie and grocers can all be found, along with the local bar. The nearby wineries are, unsurprisingly, surrounded by hectares of vineyards! Several are just a few minutes’ drive away. Unesco world heritage site Carcassonne (24km), famous for being one of the only fortified cities in Europe still with its walls intact, is a short drive. Narbonne (40km) and Perpignan (103km) are also easily reached by car. South towards the Spanish border and with some Catalan influences, the coastline combines cliffs and coves with a network of villages as far south as Collioure (134km). Closer around Gruissan (55km), the coastline is flatter and renowned for its salt flats and pink flamingos. Further round the coastline the fishing villages of Marseillan (92km) and Sète (120km) can be found on the Etang de Thau, where oysters and mussels are farmed in the sea lakes. There are several airport options within a couple of hours' drive including Carcassonne (29km), Perpignan (98km), Montpellier (138km) and Toulouse (138km).
