The village
Amongst the Minervois vineyards you will come across the bustling village of Aigues Vives, which lies en route to the Parc National de Haut Languedoc. This is Aigues Vives, post code 34210. Not to be confused with Aigues Vives some 15 miles away in the Aude department.
Aigues Vives offers its own boulangerie, epicerie, small supermarket, an auberge and Le Restaurant des Amis. You can also sample the lovely wines of the independent winegrowers in the village or you can pop down to the Cave Cooperative that has its own wine-selling outlet. But if you prefer, you can easily take a stroll around the old part of the village or into the open countryside to walk amongst the vineyards.
The house
Rue de Barris is a peaceful street in the older part of the village. The comfortable house, built in the 19th century, can easily cater for four people. You access the house from a small gateway into a shady courtyard. Going through the front door you will see the large fireplace with its woodburner, its beautiful ceiling of lath and plaster and an old stone sink. This room, cool in summer and warm in winter with its woodburner, is perfect for watching DVDs. To the rear of the room is a utility room where you will find the washing machine.
Taking the stairs to the next floor you arrive in the spacious kitchen-diner with its exposed stone walls and ancient beams. The kitchen provides plenty of storage space, a fridge with small freezer, a large cooker with two ovens and storage space. Why not use the slow cooker to have a meal ready and waiting for you after your day out?
Next to the kitchen is a further sitting room with its lovely exposed stone wall and beamed ceiling. In here there is a radio/CD player with USB connection. If you favour the cool, this room too is perfect for escaping the heat. Or, if you prefer the outdoors, the balcony through the double doors off this room, is ideal to sit and read in the shade after the sun heads westwards during the morning.
On this floor you will find the well-equipped bathroom with a bath, overhead shower, bidet and toilet.
From the kitchen you take the stairs to the top floor. Here you will find two bright, sunny bedrooms each with a double bed and wardrobe. The larger bedroom has a dressing table and also has a sink. Both bedrooms have access to a roof terrace, perfect for gently waking up with that first cup of tea or coffee before the afternoon heat turns it into a sunbather’s paradise where you can watch the countless swifts swoop and swirl against the blue summer skies. On this floor there is also a cloakroom with a toilet and sink.
All the furnishings, towels and bed linen are of good quality and are provided free of charge. There are no additional charges for cleaning, electricity, linen or towels. All rooms have electric heating for the winter months. There is free parking just one minute’s walk away. This is a no smoking property and is not suitable for children below 8 years of age or pets.
Things to do
This is Cathar country, rich in ancient history, chateaux and villages. Minerve, designated one of the most beautiful villages in France, is about four miles away. It has a bar, restaurants, some small shops and a tourist information centre to help you choose where to go and what to do. The closest large town is the old Roman city of Narbonne, about ¾ hour away and the magical Cite de Carcassonne is within the hour.
If it’s shopping you’re after, besides Narbonne an Carcassonne you will find a weekly bustling market on Tuesday mornings in Olonzac, about 6 miles away.
This is great cycling country too. There are many paths through the vineyards and many of the roads have little in the way of traffic as you wend your way from village to village. Or you could take a bike along the Canal du Midi, just 7 or so miles away at Homps.
You won’t have to go far if you fancy a swim. Following the River Cesse through Agel to Bize Minervois you will find a few rock pools in which to swim. Don’t be fooled by the dry riverbed. The water appears about ½ mile further on from Agel. At Bize Minervois, the river is contained to make a swimming area. Alternatively you can head to the popular Lac du Jouarre about 7 miles away near Homps. There is a small outdoor pool at Mailhac (check for opening times) or you can choose from the many beaches along the Mediterranean about an hour away.
If you want to eat out you will find a choice of restaurants in Olonzac, Homps and Minerve. Lo Cagarol, about 2 miles away in Aigne, is a very good and very popular.
