Nestled in one of the listed "most beautiful villages in France", overlooking a rose garden, orchard and river and just down the lane to the Abbaye Chateau de Camon, our newly renovated gite combines the charm of a traditional stone house with a contemporary, spacious home, stylishly furnished and tastefully equipped to provide a perfect base for a holiday in this stunning area.
There is a lovely feeling of space and light the moment you enter the house, with plenty of room for everyone to relax in, with comfortable seating in the lounge area and areas dedicated to cosy or more formal eating. in the dining area. We really want you to feel as if you are on holiday here - but "at home" at the same time, so we have tried to provide a balance between relaxing comfort and a little luxury.
There is a very well equipped kitchen for eating in with style. Everything you need for a picnic is also provided if you want to make the most of the good weather at home or on a day out.
There is the added bonus of 24 hour underfloor heating throughout the house during cooler months (The prices from October through to May include heating when necessary)
We have also installed a 22v EV charger for our guests who have electric cars.
There is a large flat screen TV tuned in to Netflix and French television for if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
There are three very attractive bedrooms with really big, comfortable beds (which can be converted in to singles if necessary) There are two shower rooms, one of those being an ensuite in the Master bedroom.
There are lovely views from inside the house or you can go through the french doors on to the pretty balcony where you can enjoy a coffee or a glass of local wine. Steps lead you down to an appealing gravelled area where you can eat, read or sunbathe or just soak up the peace. Outside dining can be done at the garden table seating up to 8, or there are more relaxed garden chairs for casual eating or reading. There is a barbecue for you to use and parasols are available. There is easily room for 2 cars to park here.
We have our own lovely chickens and a potager on the other side of the property and we like to offer you eggs and a few seasonal vegetables when we have them available.
Although Camon is a tranquil village you are within walking distance of a new restaurant just down the road with a lovely sunny terrace and a traditional French menu, plus a delightful open-air cafe offering home-made local produce and regular musical events in the summer season.
The peaceful surroundings here offer a real opportunity to escape if you want to. Take a stroll down to the gentle river at the end of our lane where there are picnic tables and a place to paddle on a hot day. "The Village of the Roses" has its own little rose garden next to the bridge where you can find one of every variety that grows in the village. Walk up the lane along the ramparts of the Abbaye and down through the pretty back streets and archways. You will pass a sweet little playground where children can play.
Climb up the old terraced hills to get 180 degree views of the Pyrenees and Lac Montbel and step inside the old stone cabannes which are dotted around, where the workers on the land would go to cool down.
One minute from our doorway is "La Voie Verte". This was once the old railway track but has now been converted in to a lovely 38km foot and cycle path, also suitable for Horse-riding and VTC, taking you across the countryside with views of the mountains, through surrounding villages and past meadows of wild flowers and sunflower fields.
Come to visit Camon for "La Fete des Roses" in the middle of May when the village is in full bloom with over 400 roses around it's doorways and along it's lanes.
Or if you love spectacular gardens and sculptures, visit "Le Jardin Extraordinaire" at Leiurac from July to September every year.
Camon is very well-placed. Whether you want to spend your time winding down or fill your days exploring the huge range of fascinating places nearby, you are surrounded by amazing landscapes in all directions.
There is the beautiful Lac de Montbel with it's two beaches about 15 minutes away,
where you can spend days swimming, walking, horse riding, cycling, eating or enjoying the water-sports on offer. Or there is a smaller but pretty lake at the village of Puivert, overlooked by it's Castle, famous for it's Troubadors, which also provides a museum of local life from April to September and great day out of swimming, sunbathing, eating and playing.
Whether you want to drive, cycle or walk the roads and pathways lead you through a varied landscape; views of the snow-capped Pyrenees, shaded woods or dramatic gorges, mountain and forest walks a little further afield. You can hire bikes nearby if you wish.
For those of you wanting to have a sight-seeing holiday, there are so many interesting places to visit like the famous Cite de Carcassonne with the Canal du Midi nearby. Discover the fascinating history of the spectacular Cathare Castles of Montsegur, Roquefixade or Foix, to the West or travel eastwards to Quillan, through the gorge that leads you to the Castles of Puilaurens, Queribus and Peyrepetuse, the Gorge de Galamus, the vineyards and the Med. There are some lovely beaches and small ports which are worth a big day out if you want to visit the coast. There are several stunning roads that lead you over the mountains and down towards Spain, which is only 2 hours away.
Explore the Pre-historic paintings in the caves at Niaux, visit the Pre-historic Park, or the Church at Vals which is built in to the rocks or the beautiful local medieval town of Mirepoix. This lively small market town hosts events all year round, including Swing/Jazz weekends, Brocante, Medieval or Puppet Festivals, Pottery, Local produce or Flower and Plant Events etc. There are lively, bustling markets held nearby all year round and at night-time during July and August. If you enjoy good wine, we are surrounded by very respected wine-producing vineyards with an abundance of caves where you can go tasting the local produce.
There are many water activities offered not far away for the more courageous, like white-water-rafting or canyoning or Adventure Parks where you can swing through the trees for entertainment! For those who love ski-ing, our nearest ski-resort with 21 runs is just 50 minutes away if you want to take a winter break and practise your skiing skills for a couple of days at the same time. There are also the Nordic Ski resorts of Chioula or the Palteau de Beille for snow shoeing as well as the beautiful downhill skiing resort of Ax-les-Thermes. ( all 1h15 mins) These also make lovely days out to the mountains during all seasons. Day trips to Andorra or the Mediterranean are well worth the exciting drive.
https://en.audetourisme.com/en/index.php
https://www.ariege.com/en/what-to-do/pyrenees-walking-hiking
http://www.ariegepyrenees.com/accueil/decouvertes
On a practical note, you have many options with your sleeping arrangements. The Super-king beds can be converted in to 2 singles and vice versa. There is also a comfortable sofa bed in the lounge, so the house can sleep 8 people if necessary. In addition we have a baby cot or a small child's bed that can be added to a bedroom if necessary. There are stair-gates provided, if necessary, both for the stairs inside the house and the steps down in to the garden so that you can feel secure if you have children with you.
Towels and bed-linen are provided for you, free of charge.
We have tried to think of everything that will make your stay a pleasure. You will be greeted by a small hamper of local produce to enjoy and eggs from our hens. You should find everything you need here to eat in or picnic out in style. You have your own washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, drying-line and iron etc. There is a variety of books, maps and board-games to borrow. Beach towels are available and a range of children's games, books and activities to use if you wish. We have a collection of dvds and cds to play on the smart television, which is also tuned in to Netflix as well as French TV channels. There is Wifi available.
You have plenty of room for 2 cars to park.
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