La Vignasse - the house:
The downstairs is one impressive L-shaped room with a feature stone archway connecting the well equiped kitchen-dining facility to the comfortable & intimate lounge area with wood-burning stove. To the rear, ideal for storing wine, is the cave, literally hacked from the rock. A stairwell leads to the upper hallway & back door. On this floor can be found the 3 bedrooms & bathroom. All the bedrooms are provided with a range of bedding to suit the season. There is adequate clothes hanging & cupboard provision. The spacious bathroom also houses a top loading washing maching. All the floors are in wood or terracotta tiles & walls are a combination of painted render & feature stonework. As the previous owner was a woodworking craftsman all kitchen units, doors & windows are beautifully handmade. There are 2 outside terraces. The front terrace has mountain views. It is wonderfully sheltered for outdoor eating (hardwood table, chairs & gas BBQ). The rear terrace is suitable for clothes drying
Location:
Mézeilles with its labyrinth of rocky tracks & Mediaeval looking archways, sits amongst its vineyards in the foothills of the Caroux Mountains in the "parc naturel régional du Haut Languedoc". The hamlet is served by a bread van 3 days per week, with a general store & a meat van calling weekly. Wine can be sampled & purchased in Mézeilles from a local vigneron. The nearby village of Berlou (6km) boasts one of the areas finest restaurants as well as being the centre for co-operative wine production within the AOC of St. Chinian. Numerous walking and biking trails lead from Mézeilles and the River Orb (5km) provides the basis for a wide range of water based activities and the Lézard Bleu, our nearest bar. The Gorges d'Héric (10km) offers spectacular scenery & individual swim holes. While, Olargues (15km) is one of the 50 most beautiful villages of France.
The lack of light pollution in Mézeilles provides a stunning spectacle for star gazing. The night sky here is a revelation!
The area:
The Herault is distinguished by its tremendous diversity of landscape, architecture, culture, wines & cuisine. The contrast could not be greater than between the Mountainous Caroux, the verdent vineyards of the plain, the Mediterranean coast and the historic towns & cities of: Pézenas with its Molière connection & its antique shops; Bézier on the Canal du Midi with its Occitain Festival; Sète, a genuine fishing port; & the city of Montpeiller regarded as Languedoc's 'energy pill'. Art History is well served by Le chemin du Fauvisme at Collioure. Enthusiasts of modern architecture can visit Norman Foster's viaduct at Millau; Greco-Roman archaeology abounds for the antiquarian; the monuments of the Cathar Country are an evocative presence.
The area is renowned for its good wines & in the vacinity you will find the AOC's of St. Chinian, Faugères, Corbières and Minervois. Fresh and artisanal products are available in the good local markets at St. Chinian, Lamalou les Bain & Bédarieux.
Other Activities:
canoeing-kayaking, donkey rides, bird watching, botanising and wine tasting
marks the location of the property in Saint-Chinian area
