Wine Domaine | House in Douzens, France

Alaric cottage is our most spacious gite providing 120 square metres of luxurious accommodation and is suitable for up to 4 people (possibly 5 if 3 small children share 2nd bedroom). The ground floor comprises a kitchen/dining room with a separate lounge. Upstairs, via the feature 'Occitan' spiral stairwell, are the master double bedroom with an ensuite shower room/WC and a twin bedroom with an ensuite shower/bathroom with a WC. Outside is a patio area, with table, chairs and a BBQ.
Guests will also be able to enjoy shared communal areas for leisure and relaxation including;
The 14m x 6m swimming pool is located within a secure fenced area, in a secluded walled garden, just beyond the main courtyard. There is also a large sun patio with loungers and small tables plus an area for shade and a shower.
The activities/games barn contains a wealth of local information and maps and a large selection of children's toys and boxed games. In addition, there is a well-stocked library, a table tennis table, a pool table, a dart board and a table football table. There are various table topped wine barrels and chairs which are ideal for soirées and activities.
Place de Barthe (’village’ square) is just beyond the courtyard side gate. Here there are brick built barbeques and seating and tables providing a great ‘al fresco’ space for outside soirées. There is also a giant chess set and a 'covered' full size petanque (French bowls) court, laid out within the huge hangar (open barn), so you can enjoy the traditional French pastime out of the summer heat!
Domaine de Barthe is an ancient wine domain located in the Aude valley which joins the Corbiere and Minervois wine regions. It is surrounded by vineyards, yet is only a kilometre away from the villages of Douzens and Blomac and 2km from the larger town of Capendu with many amenities. The domain is set within 2 hectares (5 acres) of its own vines and is a few hundred metres from the river Aude itself. Being only 50 kilometres (35 miles) from the coast, it is in a true Mediterranean climate zone.
There are 4 gites in total within the Domaine, each providing comfortable self-catering accommodation for between 2 – 20 people. The main buildings are set around a large attractive pebbled courtyard entered through a grand ancient gateway. Immediately in front are two adjoined gîtes (Minervois and Corbiere cottages). To either side are ancient barns, one containing the activities/games area. Attached to the right-hand barn is another gite (Alaric cottage) and above the right barn is our 3 bedroom Fitou apartment (which is accessed just beyond the courtyard). Each property has its own exclusive outside area.
All our gites are fully equipped for a comfortable care-free stay and, in the summer months, our rates are inclusive of water, electricity & bottled gas. All bed linen and towels are provided for use within the gite (except beach/pool towels which can be hired at a nominal charge) and beds are made up and towels laid out for arrival. A laundry service is also offered at a nominal charge (washing, drying and returning folded but not ironed).