ABOUT THE FRENCH HOUSE PARTY
Our stylish, 200-year-old Carcassonne farmhouse is set in the stunning rural environment of South West France. In addition to scheduled short-break tutored group holidays which you can join as an individual, or those which can be tailor-made for your own group during your selected dates, there’s plenty to see and do in the surrounding area.
Take a look at our beautiful surroundings in the gallery above.
FOOD & DRINK
At the French House Party, we pride ourselves on our culinary excellence: Whatever type of break you arrange with us, you’ll enjoy wonderful meals at no extra cost. Countless guests, marvelling as they are served yet another fantastic dinner, have accused us of being far too modest about the superior quality of our meals.
We don’t like to boast, but it is quite true that from the sumptuous breakfast spread with freshly-baked croissants, to the quiches and pastries at lunchtime and the lavish four – and sometimes five – courses at dinner, with each course accompanied by our choices of local wines, our gourmet spreads are always voted outstanding by guests.
Not only do our superb chefs provide gourmet meals but on our longer arts, cookery and leisure breaks, dinners with wine at superior restaurants are also included at no additional cost.
Additionally, we can always find the time – even on our 3-day course – to arrange a private wine-tasting at an excellent nearby vineyard, which is included in the package price. On our longer breaks, when the schedule can be more flexible, we can usually arrange an extra vineyard outing further afield, if desired.
Whether you are an enthusiastic amateur or an aficionado with a higher knowledge of viticulture, it’s a chance to learn more about the production and assorted merits of the huge variety of wines grown in the Languedoc – a region which includes the Minervois, Corbieres and Malepere wines – and forms the largest vineyard in the world.
No matter what your level of expertise, it’s always great fun to enter into the hearty French spirit of gurgling-and-spitting.
Oh yes – and with our chauffeur on hand to drive you there and back, there’s plenty of swallowing, too!
OUR VENUE
Situated amid sunflower fields in a peaceful rural area on the outskirts of the medieval World Heritage site of Carcassonne, our 200-year-old stone barn has been uniquely converted in Art Deco style, with large, open living spaces within the house – and a raised dais – making it ideal for performance or team training events. There is also a digital grand piano.
We offer our clients the ultimate in relaxation in graceful and superior surroundings. The gardens are lovely and our resident red squirrels are most entertaining! There are several terraces, a large private pool with a barbecue area for al fresco dining, an all-weather tennis court, a covered table-tennis area and a petanque (boules) pitch. We also have an indoor games room with pool-table and a classic 1950s juke box. Bicycles are available for anyone inclined towards a gentle pedal along the shady towpaths of the nearby Canal du Midi.
The 8 individually-designed, ensuite bedrooms are double, twin or triple-sized. All have AC units, hairdryers and CD players. Towels are provided for both indoor and outdoor use. Two ground-floor rooms are suitable for guests with mobility limitations. Two of the bedrooms have balconies, offering superb views of the Pyrenees to the south and the Black Mountains to the north.
LOCATION - WHERE WE ARE
You might want to spend your French House Party free time chilling-out. Explorers, on the other hand, will find plenty to see and do further afield. This beautiful part of the Languedoc, centred on the medieval castle stronghold city of Carcassonne, has a rich artistic, literary, culinary and historic heritage.
The Languedoc is a geographical region of many personalities: plains and rugged mountains, lakes and breathtaking gorges, elegant cities, numberless sprawling vineyards, hot-scented sunflowers in field after field. The Canal du Midi is very close to the house and we enjoy fantastic views of the Pyrenees, which can still be white-capped, even into May.
This region is steeped in the bloody history of the Cathar genocide by the Pope’s Crusaders in the 13th Century and there are numerous preserved hilltop castles within easy reach, the jewel in the crown being the astonishing Cité of Carcassonne.
We have splendid local wines (Minervois and Corbieres are said to be de rigueur for the Noughties). Wine-sampling during escorted private vineyard visits, is – naturally – a French House Party included highlight.
LOCATION - TRAVELLING
• Less than two hours’ flight time from the UK.
• Fly to Carcassonne from Stansted, Bournemouth, East Midlands, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Dublin, Cork and several other European cities.
• Fly to Toulouse from many other UK and international airports (various carriers).
Contact Us!
For further information, to check availability or to book call Moira Martingale on
Telephone: +44 (0) 1299 400835
Mobile: +44 (0) 7900 322791