Kitchen facilities
The kitchen was refitted last year, and is fully equipped with electric oven and vitro-ceramic hob, fridge-freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, coffee machine, kettle and toaster. Iron and ironing board, and hair dryer also available.

External facilities
A door from the second floor landing leads to the house’s secret garden – a completely private, and quite delightful roof terrace, where you can bask all day long under the sun and then enjoy a barbecue under the stars in the evening.

Local activities
The village of Rivel is in the Aude department but close to the border with the Ariege. Within an hour are the wonderful UNESCO heritage sites of the medieval Cité de Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi, the medieval market towns of Mirepoix and Limoux, Cathar castles and heritage sites at Montségur and Rennes-le-Château, thermal baths at Alet-les-Bains, lakes at Montbel and Puivert, vineyards in the Razès, Malpère, Cabardès and Corbières terroirs, dinosaur museum at Espéraza, prehistoric cave drawings at Niaux, white water rafting and treetop aerial sports at Quillan and Axat, gliding at Puivert and much more besides.

Nearest beach: 130

Nearest airport: 50

Nearest port: 200

Nearest supermarket: 9

Location
Located in Rivel, a quiet rural village 25 minutes' drive south of Mirepoix. The house is ideal for those looking to experience true village life. The local area lends itself to country walks and horse treks, picnics overlooking magnificent views of the mountains, swimming in lakes, visiting local artisan food markets, tasting award winning Languedoc wines, exploring Cathar heritage.

Within half an hour are: restaurants, shops, swimming lakes, castles at Puivert and Montségur, artisan markets

On the ground floor is a large vestibule with exposed stone wall leading onto the original stairs up to the first floor. At the top of the stairs from the ground floor vestibule a glass door leads into the newly installed, fully equipped kitchen with lovely views of the surrounding hills.

Two sets of glass doors lead from the kitchen to the spacious open-plan living and dining room, with three windows looking out onto the street flooding the room with light. The room has a comfortable mix of old and new – an extra large sofa to curl up in after a long day relaxing, solid oak furniture which can accommodate six at the table, flat screen LCD TV, DVD player (and our selection of DVDs to view) and UK freeview satellite. There is free Wi-Fi access throughout the house.

On the second floor is a large landing with small but perfectly formed library sporting an eclectic selection of English and French literature.

Leading off from the landing is the bathroom and the two bedrooms – one with a double bed the other which can be set as a twin or a double. Both bedrooms are furnished with quality solid oak furniture and crisp white linen.