'Balcony on the Pyrenees'

Luxuriously appointed 2-bedroomed stone house on a 100 hectare estate overlooking the Lauragais and the Pyrenean mountain range. 12-metre pool.

Perched at the very southern end of the Massif Central - where the Montagne Noire slopes down to the rolling Lauragais farmland - this extensive estate includes mountain heath, thick deciduous and coniferous forest and even a hidden lake. Above all it offers a most dramatic panorama of the Pyrenees range to the south - from the mighty Mont Canigou to the East to Mont Valier and the Maladetta Massif to the West.

The owners have spared no time or expense in fitting this gîte out in style. Beautifully decorated in subdued reds and greens, equipped with king-size beds and en-suite bathrooms, it is an ideal spot for two couples or 4 adults looking for total peace and quiet lounging around the pool.

But that would be a pity as there is much to see in the region: Carcassonne and its fairytale citadel is less than 45 minutes distant, Castelnaudary - home of the Cassoulet - is just down the road and the Appellation contrôlée vineyards of Cabardès, Corbières, Minervois and Limoux are less than an hour away.

On the estate there are ample opportunities to fish for trout, go mountain-biking, horse-riding (the neighbour can rent you a horse for the day) or indulge in that most-French of habits: mushroom-picking. In the immediate vicinity you could visit St Papoul and its abbey (founded in the 8th century), Montolieu and its book fair or the secluded Abbey of Villelongue.

Gîte de Trotoco : Composition

2 Bedrooms and 2 bathrooms

• double bedroom - kingsize bed with ensuite bathroom (shower)
• double bedroom - kingsize bed with ensuite bathroom (bathtub)

kitchen - dishwasher, fridge-freezer,4 hob cooker, oven, microwave oven, dining table for 4. Back kitchen with washing machine.

living room - 3-seat sofa, armchairs, open wood fire (wood supplied), dresser, dining table for 6/8

terraces - out back for a bit of shade: out front for the sun.

pool - 12m x 5 m. Cleaned weekly.

poolhouse