Maison De L'Autan
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Overview
In the heart of a charming Minervois village find Maison De L’Autan, a historic Maison de Maître with beautiful interiors and its own private pool.
This handsome 3-storey house dates back to the 19th century and offers four attractive bedrooms for up to 8 guests. Step through its pretty blue door and admire its characterful features from original tiled floors and ornate ceilings to elegant windows allowing dappled sunlight to flood in through the ground floor lounge and kitchen-diner. On the very top floor, beneath the traditional wood beams, an open-plan space has been created for yoga, work or just spending time together relaxing.
Outside, the covered terrace is the place to gather for long lunches and good Languedoc wine whilst a swimming pool is perfect for cooling down in the summer, perhaps after a long hike leading back to the village. Whether staying with family or friends, this inviting maison is for guests looking for authenticity and charm in a small village with wonderful surrounding landscapes.
Enjoy delicious meals at the village café just opposite the house, belonging to the maison’s owners – they can also prepare picnics or takeaways with advance notice. There is also the opportunity to tour their bio-dynamic vineyard and carbon negative winery and no doubt taste some of the excellent organic wines.
Elsewhere, visit bustling market villages and towns such as nearby Olonzac or head to the Canal du Midi for long walks, cycle rides and boat trips. The idyllic village of Minerve is a must, after all it’s one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ or head south to Lagrasse where there’s summer swimming spots in the River Orbieu.
Spend the day in historic Carcassonne, soak up the vibrant ambience in Béziers or drive down to Narbonne and beyond with the sandy shores, beachside cafes and watersports of the Languedoc coastline only an hour by car.
What you should know…
- Parking is just outside the villa.
- The café opposite can prepare delicious home-made picnics and takeaway meals – at least 36hrs notice is needed. The café is open five days a week in the summer and approximately four days out of season.
This home is a part of our Great Value Collection!
Our great value homes:
- may be traditionally styled for a laid back feeling
- may have some simple amenities and features
- mean that you can enjoy top holiday destinations for less!
Property Features
Maison Interiors
Ground Floor
- Living room
- Kitchen with dining table
- Bedroom with queen-size double bed
- Bathroom with shower, sink and WC
- Laundry room
First Floor
- Bedroom with queen-size double bed and en suite bathroom with shower, sink and WC
- Bedroom with queen-size double bed
- Bedroom with twin beds (can be made into a double on request)
- Bathroom with shower, sink and WC
Top-Floor (low beams)
- Studio-style space with sofa, table and chairs
Outside Grounds
- Swimming pool (8x5m) with safety alarm. Open approximately mid-May to mid-September
- Sun-loungers and garden furnishings
- Covered dining area
- Barbecue
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Heating
- Fans
- Satellite TV
- Laundry facilities
Guests can also rent a movie projector on request
Location
About the surrounding area of Maison De L'AutanIn the Hérault department of France, part of the Minervois region and in the foothills of the Black Mountains, Maison De L’Autan lies in the heart of a small village around half an hour from Carcassonne.
The house is opposite a village café run by the same owner – guests can enjoy home-cooked meals or even arrange take-away and picnics (both with advance notice). It’s open five days a week in the summer (Wednesday to Sunday lunch and Wednesday to Saturday in the evening) and there’s a picturesque outdoor terrace. Out of season it is usually open Thursday to Sunday for lunch and Friday/Saturday for tapas evenings.
The village is also home to a small grocery store, a tennis court which is free for guests to use, a football/basketball court and a children’s play area. There are some wonderful hikes in the surrounding area, many of which depart from the village.
A wine tour and tasting can be arranged at the owner’s bio-dynamic vineyards and you can learn all about their carbon negative wine production in their winery. There are of course many other wineries and vineyards dotted across this part of Languedoc-Roussillon and beyond.
The bustling village of Olonzac (13km) has a great range of amenities including a wonderful weekly market on a Tuesday morning. You are also close to the Canal du Midi which flows a short drive south of your village – head to Homps (14km) for leisurely walks and cycling rides by the canal as well as boat trips.
The pretty village of Minerve, just under half an hour by car, is classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ and a beautiful place to explore, perhaps combined with the fortified village of Aigne (20km) or the atmospheric market town of Saint-Chinian (42km).
Heading further south instead, Lézignan-Corbières (25km) is a fantastic place for food lovers with its Wednesday morning market whilst Lagrasse (42km) is another one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ – it’s especially picturesque by the bridge over the River Orbieu where locals swim in the height of the summer.
A little closer to home, enjoy lakeside walks around Lac de Jouarres, a 15-minute drive away, also a popular spot for fishing, summer swimming and wind-surfing. Water lovers can also find canoe and kayak excursions on the Aude river near Puichéric.
For a brilliant day out, there are so many superb towns and cities to choose from – historic Carcassonne is just half an hour away, Béziers is around 60km by car or drive south towards beautiful Narbonne (42km) and onwards to the sandy beaches around Valras Plage and Gruissan, both within an hour by car.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Carcassonne Airport
(32km) |
||
| Nearest Airport 2 |
Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport
(75km) |
||
| Nearest Airport 3 |
Aéroport Sud de France Perpignan
(100km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Village café opposite the house
(A few steps away) |
||
| Nearest Shop |
Grocery store in village
(Short walk) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
Larger supermarket near Olonzac
(13km) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
Carcassonne
(30km) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
Gruissan Plage
(60km) |
||
| Nearest Golf |
Golf de Carcassonne
(35km) |
||
Region
Languedoc-Roussillon is one of those areas of France where you can feel like you’re totally cut off from the rest of the country. Commercial tourism has been very slow to capitalise on the region, meaning you can still enjoy a slice of authentic French rural life at its finest. A mixture of landscapes also makes it a great place to visit, with a good stretch of coastline offering a totally different experience to more bucolic interiors. Whatever you’re looking for, our range of villas and chateaux in Languedoc means you can get exactly the kind of holiday you want with accommodation that’s perfectly tailored to you, your friends and your family.
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesIn a village setting, as well as a grocery store and village café close by, there is also a children’s play area within walking distance as well as a tennis court and separate basketball/football court.
The Canal du Midi is a fantastic attraction for families in this region – within 14km you can be in the village of Homps where you can enjoy walks, cycle rides and boat trips along the canal.
Nearby Lac de Jouarres is another picturesque area with lakeside walks and it’s a popular spot for fishing, summer swimming and other watersports including wind-surfing. Also within easy reach, you can canoe or kayak along the River Aude with a Base de Loisirs near Puichéric.
Families will be enchanted by the historic city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site – look out for family-friendly tours of the incredible citadel.
Furthermore, the beaches of the Languedoc coastline can be reached in around an hour. Valras-Plage, for example, offers Blue-Flag sandy beaches, watersports, plenty of restaurants and a bustling harbour.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Walk to Village
- Walk to Restaurant
- <1hr to Airport
- Watersports
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Tennis Nearby
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Child-Safe Pool
Services Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Meal delivery service
Extras
Oliver's Extras
- Wine-Tasting Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Meal delivery service
- Winery Tour Included
- Welcome Basket Included
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- Babysitting/childcare services
Extras included at this property:
- Complimentary winery tour
- Welcome basket
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
- Rental of movie projector
- Pre-arranged takeaway/picnic lunches from owner's village café
- Vineyard visit and wine-tasting
- Private chef
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
| Security deposit | €500 paid via bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4pm - 6pm |
| Departure time | 10am |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €500 paid via bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4pm - 6pm |
| Departure time | 10am |
| Energy costs included? | Yes. |
| Heating costs included? | Yes. |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Yes and mid-stay cleaning for stays of 7+ nights also included. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Tax | French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€5 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required). |
| Changeover day | Saturday. All other changeover days on request. |
| Minimum stay | 7 nights (July and August), 5 nights (May, June, September, October and Xmas/NY) or 3 nights at other times of year. |
| Pets welcome? | Not allowed. |
| Smoking Allowed? | No. |
| Pool towels included? | Yes. |
| Pool opening dates? | The pool is open approximately mid-May to mid-September. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed. |
| Other Ts and Cs | In the event of severe water restrictions or for health and safety reasons the pool may be exceptionally closed during part of the open season. If this should occur, guests will be informed and the summer rate will be adjusted. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 8 people:
| Rental period | 3 Nights | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27th 2024 - Dec 14th 2024 | £785 | £1,046 | £1,308 | £1,831 |
| Dec 14th 2024 - Feb 15th 2025 | £1,096 | £1,461 | £1,826 | £2,556 |
| Feb 15th 2025 - Mar 3rd 2025 | £1,096 | £1,461 | £1,826 | £2,556 |
| Mar 3rd 2025 - Mar 30th 2025 | £785 | £1,046 | £1,308 | £1,831 |
| Mar 30th 2025 - Jun 30th 2025 | £1,096 | £1,461 | £1,826 | £2,556 |
| Jun 30th 2025 - Aug 31st 2025 | - | - | - | £3,661 |
| Aug 31st 2025 - Oct 31st 2025 | - | - | £1,826 | £2,556 |
| Oct 31st 2025 - Dec 13th 2025 | £785 | £1,046 | £1,308 | £1,831 |
| Dec 13th 2025 - May 31st 2026 | £1,096 | £1,461 | £1,826 | £2,556 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Reviews
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Great
Great meet and greet from our local host; the place lives up to expectations.
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.
