Oasis de la Cité This renovated two storey farmhouse and guest house in private walled grounds is at the foot of the walled city of Carcassonne. Nestled below the historic medieval Chateau de Carcassonne, also known as La Cité, is Oasis de la Cité, a superbly restored medieval farm. It comprises two separate architect-designed properties and retains many original features, including beams and a beautiful wooden staircase. It comfortably sleeps a maximum of 8 guests. The two-storey Farm House (s The space The two-storey Farm House (sleeps 5) and the single-storey Guest House (sleeps 3). Perfect for large groups and family holidays! Spacious accommodation for mixed age groups with 2 Lounge areas and 2 kitchens. The main house and the guesthouse both benefit from WIFI. The large, landscaped garden offers secure parking for 2 cars with spectacular views of the Chateau and the beautiful pool is the perfect antidote to the heat of the summer. Linen and towels are provided. Please bring your own pool towels. ACCOMMODATION In More Detail: the FARMHOUSE: On the ground floor, with a door via a lobby onto Rue Longue, the sitting room//dining/kitchen is a long open-plan space that manages to feel intimate yet light and airy, with rugs on a white tile floor. At one end, the modern kitchen is well-equipped and includes oak countertops, oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, large fridge/freezer. The dining area has french doors to the rear gravelled kitchen-courtyard, and a large chimney/mantelpiece for the open log fire opposite the glass dining table (which can comfortably seat 6 guests). At the other end, the sitting area has a shuttered window onto the pool-deck and garden and a ceiling with exposed beams. The original old staircase leads from the middle of this room to the first floor. Upstairs has large exposed beams and extra height where boarded ceilings follow the roof angle. From the central stairwell there is a large double bedroom with queen-size bed that has the original clay tile floor. Also in this room is a single sofa bed. The second bedroom has twin beds, a storage loft and wood floor. There is a family bathroom (shower-in-bath, linen cupboard, washing machine cupboard) off the landing between the two bedrooms. Heating for the cooler months is by electric radiators. WiFi is available throughout the property. There is a flat screen Hd Tv with integral Dvd. The Tv has satellite/cable channels. This consists of Sky (basic satellite package incl. main Uk channels). There is also a French Tv decoder. a selection of DVD’s are available as well as many books. A washing machine is available for guest use. Guests can use a table-tennis table and there is also a boules (pétanque) court. the Guest HOUSE: The house has access directly from the street. It is a charming one storey property (sleeps 3 guests) and has been converted from an old stable building. The house has open plan lounge/dining/kitchen area. The kitchen has been fitted with modern units with oak-staved oiled worktop, stainless steel sink and monobloc tap. All facilities for a self-catering holiday have been provided. Including dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, induction hob and electric oven and cafétière There is a large double bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom has a bath with overhead shower and WC. There is a dayroom with a fold-out sofa-bed so it is possible to sleep a total of 3 people in the Guest House. The living room and dining/area has a cast iron log burner.. There is a flat screen Hd. It has its own modest, south-facing courtyard with decking and gravel, which opens from the main shared garden via a gate that can be closed for privacy. OUTSIDE: There is a private walled courtyard laid to gravel, next to the kitchen/dining space at the north end of the house. On the south, the corridor & garden door open onto a large wooden deck and pool enclosed by the 16th century barn wall. This area faces west across one side of the main garden and a large fig tree provides shade over the dining table. The main garden has mature fig, mulberry-plane and olive trees and two stone paved terraces, with large (motorised) double gates and space for parking 2 cars securely off-street in front of the barn. Our semi-restored barn stands on the north side of the garden framing the castle view and offers a huge raised deck area available to guests. The swimming pool, available from May to September, has an electrically operated cover and lighting for evening swimming. It is possible to heat the pool by arrangement and a supplement of 9€ per night (minimum 50€ will be charged.) Location: Just around the corner from the house is where Kate Mosse wrote her inspiring trilogy “Labyrinthe”, set in Carcassonne and the surrounding Cathar country. Located at the foot of the Medieval Cité in the historic Barbacane quarter, the house is ideally placed in walking distance both from the old and new towns of Carcassonne. Local bakers/grocers are even nearer, as is the Aude river. It’s a pleasant stroll over the Pont Vieux, the historic stone bridge with dramatic views of the ramparts and the Pyrennees in the distance, to the excellent food market held on Boulevard Barbes in central Carcassonne, Place Carnot, three days a week. Toulouse is under an hour by car, Narbonne and Mediterranean beaches just over an hour in the other direction. There are also wonderful walks, stunning scenery and spectacular Cathar castles to visit. Or why not try the local wines? These include, Minervois, Corbiere and La Clape. Two Michelin star restaurants are a few minutes walk from the house. The golf course is just 6 minutes drive away and the beach at Lac de Cavayere, with beaches and many outdoor activities, is only a short drive. Here there is also O2 (a local version of GoApe), a tree climbing adventure park for all ages. Here there is Ski-Nautique with a great cafe, and a watersports centre. Fun for all the family! La cité is famous for its Bastille Day firework display (on the evening of the 14th July), a narrative of the Cathars being besieged in the Castle, and the garden at Jardin Oasis is right below the walls with a fantastic view. A major tourist attraction is the annual Tour de France stage finish, rest-day and next stage start, usually in late July. There are great concerts (usually with a few international headline acts) running throughout July. Wonderfully situated on the Canal du Midi and the river Aude, Carcassonne has fast connections with both Toulouse and Marseilles (57 mins) and Narbonne (31 mins). Narbonne and Mediterranean beaches are just over an hour in the other direction. Other things to note Optional services - Heated Pool with clip-shuttable roller shutter. Services available according to season Opening date: 01/05. Closing date: 01/10. Price: EUR 50.00 per booking. - Heating: Price: Included in the booking.