Stunning private villa.Village setting.Pyreneen views.Swimming pool.Large Garden
About the property
- Villa2475 sq. ft.
- Bedrooms4
- Sleeps9
- Bathrooms2
- Half Baths1
- Minimum Stay7 nights
4 Bedrooms/3 Bathrooms, Sleeps 8 with private 5m x 3.5m integrated swimming poo
Maison Olive is a newly built villa which combines French charm with all the conveniences of a modern family home. The well-equipped open-plan kitchen leads into the beautifully light and airy lounge/dining area, which benefits from a high vaulted ceiling. Two sets of French doors lead from here to both the front and rear terraces, which overlook farmland, with the addition of a 3x5mtr above ground swimming pool and the beautiful Pyrenees. Comfortable seating and dining allow the sun to be enjoyed all day long.
The villa sleeps up to 8 people in 4 bedrooms (1 king with en-suite, 1 double and 2 twin bedrooms). There is a family bathroom, separate WC as well as a fully equipped utility room.
A private track (shared with only one other property) leads to Maison Olive and offers hard standing for 3 cars.
The rear decked terrace provides either shady dining or direct sunlight for sunbathing, allowing easy access to the same height swimming pool and steps down to a permanent BBQ area.
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN - The paddock-style large rear garden which is secure, on one level and child-friendly; There are toys for the pool and back garden and the beach at Lac Montbel, as well as a baby cot/crib.
Maison Olive is east/west facing so benefits from the sun all day long. The rear terrace is perfect for enjoying your morning breakfast, with the children swimming, whilst on the front terrace you can relax with the last of the sun's rays whilst drinking in the views of the Pyrenees and your aperitif!
Situated on the outskirts of the lively French village of Leran, the property benefits from privacy and quiet but is within 5 minutes walk of local amenities, including a boulangerie (Bakery) where fresh baguettes and croissants etc can be purchased in the morning. The village also has a post office, tennis courts, thriving bar/restaurant, locally-sourced market 6 days a week and people come from far and wide to enjoy the renowned Friday night market, where you can rub shoulders with the locals whilst dining at long trestle tables along the main street, sampling alfresco food from all corners of the world, accompanied by live entertainment.
Nearest supermarket is just a five minute drive from Leran, and all other facilities can be found a further two minutes away in Laroque d'Olmes.
SPORT ENTHUSIASTS and SIGHT-SEERS. Lac Montbel is just 5 minutes drive from Maison Olive and is a huge 600 hectare fresh water reservoir surrounded by woodland and boasting a sandy beach with monitored swimming area. It also offers plenty of shade and is our favourite place to cool off in the summer! The lake also has a bistro/cafe, canoes, kayaks, windsurfing, pony trekking and mountain biking plus a 16 km off-road track skirting the perimeter of the lake.
The landscape of the Ariege-Pyrenees is stunningly beautiful. The area is a hidden gem known also as the ‘department de velo’; sparsely populated it is of outstanding natural beauty, laid back charm and good living. You can explore the green foothills and the majestic Pyreneen peaks; walk on peaceful paths and cycle on quiet well-laid roads or just marvel at the breathtaking views. The Ariege is just about as far south as you can go and still be in France, being only 1.5 hours from the Andorran/Spanish border.
Medieval cites, Cathar castles adorning craggy peaks (Montsegur, Roquefixade, Lagarde and Foix, just to name a few locally!) lovely Romanesque churches and authentic bastide towns and villages are all on your doorstep. There are lots of prehistoric sites, including some of the most extensive caves in Europe. You can climb or walk in the high mountains, cycle for miles along routes of varying difficulty including some of the best known Tour-de-France over-classified climbs (Pailhers, Plateau de Beille etc) go canoeing, gliding or paragliding, spend hours in the thermal spas at Ax-les-Thermes or dance the night away at one of our many weekly locally-held festivals. It is all totally unspoilt and non-commercialised.
The Mediterranean coast is only 1.30 hours to the east and the incredible La Cité at Carcassonne is a painstakingly restored mediaeval walled city on a hill by the Aude River just a 45 minute drive where you step back several centuries and imagine yourself in mediaeval times.
Wine enthusiasts can explore the vineyards of the Corbiere and Malepere regions plus visit Limoux’s own vineyards for the world famous Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine.
Mirepoix is 15 mins drive away and a wonderful place to take time out and watch the world go by. With its striking mediaeval half-timbered houses lining the main square this little town oozes charm and transports you back in time. On Monday mornings the market stalls fill the square and the Cathedral forecourt selling vegetables, cheeses, sausage, olives, spices, honey and bread, baskets, pottery and knitwear etc., There is also another small farmers market on Thursday mornings and the town is well served by supermarkets, butchers and fishmongers, bakeries and chemists. It offers a series of festivals, fêtes and exhibitions between Spring and Autumn.
Owner
Johanna & Craig Heritage
- Response rate:
- 100%
- Response time:
- within one day
- Speaks:
- english, french
- Calendar last updated:
- Feb 14, 2018
About Johanna & Craig Heritage
We moved to the Ariege with our two sons in 2003 falling in love with the natural beauty and the simplistic life style, allowing us to give our children the same freedom to grow up in as we ourselves were priviledged to have and started a small bike hire business because of our love of mountain bike cycling and the proximity of Lac du Montbel not realising that we would also benefit hugely from the closeness of the ski resort of Monts d’Olmes and the incredible uncluttered and well maintained roads for road cycling and touring.
Johanna & Craig Heritage purchased this Villa in 2011
Why Johanna & Craig Heritage chose Carcassonne
Having already restored 3 stone built houses in Leran we realised our dream by buying the land for Maison Olive and building our own 'grand design' from scratch of which we are immensely proud.
What makes this Villa unique
Maison Olive is perfectly situated in Leran as a base for easy entertainment or relaxing tranquillity. Offering everything from Cathar and medieval culture, ancient churches, historic towns, gourmet cuisine and wine tasting, through to the more energetic, freshwater swimming lake, hiking, cycling, riding, International go-karting, paintballing, white water rafting, golfing and acro-branch we have every taste catered for.
Amenities
- Internet
- Pets Welcome
- Swimming pool
- Heater
- Fireplace
- Satellite or Cable
- Kids Welcome
- Washer & Dryer
- Parking
- TV
- No Smoking
Bedrooms
- 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 9
- Bedroom 11 king, Master bedroom with en-suite shower room & plenty of storage
- Bedroom 21 king, Kingsize bed with wardrobe, drawers and bedside cabinets
- Bedroom 33 twin/ single, Three single bedded room with cabinets & 3 door wardrobe
- Bedroom 42 twin/ single, Twin bedded room with bedside cabinets & 3 door wardrobe
- All bedrooms are spacious, bright, light and comfortable with plenty of storage space, bedside cabinets and lights for your convenience. A new cot/crib is available for anyone with a baby.
Bathrooms
- 2 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bath
- Bathroom 1toilet, tub, shower, Contemporary roll topped bath, walk-in shower, basin & WC
- Bathroom 2toilet, shower, En-suite shower room servicing master bedroom
- Bathroom 3toilet, Toilet and separate washbasin
Location Type
- Mountain View
- Rural
- Village
Theme
- Away From It All
- Family
- Historic
- Romantic
- Sports & Activities
- Tourist Attractions
Meals
- Guests provide their own meals
General
- Linens Provided
- Clothes DryerOutside clothes line & inside 'Sheila's Maid' clothes rack.
- Hair Dryer
- Heating
- InternetWIFI
- Iron & Board
- FireplaceLarge cast iron log burner
- Living Room
- ParkingUp to 3 cars
- Towels ProvidedTowels and face-clothes provided
- Washing MachineWith start up laundry detergeant
- Wood StoveFirewood can be purchased if required.
Kitchen
- Coffee MakerNespresso (Magimix), Percolator and seperate DeLonghi kettle
- Dishes & Utensils
- DishwasherStarter washing up liquid and dishwasher soap
- KitchenBasic courtesy staples: Salt, pepper, oil, spices, tea, coffee & UHT milk, starter washing up liquid and dishwasher soap
- Microwave
- Oven
- Pantry ItemsBasic courtesy staples: Salt, pepper, oil, spices, tea, coffee & UHT milk
- RefrigeratorLIEBER Larder fridge and matching larder freezer
- Stove
- ToasterDeLonghi 4 slice toaster
Dining
- DiningInside and outside seating for up to 8 people comfortably.
- Dining Area
- comfy seating for 9 people
Entertainment
- Books
- DVD PlayerDVD library
- Satellite / Cable
- Television
- ToysBasic outdoor toys, football, badmington rackets and swimming pool accessories
Outside
- BicyclesCycling is our business and our forte, we can provide you with carbon racing bikes, 29'er Mountain bikes or simple hybrid touring bikes, plus buggies, babyseats & car racks all supplied with helmet
- Deck / PatioLarge rear decked terrace and swimming pool, suitable for dining, sunbathing or keeping an eye on the kids in the pool or garden! Front tiled terrace for relaxation perfect for aperos at end of day
- Kayak / Canoe5 minutes drive at Lac Montbel
- Lawn / GardenLovely flat rear garden
- Outdoor GrillSeperate: Walled, south facing BBQ area (with fantastic Pyreneen views), with BBQ and utensils
- TennisTennis court available to rent within 10 minutes walk from Maison Olive
Suitability
- Long-term Renters Welcome
- wheelchair inaccessible
Pool / Spa
- Private Pool3 x 5 mtrs, 1.5 mtrs deep the pool is an above ground pool, level with the rear decked terrace allowing easy surveillance on your swimming family. For serious athletes, Lac Montbel is just 5 mins
Attractions
- library
- arboretum
- caves
- churches
- cinemas
- coin laundry
- festivals
- forests
- autumn foliage
- live theater
- museums
- playground
- restaurants
- ruins
- theme parks
- waterfalls
- winery tours
Leisure Activities
- antiquing
- bird watching
- eco tourism
- horseback riding
- horseshoes
- paddle boating
- photography
- scenic drives
- sight seeing
- walking
Local Services & Businesses
- ATM/bank
- Babysitter
- fitness center
- groceries
- hospital
- laundromat
- massage therapist
- medical services
Sports & Adventure Activities
- mountaineering
- cycling
- fly fishing
- freshwater fishing
- golf
- hiking
- mountain biking
- mountain climbing
- fishing
- rafting
- sailing
- skiing
- snorkeling
- swimming
- tennis
- whitewater rafting
- wind-surfing
Notes
- This is a wonderful location to be in, everything is within easy distance and there are enough activities for the more 'sporty' family with there being something for everyone! Our closest supermarket is just 5 minutes drive although most staples can be bought from our local produce village market, just 5 minutes walk from Maison Olive. Our local bar/bistro is Le Rendezvous plus we can now offer Creamundo a wonderful high end restuarant (both providing vegetarian options) and within easy walking distance of Maison Olive, Le Regat (at Lac Montbel 5 minutes drive) offers pizza's, salads all in great settings. Should you crave a town both Mirepoix and Lavalenet are only 15 minutes by car and offer lots of options for dining. Or just stay at home and live the life. We LOVE IT that's why we moved here!
House Rules
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Cancellation Policy
100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date. 50% refund if canceled at least 30 days before arrival date. You must contact the owner directly to request cancellation.
7 Reviews
Latest reviews
A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN
Fantastic, French, Family Fun.........
clean spacious property, beautiful views
prima huis voor motorritten Pyreneeën
très bon séjour familiale
Que du Bonheur!!!!
Location
Fabulous for families with kids (large or small) Sports enthusiasts or just wanting to use Maison Olive as the perfect base for sight-seeing the South of France! Incredible Lac du Montbel swimming and watersport resevoir, International Go-Karting, Paintballing, Leran's Friday night market, historic Cathar Chateaux (Montsegur, Roquefixade, Foix, Lagarde), riding, cycling, walking
Availability
Additional information about rental rates
Owners live on site with independant dwelling, parking and access.