Gite des Cathares

Couiza is a thriving village with all amenities, set between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of the Pyrénées in an area of outstanding beauty. At Couizas heart lies Gite des Cathares, comprising 3 comfortable apartments in a C17th house, on the river Salz.

Gite des Cathares comprises 3 very spacious apartments (m2) which are hung with original works of art, have a large main living area and own computer with free Internet access and music system. Each apartment is tastefully decorated in its own individual style and includes a kitchen/diner with washing machine, full oven and hob, percolator, etc. The lounges each have double sofa-beds and there are separate bathrooms and WCs. Each apartment has use of the south-facing terrace with river view.

Ground Floor - (sleeps 1-4) includes king size bedroom, bathroom with bidet, door onto terrace.

First Floor - (sleeps 4-6) includes double and twin bedrooms, kitchen with microwave.

Second Floor - (sleeps 1-4) includes double bedroom with four-poster bed, wood-burning stove, high-beamed ceiling, microwave, separate shower and bath.

They have double glazing and are designed in the French style, to stay as cool as possible in the summer and as warm as possible in the winter.

Children and well-behaved pets are welcome, with a cot, toy box, high chair and plastic utensils available for children under five.

Please note that the apartments are non-smoking throughout.

Local Area

The river Salz, to which there is a short path from the terrace, is a gently flowing tributary to the Aude, where you can watch trout swimming while sipping your favourite tipple. There is also river swimming in the Salz a short walk away and at several other more secluded spots a short drive away up and down river.

Couiza itself includes two patisseries, butchers, local grocery store, an excellent restaurant and two cafe bars. If it's Cordon Bleu you're after, then this region boasts the finest food, cooked to perfection. There are also many restaurants within a short drive in both Limoux and Quillan, so you'll be spoilt for choice. Languedoc Roussillon is the home to some of the most recognisable and sought after names in wine-making, Fitou, Fleury, Minervois and Corbieres to name a few, and of course the champagne from the local town of Limoux. There's well-lit off street parking within sight of the gite.

Near to Couiza are the thermal spas of Alet les Bains and Rennes les Bains with outdoor swimming pools at a steady 30 degrees or so. Locally, other water-sports include canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting and trout fishing (or tickling, if you prefer). There's pony-treking on the local and much loved horses of the Camargue, golf and even a casino with piano bar, a dinosaur museum and a museum of hats, truly something for everyone. There is also skiing in Camurac, 30 minutes away.

The gite is 34 km from the medieval city of Carcassonne, in the heart of the Cathare region, famous for its walled city within a city. As would be expected, Carcassonne has many museums and historic monuments to visit. 8 km South of Couiza is the attractive market town of Quillan, which heralds the beginning of the climb into the Pyrenees and some amazing drives along roads hewn literally from the mountain side. Rock climbing, mountain walks and caving are all available in or near Quillan.

We are 4km from Rennes-le-Chateau, a village shrouded in the mystery of an impoverished village priest who discovered two parchments found in a sculptured Visigothic pillar and shortly afterwards became fabulously wealthy.

East of Couiza is the forest of Arques and its swimming lake, to the West another two lakes, Montbel (pictured above), where you can wind-surf, canoe, kayak or hire pedalos and lake Puivert, which also has one of the most outstanding Cathare castles. The castles of the Cathars dot the beautiful valley of Aude from Narbonne to Foix, the evidence of a remarkable era in history is cast on the landscape in the form of ruins and forts standing proud on promontories around Couiza and the Cathare region.

Just over an hour away to the East are huge swathes of beautiful Mediterranean beaches - plenty of room to find a secluded spot, should you so desire. If, however hotdogs, buckets and spades and cheeky postcards make your heart sing, Narbonne Plage will come high on your list of must sees.

The airports of Carcassonne, Perpignan and Toulouse are within 100 km of Couiza, Montpellier is 190km away and Barcelona is 270 km away.

We accept bookings from any day to any day. Discounts are available for long-term lets.