GGte de Mallast is superbly located in the centre of the picturesque medieval village of Montolieu, known as the ‘village of books’, near to historic Carcassonne. The gîte is a part of Maison de Mallast but with its own independent entrance. The 2-bedroom apartment is fully equipped with all modern amenities, yet it is located in one of the oldest parts of the house, built on the original foundations of Chateau de Mallast, which protected the village & its inhabitants from the 5-12th c. Our 90 sq.m Gîte de Mallast sleeps up to 5. It offers one bedroom with a double bed & a second containing one double & one single bed. Both bedrooms have large built-in wardrobes with a hanging rail and shelves. There is also a day bed/sofa bed in the living area, which converts to either a single or double bed, giving maximum flexibility for a family/group. There are two walk-in shower-rooms (one is e-suite) & one toilet. The bright living/dining/kitchen area and the first bedroom have a view onto the terrasse. The second bedroom has a window to a quiet side street. Access to the terrasse may be limited during restaurant hours. The bedrooms have fans; the living room has air conditioning.

For John, it was, in no particular order, the wine, the sunshine, the lifestyle, a means to learn a new language, the wine and the opportunity to become part of a small yet vibrant village community. Oh, and not forgetting the wine, having heard that the area is the biggest wine producing region in France! A former occasional amateur triathlete, he’s looking forward to heading into the hills on his cycle and swimming in lakes when there’s time. Meanwhile, the French food is so good that he’s letting his motorbike take the strain. John loves to cook and is in charge of our restaurant, which is open to the public. For Lindsay - who harboured an unfulfilled yearning to become an archaeologist as a child - the medieval history of the region, with tales of the Cathar crusaders and beauty of the ancient buildings and landscapes, were the pull to bring her to live in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. Discovering this historic house in Montolieu, built on the site of a fortified castle, was a dream come true. She loves photographing buildings, plants and trees and conversing with the locals over a cold glass of local wine, in order to improve her French language skills.

The village has just 800 inhabitants, yet an enviable number of amenities. The apartment is within minutes walking distance of five restaurants, a cafe, more than 15 bookshops and numerous artists’ studios. There is a grocery, boulangerie, post office, museum focusing on the history of typography and bookmaking, a tourist information office and a fantastic public outdoor swimming pool (July & August). In a prime position in the centre of the village, our gîte apartment offers an enviable spot for a short or long holiday break, with all of Montolieu’s many amenities available within just a few steps. The village's many little lanes and ancient houses are great to explore and photograph. Don’t miss the superb viewpoints at Place Espérou and from the bridge near the tourist information office, all within a few minutes’ walk! There is always something happening in Montolieu, whether it is a music night at a bar or a new art exhibition - in a charming, tranquil village but with plenty of life! Nearby you can explore the medieval city of Carcassonne, take a boat ride on the Canal du Midi or visit the ancient sites of Cathare castles or go swimming in the lakes or local pool.