La Bourdette Du Ray, Puylaurens.

Description for B&B:

La Bourdette du Ray is a charming hamlet consisting of approximately 7 families. Located at the heart of the hamlet is a rustic farmhouse, with the gite situated at one end. This delightful cottage-style gite offers picturesque views and shares a spacious garden, complete with a 12m x 7m swimming pool (shared with the owner), a boules area, croquet, table-tennis, and a barbecue. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to enjoy holiday membership at the local tennis club, just 1 km away.

Surrounded by a small orchard and a variety of trees and shrubs, the gite is fully self-contained and exudes warmth and character. It features a patio overlooking the pool, providing the perfect spot for al fresco dining or leisurely reading.

Hibou - First floor

The first floor of the gite, known as "Hibou," offers a cozy sitting room with a sofa-bed, chairs, television (with French TV reception), DVD player, video player, and CD player. A collection of over 100 DVDs and videos are available for guests to borrow.

The open-plan kitchen, connected to the lounge, is fully equipped with a fridge-freezer, hob, oven, microwave, coffee percolator, kettle, toaster, iron, and all necessary utensils, crockery, and cutlery. Washing and drying machines are also available upon request.

The shower room features a vanity unit and a WC.

The bedroom boasts a double bed, wardrobe, and chest of drawers, offering lovely views of the pool area and garden through its windows.

The garden includes a dedicated area for the gite, complete with a picnic table, as well as access to the swimming pool shared with the owners. Guests can also enjoy hammocks, barbecues, sun beds, and garden chairs, all while having ample parking space next to the gites. The pool, measuring 12.6 x 7 meters, is fully fenced off for safety. The garden also offers a boules area and a croquet lawn, providing entertainment for all.

Activities

Just 14 km away lies Lac de St Férréol in the Montagne Noire, offering watersports facilities and fantastic hiking opportunities. Nearby are also the renowned Corbière and Minervois vineyards. To the west of Corbière is Limoux, located 50 km away, famous for its Blanquette, a delightful sparkling white wine. Visitors can stop at various wine caves in the area for tastings. Limoux itself is a pleasant town to explore and offers excellent lunch options.

Castelnaudary, situated 33 km away, sits on the Canal du Midi and is famous for its hearty bean stew called Cassoulet, traditionally made with pork, lamb, or goose. The town is also known for its pottery and ceramics. Visitors have the opportunity to rent boats for day or half-day trips on the canal.

The medieval cité of Carcassonne, located 50 km away on the outskirts of the town, is a must-visit destination, offering breathtaking views as you approach.

In contrast, an hour to the north lies Albi, set along the banks of the river Tarn. Like Toulouse, Albi is a city built of red brick, featuring a magnificent fortress-like cathedral, boulevards, large squares, and gardens. The city is also home to a museum dedicated to the work of the renowned painter Toulouse Lautrec. To the east of Albi, the Gaillac vineyards are famous for their red and rosé wines. The old part of Gaillac is a maze of ancient streets adorned with medieval colombage houses and charming squares with fountains.