Property Description

The house is located in the village square and dates from the 17th century; it is traditional in design (thick walls, and high beamed ceilings). There are electric radiators on the walls plus free-standing heaters if needed. There are also plenty of fans, free-standing and ceiling, for use in hot weather. There is ample parking in the square. The ground floor has a modern, fully equipped, kitchen/dining room with all the necessary amenities (new cooker, new microwave, new, large fridge/freezer, dish washer, washing machine, electric coffee maker, electric kettle, electric toaster, iron and ironing board, plus plenty of pots and pans, crockery, cutlery, glasses of all descriptions, cooking utensils and barbecue equipment etc. The dining area has a large solid oak table, seating up to eight, a matching sideboard, various cupboards with work surfaces, plus small tables etc. Also on the ground floor is a large double bedroom with double bed, two wardrobes, chest of drawers, marble-topped wash stand, bedside tables, ceiling fan etc., it has a beamed ceiling, stone walls and an ensuite shower room/toilet.
Up some traditional stone steps is the first floor which has the second bedroom with twin beds, chest of drawers, chairs a large walk-in wardrobe and its own ensuite shower room/toilet. You will also find a single z-bed in the large cupboard. From here you go up a couple of steps to the 43 square metre lounge with beamed ceiling, ceiling fan, and whitewashed, stone walls. This room is perfect for entertaining and contains a stereo, a new, modern TV (has French programmes only), a round, glass-topped dining table with four chairs, two settees, easy chairs, occasional tables and other furniture. One of the settees easily opens up to a comfortable, full-size double bed. There are lots of pictures and flowers around to give the house a homely feeling. It is worth pointing out that the two bedrooms are on opposite corners of the house, one upstairs and one down, therefore giving complete privacy.
Off this large room there are wooden steps to a small, private roof terrace which contains a table with chairs and a barbecue. This terrace catches the full sun for most of the day and is perfect for some private sun bathing. There are sun loungers plus chair cushions and a sun umbrella. However please note that the wooden steps are rather steep and may not be suitable for small children or the infirm.

Tourbes is a typical little French village surrounded by the lush vineyards of the Herault area of Languedoc. It is adjacent to Pezenas (a much larger, protected medieval market town). It is between Montpellier and Beziers and is 20 kilometres directly north of the resort centre of Cap d'Agde. Tourbes has all the essential amenities (grocery store, butcher, bakery, pharmacist, post office, hairdresser, cafe bar with outside seating, a restaurant and its own wine cave providing very drinkable wine at extremely reasonable prices). There is also a beautiful 16th century church. There are two major supermarkets within a five minute drive. A fresh food market comes to the square in Tourbes on Wednesday mornings also a pizza van, selling freshly-made pizzas, arrives every Wednesday evening.
Tourbes is 20 kilometres from some of the finest beaches in the South of France, Marseillan plage for example (less than twenty five minutes drive) has fifteen kilometres of wonderful white sands and there are several other, equally beautiful, beaches with little restaurants and coffee bars etc., within easy reach.

Local Area Information

On our doorstep we have the Mediterranean Gardens of Roquebrun, the Bamboo forest at Anduze, the Portiragnes wild life sea lake, the Guarrigues oak forest at the north of Montpellier, the National park of the Montagnes Noires, the famous Camargue region and the African reserve of Sigean to be enjoyed by the nature enthusiasts and ramblers.

Pezenas, the medieval market town, is right next to Tourbes and is renowned for its art, historic architecture and lively Saturday market. It has a number of cafe/bars and restaurants which cater for all tastes.. The tourist office (tel.04 67 09 48 65) organises tours of the town with official guides (in English on request); in July and August, a play is performed throughout the tour (in French only) by a theatre company specialising in Commedia dell’Arte. There are museums which house collections of furniture, porcelain, Aubusson tapestries and also souvenirs of Moliere. Pezenas takes great pride in its links with the illustrious Moliere, and theatre is an important aspect of the town’s cultural life. Also in Pezenas there are more than 20 craftsmen/artists who have their permanent workshops in and around the ancient streets of the town. Visits and demonstrations may be organised on request.

For wine lovers there are a number of wine trails taking you to various vineyards where the local produce can be tasted. The Herault has 275,000 acres of vineyards making this the largest wine growing area in the world. The tourist office in the main square in Pezenas has a road map showing all the direct sale wine cellars produced by the Pays d’Oc Wine Producer’s Syndicate.

The Herault Chamber of Agriculture has devised “Shop Window on Local Produce� tours, combining a day visiting local sites of special interest with wine tasting and sampling of local specialities such as foie gras, cold meats, pelardons (goat’s cheese) honey, olives etc… Call 04 67 20 88 58.

Off the beaten track there are many walks and tours and some of the scenery is stunning. There are also several Grottes, old Abbeys, mills and craftwork potteries to be visited. Guided tours can be arranged. There are Boat trips on the Canal du Midi and the Etang de Thau with departures from d’Agde, Marseillan, and Beziers. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from April to October a day cruise leaves Agde for Marseillan passing through unique locks and oyster farms. Lunch can be taken on board or you can take your own picnic.

Bezier is famous as a wine capital but it has many other attractions. Its “ferias� (fairs) are amongst the most exhilarating in France. Plateau des Poetes has delightful gardens that were set out on the Beziers hill at the end of the XIXth Century. It is full of rare plants, trees and busts of famous poets. These gardens are overlooked by large private mansions. Beziers is also famous for its bull-fights.

Cap d'Agde, 20 kilometres from Tourbes, the Riviera of this region of France, is a highly developed tourist resort with all the amenities and attractions that one would expect.

There are two pretty little harbours within easy reach of Tourbes, one at Marseillan and one at Meze, both surrounded by lovely little restaurants overlooking the harbour Noilly Prat has its headquarters at Marseillan and they have conducted tours, some in English.

There are many good restaurants in the area and a list of some of these, has been left, amongst other tourist information, in the house

Property Features

* Close to a golf course
* Pets are allowed
* Children are allowed

Accommodation and Facilities Summary

Bathroom	Bathrooms 2, Toilets 2, Shower Rooms 1
Bedroom	Doubles 1, Singles 2, Pull-out Beds 1
Heat/Cooling	Ceiling Fans, Electric Heaters
Dining	Dining room table, Seating for 8 People, Dining room
Entertainment	Hi Fi, TV, Radio, Cassette Player
Kitchen	Crockery & Cutlery Provided, Microwave, Dishwasher, Washing Machine, Hob, Oven, Freezer, Fridge, Grill, Toaster
Laundry	Washing Machine Provided, Linen Provided, Towels Provided, Iron, Ironing Board
Living Room	Seating for 8 People, Sofas 2, Armchairs 3, Fold Out Beds Sleeping 1
Local Activities	Cycling, Fishing, Golf, Horse Riding, Tennis, Swimming, Walking, Water Park
Local Area	Quiet Bars and Pubs, Lively Bars and Pubs, Restaurants, Night Clubs, Distance to Local Town Centre 500m, The local town is Lively but not wild
Location	Distance to beach >5km, Distance to convenience store <100m, Distance to local restaraunts <100m, In a Town, Distance to Airport 50-100km
Outside	Barbecue, Parking, Terrace
Suitability	No Pets, Children Welcome, Wheelchair inaccessible, Unsuitable for the elderly or infirm
Accommodation	Accommodation Type: Self Catering, Size: Spacious, Changeover Day Sat
Theme	Quiet yet close to local activity

Contact Information

Name:	Dorothy Barraclough
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