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Winegrowers mansion between the vineyards, the village and the port. Home to poets, romantics and lovers of the true taste of Languedoc Living.
| Total floor size of 180 m² |
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(move your mouse over or click the thumbnails to view the image above)
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This is truly authentic French country way of life, the blend of contemporary taste with the slightly faded grandeur of another age, spacious and gracious living hidden from the main road. Anyone driving into Marseillan on the vineyard lined lagoon route from Montpellier or Meze, may glance up at the old family house on the right as they enter the village, but who could imagine the bright airy rooms and the delightful first floor terrace tucked away behind the sturdy front door.
he Maison de Barral is a typical maison vigneronne - the house which was, once upon a time, home not only to the family of winegrowers, but to the machinery, the vats and the barrels; hallmarks of their craft.
For hundreds of years the Barral family lived and worked here - and now, for the 21st century, the house is being rejuvenated to welcome guests for lazy summer breaks.
Climb the imposing staircase from the entrance hall to the grand self-contained living space.Through glass doors - original period features, along the chequered tiled hallway to room after room...Two living rooms, some lovely old fireplaces, deep windows with old fashioned wooden shutters. Even two separate kitchens.
One catches the mood of the working day, well-equipped and roomy for preparing the finest fresh ingredients from the markets, fishermen and market gardeners of the village. A second fitted kitchen celebrates the lazy summer evenings, just a step or two from the large tiled terrace for dining al fresco. Between the kitchens find a dishwasher and washing machine, brand new cookers etc so that the hard work of previous generations need never cross your mind - food is a pleasure in Marseillan, whether preparing it or eating it.
If you prefer, there is always the third way ... a stone barbecue on the terrace itself.
Back inside, two bedrooms await on this spacious first floor.
The master bedroom is the traditional French marital bed, light playing through the curtains gently billowing in the tramontagne breezes from the unseen hills on the horizons beyond the vineyards.
An ensuite modern shower unit and wc.
Elsewhere, a second bedroom has a pair of single beds and an annexe study/dressing room.
Another shower room and wc leads from the main living area.
A sofa bed in the living room allows extra guests to be accommodated in comfort.
The apartment has the feel of a real work in progress.
The new kitchens are the current pride and joy, and gradually the old windows and shutters are being prepared for their own Cinderella moments as the gentle process of renovating a traditional home for its new family takes place.
The living room is a great place for setling down with a good book on a quiet afternoon away from the sunshine, the dining table for breakfasts that linger towards lunch, and the terrace itself for those lazy Languedoc meals, washed down with rosé wine from a neighbour's vineyard, those dinner times designed to blur bedtimes.
Up another staircase to the second floor. This area is gradually being restored in 2009 and already boasts two double bedrooms and an extra den area.
Dual aspects to this extra living area, with windows to the front and side of the house, and a fitted pantry area - which is ideal for preparing those late night snacks, basic breakfasts and bedtime or coffee-timedrinks, without having to go downstairs to the main kitchens. This extra floor of the house is perfect for larger families or perhaps a couple of families sharing a holiday together - Why not leave the top storey of the house to the teenagers, giving them independence, yet keeping them safely within the main home.
Added to Travel Library: 8 June 2009 |
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| Lowest Daily Price: |
100 EUR |
Highest
Daily Price: |
100 EUR |
| Lowest Weekly Price: |
490 EUR |
Highest Weekly Price: |
950 EUR |
| Charging Method: |
Per unit |
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The house is on the principal road leading in to Marseillan, is but 250 yards stroll to the old centre of the village with its market place and countless independent bakers shops.
Stroll down to the port for a night cap or an afternoon's lazing by the pleasure craft and fishing boats.
Walk across the way from the house to the park, or take a stroll down to the oysterbeds.
If your taste is for oysters, just turn right out of the front door and amble a few feet to the house on the corner, where the oyster farmer sells his wares from the front room.
For your other shopping, fish, gateaux, bread and fruit, the centre of the village is just 200 yards or so down narrow winding streets.
Walk past the vineyards and the tennis courts across the way to the waterfront to explore - or just stroll into town and take potluck in any of the local restaurants - almost too many to choose from.
If you decide to go further afield, take the car. You can park up safely enough when you return in the house's huge integral garage.
You wont forget the name of your house. the Barral family is remembered in street names, on war memorials, even on the shelves of the local library.
Fom books of verse to bottles on the wineshop shelves, other cousins and and other Barrals lend their names to the dreams and tastes that define Languedoc itself. |
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| Address:
Marseillan 34340, France |
| Nearest Metro / Subway:
agde - 5 Miles |
| Nearest Airport:
Beziers - 10 Miles |
| Accommodation located in village, old town, countryside, coastal, near historical interest, near biking trails, near walking trails, near tennis courts, near water sports, near horse riding, near fishing area, near diving spot, near golf course, near cultural interest, near restaurants & bars, near shopping area ! |
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| # of Units: |
1 ... and each unit includes: |
| Bedrooms: |
4 |
Bathrooms:: |
3 |
| Single beds: |
2 |
Double beds: |
3 |
| Baby cots: |
0 |
Single sofa beds: |
0 |
Double sofa beds: |
1 |
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Barbecue |
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Disabled Facilities |
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Sauna |
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City View |
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Lift / Elevator |
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Spa / Jacuzzi |
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Sea View |
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Parking |
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Swimming Pool |
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Tennis Court |
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Private Beach |
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Garden |
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Balcony |
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Terrace |
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American Kitchen |
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Fridge & Freezer |
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Oven |
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Microwave |
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Dish Washer |
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Crockery & Utensils |
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Sofa Bed |
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Fireplace |
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Table & Chairs |
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Bath |
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Shower |
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Hair Dryer |
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Towels |
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Internet Dial Up |
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Internet Broadband |
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Cable/Satelite TV |
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Stereo/Radio System |
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DVD Player |
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DVD/Music Collection |
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Library |
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Telephone |
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Fax |
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Washing Machine |
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Safe |
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Ironing Board |
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Work Desk |
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Bikes |
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Bed Sheets |
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Central Heating |
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Air Conditioning |
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Pets Welcome |
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Tours & Excursions |
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Local Transportation |
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Local Guides |
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Butler Service |
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House Chef |
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24h Concierge |
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Daily Cleaning |
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| We speak:
English, French |
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