Idyllic parkside living

A home on the grounds of a Languedoc château

Villa garden pool

A handful of discerning buyers now have the opportunity to own a second home situated in a Mediterranean château park in southern France’s Languedoc region.

Just 14 homes of two and three bedrooms will be constructed in this gorgeous development situated in the medieval village of Lézignan la Cèbe. Set within a fragrant park of 6,400m2, this elegant yet intimate residential development offers the best in the charming lifestyle that has long been associated with the South of France.

Each beautiful family home comes with its own private garden stocked with native trees, shrubs and aromatic herbs, complemented by a terrace, barbecue and optional private pool. Each home will combine authenticity and traditional character with natural materials, and be masterfully designed for the needs of modern life. Two of the residences will be housed in the 19th-century château that sits on the property.

With on-site facilities and an optional service contract for hassle-free ownership, this is a unique opportunity to experience the authentic ‘Art de Vivre’ for which southern France is famous. Also planned are an outdoor swimming pool and children’s pool, while residents will receive discounts on services at a nearby hotel that offers a restaurant, wine bar, pool and spa.

Tranquil and discreet, the property is nevertheless just minutes away from the picturesque medieval village of Pézenas. One of the most singularly beautiful towns in the south-west, Pézenas is a place of grand architecture, cobbled streets and wonderful courtyards. It was home to 17th-century playwright Molière and is still a thriving artists’ community with writers, artisans, antique dealers and craftsmen.

Pézenas is also within 2½ hours of alpine skiing, and 90 minutes from the Spanish border.

Stretching along the Mediterranean from the Côte d’Azur to the Spanish border, the Languedoc is a place of vibrant fishing villages, endless beaches, rolling vineyards and olive groves fringed with cypress trees, medieval castles perched on snow-capped mountains, thriving market towns and charming, little-known hamlets.

The region boasts an amazing diversity of leisure options. Relax on the beach or partake in every imaginable water sport. Explore historic cities – Roman, Medieval and Renaissance – with internationally recognised cultural attractions that include five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore antique markets that rival any in Europe. Enjoy the wonders of four national parks. Improve your swing on one of the 16 golf courses. Or discover superb cuisine and amazing local wines in simple bistros and Michelin-starred gastro palaces.

The immediate area offers a wide range of recreational facilities. There are golden beaches that feature waterfront restaurants just a 20-minute drive through the vineyards and picturesque villages. The area is a gastronome’s paradise, with countless vineyards to explore, and markets offering the best produce.

Also nearby are the Languedoc’s biggest cities, including Narbonne, Nîmes, and Montpellier, dubbed “France’s most exciting city.”

Languedoc is easily accessible, with efficient motorway and high-speed rail links providing fast connections to the rest of Europe. No fewer than eight airports connect Languedoc to major European cities, as well as many smaller ones, via both scheduled and low-cost carriers.

This community represents a rare opportunity to invest in a unique, high-quality property in one of the world’s most stable economies, while enjoying anytime access to a superb family home. A sound investment and a source of pleasure for generations to come.

Prices: From €255,000.

CONTACT

International Luxury Real Estate

www.ilre.com

+44 (0)20 7095 8701

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Fine vineyard estate living

Historic vineyard estate offers a perfect combination of holiday home and real estate investment

Vineyard in Languedoc, France

Defined by its vineyards and scented with rosemary and lavender, the Languedoc is a historic and unspoilt region of blue skies and dramatic landscapes lying along a 300-kilometre stretch of golden beaches between the Côte d’Azur and the Spanish border.

This is quintessential South of France – a landscape of rolling hills fringed with cypress, ancient forests of oak and chestnut. Famous vineyards and olive groves carpet the landscape from the hills to the blue shores of the Mediterranean. Quickly being discovered by holiday-makers and property buyers alike, the region enjoys a perfect climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine annually.

The Languedoc offers tremendous diversity: sandy beaches, wooded mountains, ancient market towns and thriving fishing villages, as well as vineyards of international renown. The region is a land of marvels. It overflows with natural and historical sites that range from medieval castles, caves, dolmens and Romanesque churches, to abbeys.

It boasts five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Carcassonne, known worldwide for its medieval fortified town, and the Canal du Midi, a major construction linking Toulouse to Sète, plus 13 villages featured on the list of Plus beaux villages de France (the most beautiful villages in France). These include Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Minerve and Olargues.

Le Domaine de la Mandoune, a beautifully restored 19th-century wine-growing estate, represents a rare opportunity to purchase an elegant vineyard apartment in this beautiful area of France. Combining authenticity, well-being, appreciation of heritage and refined luxury, Le Domaine de la Mandoune offers the very best of the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Sitting on a truly exceptional site, the domaine is only fve minutes from the beaches, and sits on the shores of the Étang de Thau, opening out onto the sea. Its eastern shore forms an 11-kilometre beach, with the Mediterranean on one side and the tranquil waters of the basin on the other, whilst the western shore is a hive of traditional activities such as fishing, shellfish farming and wine-growing.

In front of the property there is a park with 100-year-old trees featuring pines and other Mediterranean species. Alongside are vineyards, an olive grove and vegetable gardens. Around the estate, shoreline vegetation extends out of sight and includes reed beds, wild orchids and sea daffodils. Everywhere, the scent of pines, sea, thyme and rosemary blend tantalizingly.

The immediate locality offers delightful small ports like Mèze, Bouzigues and Marseillan. Marseillan is an ancient Phocaean town that charms visitors with its authenticity. It is one of Languedoc’s gems, once named “what St Tropez most probably looked like before Brigitte Bardot went there” by the The Guardian. The port of Marseillan is a Mediterranean hotspot for water sports, for those cruising on the Canal du Midi, and is notably home to a sailing school (Ecole de voile les Glénans).

There is so much to do in the area, from relaxing and sunbathing around the swimming pool or along the beach, to kite surfing with one of several sailing clubs. Sailing, rowing, water-skiing, hiking and cycling are all very popular.

Le Domaine de la Mandoune is 20 minutes from Pézenas, 25 minutes from Sète, 40 minutes from Montpellier, 50 minutes from Narbonne, and an hour from Nimes, Carcassonne and Perpignan. Easy to reach, with superb motorway and high-speed rail links, six international airports also connect the Languedoc to every major European city.

This superb development, with only 28 one-of-a-kind residences, is set in 45 acres of vineyards and Mediterranean countryside, including 300 metres of unspoilt natural beach. The domaine is made up of the original Château, mews and wine storehouse.

Each luxurious residence boasts period features that are integrated seamlessly into schemes that marry the traditional and the contemporary. The interior will combine modern décor – metallic stairway, unvarnished wood, fair-faced concrete – with the nobility of the past, including exposed stone and beams, floor boards and arched doorways. The result promises to be homes of style and refinement. Each apartment is unique.

The stylish 1-3 bedroom residences come fully furnished and equipped. Almost all of the apartments enjoy gardens, patios and/or balconies.

The world’s largest wine-producing region, wine-making in the Languedoc dates to Roman times. Today’s energetic generation of young winemakers makes great use of the varied terroirs to produce exciting and elegant wines that hold their own against the best of Bordeaux and the New World.

The centerpiece of this development will be the estate’s vineyard, which is made up of Grenache, Chenin, Merlot and Sauvignon grapes. The vineyard gives all residents the opportunity to follow the wine-growers throughout the seasons and participate in the harvesting, blending and various stages of wine-making. You can also invite friends to wine-tastings in the estate’s cellar, or picnic by the waterside. Why not pack a few oysters and shellfish to complement the wine of the estate?

With a host of first-class facilities and services, the luxury vineyard resort offers a unique opportunity to experience the authentic ‘Art de Vivre’ for which the South of France is so renowned. Amenities include a restaurant, wine bar, swimming pool, wellness centre, sun deck, tennis court, golfing area with putting green and practice holes, and a fitness trail where you can jog or walk in an outstanding natural environment between the vines, by the olive grove and along the waterfront. A floating dock enables the sailing schools to come and pick up those who would enjoy a ride in a sailing dinghy or a catamaran.

Residences are being sold fully furnished with a full management service in place to ensure you get the most from your investment. The award-winning developer specialises in luxury developments and the restoration of historical buildings, while preserving their heritage and tradition. The company has several times received the Bentley Award for best development project. One of its developments was recently listed by The Times as one of the ‘Top 20 vineyard hotels in the world’.

This leaseback property offers freehold ownership and rental income guaranteed by a 9-year commercial lease, as well as the VAT rebate and other fiscal benefits. There are several leaseback options available: from pure investment up to six months’ use per year. Owners will also benefit from discounts at other hotels and resorts managed by the company.

Le Domaine de la Mandoune represents a rare opportunity to purchase a unique, exceptional property in one of the world’s most stable economies – a sound property investment in the South of France and a source of pleasure for many generations to come.

Price: From €239,000 (excluding VAT).

CONTACT

International Luxury Real Estate

www.ilre.com

+44 20 7095 8701

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Living the dream, luxury in Languedoc

The Château de la Redorte represents a superb opportunity to buy into a unique piece of French heritage, while combining a dream holiday home with a sound investment

Chateau de la Redorte, Languedoc

Château de la Redorte is a magnificent 18th–century château in the heart of the French Languedoc-Roussillon region, famous for its Minervois, Cahors and Corbières wines. The location, in the centre of La Redorte village – not far from the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees and along the path of the Canal du Midi – is the quintessential French experience.

Having been the residence of the d’Artois family for no less than five generations, the château is, with the help of local artisans, being brought back to its former elegance and glory, and converted to a superb boutique spa and vineyard estate.

The property will feature 35 fully furnished townhouses and château apartments, all available for private ownership. The residences come with freehold ownership and under France’s attractive and tax-efficient Sale and Leaseback scheme, offer a range of usage programmes and guaranteed rental returns.

Owners of the apartments and townhouses will have access to a plethora of amenities and services. There is a Mediterranean spa with two treatment rooms and heated indoor pool, French restaurant with terrace, bar, swimming pool, wine cellar and tasting area, reception rooms and lounge areas, children’s area with ground pool and playground, park and French gardens.

Château de la Redorte has partnered with Frantz Vènes, the owner of the Domaine Massamier la Mignarde, which is one of the most renowned wine estates in the Minervois region. Since the Château is a vineyard estate with its very own wine production, owners will be presented with a sampling from the annual harvest – 12 bottles per residence.

The low cost of ownership and excellent potential for capital appreciation, in one of Europe’s strongest and most stable economies, make the Château a superb medium- to long-term investment opportunity.

Prices from: €318,000.

CONTACT

Luxury Ski Properties

www.greatpropertiesfrance.com

+44 20 7095 8701

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Own a Piece of History

A magnificent 19th century Chateau in a spectacular setting

languedoc chateau

Originally the summer house of Parisian nobility, this old Chateau is currently being converted into a very luxurious development. Only one property, the old Ballroom, is being made available for sale on the open market.
The property boasts an exceptional country vineyard setting on the outskirts of the village of de Lavérune, just five minutes from the city of Montpellier.

Once converted, this outstanding Languedoc mansion will feature 5 bedrooms, a huge double height (9-metre) living area with vaulted fireplace, kitchen and two further reception rooms. The end result will boast a sophisticated fusion of contemporary lines and period features.

The Chateau sits on grounds of more than two hectares (4.5 acres), of which 5,500m² (1.3 acres) are exclusive to this mansion.

Montpellier, capital of the Languedoc, is regularly voted as the best city to live in France. It has everything that you would look for in a city: historical heritage combined with modern architecture, world-class festivals, exceptional gastronomy, devotion to fine wines, and much more… all in a location that borders the Mediterranean.

This commanding Languedoc property offers the best of both worlds, an authentic and historical home with 21st-century facilities.

The price of €1.1m is based on full restoration with 10-year construction guarantees.

Contact

Signature Residences Worldwide

www.signatureresidencesworldwide.com

+44 20 7095 8701

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Luxury Homes – Winery – Art De Vivre

Chateau Les Carrasses

Château Les Carrasses in Languedoc in the south of France is an exceptional 19th century wine domaine. Currently being carefully converted into 28 luxury residences, buyers will be able to enjoy the authenticity of owning a historic building on a domaine that has produced wine since 1886.

With its rolling hills, charming villages, arresting vineyards, close proximity to the Canal du Midi and easy trips to the neighbouring towns, owning in Chateau Les Carrasses makes for a quintessential and magical French experience.

Beziers, Pezenas, Montpellier, Carcassonne, Toulouse, Narbonne, Perpignan and Nimes are all within easy reach. And to cross the border to Spain to explore Girona and Barcelona is just as easy.

There will be only 28 luxury residences in total; all designed by the renowned architect Francois Thoulouze. Using the traditional stone facades, exposed beams and other original features of the old buildings traditionally found on an important Domaine such as the Château, the Winery, the Winemaker’s house and Grape picker’s lodgings, no two of the French luxury vineyard villas, townhouses and apartments are alike. Add the stunning views and the end result will be homes of unique style and refinement.

The interior design will take its cues from both the aristocratic and agricultural heritage of the Estate. Period features will integrate seamlessly with natural material and high-spec kitchen, luxurious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and superb fixtures and fittings throughout.

At its centre will be the refurbished winery producing quality boutique wines, with all founding owners sharing in the annual yield – estimated at 40 – 50 cases per year.

With a host of great facilities and a full suite of management and letting services for hassle-free ownership, Château Les Carrasses offers a unique opportunity to experience the authentic ‘Art de Vivre’ for which the Mediterranean South of France is so renowned.

Prices from €220,500 to €689,950.

Contact

Great Properties France

www.greatpropertiesfrance.com

+44 (0)20 7095 8701

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