2 Bedroom Gite in Rivel

La Petite Maison is a charming Stone cottage-styled house which was once a wine cave. It sits in a terrace of 3 stone properties all owned by the same proprietor. One, L'ancien Cafe Rives, is as the names suggests an old cafe, now a house occupied by the proprietor and offering a holiday apartment available to let separately or together with La Petite Maison for friends who would like to holiday together but retain separate albeit adjacent, living space. The other property, L'ancienne Boulangerie, is separated from the rest by a lovely courtyard. It was once the village bakers and still has the old bread oven in situe. It is another gite, currently on long term let. La Petite Maison offers a secluded haven, with sunny terraces, outside dining and a delightful shady courtyard. It is in the pretty, traditional French village of Rivel, which enjoys a peaceful rural valley location. The property is in a lovely location in the heart of the village with its narrow streets, ancient ruins and crumbling stone houses. There are lovely walks in all directions. The village nestles in a lush green valley near the foothills of the Pyrenees, amidst the rolling hills of the historic Cathar region of France. You don't have to go far (5 minutes drive) to find magical castles, perched on craggy promontories, with views to capture your heart and histories to capture your imagination.

The house is only 5 Mins Drive to a delightful swimming lake with a man-made beach, snack bars dotted along the shore-line, peddle boats and children's playgrounds. There is a larger, beautifully natural swimming lake 10 minutes further lovers of nature who want to escape the crowds, swim in the cool deep waters with nothing to observe you but wildlife and the occassional ornithologist, Lac Montbel is a natural wild-life haven with an extensive range of flora and fauna.

The interior of La Petite Maison is very chic and charmingly decorated, with colombage interior walls on the upper floor. It offers a romantic hideaway or a comfortably furnished family home. An eat-in kitchen with French doors leads to the delightful shady courtyard and large, sunny, south-facing terrace. 2 BBQs and stylish outdoor furniture provide for comfortable outdoor living. There is a cosy lounge with a soft Habitat feather sofa and a firmer handmade daybed/sofa. The lounge and kitchen have tiled floors. A wooden staircase leads to a landing and small reading area with parquet floor and colombage walls; tiled bathroom with bath and shower over, 2 double bedrooms (1 with double bed and small cot, 1 with twin beds) with sea-grass flooring and built-in storage. This property can be booked with an extra bedroom with king size bed if required. Please enquire. All-in-all this is a very stylish, French country house - very 'shabby chic'.

Fully equipped 'eat-in' kitchen includes gas cooker with oven and 4 ring burner, separate electric 2 ring hob, many small appliances, iron and ironing board. Sky TV(English channels), wide range of DVDs and CD's on request (n charge), various board games, books and ball games. Towels and linen included. From the kitchen you enter a lovely shady courtyard (shared with the gite opposite), with a barbecue and picnic table which comfortably seats 4. The courtyard leads to sunny, south facing 50 sq.m terrace, with a second gas barbecue and seating for 6 under a shady pergola. The terrace is exclusively for guests of La Petite Maison (but expect the odd feline visitor and canine greetings from the owner's garden below). Furniture includes good quality tile-top wrought iron table with 6 chairs, various occasional tables and chairs, a bamboo day bed and 2 bamboo loungers with brightly striped comfy cushions and an array of deck chairs.

The village has public table tennis and tennis, petanque / boules courts. There is a restaurant serving quality, reasonably priced food within walking distance and several others to choose from in surrounding villages. Many local producers visit the village selling their wares, bringing daily deliveries of bread and regular deliveries of eggs and groceries, meat and fish. There is an organic trout farm locally and local organic butchers in nearby villages. Local bike hire is available with bikes being delivered and collected to your accommodation - there's a dedicated cycle track running past the village (the voie verte), which is a disused railway line connecting several villages. It meanders through beautiful countryside and is relatively flat and easy to maneouvre. The more adventurous have a wealth of challenging cycling opportunities in the surrounding hills and mountains. Regional wineries offer tasting, courses and fine dining.