What time is check in/Check out?
Our standard check-in time is any time after 4.00pm on the day of arrival. On your departure day, check-out time is 12 noon. Early check-ins and late check outs are possible to suit your travelling plans.

What should we bring with us?
Sheets, towels, bath mat and tea towels are provided, but please bring your own swimming towels. There is a large service area with washing machine, ample hanging space as well as an iron and board. The kitchen is fully equipped, just like at home.

Is the garden and pool area shared?
The heated pool (10 m x 5 m) with locked gate access is open between May and September. Exact dates change each year according to weather conditions. Please check when you book. The pool is open from 9am to 9 pm in high summer and until 7.30 pm at other times. There is plenty of space in the garden area for all, as well as sun loungers, parasols, tables and chairs and 2 barbeques.  It is very unusual for all guests to be using the pool at the same time.

Where are the nearest shops?
The village shop (most basics as well as fresh bread and vegetables) which is 300 m away,  is open everyday. There are good butchers and bakers in the surrounding villages (3 kms away), otherwise there is a Leclerc supermarket our side of Carcassonne (10 min drive).

Babies and young children
We welcome babies and toddlers, just ask if you need the following: travel cot (with good mattress), high chair, baby bath, changing mat.

What about cafés and restaurants?
We are  lucky to have a number of good restaurants and cafés in the surrounding villages (5-10 mins drive). Most of the restaurants give good value for money, including the excellent one-starred Michelin”Abrosia” in Pezens. We can recommend other restaurants in and around Carcassonne, all within a 20-45 mins drive.

What kind of walks and cycle routes are there from the gites?
There are loads and loads of routes and public paths around the vines and fields as well as the scrubland straight from the doorstep, whether you be jogging, walking or cycling. If you are bringing your own bike, there is plenty of room in the service area.

What is there to do or see in the area?
Most of our guests say that a week is too short to see everything – a multitude of activities await you, but there is so much to see and do that it’s impossible to put everything down here. A 15 min drive or more for: Cathar castles and abbeys, museums, caves, different parks for children, riding, water sports (skiing, white water rafting, canyoning…) over a 100 leaflets available.

What is in Ventenac-Cabardès itself?
Ventenac  (population of 900)  is 5 miles/8 kms north/west of Carcassonne in the wine making area called “Cabardès”. It is quiet and authentic like so many villages in the area. The gites are on the edge of the village with views over the open countryside and the Pyrenees as a backdrop. You’ll find a post office, village shop, park for children, a tennis court   as well as several wineries, all within 300 m.

Will I need a car?
We can pick you up from either Carcassonne airport or train station and stop off for shopping in the supermarket on the way back to the gites. There is a bus service (school bus) from Ventenac to Carcassonne on weekdays and we can take you into Carcassonne too, as we go in regularly.   Some keen cyclists have also cycled for the week. However we do recommend that you rent a car for at least part of your stay, as there is so much to do and see apart from Carcassonne itself.

What about larger parties?
Its is possible to privatise the whole property if you are looking for accommodation for a group of family or friends. The 3 gites can accommodate 14 guest comfortably : 5 double bedrooms, 3 sofa-beds, 3 bathrooms, a dining area for 14 and a living area for 14 as well as all the necessary kitchen equipment for groups.

You might find other answers to your questions on our terms and conditions page

Or you can contact us [email protected]   + 33 675 41 24 65 (mobile) or +33 468 24 08 23.