Tesis KoduVKV55149

As soon as you catch a glimpse of the Art Nouveau façade of Maison de la Bastide, you will be captivated by the historic charm of this unique and beautiful home in the heart of Carcassonne’s Bastide de Saint Louis, a short walk from La Cité Médiévale.

This Maison de Maître is a listed building protected by the Bâtiments de France and is of great architectural importance – indeed, it’s recognised by the Mairie as one of the most significant houses in the city and has hosted many notable guests over the years.

Be enchanted by its heritage as you step through its historic doors into the gorgeously tiled hallway with light beaming through from the stained-glass window above the sweeping curved staircase, all original features of this 19th century home. Double doors lead through to the inviting lounge and dining area, there’s a characterful kitchen to create feasts using the very best ingredients from Carcassonne’s food markets and the elegant bar is waiting to be stocked with some of the finest wines from Pays d'Oc.

On the first floor, choose between the two graceful king-size bedrooms with historic touches, gorgeous en suites and doors leading out to a balcony overlooking the courtyard garden below. Then there’s the two-bedroom suite with its wrought-iron balcony and lovely shower room or head to the very top of the house for two further en suite doubles, allowing up to 12 guests to sleep across six air-conditioned bedrooms.

The courtyard garden with its al-fresco lounge and dining area is the perfect spot for breakfast or an evening aperitif on warm summer evenings, before strolling out to the abundance of restaurants and wine bars scattered across your neighbourhood. It’s just a 2-minute walk to Place Carnot with its café terraces and don’t miss the bustling market three mornings a week to pick up a wealth of regional French delights.

Strolling towards the Aude and crossing the bridge, you will soon reach La Cité de Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of France’s most visited attractions with its medieval architecture, museums, towers and historic ramparts – book a guided tour to make the most of your time or just explore the narrow lanes to your hearts content.

For a change of scene, hire bikes and set off along the wonderful Canal du Midi or look out for canal boat cruises through the city and beyond. Further afield leaving the city, drive to Cathar castles, Languedoc vineyards, picture-perfect villages and Mediterranean beaches.

You can even hop on the train to admire the rose-tinted city of Toulouse, handsome Narbonne or the pretty surroundings of Castelnaudary, passing undulating landscapes of the Aude region as you go.