Solar energy for hot water & electricity. We are conscious of the need to protect the environment. Since we are particularly privileged to have more than 300 days of sun each year we have been able to make use of solar panels for heating hot water for the house and the swimming pool water to a comfortable temperature.

Other panels produce the most important part of electricity. The complementary part is given by the public network.

The Equipment

All those items which contribute to comfort are available for use: dish washer, washing machine, clothes drier, microwave oven, music centre, television, DVD video player and good quality beds - 180x200 or 90x200 acoording demand - with slatted bases, latex mattresses and cotton sheets.

The furniture is both mid-19th century (Louis Philippe), Art Nouveau, Art Déco and modern which blends with the Mediterranean style decor.

In order that your stay is restful and gives you time to both relax and discover the area, the beds are made, towels are laid out in the bathrooms and tea towels are available in the kitchen.

The cleaning of the house at the end of your stay is included in the price.

Discover the Cathar Castles of Aguilar, Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Villerouge-termenés... la Cité médiévale de Carcassonne (given World Historical Monument status by UNESCO), the romanesque abbeys of Fontfroide and Lagrasse.

Visit the vineyards in a 4 x 4 vehicle, learn about growing vines and the art of wine making. See the wine harvest 'Les Vendanges'. Have an adventure in a 4 x 4 following part of the route of the Paris/Dakar car race.

Visit the African Safari Park (Réserve Africaine) at Sigean where there are 3500 animals. Take a tour on a mountain bike following the marked tracks around Cascastel.

Walk along the 'Sentier Cathare' (Cathar footpath) or along other tracks and footpaths around Cascastel.

Concerts and evenings of wine and music from November to March at the Domaine. Visit a botanical garden and also see the beehives.

Good restaurants: 'Le Clos de Cascastel'; 'L'Auberge du Vieux Puits'; 'La table du Pêcheur'; 'La Rotisserie Médiéval'; L'Amandier', 'La Fargo', 'Château de Lastours', 'Le Merle Bleu'; 'Le Corbierou', 'L'Auberge du Vigneron'... Play boule in the village square. Horseriding 7 kms away; hang gliding on Mont Tauch; tennis 2 kms away.

Within 1hr.30 there are the ski slopes of Font-Romeu, Pyrénées 2000, Les Angles... Water sports

The swimming pool and the jacuzzi at the Domaine. A pool fed by a warm water spring where the temperature is always 21°, 7 kms away. 25kms distant are the beaches displaying each year the "Pavillon bleu" sign of the quality of the water for swimming. The nearest beach is Leucate with its cliffs.

Wind surfing/speed sailing at the sailing centre of Pascal Maka (World speed champion). Cruise in a catamaran with or without a skipper. Skin diving/snorkelling.

A guided tour round the L'Ile Ste Lucie with a naturalist. Take a trip on a canal barge along the Canal Robine from Narbonne to Port la Nouvelle. The Canal du Midi - classed as a world historic monument by UNESCO). Fishing.

Swimming in gorges, rafting, hydrospeed, canoeing.

Availability.

The house is available for holiday letting throughout the year from Saturday to Saturday, but outside the main holiday season it is also possible to rent for a weekend.

The Price per week inclusive of all charges (2006): 1940 Euros in July and August ; 1460 Euros in June and September ;

1320 Euros for school holiday periods (other than the main July/August holiday) ;

. 1120 Euros for all other times ;

. 510 Euros for a weekend during the off-peak periods; (during the off-peak periods, possibility to rent only a part of the house with 2 bedrooms : 1 for 2 people and 1 up to 6 people for 750 Euros per week or 320 Euros for a weekend).