Domaine Vidal

About this property

Be enchanted by the ancient woodland, natural swimming pool and 19th century manoir at this elegant eco-friendly domaine in southern France, close to Le Canal du Midi and Carcassonne.

In the Aude countryside of summer sunflowers, vineyards and rolling hills, Domaine Vidal’s owners have created something special across this peaceful estate. They have spent several years sensitively restoring the historic manor house and painstakingly upcycling furnishings and antiques, some of which have been in the house since the 1800s. Having hosted local events, art residencies and chambre d'hôte guests, the owners are now opening up their beautiful Maison de Maître to guests exclusively seeking a sustainable getaway.

Step back in time as you walk through the exquisite hallway and soak up the art-deco ambience across the salon, dining room and bedrooms. Up to 21 guests can stay in the main house (seven bedrooms) and characterful gîte next door (four bedrooms including a double on the ground floor), many with en suite bathrooms.

The owners always consider the environmental impact of everything they do – nowhere is this more evident than the outdoor grounds where bio-diversity is key. On warm summer days cool off in the natural swimming pool accompanied by frogs, waterlilies, dragonflies and even the occasional swallow swooping across the water. There’s a wood-fired hot tub and sauna alongside wild flowers, century-old trees, a fairy garden and a play area for children. No pesticides are used here – instead you can relax amidst authentic nature and allow children to play to their hearts content away from 21st century distractions.

That’s not to say that modern conveniences have been forgotten – far from it! Features inside include Bluetooth speakers, digital radios, an arcade machine, plenty of indoor games as well as a pull-down projector and popcorn machine for family movie nights! The gîte even has a Smart TV, games console, DVD player and traditional board games. Across the home, bathrobes and organic toiletries are provided alongside tea and coffee facilities in some of the bedrooms.

A chef can be arranged to prepare picnics, lunches in the garden or evening feasts using organic produce sourced as locally as possible (including vegetables from the kitchen garden and eggs from the resident hens). Discuss with us your catering needs – with on-site staff, full-board is even possible. The owners can also organise at-home massages, cookery classes and garden tours.

If you can bear to leave your unspoilt surroundings, there is so much to explore nearby. Bikes are provided, ideal for exploring the Canal du Midi whether cycling to Castelnaudary for a lunch of cassoulet or heading in the other direction towards Carcassonne and beyond.

Enjoy wonderful walks and hikes (even as far as the foothills of the Pyrenees), canoe or kayak along the Aude River, visit picture-perfect villages and spend time sampling some of Languedoc’s excellent wines at vineyards across the region (AOC Minervois, AOC Corbières and IGP de la Cité de Carcassonne).

Carcassonne is only 20km away with its medieval citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, alongside the wine-bars and restaurants of historic Bastide Saint-Louis. Pick up regional delights at the gorgeous markets in Mirepoix and Revel, sit out on a café terrace sipping sparkling white wine in Limoux and even venture to the Languedoc coast for glorious beaches, kite-surfing and oysters overlooking the Mediterranean.

Only 20km from Carcassonne in the Aude department of southern France, Domaine Vidal is set within a three-hectare estate of woodland, wild gardens and organic farmland – no pesticides are used in this very natural setting. Fly into Carcassonne Airport or arrive by train to Gare de Bram/Carcassonne via Narbonne.

In a remote setting (with just one neighbouring farmhouse), car hire is essential to be able to fully explore the region although bikes are also provided for wonderful cycling routes nearby. The nearest village with a restaurant, small supermarket, bakery, tennis courts and municipal summer swimming pool is less than 3km away whilst there are further amenities in the small historic town of Bram within a 10-minute drive.  

The Canal du Midi passes north of Bram meaning this area is ideal for keen cyclists who can follow the canalside towpath to Castelnaudary (22km) or in the other direction towards Carcassonne, Trèbes (33km) and, further afield, pretty Minervois wine villages (Homps, Argens-Minervois, Paraza, Roubia and so on).

Of course, one of the great draws of this region is Carcassonne (20km), so loved for its medieval citadel, one of the largest fortified castles in Europe and now a unesco World Heritage site. Take time to experience the other part of the town, historic Bastide Saint-Louis, with its narrow lanes, wine-bars, restaurants and indoor market alongside the bustling café terraces of Place Carnot, home of an atmospheric market on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Both the Canal du Midi and Aude River pass through Carcassonne.

Indeed, the Aude River offers opportunities for beautiful scenery, kayaking/canoeing and summer swimming. Riverside Limoux (26km) is especially picturesque with its charming old town, arcaded main square, covered market and many café terraces for sipping Blanquette de Limoux, the oldest sparkling white wine in France (locals say Dom Perignon stole the idea to create champagne!).

The pretty town of Mirepoix (32km) is must-visit for food lovers on a Monday morning when the lovely market takes over the central square, said to be one of the most beautiful markets in the region. Heading north instead, Revel (42km) is another superb and highly regarded market to experience, this one on a Saturday morning - perhaps combine with a trip to the lake at Saint-Ferréol. 

Gastronomes may also be keen to venture east to the Atlantic coast for Leucate oysters overlooking the Mediterranean. This part of the Languedoc coastline is also a paradise for windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts – Gruissan Plage (103km) and Leucate Plage (118km) are just over an hour away.

Accommodation

Main House Interiors (14 guests)

Ground Floor

-    Large entry hall
-    Salon and library
-    Music room
-    Dining room
-    Kitchen (and separate staff kitchen)
-    Games room and disco

First Floor

-    Bedroom (51m2) with super king-size double bed, TV, mini-fridge, digital speaker/radio, tea/coffee facilities, fan, safe and en suite bathroom with bath, shower and WC
-    Bedroom (36m2) with king-size double bed, digital speaker/radio, tea/coffee facilities, fan, safe and en suite bathroom with shower and WC
-    Bedroom (25m2) with king-size double bed (can be split as twin), Bluetooth speaker, tea/coffee facilities, fan, safe and en suite bathroom with shower and WC
-    Bedroom (32m2) with double bed, digital speaker/radio, tea/coffee facilities, fan, safe and en suite bathroom with shower and WC
-    Bedroom (36m2) with double bed, air-conditioning, fridge, digital speaker/radio, tea/coffee facilities, safe and terrace. En suite bathroom with shower and WC
-    Bedroom with double bed, air-conditioning and digital speaker/radio, tea/coffee facilities
-    Bedroom with double bed, air-conditioning and digital speaker/radio, tea/coffee facilities
-    Shared bathroom (between above two bedrooms) with bath/shower and WC

Gîte Interiors (7 guests)

Ground Floor

-    Lounge with Smart TV, DVD player, Bluetooth speaker and PS4
-    Kitchen area with simple cooking facilities, fridge, washing machine and dryer
-    Bedroom (18m2) with double bed, fan and en suite bathroom with shower and WC

First Floor

-    Bedroom (28m2) with double bed, fan and en suite bathroom with bath, shower and WC
-    Bedroom with double bed and fan
-    Bedroom with single bed and fan
-    Bathroom with shower and WC (shared between above two bedrooms)

Outside Grounds

-    Natural swimming pool (12.6x7.4m, depth: 0.7-2m) with safety alarm. Open approximately April to end-October
-    4-person wood-fired hot tub
-    4 to 6-person wood-fired sauna
-    Barbecue and pizza oven
-    Trampoline and swings
-    Outdoor games (archery, boules, molki, croquet and badminton)
-    Electric mountain bikes (x4)
-    Children’s bikes (x3)
-    Wild/bio-diverse garden and grounds (no pesticides)
-    Organic farmland (organic produce grown onsite)
-    Chickens and dogs on-site
-    Woodland (three hectares)

Other Facilities

-    Air-conditioning (three bedrooms only)
-    Popcorn and candyfloss machine
-    Arcade machines
-    Sound system
-    Two projectors and projection screens
-    Laser machine
-    Disco lights and smoke machine
-    VR headset
-    Multiple Chromecasts