LES VOLETS BLEUS GALLERY STUDIOS DELIGHTFUL STUDIO APARTMENTS IN THE HEART OF THE MEDIEVAL VILLAGE OF OLARGUES, HAUT LANGUEDOC.
Each sleeps 4.
Rue Megeanne,
34390 Olargues, France.
Les Volets Bleus is a pretty privately owned medieval terraced house with a small art gallery and craft workshop on the ground floor and two light and airy studio apartments on the first and second floors, each with its own private entrance. The property has recently been refurbished and redecorated lending a bright and modern ambiance to this typical French town house.
The house is situated on the edge of the oldest part of Olargues and a stone’s-throw from the Port Neuve, the medieval gateway leading to the walled city of Olargues. Access is via the main village street leading off from the Marie square and car park. Passing motor traffic is, however, restricted by the narrowing of the street as it rises up into the old village and therefore locals and tourists alike can enjoy sitting outside in the warm evening sun.
These well–equipped studio apartments are ideal for a couple or family with small children looking for an inexpensive holiday in the Haut Languedoc Regional Natural Parc. Both studios are all on one level. However the stairs leading up to the Gallery Studio or the cobbled street running up to Le Studio Bleu may prove daunting to the more elderly.
A special bonus is that both studios have the use of a garden ten minutes walk away by the side of the river. This little haven of peace has sun loungers, table and chairs and is ideal for quiet picnics, siestas and the traditional evening aperitif.
Gallery Studio
Facilities: Spacious bedroom/sitting & dining room with well-equipped kitchen area, en suite wet room with shower. Heating by electric radiator and wood burning insert fire.
The entrance door for the Gallery Studio is next to the craft workshop. A short staircase rising up to the first floor leads to a spacious studio decorated in light wood tones and provençal colours. Here you will find a neatly organised and fully equipped kitchen corner with gas cooker, fridge, washing machine and tumble drier, together with everything necessary for creating memorable meals from local produce, to make your stay especially pleasant.
The lounge area featuring ancient stonework and beams has a comfortable sofa which folds out into a second bed, wood burning insert fire, satellite and terrestrial TV and radio cassette/CD player. Cupboards with storage space, a double bed, dining table and chairs complete the studio living area. A large, fully tiled en suite wet room with shower, basin and W.C. is next to the kitchen area.
The traditionally shuttered windows which run along an entire wall of the studio overlook the cobbled street at the front and add a light and airy atmosphere to the studio. At the end of the day you can relax by the window watching the swallows dip and dive amongst the pantiled roofs, whilst tasting a sample of the delicious local wines or wander the ancient streets, stopping to dine at one of the village’s small bars or restaurants.
Le Studio Bleu
Facilities: Large bedroom/sitting & dining room, separate kitchen, bathroom with shower. Heating by electric radiators.
This comfortable studio is situated just behind Chez Marie-José and access is via the main village street leading off from the Marie square and main car park and then up a flight of stone stairs to the cobbled streets leading up to the Chateau.
Only very small cars and courageous drivers can access this part of Olargues and therefore traffic is rarely seen.
The entrance to Les Volets Bleus opens off a quiet impasse into a small but fully equipped kitchen with sink, gas cooker, fridge and washing machine.
From the kitchen (please duck your head as you go through, remember this is a medieval house) you enter a light and airy studio decorated in light wood tones and shades of blue. A double bed, dining table and chairs, a pair of easy chairs and a large sofa, which converts into a second bed, furnish the ample living space. The studio also has terrestrial TV, a DVD player and a radio/CD player. There is an en suite shower, W.C and wash basin.
The shuttered window at the front overlooks another medieval street where you realise that you may be at ground level on one side but on the other you are on the second floor above a small art gallery and craft workshop – Olargues is not only built on a hill but the houses are built into it!
You can look out of this window to watch the wheel barrow race during the May Flower Fete, or even take part. Dance the night away in the main square to an excellent band at the August Fête or watch jugglers and strolling musicians at the September Medieval Festival,
Olargues with its well deserved appellation of «Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. » is situated on a bend of the river Jaur in the Haut Languedoc Regional Park. Topped by an ancient bell tower its cobbled streets and medieval houses are an artist’s dream and the surrounding countryside is a paradise for walkers with well marked routes through cherry orchards and chestnut woods, past vineyards and besides chattering streams, and across the slope of neighbouring Mount Caroux.
Prices and Booking Information
Dates
02 January – 26 April £115
26 April – 28 June £185
28 June – 30 August £195
30 August – 27 September £185
27 September–20 December £115
Discounts from £10 to £20 for second and subsequent weeks according to season.
All prices are per week, inclusive of electricity and linen. In winter (November to end April) extra heating costs are charged. Prices for out of season discounts and long lets available on request.
To reserve please contact us on pauline.giles@libertysurf.fr
or Tel/Fax 00 33 (0) 467 978 133 for available dates and a booking form.