5 Rue Caterine Sleeps 4 (+1)
No 5 is a spacious two bedroom cottage ideal for a family, or two couples sharing. A single sofa bed in the living room could be used to fit a group of five. We also have a cot and a high chair which may be reserved to make the cottage suitable for a family with a baby.
It was originally two artisans cottages built side by side. The long kitchen/dining room extends beneath another flat above. The other side of the cottage is laid out over three floors. A good view is available from the twin bedroom, and the same fantastic view can be seen from the balcony of the double room as from next door in number 7.
On the ground floor there are two front doors (from the original cottages), into the kitchen and into the living room. The living room is a large airy room with an open fireplace containing a wood burning stove (wood provided in the winter). Large shuttered windows opening onto the street allow light to flood in during the day.
A low doorway leads through to the dining room with its vaulted ceiling. It is large enough to accommodate nine people if your party is renting both cottages and wish to eat together. This leads directly into the kitchen area which is fitted with fridge/freezer, full size gas cooker with oven and grill, dishwasher and plenty of pans and crockery. This long area is the perfect place for small people to practice their crawling/walking/hopping/running.
Between kitchen and dining room the second external door opens onto the street directly opposite the door to your private walled garden, which has a large stone table on a shady terrace; the rest of the garden is gravelled. This arrangement gives you easy access to bring food and drinks across, whilst allowing you to leave drinks in the fridge to stay cool. Summer guests regularly enjoy long dinners there.
The first floor contains the marble bathroom with a bath with shower over, toilet, bidet and a large sink.
The twin bedroom is located on the same floor. It is simply decorated. The big windows give a view over the village rooftops to the hills on the opposite side of the valley. The Cévennes mountains can just be seen across to the left.
Up a second flight of stairs the entire space contains the spacious master bedroom, furnished with a double bed, desk, chest of drawers and a walk-in wardrobe.
Sliding doors from the master bedroom open onto the terrace, which is an ideal place to sit and watch the sun rise, or relax with a drink at the end of the day. You can overlook some of the garden from here, and generally look over the roof scape of the village falling away below you to the hills across the rural valley and the Cevennes foothills beyond.
Some comments from our guest book in this cottage...
"We were charmed by the spectacular setting - the amazing architecture, space, views and spectacular design of the swimming pool! ... Most of all we soaked up the atmosphere, French food, markets and countryside - a very special place!"
"An idyllic holiday in a really spectacular setting - we are overwhelmed by the beauty of the château and village and the most beautiful swimming pool I have ever seen. The house is so well designed, comfortable and welcoming."
"Brissac is so quiet and peaceful it was a truly relaxing holiday and a perfect place to read lots of books! The surrounding countryside is very beautiful and empty - such a pleasure!"
"With plenty to keep us amused and the most idyllic surroundings we all had a superb holiday and are already planning our next trip."
"The house is beautiful and the views from the balcony are fantastic - especially in a thunderstorm"
"Our daughter (aged one) has ensured that we've seen the dawn from our bedroom window every morning - quite a compensation for such an early awakening."
"An idyllic place - sensitively restored - the swimming pool is a work of art in itself. A wonderful choice of different spaces to be in."
"We have experienced a lot of Languedoc gîtes (all different and all special) however, for situation and variety of spaces and views, this is the best. We will have long and happy memories of the sun coming in through the open balcony doors."
"A beautiful house and probably the most comfortable bed we have experienced in a French gîte!"
"Fantastic location which has stunning backdrop and views. We only booked for a week, but could easily have stayed for two."
"Being left alone to ourselves - no intrusive music, no TV, no Today programme, no noisy neighbours: bliss!"