7 Rue Caterine Sleeps 2 (+2)
No 7 is a lovely one bedroom cottage ideal for a couple. There are also two extra beds in separate areas of the house, and we have a cot which could be reserved to make the cottage suitable for a young family.
The cottage was originally two artisans cottages built between the street and the enclosing wall of the chateau. A private terrace runs the length of the house, enclosed on one side by the ruins of a mediaeval inn, which opens up to a secluded jasmine-covered dining area with a permanent table and a barbecue for your use.
Although there are two front doors (from the original cottages), entrance is usually from the street via a gate to the terrace and into the kitchen/dining room. The kitchen is equipped with full-size cooker with oven & grill, refrigerator, microwave, & sink, also a full complement of equipment, dishes & cutlery. There is ample space for four people to dine indoors in the kitchen.
The open, airy living room is a couple of steps up from the kitchen. With windows on two sides and height above the village houses, there are also glimpses of the beautiful Cévennes foothills which can also be seen fully from the balcony of the bedroom above. In one corner an open fireplace houses a wood burning stove (wood provided in the winter) which is also a beautiful feature in the summer months. A single bed is available to use as a day bed (with cushions), or as an extra bed depending on your party size.
Upstairs the landing contains another single bed, and also the wardrobe for the cottage. Light comes in through an arched window with a view over the dining area and ruined inn.
To the left the marble & stone bathroom has a marble floor and is fitted with a bath with shower over, toilet, bidet and marble sink unit.
To the right of the landing the bedroom contains an elegant super king sized bed from with views of the Cévenne foothills through the balcony doors. The balcony is usually considered the best part of the cottage, with space for chairs to watch the sunrise from, or sit with drinks in the evening and watch the swallows fly races up and down the Rue Caterine as the sun sets.
Some comments from the guest book in this cottage...
"We loved the cottage and its location. Like previous guests we found the view from the balcony spellbinding. There is always something to watch and hear - from the sunrise - the dawn chorus gradually getting louder, the sun appears as a bright dot behind the hill then rises so quickly and floods the valley with light - to the blackness of night with frog chorus and swooping bats."
"A great way to return to a simpler kind of living - I won't forget looking out of the window on the first morning and seeing a timeless landscape before me. A real privilege to have stayed here."
"This must be the first holiday we have had where we have stayed in most of the week to admire the view."
"After the messiness of modern England this area is good for the soul, and 7 Rue Caterine is a relaxing and lovely base"
"The people of the area seem really friendly and helpful - perhaps it's all that sun and bird song, but everyone has been charming."
"Have thoroughly enjoyed our stay, everyone is very friendly, food is fabulous and so is the wine. Have enjoyed 7 Rue Caterine, especially the wildlife of bats, swallows and frog chorus in the evening around the pool. It certainly is a lovely area with wonderful countryside; a real find"
"Particularly recommended is the walk up past the monastery to the giant Virgin & Child statue atop the hill. A long climb but well worth it! Absolutely breathtaking views but then even the walk down to get bread is picturesque, invigorating, rewarding..."
"A beautiful cottage with stunning views, but anyone who stays here will see that immediately."