"L'Esquilou", Les Nieres, St Gervais sur Mare
Rural Retreat with Pool in the Heart of the Haut-Languedoc National Park
This page was last updated on: 29/04/10
For families or friends looking for the ideal holiday
2 and 3 bedroom cottages with pool (sleep up to 10 + baby)
This beautifully renovated
semi-detached property
with pool stands in its own garden/terrace. Each house has modern
kitchen facilities with dining and living room areas, comfortable,
well-appointed bedrooms, and separate outside dining areas. L'Esquilou 1 sleeps
6 in 3 bedrooms whilst L'Esquilou 2 sleeps 4
in 2 bedrooms (see "Properties" for more information). Roof beams and
original features have been blended harmoniously with the modern renovations, in
keeping with this over 100-year old property. Nearby Saint Gervais sur Mare is
on the Saint Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage route, the GR653, which begins in
Arles and ends in Spain.
Les Nières and Saint Gervais sur Mare
There are numerous tracks around the village which are quiet and safe for walking and mountain biking. At the end of a walking track, near the ruined church of St Laurent des Nières, a lovely picnic spot, is a beautiful small secluded lake where you can swim or fish. The Caroux, Espinouse and Somail mountain tracks are within 20-30 mins drive.
Mountain bikes are available for hire locally. Delivery to the village can be arranged - please contact owners for more details.
St Gervais sur Mare boasts a bar tabac, epicerie, pizzeria, two bakeries (one of which delivers to the village 3 times a week), a butcher, a newsagent/petrol station, post office and pharmacy. There is also the 'Maison Cevenole' museum and tourist information office, and free tennis courts. Wednesday morning is market day in the main square.
For those interested in learning some dry-stone walling, the Maison Cevenole runs one-day courses throughout the summer, for a small fee which includes lunch. For further information and booking, contact owners. If you feel your French isn't up to it, we can arrange for an English-speaker to be present to help out. Please note that booking in advance is necessary.
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Leisure activities - general |
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As well as walking and mountain biking, other leisure activities in the area include:
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horse riding (link to nearest local stables in 'contact'); |
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canoeing on the River Orb; |
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climbing, e.g. Mount Caroux; |
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the Mediterranean garden at Roquebrun; |
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trout fishing; |
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bird watching and other nature walks; |
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grottes, including Clamouse, Desmoiselles and la Devèze; |
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the village's "Association Vivre aux Nieres" and the Maison Cevenole run one-day dry-stone walling courses throughout the summer (for more information see 'contact'). |
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golf - the nearest 18-hole golf course is in Lamalou-les-Bains. |
Several Mediterranean beaches in the area include Valras, Serignan, Marseillan and Vias Plages. Swimming (and boating) are also popular activities in the lakes, including Lac Salagou and Lac de Laouzas, as well as in natural pools in the Gorges d'Héric and Gorges de Colombières. In Lunas there is a small 'water park' with swimming pools, waterslides and picnic areas.
Cities such as Montpellier, Narbonne, Carcassonne and Toulouse and other places to visit in the area include:
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Pezenas; |
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Sete (with its water jousting tournaments in summer); |
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Olargues; |
| Millau Viaduct; |
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Cathar castles; |
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Cirque de Navacelles; and |
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St Guilhem-le-Desert. |
There are many fine restaurants in the area serving excellent local produce, some of which are produced on the premises, e.g. in 'ferme auberges' - cheeses, vegetables, meats, fish, etc. Lacaune is home to the various 'jambon cru' producers (similar to parma ham) and 'charcutiers', and there are several farms where the local cheeses may be bought, e.g. cows' and goats' cheeses.
The local wine regions are Faugères and St Chinian, both of which are now producing award winning wines. Wine tasting tours may be arranged. For details and booking please contact owners.
properties photos prices contact information
© 2010 Rawia Cotterill. All rights reserved.