Domaine Des Aromes

About this property

As Featured in the Sunday Times

Imagine relaxing on a hillside with an evening picnic accompanied by Languedoc-Roussillon wine as the sun sets in the distance, surrounded by the aromas of wild lavender and thyme, before wandering back to your beautiful French home. With over 600 acres of stunning private land, Domaine Des Arômes is blessed with a very special setting just a short drive from the amazing city of Carcassonne.

There is wonderful natural beauty all around you at this exquisite holiday home. Rest by the glorious swimming pool with its unspoilt views, spend lazy lunches by the barbecue in the poolside summer kitchen with its surround sound system or find a tranquil spot across the large gardens with its terracotta pots bursting with summer colour and lawns dotted with olive and cypress trees. As the evening draws in, gather together with close friends and family on the terrace enjoying feasts of regional delights and fine local wine, then stroll around the beautifully lit gardens whilst gazing at the clear starry skies around you.

The vast domaine stretches even further with vineyards, pine forests, streams and wild garrigue; the estate has been designated a protected conservation zone due to the abundance of flora, fauna and wildlife. A paradise for keen hikers, there are many walks across this 630-acre estate and beyond.

The five-star accoladed home is equally as impressive with its fine antique furnishings, old paintings and precious family treasures alongside great comfort and refined style. An elegant living room, a fantastic lounge with its own home cinema system, a characterful dining room for candle-lit dinners and a superbly equipped kitchen can be found in the main house alongside eight bedrooms, most with their own bathrooms. Ranging from the grand master suite with its emperor sized bed to romantic doubles and pretty twins, many of the bedrooms benefit from lovely views of the lakes, forests or hills. A delightful adjoining cottage offers space for six additional guests, making this an ideal home for a large family gathering or a holiday with good friends.

Despite the solitude of this peaceful location, the grand Cité de Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just 15km away and waiting to be explored. Across this incredible region you can also discover idyllic Languedoc villages and wild landscapes of rolling hills and vineyards, perfect for walking, cycling, horse-riding and of course wine-tasting.

Within an hour you can be tasting some of the finest sea-food at beachside restaurants by the sandy shores of the Mediterranean or stay closer to home and spend the summer splashing in nearby rivers or discovering lakeside watersports and fun.

In the heart of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, the incredible Domaine Des Arômes allows you to experience this alluring part of southern France and greatly appreciate its authenticity in every way.

Surrounded by over 600 acres of private land, Domaine Des Arômes is a rural paradise in the dreamy Languedoc countryside, yet only 15km from the fine historic city of Carcassonne.

There is already so much to see in the stunning grounds, whether exploring the pine-filled forests, discovering the small lake and streams or walking across the garrigue-covered hills. Come across wild lavender and thyme, olive trees, vines and glorious meadows. Discover the abundance of wildlife, flora and fauna (this is a protected conservation zone) and spot rare birds. Take an evening picnic up to the top of a hill and watch the sun set.  

Keen hikers can also follow some wonderful trails in the surrounding area whilst cyclists can ride various routes and discover the breath-taking scenery (bike hire, including electric and mountain bikes, can be arranged with plenty of advance notice). There is also an equestrian centre in one of the local villages, offering treks for all abilities which the owners can help book for you (this area is known for horses grazing on the pastures - there are even two rescued horses within the domaine).

The nearest villages are around a 10 to 15-minute drive away where you will find small grocery stores, a boulangerie for morning bread and pastries as well as a couple of restaurants. Larger supermarkets can be found towards Trèbes and Carcassonne. In the great city of Carcassonne itself you will find a range of amazing restaurants, some featuring Michelin stars, as well as wonderful markets selling fruit, vegetables, local meats, cheeses and all sorts of regional delights.

The medieval Cité de Carcassonne is a unesco World Heritage site and attracts visitors from all over the world. Walk along the citadel’s 3km long walls, explore the narrow lanes filled with little shops, bars and restaurants and visit its museums. In July look out for the Festival de Carcassonne as well as the Bastille Day fireworks, some of the best in France.

There are also many idyllic villages across the Languedoc. Visit the beautiful abbey in Lagrasse, also a great spot for summer riving swimming in L’Orbieu (or head up to nearby Ribaute where you can cool off by the little waterfalls).  

The Minervois region offers spectacular landscapes, wild gorges and pretty villages such as Aigne with its wine-tasting caves and Minerve, one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ with a fascinating Cathar history. There are of course many Cathar fortresses across this part of France including the famous Château de Quéribus and Château de Montségur.

Limoux is home to some excellent restaurants, has a lovely weekly market on a Monday morning and hosts some great wine-festivals in the summer. Toulouse, the ‘rose-city’ is another fantastic day out with its historic sights and brilliant shops.

Beach-lovers can be by the sea in an hour with the likes of Gruissan Plage just outside of Narbonne and the coastline around the Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise easily reached. Leucate Plage is an especially picturesque spot with an excellent beachside bistro serving freshly caught seafood and other delights. 

Closer to home, other activities nearby include an 18-hole golf course in beautiful surroundings, tennis courts in Carcassonne as well as go-karting, a tree-top activity centre, an aquapark at a local lake as well as kayaking and canoeing on nearby rivers. If staying in the winter then Les Monts d'Olmes offers skiing on the edge of the Pyrenees, just under two hours by car. 

Accommodation

Main House Interiors (1100m2) - eight bedrooms

Ground Floor (split-level)

-    Entrance hall
-    Living room with fireplace and TV
-    Kitchen, fully equipped including dishwasher, high-end cooker and barbecue, TV and table for up to 24 guests (with extension)
-    Back kitchen with dishwasher, second cooker, fridge, washer and tumble dryer
-    2 x WCs

Upper Floors (via three sets of staircases, various wings)

-    Living room/cinema room with fireplace and surround system
-    Master bedroom with emperor-size double bed, living area and en suite bathroom with walk-in shower, bath, double sinks and WC. Door from bathroom leads outside (close to swimming pool)
-    Bedroom with double bed and en suite bathroom with bath and WC
-    Bedroom with double bed and en suite bathroom with bath and WC
-    Bedroom with double bed and private bathroom (across hallway) with bath and WC. Sloping ceiling and courtyard view
-    Bedroom with twin beds and juliet style window/balcony
-    Bathroom with bath and WC (shared between the twin bedrooms)
-    Bedroom with twin beds with sloping ceilings and small window (this bedroom is on the top floor, accessed via stairs near the other twin bedroom)
-    Bedroom with queen-size double bed and en suite bathroom with bath/shower and WC. Leads to turret with table and chairs
-    Bedroom with four-poster double bed, sofa and en suite bathroom with bath/shower and WC

Separate Cottage Interiors (accessible to guests with limited mobility) - two bedrooms

-    Living room with sofas and TV
-    Kitchen-diner, fully equipped
-    Bedroom with double bed
-    Bedroom with twin beds
-    Bathroom with bath and WC
-    Courtyard with outside dining area

Stand-alone Bedroom (just outside the cottage, uses cottage bathroom) - one bedroom

-    Bedroom with twin beds

Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (7x16m, depth: 1.2-2.5m) with two safety alarms. Open approximately April to October
-    Sun-loungers (x18) and deck-chairs
-    Pool house with BBQ, al-fresco dining area and surround system
-    Terrace with al-fresco dining area (for up to 22)
-    Second BBQ
-    Courtyard
-    Outside games
-    Garden (10 acres)
-    Private land (630 acres) with streams, lake, woodland, hills, two grazing horses
-    Outbuildings
-    Caretakers' lodge
-    Private parking

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi (via satellite) in main house, cottage and pool house
-    Heating
-    3 x working fireplaces
-    Fans (bedrooms)
-    TVs (with International channels)
-    Cinema room with DVD/CD player and surround system
-    PS4 in cinema room
-    Hi-Fi
-    Surround system (pool house)
-    Board games
-    Books and DVDs
-    Outside games
-    Table tennis
-    Hairdryers (in bathrooms)
-    Washing machine and dryer