LE RABELAIS NARBONNE HOLIDAY RENTAL AUDE, LANGUEDOC, SOUTH FRANCE
Narbonne Apartment rental Sleeps 2 In historic center of Narbonne (close to Archbishop's Palace and Cathedral) Shops, restaurants and covered market nearby 15 minutes to beaches, 30 minutes to Carcassonne Practical starting point for house hunting Are you looking for a place centrally situated for sightseeing, exploring the region and tasting gourmet food? Then, be welcome in Le Rabelais in the historic center between the Lapidary Museum and the Archbishop's Palace and the Saint-Just's Cathedral. Cafés, restaurants, shops and the weekly markets on the banks of the Canal de la Robine are just a stone's throw away. So are the renown "Halles" with their 72 traditional stalls, open throughout the year with the best choice of fresh fish, seafood, "charcuterie", fruit, vegetables and cheeses. The fine sandy Mediterranean beaches are easily accessible too (15 min. by car or for 1€ by bus). And... should you concretely dream of a "home in the sun" in Languedoc, Le Rabelais is ideally located for house hunting, i.e. to take time for looking around, making contacts with local people or with agents, visiting and finding out which area, town or village you would prefer.	Archbishop's Palace, Narbonne Le Rabelais Apartment rental is in walking distance. Ornament on side of house
DETAILS OF ACCOMMODATION The house in which the apartment is located is very old (built on Roman foundations probably in the 13th cent.) at the corner of two ancient narrow lanes. We fully renovated it 2004 and equipped it according to modern standards (plumbery, electricity). Le Rabelais is on the 2nd floor. Due to its large windows on each side, it is very light and airy. Its floor is still originally terra-cotta paved. The decoration is held in friendly green and yellow, the whole furniture and equipment is new. The kitchen is decorated by an exposed stone arch which was actually the window opening onto the lane in the Middle ages. It is fitted with electric cooking plates, a microwave oven with grill function, a refrigerator, a hob, a sink and a coffee-machine as well as with cupboards with the necessary utensils, pots and pans. The dining corner on your left hand in a rounding of the wall when you enter the apartment has comfortable bistrot chairs and a fitting table of aluminium. In the living area which is separate from the kitchen by a curtain, you find the bed couch, the stereo with CD player and the big built-in wooden wardrobe with plenty of storage space. From there, you enter the separate bathroom with toilet, washbasin and shower. No problem for your typical French breakfast with baguette and croissants:several bakeries are within a few minutes walk. Groceries, butchers, newsagents are just round the corner. And... if you just have a lazy day and do not want to cook, the "traiteurs" are offering many freshly prepared local dishes to take away.	Kitchen - Alcove (formerly a window in the Middle ages) Kitchen with dining area
Living room Bathroom Canal in Narbonne St Just Cathedral Cathedral Cloisters Medieval performance on Via Domitia - Roman road Medieval Troubadours Fontfroide Abbey Map showing Le Rabelais rental, Narbonne	NARBONNE Situated between the Mediterranean Coast and the Corbières and connected to the Canal du Midi by the Canal de la Robine, Narbonne has been founded in 118 BC as Narbo Martius, the first Roman colony outside Italy. It soon became the capital of the provincia narbonensis and an important harbour. Later, the city was very prospere between the 12th and 14 th centuries. The Archbishop's Palace forms with the Saint-Just and Saint-Pasteur's cathedral an unique testimony of this flourishing period. Narbonne has always been an important junction between Italy and Spain, Atlantic and Mediterranean, Central Massif and Pyrénées. Sightseeing in Narbonne (all the monuments within walking distance, otherwise free bus service "navette") - Archbishop's Palace and Saint-Just and Saint-Pasteur's Cathedral (13th-15th cent.), cloister, choir with large medieval altarpiece, Gilles Aycelin dungeon with breathtaking view over the Via Domitia remains; - Archeological Museum: Roman wall paintings and mosaics, arms and jewels from Paleolithic and Neolithic; - Lapidary Museum: more than 1500 Roman reliefs and inscriptions found by demolishing the city ramparts; - Horreum Museum: underground warehouse (1st cent. BC) with sculptures and stone reliefs; - Basilique Saint-Paul (built 1224) with paelochristian crypta; - Art and History Museum: rich collection of orientalist paintings, ceramics and pottery (18th cent.), Dutch, Flemish and Italian paintings; - House of Charles Trenet, the "mad singer" born 1913 in Narbonne - Canal de la Robine: walking along the Canal banks to the Mandirac lock (6 kms), bike rentals or hire of electric boats; - Day cruises on barges to Le Somail or to Port-la-Nouvelle; SURROUNDING AREA Narbonne is in the Aude département known for its history and Romanesque abbeys and cloisters. The Fontfroide abbey (Cistercian) with its wonderful rose garden with over 2000 bushes and that of Lagrasse (Benedictine) are some of the best preserved examples nearby. The World Heritage City of Carcassonne with its 39 towers spread along the ramparts greatly restored by Viollet-le-Duc, is only one hour drive. Amphoralis in Sallèles d'Aude is an unique Gallo-roman potters' museum with clay production installations Nature lovers will appreciate botanical walks amidst the rich flora of the Massif de la Clape to the Notre-Dame-des Auzils chapel and the Marine cemetery. Or day tours to Bages and Peyriac-de-Mer, traditional fishing villages (eel specialities) rambling around the "étang de Doul" or between Bages and La Nautique. The old village of Gruissan with the Saint-Martin island museum (salt harvest and production) and the ornithologic observation site are also of great interest. Narbonne is also a good base for exploring the Corbières. The call of the fascinating unspoilt nature of these hills with the impressive ruined Cathar castles is strong for nature lovers. Peyrepertuse and Quéribus perched on rocky peaks and Villerouge-Termenès are doubtless worth a visit. Wine tasting in the Corbières with its great diversity (11 terroirs different in soil type, microclimate, grape varieties and method of vinification) is a must for connoisseurs. A few local events and festivities for the Summer 2008 - Concerts "Voix Domitia": French baroque motets; - "In Vino Musica", classical music concerts and wine tasting; - Festival de Théâtre Amateur, first half of july (free outdoor performances every evening) in the Archbishop's Palace); - Foire à la brocante (antique market), beginning of july; - Fête du Commerce et du Vin (market days) with a "wine fountain", beginning of August; - Via Mercaderia, medieval days with free dance, music and historical performances, mid of August; - Organ concerts in the Saint-Just and Saint-Pasteur's Cathedral; - Fireworks and festivities on the 14th of july in Narbonne and Carcassonne; - Potters' market in Sallèles d'Aude, mid of August. ACCESS Direct motorway A9 or A62/61 to Narbonne. TGV service direct to Narbonne (from Paris in 4 hours). Airports of Carcassonne (25 min. from Narbonne) with Ryan Air from London, Dublin, Frankfurt/Hahn, Brussels), Beziers (35 mins drive with Ryanair flights to London, Bristol), Perpignan, Toulouse and Montpellier.
LE RABELAIS     SLEEPS 2 Payment is based on € EUROS Value - £ GBP and $ US are only approximate. A deposit of 30% must be paid to confirm your reservation. The balance is due 4 weeks before arrival. Refundable damages deposit is required on arrival. End cleaning compulsory (€ 20). Linens, bath and kitchen towels available on request. RENTAL (SATURDAY TO SATURDAY) 2008 £ GBP $ US EUROS ONE WEEK £160 $310 €200 TWO WEEKS £285 $560 €360 CONTACT US FOR SPECIAL RATES FOR 3 WEEKS OR LONGER For reservations and more information contact Annie Arndt-Jeamart lerabelais@southfrance.com Tel: (33) 4 68 45 18 66   France Holiday Rentals | Canal du Midi | Discover Languedoc | South France Guide | French Property Guide Narbonne Properties for Sale advertise your house on the guide