WELCOME
Former wine-grower’s home, the recently renovated La Maison Ciffre is located in Languedoc-Roussillon, a region renowned for its varied landscapes which stretch from the Mediterranean beaches to the unspoilt wilderness of the Black Mountains. The richness of its cultural and historical heritage includes Cathar castles, the Canal du Midi, Carcassonne, Montpellier and a multitude of listed abbeys and villages.
The house is situated in the heart of a village of 3500 inhabitants which has preserved its authenticity and the South of France’s art of living. The village of Nissan-lez-Enserune lies between Narbonne and Béziers on the border of the Aude and the Hérault regions, less than 20 minutes from the beaches and these two major towns. All amenities can be found: restaurants, cafés, chemist, doctor’s surgery, dentists, bakery, convenience store, newsagent, butcher, greengrocer, hairdressers and a market held three times a week on the village square.
The sunny and sweet life of the Hérault region offers numerous possibilities for leisure activities and relaxation. Events, festivals or markets take place all year round.
Culinary traditions take their roots in the products from this region of the South of France near the sea: olive oil, truffles, garlic, aromatic herbs which go perfectly with the Minervois, Corbières or Pays d’Oc wines of remarkable quality.
IN THE AREA
Halfway between sport and culture, the Canal du Midi which was built in the 17th century on the initiative of the Engineer, Paul Riquet, can be followed by boat, by foot or by cycling along its banks. In addition to its exceptional charm and peacefulness, this Unesco World Heritage site reveals some exciting technical prowesses: the water staircase from Fonsérannes to Bézier, the Canal sur l’Orb bridge, the Malpas tunnel or the Agde round lock, to mention just a few.
Many adorable villages such as Lagrasse, Olargues, Pézenas, or abbeys such as Fontfroide, Joncel and Fontcaude can be discovered as well as the elegant town of Narbonne or Montpellier whose historic town centre is entirely reserved for pedestrians. Going further inland, you can visit the National Park of the Languedoc, the Black Mountains, the Tarn Valley over which the graceful Millau Viaduct spans, or even the Dourbie Gorges.
The Sigean African Safari Park, with its wild animals in semi-captivity, is 45 kilometres from the VILLA. It will certainly enthral the youngsters.
For more information:
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Sport
As well as the white sandy beaches (Valras, Narbonne, Gruisan and others), sporting activities are countless in the vicinity of the house and the Hérault region. From the classic activities such as hiking, tennis, horse riding, canoeing on the river Orb, fishing or cycling, to the more extreme sports such as hang gliding, kite surfing, potholing, climbing, ultralight flying etc., Nissan-lez-Enserune’s Tourist Office will help you to decide and will provide you with the best addresses in Languedoc Roussillon.
Unless of course you prefer to relax by the pool with a book and enjoy the garden, and the shaded terrace … with a glass of rosé wine …
Culture
Nissan is located at the foot of a former Gallo-Roman site, the oppidum of Enserune, which houses a museum and the relics of the Roman era, now bordered by the Canal du Midi. It is situated in the heart of Cathar country, with its castles, monuments and historical sites such as Quéribus or Peyreperthuse. But there is a lot more to visit because the region offers around a hundred art and history museums as well as many priories and abbeys.
Children will enjoy their favourite activities: adventure and water parks for the lively ones, art and cookery workshops for the creative ones, as well as shows, dance, puppets, circus performers, zoos, and farms for the animal lovers. The spectacular Cave of Clamousse or the Cave of the Demoiselles will not fail to make them dream or might even frighten them …
THE ACCOMMODATION
The la Maison Ciffre is only 5 minutes from the heart of the village. Fully air-conditioned, it has a front garden and a walled, not overlooked garden at the rear with a terrace and swimming pool giving on to a wooded park.
On one side the ground floor there is a very long, double-oriented, independent garage. On the other side of the ground floor there is a large, bright living room with a 3 m cathedral ceiling, a fully equipped L-shaped kitchen with a large bar height table for meals indoors, and a WC with wash hand basin. The wrought iron staircase delimits the living room area with sofas and designer furniture and a large flat screen TV. The 3.80 m long bay window in the living room opens out on to an area where meals can be taken under the pergola made of iron but it is also an ideal summer living room for your summer evenings. The mediterranean garden with its heated swimming pool is where the wine warehouse used to be.
There are 4 bedrooms on the first floor which overlook either the front or the rear garden. All the bedrooms have 180 x 200 cm king size bedding, dressing room and direct access to a shower room shared with another room. The two shower rooms have twin basins, mirror, and a shower with 90 x 120 cm slim line shower tray, wall-hung toilet and heated towel rail. The two large rooms could accommodate an extra 90 cm bed for one person.
Possibility of accommodation from 4 to 10 people – WI-FI, air-conditioning, 7 x 3 metres tiled and heated swimming pool (from June to October) – BBQ – garage and parking area. Household linen provided. Concierge service available from June to August for all stays of 7 nights or more (further information on request).