Michael

1 property

31 reviews

Expert owner

Direct booking - no fees


Joined 2004

Michael

Owner from CARLUKE, United Kingdom

About

Michael and Claudia have been owners of Villa Janet for 18 years. We were looking to buy somewhere to do up near family living near Pezenas. We were very lucky to discover an old vigneron house the hilltop village of Fouzilhon. First we fell in love with the view. Then saw the potential of the house if renovated and made open plan. There was also space across small cul-de-sac for pool and sun deck next to the lovely old stone semi open building where the vineyard workers of psst times used to come and have their midday break by the fireplace with a merry blaze. Michael, with family and friends old and new, English ans French. took a year to go up the house. It has been a family holiday home ever since and also a holiday home for regular returners. Many children have grown up coming here every year. The house has also welcomed retired couples, a group of trainee priests, a group of artists exhibiting locally and essential workers. There are so many places to visit within striking distance that we still haven’t got to all the ones we want to! That’s partly because we’ve enjoyed lazing by the pool and having bbqs as well as maintaining and upgrading Villa Janet . We hope to welcome you to a stay and are eager to advise you about the locality and help to make your stay a great one in any way we can.

1 property


31 reviews

Family from Cardiff, United Kingdom

scott

Family from Cardiff, United Kingdom · May 2017
Villa Janet is in a great spot. Great views from the pool and terrace area which are maybe 15 metres from the house. Kids loved the pool. The kitchen is good, had everything we needed. The area around fouzilhon has lots to do. The house was sparse on entertainment, bring your own, but it was good to be away from 24hr news and internet and get the kids off their phones. I would recommend the property for staying in this wonderful part of France. The owner Michael was very prompt, helpful and easy to deal with.

Family from London, United Kingdom

Julie

Family from London, United Kingdom · July 2015
We had a lovely stay at Villa Janet. The village setting is peaceful but there is easy access to beautiful countryside as well as the seaside. Villa Janet is spacious with a very usable kitchen and a lovely sitting room. There are fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and the pool was very welcome on a hot day.

Family from Longfield, United Kingdom

Ruth

Family from Longfield, United Kingdom · August 2013
We had a lovely week at Villa Janet. The setting is idyllic and very peaceful. Our young boys enjoyed exploring around the castle walls and when we werent relaxing by the pool we had a lovely trip to the closest beach which was well worth it.

Friends from Ashbourne, United Kingdom

Jane

Friends from Ashbourne, United Kingdom · June 2013
We stayed at Villa Janet for a week at the end of June 2013. Our party consisted of 2 couples. We all had a wonderful week, none of us had ever visited that area of France and we felt very lucky to have experienced staying in such a delightful part of Europe. We had fantastic weather, just before it went really hot. Villa Janet is a lovely house to stay in. We enjoyed every aspect - the village, the local people, the location of Villa Janet with its own approach, the fabulous terraces with the pool that really was the icing on the cake. We had so much fun with the pool and the views from the pool are breathtaking. We had no disappointments with our stay apart from the fact that none of us wanted to leave. We enjoyed the family of cats that visited us each day. We tried for about a day not to feed them but they soon got us into their way of thinking!! They were a joy to have around but we didnt allow them into the house. The caretakers Gilbert and his lovely wife were always at hand and were ideal for the task never intrusive. In fact we used to enjoy Gilbert coming to sort the pool out each day as he didnt speak English so we would try out our French and have a laugh with him. We all hope to stay again some time. We thought even in winter it would be great with the fire on in the lounge. Villa Janet is very French and rustic and would make a great base for a family party. There is a very inviting atmosphere that draws you in and you are hooked. The owner, Michael is a very lucky man! Thank you!

 From Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom

Karen

From Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom · July 2010
We had a two week holiday to Villa Janet in July 2010, 6 adults and an 8 year old dog. On arrival my parents were met by the caretaker and shown everything they needed to be shown. The house was very charming, with plenty of room for us all, in fact the upstairs lounge wasnt used at all! The weather was fantastic and very hot, and although there was a fan in the downstairs lounge, each bedroom could have benefitted from having a fan in it, as on some nights it was quite uncomfortable in the heat. Barney our crossbreed dog had a great time keeping guard for the cats that came looking for a treat and he made two friends - a couple of local dogs who came to call for him each morning and took a shine to his new football! The garden/pool area was great and every night apart from two (because of the wind and one night a burst of rain) we ate out and used the bbq. The pool was attended to most days by the caretaker and well maintained. There were only 3 sun loungers available to be used which meant we had to have a rota system! However purchasing a couple of lilos solved that problem and allowed us to catch a few rays and keep cool in the pool at the same time! The views over the vineyards were stunning and listening to the church bells above ringing out, it was like being on a film set! The village itself is beautiful, very quiet, friendly locals and lovely walks round the winding roads. We didnt venture very far really, going to the beach a couple of times (Serignan allows dogs) and the river at Roque Brun or Real for a change of scenery. We used the well stocked supermarket at Magalas and purchased some excellent wine from the local "cave"!! If you want to experience true France we would all recommend Villa Janet. Lounging in the sun listening to the crickets, watching the swallows dive between the houses and lying in bed listening to the "little owls" tooting! Heaven! There is something about the house, village and area that will draw you back and we hope to return again to experience another wonderful holiday.

 From Suresnes, France

Hervé

From Suresnes, France · March 2010
The villa Janet and its garden is a very pleasant place. We went to Fouzilhon during a very cold week of March, and the house, with very thick walls, was a bit difficult to heat but, the beauty of the house and of the village clearely appeared. The household equipment rate is good, and the garden very nice. We should definitely recommend Villa Janet from spring to autumn.
Michael

Reply from Michael

We have now got some extra oil electric heaters on wheels for winter use in addition to wall mounted fires in the bathrooms. The wood stove / open fire gives out a good heat.

 From Rauma, Finland

Kimmo

From Rauma, Finland · June 2009
Villa Janet was a very good place for our family with two kids (9 and 11) and the dog (Rottweiler-male) to stay. We spent almost all the time in the garden and pool area where we also enjoyed almost all dinners, the garden provided us both sun and shade. The weather was excellent for us, over +30 °C and mild winds helped our dog to survive in the local climate. The view over the village and wine yards was spectacular and the neighbourhood was overall very quiet and relaxing. Our caretaker visited us almost daily. He kept the pool in proper conditions due to the fact that the wind was carrying leafs etc. debris from the surrounding trees into the pool. Our kids really loved the pool, because of its adequate size and proper conditions. We had also ‘regular visitors’, brave local cats asking for milk and well behaving village dogs, which kept the company and add some activities to our rottie. We also find many nice walks and paths nearby.

 From Belfast, United Kingdom

Michael

From Belfast, United Kingdom · May 2009
We would describe Villa Janet as traditionally french with a modern artistic twist. The villa was spacious and well equipped. The sun terrace, barbeque and pool areas were very private. The weather was lovely and we enjoyed cooling off in the pool. We found our time in Fouzilhon very peaceful and relaxing. We took some lovely photographs on the many walks that we did. The cycle rides to the local towns were really enjoyable and took in some stunning scenery and fragrances. We also explored the surrounding area by car (e.g. Roujan, Pezenas, St Pons-de-Thomieres, Olargues, Lamalou, Bedarieux, Clermont-lHerault, Agde, and Sete). These towns were relatively close and did not involve very long journeys and we experienced the history of this part of France in addition to a variety of beautiful scenery from green lush mountains to kilometres of sandy beaches. All in all we had a thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable experience. It was everything we hoped it would be. Michael & Anne Marie.

 From Crowthorne, United Kingdom

Guy

From Crowthorne, United Kingdom · July 2008
Superb location in beautiful hilltop village with excellent views over the surrounding vineyards, especially from the poolside. Villa is well-equipped and wonderfully peaceful. Village is quiet enough to make you feel youve got away from everything, but youre still very close to attractions, shops and restaurants. We had a fantastic fortnight here with our three children (ages 8, 11 and 13). They loved wandering around the village making a uss of all the local cats and exploring. We also had great fun canoeing and exloring the Gorge dHeric. Had such a great time were re-booking for next year!

 From Arbroath, United Kingdom

janet

From Arbroath, United Kingdom · December 2007
We very much enjoyed staying in this comfortable family orientated house - there were a few families staying together and it was excellent from the point of view of size and facilities - we had a great New Year thanks very much!