Villa Janet, Fouzilhon, Herault, Languedoc. South West France

An authentic French village house, Villa Janet immediately captured our imagination because of its character and location - tucked on high into a secure niche of an unspoilt hilltop village. With views of the vineyards below and the Espinouse Hills beyond, you can sit and relax and watch the world go by. Family friendly as the French community is, the atmosphere is relaxed and fun.

Comfortable and spacious, with sturdy stone walls and insulated roof, inside the house there is cool protection from the hot summer sun.

Ground Floor

Kitchen, dining and snug sitting room are open plan.

The modern , well equipped kitchen has electric , ceramic hobbed cooker, fridge, freezer and dishwasher. Hatches make serving easy both for dining alcove or out onto the path for the garden patio table. Easy too, to unload shopping from the car. There's a washing machine and outside line.

Wood burning stove for winter, with upright comfy and lounging chairs and corner sofa. Alcove with wooden dining table and chairs for eight. Ceramic breakfast bar/chess table with high stools.

Bedroom One - "Palme" Double bed. Bedside tables. Wardrobe and garment shelves.
Bedroom Two - "Rose" Twin beds. Bedside tables. Wardrobe and garment shelves.

Sleeping quarters are secluded and separate, with a toilet and a shower room with handbasin between the downstairs bedrooms.

Upstairs:

Salon - With wide window onto cool foliage of garden and pool terrace. Large corner sofa, easy chairs and coffee table. Book shelf.

Bedroom Three - "Hirondelle" Double bed. Bedside tables. Wardrobe and chest of drawers. Large windows open to balcony.
Bedroom Four - "Espinouse" Twin Futon beds. Wardrobe and garment shelves.
Bathroom - Large primrose cast-iron bath-tub, with shower, basin,bidet, and toilet .

On the terrace level up from the house, infant and pet secure, the patio area has space for loungers and large garden table and chairs. Shaded at lunch , lit at dinner.
A big open fire has a chimney through the rock. It used to be used by vine pruners in winter as a lunchtime gathering place, now serves as a barbeque. There is an additional small barbeque for small parties.

The above ground pool is set into a rocky outcrop and backed by the stub of the old castle wall.
There is a sun deck/belvedere with sun loungers, with a table for meals or refreshments to be served at this level also. A romantic spot.

Longer winter bookings are available at very competitive rates - please email the owner through Villarenters to discuss these.

The village of Fouzilhon
The house is easily reached by car at the top of one of the the old circular roads which wind up through Fouzilhon village. Beyond the house the road continues as a path, through woods and rocks, climbing round to come out at the little church square at the top of the mount. It is a delightful place to take evening strolls in the narrow streets and passageways of the village itself or to venture further into the vineyards on the plains below the village.
There is a small play park for children.
The butcher's van once a week.

Shopping
Shopping is in nearby Magalas and Gabian. Both are 5 minutes drive away. There is an Intermarche supermarket in Magalas. Gabian has a chemist, post office and several local food stores including a bakery with excellent pizzas.
Wine gets better all the time in Langudoc. At Magalas, near Intermarche, the museum and informative staff specialise in local wines, which can be selected and bought at reasonable price. Two producers can be visited, a short walk away on the back road road to Gabian.

In the Locality
The medieval town of Pezenas is the 17th century capital of the region - Langued'oc. The tapas bar in Place Gambetta, a beautiful medieval square, is a perfect place to end a stroll through a tour the architectural gems of the town. There are lots of inexpensive restaurants too.
There is river swimming at Real for all ages with deep diving pools and a shallow beach for small children. (25 mins)
Canoe hire makes for a more adventurous day out. (25mins) at Roqueburn
The Oppidium d'Enserun is a Roman hilltop town in the shade of trees. Below this is a view of the fascinating "dart-board" irrigation pattern created by medieval monks. Nearby in Capestang on the Canal du Midi, at "La Table de Vignoble" in a large courtyard or inside the barn, there is a feast of roasted meat served with the palatable wine, produced by the proprietor herself.
Montpellier is a chic city only an hour by train from Beziers, making from an effortless day out.
The beautiful beach at Portiragnes Ouest plage is only twenty miles away. Here you will find cafes, bars and restaurants. Les Voiles right on the beach is recommended. Brave the banana boating challenge or just laze on the beach. There is a large market on Wednesday mornings well worth a visit.
Near Portiragnes plage you will find riding stables. Horses and ponies can be hired by the hour.
There are beautiful beaches all along the coast.
In Beziers (30 minutes by car) you will find great shopping at the hypermarkets.
In Beziers there are plenty of restaurants and pavement cafés and on Fridays there is a wonderful flower market. In August there is a huge street party, ‘Féria’.
Golf course at St Thomas (Beziers).
Vias - A busy holiday resort with cafes, bars restaurants and Europark for a fun night out.
Valras Plage – Watersports, restaurants, bars and nightclub. Serignan - Large Hyper U open all day everyday during the summer.
Vendres - go-karting.
Agde - a beautiful fishing port with winding streets, traditional markets, colourful houses, great restaurants and cafés.
Cap d’Agde - Beaches, harbour, waterside restaurants, golf, huge water-park ‘AquaLand’, boat trips, water sports, casino, nightclubs, discos etc..
Narbonne - Visit this town for its Roman ruins and Gothic cathedral.
Sete - A busy and interesting old harbour town with lots of seafood restaurants and the museum Paul Valery.
Carcassonne - The largest walled city in Europe with wonderful medieval spectacles and performances during the summer.
You do need a car for this holiday. Car hire is reasonable at airports.
There are 2 adult bikes at Villa Janet for your use.

Details of all these possibilities with directions will be left at Villa Janet.