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Bed and breakfast, a Maison d’Hotes in the Orb Valley

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Jane Neal and her friend Lits welcome you to her home, a Maison d’Hotes located in the Orb Valley of the Haut Languedoc Natural Park; the unspoilt South of France, with its sunny Mediterranean climate.

We offer bed and breakfast (maison d’hotes) and a home cooked evening meal (tables d’hotes) on reservation. We are passionate about our food and use only fresh local ingredients in the preparation of our meals which are served ‘en famille’ on the old stone terrace.

The house is a 19th century gentleman’s residence. It has 5 very comfortable ensuite bedrooms and is adjoined by a beautiful garden shaded by a 200 year old Cedar.

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It is an ideal location from which to explore the traditional towns and villages full of history, the magic and the mystique of the Cathars and the Knight Templars. There are wonderful walks and footpaths all around the house from which to explore the countryside, and hills full of wild flowers herbs and mushrooms…we can even pack you a picnic!

The Mediterranean is only a 35 minute scenic drive away with its miles of natural sandy beaches. Swimming is also possible nearby in Lake Salagou or ‘en plein air’ at Lunas or Bedarieux. We also have many suggestions for excursions by car or train to interesting sites and destinations a short distance away, or of course, you could just relax and read in our garden! orb_bridge

Surrounded by vines in a region with an abundance of wonderful wines to discover and taste, we offer guided tours and tastings either at the table or in the vignerons’ cave.

We assure you of a swarm, friendly welcome and a relaxing peaceful holiday.

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Telephone numbers

+33 4 67 23 76 89
+33 6 17 50 92 82 mobile

from the UK please dial: 0844 2328284 (for the price of a local call)

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E-mail address

rjaneneal@aol.com

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Maps

mapfrance

mapbrousson400

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The House

The House is a 19th century Maison de Maitre which has been added to the 16th century buildings of the old Chateau de Brousson.

The old stone walled terrace, where we share our meals is the part remains of the 11th century Abbey of Joncels, below which is the vaulted cave where wine was once made, this has now been restored for wine and food degustation, receptions or conferences.

We also have a lounge and library with lots of local information and books to browse – there is normally a jigsaw under construction!

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The Rooms

Our 5 bedrooms, all with French tv, are named after wild mushrooms:

1 bedroom with 2 single beds (Lactaire),
2 bedrooms with a double bed (Girolle and Cepe)
2 bedrooms for 3 people with a double and single bed (Morille & Truffe).

All ensuite with bath and toilet.

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Function room

salle de fete

If you are arranging a wedding reception, a celebration or reunion, organising an anniversary or birthday party or simply looking for a place to meet, our ’salle d’fetes’ is situated adjacent to our beautiful shaded garden which can be used in conjunction with the room with its’ own independent access. It is equipped with tables and chairs and we can help with caterers and musicians.

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Food & Wine

Breakfast is a continental spread of fresh fruit, yoghurt, local honey, our home-made jams, bread, croissants, fruit juice, tea and coffee. We can, for a small charge, serve you a full English style breakfast made with special local sausages, bacon, boudin noir & eggs all from the Charcuterie in Herepian which was featured recently on Rick Steins’ ‘French Odessey’.

Meals are served outside (weather permitting!) at our large table ‘en famille’ on the old stone terrace. The terrace has an interesting part roof, so should it rain, and it has been known to, we can reverse the table and be in the dry!

more_picnic We tend not to serve lunch but are very happy to put together a delicious picnic for you to enjoy at one of the many stopping points en route.

We are spoilt by the abundance and availability of natural produce. We take great pleasure in preparing the ‘menu de jour’ which consists of 4 courses, including cheese, and with Lits’ expertise as a restaurateur, your satisfaction at the dining table is assured. We use only fresh, seasonal ingredients preferring to source from the small local producers which impart their wonderful natural flavours. We serve jugs of local wine with your meal.

Lits runs his Wine School and guided visits from the House and has accumulated an amazing selection of regional wines in the cellar (he will be delighted to show you if you are interested). He also offers tutored tastings at dinner: www.vinetude.com

Sample Menu

Local Smoked Trout and Asparagus Salad

Free Range Pork Chop
with Roast Mediterranean Vegetables

Pelardon Goat’s Cheese with Chestnut Honey

Baked Peach and Rasberry Sorbet

There are also restaurants we can recommend within a short drive.

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Activities

maggie_arthur_philippe horse_riding

Here are a few examples of one day itineraries to choose from:

• Cathar castles and the Corbieres

• Montpeyroux and the Coteaux de Languedoc

• Minervois and the Canal du Midi

• Ancient greeks, Amphorae and Agde

• Visit to a local market & cooking class

• One day wine tasting tour in Faugeres or St Chinian

We offer our guests guided visits and wine tastings with Lits. For further details please look at http://www.vinetude.com

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By Car

By Ferry or Eurotunnel to Calais and it is then about a 9 hour drive (about 765 miles). A lot to do in a day but we can recommend many wonderful stopovers (see below). There is easy access from either the new A75 motorway (Sortie Lodeve, exit 52) and then the D35 direction Bedarieux, or from the A9 (Sortie 34). After Sortie 34 go straight over the first roundabout in the direction of Pezanas. Follow signs to Pezanas/Bedarieux on the D13. (keep to the D13 following right filter to Pezanas centre/Bedarieux. Do not go up the ramp to Millau!). Follow the D13 all the way, straight over all the roundabouts finally through the village of Faugeres.

As you drive out of Faugeres you will come to the T junction where the road now joins the D909. Turn right towards Bedarieux…a few metres down the hill you will see 2 signs to Bedarieux. DO NOT take the right hand turn, carry straight on.

A few kilometres further, shortly after passing the sign Herepian, turn right, still marked direction Bedarieux, and right again onto the D908. Drive straight on past all the shops, do not turn right into Centre Ville, this is an odd junction, be careful to give way to the oncoming traffic which may be turning in front of you!

Carry straight on to next roundabout and go straight over, signed Lodeve D35. After about 5 kms you will pass through the village of La Tour sur Orb and on the left, just after the Mairie and before Ecomarche (on right) and the roundabout is Domaine de Brousson!

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By Train

By Eurostar from Waterloo to Lille (2 hours) and then the TGV from Lille to Montpellier (4 hours and 40 minutes) or Beziers (5 hours and 30 minutes). This is a very comfortable, scenic ride and we can arrange special fares for you. Again we can arrange car hire or transport.

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By Plane

The nearest airports are Montpellier (1 hour and 20 minutes) or Carcassonne (1 hour and 30 minutes). It is best to hire a car but we can arrange to have you picked up, as cars can be hired locally.

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Directions from Beziers station

These directions presume that you are leaving from the station car park where hire cars are usually parked. Occasionally your car may be at the office on the opposite side of the road, in which case I would advise driving across in front of the station anyway and following this route.

After leaving the station you need to turn left at the traffic lights and then immediately right up the hill, to the roundabout. Take the first exit (again up a hill) passing the big underground car park on your left.

At the second set of lights at the top of this hill – it is best to stay in the inside lane – take the third exit, to head along the plane tree lined Avenue Paul Riquet which is usually filled with cafes. Continue along, passing the old theatre on your left and Galeries Lafyette on your right.

At the roundabout (with fountain) after pedestrian lights, take the second exit, following the signs for Bedarieux . This is a straight road crossing one large junction rather like a dog leg, always following signs Bedarieux to a roundabout taking the D909 Bedarieux. Follow this road for about 25 minutes, and as you descend the big hill you will see two signs to Bedarieux one to the right and the other straight on, do not take the right turn, carry straight on until Herepian . Shortly after passing the sign ‘Herepian’ turn right, still marked direction Bedarieux, and right again onto the D908. Drive straight on past all the shops, do not turn right into Centre Ville, this is an odd junction, be careful to give way to the oncoming traffic which may be turning in front of you!

Carry straight on to next roundabout and go straight over, signed Lodeve D35. After about 5 kms you will pass through the village of La Tour sur Orb and on the left, just after the Mairie and before Ecomarche (on right) and the roundabout is Domaine de Brousson!

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Directions from Perpignan

On leaving the airport follow the blue signs to the A9 direction Montpellier/Lyon. Once you get on the autoroute continue until junction 35 Beziers Centre.

When you leave the peage you must keep to the right, and turn right onto the main road. This will take you past the commercial centre of Beziers. Continue straight on over the next 3 roundabouts following the signs to Bedarieux. After this roundabout you will see the sign for Bedarieux on a slip road that turns off to the right…so take this turn up to the next roundabout and take first exit continuing following the signs to Bedarieux D909.

After about 25 minutes as you descend a big hill you will see 2 signs for Bedarieux, one on the right and one straight on – do not turn right, carry straight on until Herepian. Shortly after passing the sign ‘Herepian’ turn right, still marked direction Bedarieux, and right again onto the D908. Drive straight on past all the shops, do not turn right into Centre Ville, this is an odd junction, be careful to give way to the oncoming traffic which may be turning in front of you!

Carry straight on to next roundabout and go straight over, signed Lodeve D35. After about 5 kms you will pass through the village of La Tour sur Orb and on the left, just after the Mairie and before Ecomarche (on right) and the roundabout is Domaine de Brousson

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Directions from Carcassonne airport or Toulouse

When you leave the airport you follow the blue signs for A61 signed Montpellier /Barcelona, this autoroute will merge onto the A9 at Narbonne. Take direction Montpellier/Lyon (not Barcelona!). Continue until junction 35 Beziers Centre.

When you leave the peage you must keep to the right, and turn right onto the main road. This will take you past the commercial centre of Beziers. Continue straight on over the next 3 roundabouts following the signs to Bedarieux. After this roundabout you will see the sign for Bedarieux on a slip road that turns off to the right…so take this turn up to the next roundabout and take first exit continuing following the signs to Bedarieux D909.

After about 25 minutes, and as you descend the big hill you will see two signs to Bedarieux one to the right and the other straight on, do not take the right turn, carry straight on until Herepian . Shortly after passing the sign ‘Herepian’ turn right, still marked direction Bedarieux, and right again onto the D908. Drive straight on past all the shops, do not turn right into Centre Ville, this is an odd junction, be careful to give way to the oncoming traffic which may be turning in front of you!

Carry straight on to next roundabout and go straight over, signed Lodeve D35. After about 5 kms you will pass through the village of La Tour sur Orb and on the left, just after the Mairie and before Ecomarche (on right) and the roundabout is Domaine de Brousson!

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Directions from Montpellier airport

Follow the signs to the A9 motorway (autoroute) then follow direction Barcelone. Stay on the motorway until exit (sortie) 34. Go straight over the first roundabout in the direction of Pezanas.
Follow signs to Pezanas/Bedarieux on the D13. (keep to the D13 following right filter to Pezanas centre/Bedarieux. Do not go up the ramp to Millau!). Follow the D13 all the way, straight over all the roundabouts finally through the village of Faugeres.

As you drive out of Faugeres you will come to the T junction where the road now joins the D909. Turn right towards Bedarieux…a few metres down the hill you will see 2 signs to Bedarieux. DO NOT take the right hand turn, carry straight on.

A few kilometres further, shortly after passing the sign Herepian, turn right, still marked direction Bedarieux, and right again onto the D908. Drive straight on past all the shops, do not turn right into Centre Ville, this is an odd junction, be careful to give way to the oncoming traffic which may be turning in front of you!

Carry straight on to next roundabout and go straight over, signed Lodeve D35. After about 5 kms you will pass through the village of La Tour sur Orb and on the left, just after the Mairie and before Ecomarche (on right) and the roundabout is Domaine de Brousson!

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Per night

lamp single 1 person
50 euros

double/twin room
2 persons
60 euros

triple room
3 persons
(double and twin bed)
75 euros

breakfast inclusive

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Meals

maggie_french_triumphs Evening meal with local wine (on reservation): 25 euros
English breakfast (on reservation): 7.50 euros
picnic (with wine & water): 12 euros