Overview
The kind of holiday where you completely lose track of time, Chateau Villarlong invites you to sit back and relax in suntrap corners, wine in hand, while your tiny travellers delightedly run wild around the grounds. There’s plenty of fun to be had conquering the maze, playing countless games of boules, and cooling off with a splash in the sparkling infinity pool. The dreamy combo high on most parent’s holiday wishlists, all of the apartments are set up for self catering, but there’s also a gorgeous restaurant down in the charming wine vaults, serving spoiling breakfast spreads and delicious dinners. Arguably one of the prettiest regions in France, there are dozens of beautiful walks right from your doorstep – through the surrounding vineyards and flower strewn meadows. Further afield, there are plenty of authentic, mediaeval villages to explore, boasting restaurant-lined canals and fairytale castles – perfect for those seeking an escape from the everyday
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Flight
It is roughly a 1 hour 55 minute flight to Carcassonne Airport from the UK, with plenty of airports flying direct routes
Transfer
A nice, easy transfer awaits at the other end, as Château Villarlong is just a 20 minute drive from Carcassonne Airport. We recommend hiring a car (there are lots of different options you can pick up at the airport), or alternatively, there is a bus which takes you straight from the plane into the heart of Carcassonne
Best time to visit
Honestly – any time from Easter all the way through until the end of September! Pre-and post- summer (so April, May, end of September/October) are best if you’re looking for a little warmth but are not a big fan of the sun – though as in the UK, the weather in April especially can be a little changeable with some windy & rainy spells
Everything really comes alive when peak rolls around, with tonnes of local activities in June ( Carcassonne music festival with 100 of free concerts all around the city) , July and August are the hottest months. And thanks to the air con in certain apartments, the hot nights are still perfectly peaceful (just double check with the team which accommodation to pick!)
Favourite room
For Spring and Autumn escapes ‘Puivert’ is a great apartment for families, with 3 bedrooms, 2 beautiful terraces, a large kitchen and huge dining table – all on one level, meaning there are no stairs for toddlers to content with! There is currently no air con (hence other options are perhaps better for mid summer dates)
‘Peyrepertse’ (which sleeps 4) is great during peak heat, with 2 terraces, a fully equipped kitchen (featuring high vaulted ceilings), and lots of space to run around. It is very light, bright and welcoming, and has that all important aircon
Whatever your individual family needs, the team are more than happy to help – chances are, there’s a space that’s perfect for you
Nearby
Carcassonne, a 20 minute drive away, is a stunning historic walled city full of shops and restaurants to explore. They also frequently host battle re-enactments, jousting and much more, plus there’s a brilliant lake with sandy shores where children from age 4 can enjoy treetop adventures – with ziplines, rope bridges and tunnels arranged into routes suitable for different age groups
The chateau is also only 1 hour from the beach at Narbonne, a laidback seaside city with a stunning gothic cathedral and pretty winding streets, rich in culture and cuisine
Price
From £129 p/night in low season and £223 p/night in high season
Worth waking the baby for
01
Caunes
The small mediaeval village of Caunes-Minervois is a stone’s throw away, and is bursting with great local restaurants and artist galleries. Known for its red marble quarry, there’s also a little sculpture circuit around the streets, and a lovely ancient abbey to explore
02
Réserve Africaine de Sigean
Home to almost 4,000 amazing animals, the reserve is a huge, sprawling 350 hectare space where the wildlife roams freely, plus there is a petting park for younger children. Safari highlights include the zebras, black bears, rhinos & chimpanzees
03
Homps
A picture postcard village on the edge of a canal, restaurants lining the water make the perfect al fresco lunch spot as you watch the barge boats go by
