Tag Archives: bb

When Does Winter Begin

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We live here, in Villa Roquette, in the sunny heart of the Real south of France.

Summer is easy to recognise, hot shimmering days, flourishing vineyards and cafes festooned with garlands of people (blah… that is enough soppy copy).

Winter is a time vaguely between Autumn an Spring and the exact start is sort of forgotten, shoved aside as an irritating interruption with Christmas and (more importantly for the French) New Year as focal points of a wobbly ellipse of time.

I looked up the “official” start of Winter – not surprisingly there are several – the astronomical winter is from the winter equinox (around December 21 for France) – but this is later than the traditional date of November 1 (All Saints Day or Samhain in older ideas) – The Chinese fix it around November 7.

If winter is the coldest three months of the year, then for us this would start around the endish of November – for me it starts when we like to turn on the central heating for a couple of hours in the morning and evening and is confirmed when we light log fires in our living room to cheer up the darkening evenings.

So I can now state with certainty that officially winter started today – chimney is swept, boiler is cleaned and calibrated, logs have been gathered for the fire and the central heating was switched on this morning.

Now I can announce our winter special offers for Villa Roquette.

We still have our “Rose Apartment” available from the beginning of December and can offer B&B in our “Olive” and “Sunflower” suites.

Villa Roquette availability book now

Our prices are already very very competitive (low) and we are not raising them (well at least not until next year) – but, if you wish to escape for a short break, or stay for a few months and share some winter sunshine – then make me an offer and join us in  Villa Roquette – you will be made very welcome

Chateau Les Carrasses

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Chateau Les Carrasses is now open for guests. This is a fairy-tale castle in a magical setting in the heart of Languedoc Southern France with villas,  apartments and suites for guests in the center of a wine domain.

So why am I writing about the competition? Well, because I cannot compete  and I will strongly recommend  Chateau Les Carrasses to clients wanting somewhere special to stay when they are here in Languedoc.

Don’t get me wrong, I am proud of what we offer at Villa Roquette, we give fantastic value, full services, King-Size beds, air conditioning, Pool and many many extras – we are a five star B&B and have three well appointed apartments in a classic Maison de Maitre of the 19th century, but it is like comparing 10 Downing Street to the Houses of Parliament, or the White House to the Capitol Building.

We offer a swimming pool for guests, Chateau les Carrasses has private pools with their individual units. We offer breakfast in the dining room or on the terrace, they have a top quality restaurant and terraces looking across thousands of acres of vineyards. We offer wine from local vineyards with our evening meals, they make their own wine in their state-of-the-art winery. I could go on (a lot).

I am really happy that this superb place has opened just a few miles from us, it puts Languedoc on the map for quality tourism – it also encourages me to put the heating system in for our pool, finish the roof and bar area for our barbecue, arrange special green-fees for the golf club just 5 minutes from us and a host of other things I plan for next year.

I am talking with the owner of  Chateau les Carrasses about organising wine tours and tasting events. I certainly will be going to their restaurant.

If You Are Thinking of Buying Property in Languedoc

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In most of France, sales of property have been slow, but Languedoc is bucking the trend and continues to attract a lot of people to come to live here. However, although Languedoc is the most popular area, prices in Languedoc have only risen slightly as a lot more land has been released for new building.

According to the up-coming exhibitions like “A Place in the Sun” and “Vive la France”, the numbers of people now thinking of moving from Northern Europe to sunnier places, like here in Languedoc in the South of France, has increased steadily in recent years and is still very strong, although in many other regions of France the oposite seems to be happening – I fully understand, we left the UK over 20 years ago to find a better life (and we found it here by the Mediterranean).

If you are coming to Languedoc to look for property, stay with us in Villa Roquette and take advantage of my free service. With over 20 years of experience in France, buying, selling and renovating properties. I know which agents to trust and those to avoid, I know the region well and I can show you round and save you a lot of time.

My aim is to offer you accommodation in our home. I am not hasseling for sales commission, or pushing “bargains”. I give straightforward help and advice as a free service, no strings attached.

Make your base Villa Roquette in the heart of Languedoc, it will save you time and could save you a lot of money.