Domaine de Rey

Its almost impossible to believe that, just over two years ago, Domaine de Rey was a wreck. It was unlived in and unloved for twenty years but that all changed when the Murphy family fell for the rambling old farmhouse and embarked on extensive renovations and modernisation. Being a furniture maker and a garden designer, the couple have clearly put their flair for simple but stylish design to the test and the result is a stunning and sophisticated 6-bedroom family home with a pool, scenically nestled in the foothills of the French Pyrenees.

The revamped and revitalised Domaine de Rey is a blend of original architectural features, and cool, minimalist design with a mix of antique and contemporary furnishings. True to a traditional farmhouse, the heart of the home is a huge, open plan dining kitchen with wood-burning stove and French doors onto the terrace but also sleek, state of the art fittings, island breakfast bar and a big funky table for 12. As Domaine de Rey sleeps up to 12, this is a great place for family and friends to come together but there’s plenty of space for young and old to spread out too. At one end of the house, a playroom provides a kids zone with table football, toys, games and books, bean bags, floor cushions, a TV and DVD player. Grown-ups can stake their claim to the ‘snug’, with a separate TV and DVD player or enjoy some peace and quiet in the sunny sitting room, complete with wood floors, open fire, comfy sofas, armchairs and doors to the garden. Upstairs, Domaine de Rey has four double and two twin bedrooms, three of which have ensuite French bathrooms or walk-in showers and all of which have Egyptian cotton linen and views of the lovely surrounding scenery.

The couple have certainly given the farmhouse a fresh new lease of life and the setting of Domaine de Rey is the cherry on the cake. The farmhouse nestles in six acres of Mediterranean gardens and grounds, incorporating swathes of wildflowers and scenty lavender, oak and pine woods, vineyards and olive trees. Hammocks are slung amongst the trees for snoozing in the shade or there are loungers and parasols to laze by the 12x5 metre pool. Besides the pool, there is a sandpit, paddling pool, treehouse, trikes and swings to keep children busy while a large terrace has dining table and chairs for al fresco family feasting French-style. The house is completely private and tranquil, with superb views across hills and vineyards to the Pyrenees plus golden Mediterranean beaches are only an hour away.

Accommodation Overview

Domaine de Rey sleeps up to 12 people, with four large doubles and two smaller twin rooms. Three of the double bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms, one with a shower and two with walk in showers and French baths. The fourth double shares a separate bathroom with the twin rooms. One double is accessed from separate stairs from the sitting room and there is space for a cot in all four double bedrooms.

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Although a perfectly peaceful and private spot to get away from it all, Domaine de Rey is just five minutes drive from the pretty village and amenities of Saint Hilaire in the Aude region of Languedoc-Roussillon. The village, with its Benedictine abbey, is renowned for Blanquette sparkling wine, created by the monks and a forerunner to Champagne. The whole Languedoc Roussillon region is renowned for its wine and there are numerous vineyards nearby for sampling stocking up. The town of Limoux on the River Aude is also just 15 minutes away, with a bustling Friday market and pavement cafes around the main square.

The most famous local attraction is the walled citadel of Carcassonne (20 minutes drive), where narrow cobbled streets, packed with shops, cafes, and restaurants, are enclosed within the magnificent ramparts and fairytale towers. Throughout the summer, the walled ‘Cite’ buzzes with even more things to see and do, from music concerts to medieval jousting tournaments but to get away from the crowds, the region is strewn with Cathar castles, perched precariously on hilltops throughout the foothills of the Pyrenees. If visiting in summer, cool off with a trip to the nearby lake beach too.

The mountains, forests and lakes, endless vineyards and summer sunflower fields all add up to an area of outstanding beauty for walking, cycling or exploring by car. Similarly, action and adventure hunters can choose white water rafting and canoeing, horse riding treks, swimming in local river pools, an accropark to swing through the trees and skiing during the winter months. For more lazy and leisurely family fun, wide sandy beaches are just over an hour away, with excellent seafood restaurants by the sea near Leucate.

Getting There: The nearest airport is Carcassonne (20 minutes) and low cost flights are available from the UK with Ryanair from London Stansted, East Midlands, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow and Dublin. Ryanair also fly to Beziers (approximately 1 hour 15) from London Luton, Bristol, and Manchester. Toulouse airport is only 1 hour away, with low cost flights with Easyjet from London Gatwick and Bristol. Alternative airports include Perpignan (1½ hours), Montpelier (2 hours) and Girona (2 hours). Travelling by train is also an option with the Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Toulouse (5½ hours) and a connecting service to Carcassonne. For a self drive holiday, Calais is approximately 11 hours and Dieppe 9 hours.

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