Languedoc-Roussillon, Aude, Caunes-Minervois, France

A charming village house with blue shutters, tucked away in a quiet street in the heart of the old town - ideal as a lock-up-and-leave holiday home, or as a permanent home in a village with year-round activities and services.

Originally two separate buildings, the house has been beautifully renovated to a high standard by the current owner and is both comfortable and stylish, with many period features that add to the charm of the property. South-west facing, it is flooded with light in the afternoons, but the double-glazed windows, thick stone walls and wooden shutters provide protection from the heat of the summer sun.

You enter into a cosy living room with insert fireplace and kitchenette featuring the local Caunes marble worktops, and 2 steps up to a pantry area with a stone cave/storage area leading off it.

On the first floor you find a double bedroom with marble fireplace, and a bathroom fitted with walk in shower, washbasin and WC. The corridor leads on to the covered verandah. A wooden staircase leads up to the second floor, with an attractive landing, where you find the spacious master bedroom and en-suite shower room with walk-in shower, washbasin and WC.

The other half of the house is accessed from the 20m2 covered terrace/verandah that is a perfect spot for year-round enjoyment, with a view over the rooftops to the vineyards and Pyrenees on a clear day.

From the verandah, you enter the unexpectedly large living room (32m2) with an exposed stone wall, and 3.5m high ceiling, giving the feeling of airiness and space. 2 steps up to the kitchen, with traditional wooden cabinets and plenty of space for a breakfast table.

A spiral wooden staircase descends from the corner of the living room to a hallway below, from which leads the garage (a rare commodity in a village house of this type), and the second entrance hall, the oldest part of the property, with exposed stone walls and ancient flagstones dating back hundreds of years – a gem waiting to be transformed.

Caunes Minervois has a thriving social, cultural and artistic life, with galleries and exhibitions, and concerts in the renowned Dominican abbey. Amenities include shops, post office, pharmacy, doctors' surgeries and bank, as well as a regular bus service. The closest airport and train station are 30 minutes away.

Floorplans available upon request.