for info contact Margaret

large solar panel heated POOL 9.50m by 4m

up to air temperature!

gorgeous terrace

 

 

dolphin pool, mills just visible behind trees

 

 

 

The pool is a fantastic experience with its warm water! Thanks to solar panel heating. Luxurious tiled pool with underwater lighting, private for the mills. Available from April till October. Saline electrolysis system instead of chlorine tablets! More comfortable for skin and eyes. Large terrace for magic evenings dining and sipping drinks by the pool.

 

downstairs in the Pointed Roof Mill

shower, bathroom

Top Floor Pointed Mill

Two Singles

pool terrace

Superb for Family Holidays

Private Grass Tennis Court

Tree House for Kids

Football Goals

Basket Ball

Baby Paddling Pool

the grounds

underwater lighting for ultra luxurious evening enjoyment

 

 

Superb private grass tennis court, just for the Couscouillette, bring your own or borrow our tennis rackets.On the tennis court; 2 football goals and basket ball for juniors!

Children love the little red car, bike, the paddling pool, Woody hut, tennis, football, basket ball and the swing. It is small, but feels roomy and has an incredible ambiance.

The mill has been beautifully restored in open-plan style.English satellite tv, dvd. Kitchen well appointed with brand new luxurious cooker with an electric spit in the oven and dishwasher. Washing machine, microwave etc. Bathroom and w.c. luxuriously tiled, with shower.

The mill sleeps 4. The mill is one of two 13th century windmills standing side by side, this description applies to the pointed- roof mill. The other mill has now also been restored and is called the 'Sloping Roof Mill'.

The thick walls are made of natural stone. It has an inner diameter of 4 m, but feels more roomy, due to the open plan style, the only doors are on the bathroom area.

There are 3 levels. Two levels are for sleeping.We provide sheets, towels etc €15 per person per stay (however long).As well as pillows and duvets. On the top level, under the eaves, you have a lovely plastered ceiling and visible beams. Here are 2 one person beds. There are no doors on the various areas except for the bathroom, the mill is completely open-plan. So there are sleeping 'areas' on the various floors, rather than individual bedrooms.

The sofa bed is on the first level (up one flight of stairs). In fact, this floor could also be used as a charming extra sitting room.

It has a fireplace for log fires and barbecues (during winter for careful users!)

 

You have your own personal terrace, as well as various other dining places in the gardens. Garden furniture is provided. Barbecue in the follie.

 

your private terrace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

follie for barbecues

 

 

 

picnic area

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great For Kids, Push Car, Swing, Paddling Pool, Woody Hut (with William looking out)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

private (grass) tennis court

(not Wimbledon of course)

 

 

 

 

 

The windmills date from the Cathar period (1266) and are probably the first windmills in the South of France.* The historic interest of this property is well documented in an ancient book in which an entire chapter is dedicated to La Couscouillette.  The period is important in the history of France.

 The two mills, and maybe part of the house were built in the 13th cent. by Simon de Melun, one of the Northern conquerors of the South of France. He had them built so the villagers would no longer have to grind their corn and maize manually and individually. The windmills were new to France then, only watermills were well known.

 

It is said that Simon de Melun, well known in the history of France, brought the knowledge of the East concerning windmills (Crusades) to the S. of France. He purchased a piece of land called 'La Couscouilede' (the name of the hill) to build the mills on. 

 

aerial photo of La Couscouillette

In the 14th cent. the windmills were destroyed, probably by the 'Black Prince' who had also burned down the town of Beziers, killing 20.000 people.

 In the 16th cent. the Comte de Malacoste acquired 'rights on the wind' from the French king. He restored the two mills and became rich due to his monopoly position on the grinding of corn. After that he was given his title by the king. In those days farmers lived mainly from growing corn, not grapes. 

Over the centuries the house was constantly changed and extended. Millers lived here up to the beginning of the 20th century. Around 1930 grinding the corn was no longer economically interesting. A shepherd moved into the house and mills with 300 sheep. He left around 1950 and the house stood empty, falling to ruin till we bought it in '77. 

click to see how we renovated the mills

Situated on a hill, private, yet at the edge of a small village in Aude, in 10 acres of private terrain, with magnificent views in all directions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

view from the mill over the valley

 

 

 

 

Our two Camargue horses roam the beautiful 'garrigue' with wild lavender and thyme, olive trees and other Mediterranean vegetation. The ancient millers' house where we live, is right next to the mill.

 

some of the grounds in the domain

 

The 10 acres surrounding the house and mills include our own little vineyard where we grow the 'grenache noir' grapes and make our own wine the old fashioned, artisinal way. It is actually greatly appreciated by our professional viticulteur friends in the village.

nearby river at ribaute

You will be given a complimentary bottle provided we have any available.

As we have dogs, cats, chickens (fresh eggs), horses, and parrots, though we adore animals you will not be able to bring yours. Our tiny dogs, Fifi and little William, both Coton de Tulears will welcome you to our grounds.

William

Extremely peaceful unpolluted setting unspoilt by tourism, with a timeless French countryside ambiance. Just perfect for vacation rentals.Beautiful countryside all around the house, with marked hiking routes. The region is rich in historical sites and gastronomic opportunities. Mediterranean climate with around 10 hours of sun per day in July. The area can be windy, but the 1000 trees we planted decades ago give great protection. The medieval walled city of Carcassonne is reached in 25 minutes, Narbonne is half an hour away. Spain and the Pyrenees in just over an hour.   Drive through beautiful countryside to the Dinosaur museum at Esperaza. It's at an hour's drive from here and it will take you back 70 million years.

The small wine producing village has a essential shops, a small supermarket, bakery, pharmacy, butcher and post office. The village organises walks, excursions and village open air dances during the summer. Horses can be rented locally for riding. Ours are not suitable for riding; they have trained us expertly to just produce their breakfast, their dinner, their shelter, their freedom and never do a day's work! The village is in-between Carcassonne and Narbonne. The Mediterranean beaches are reached in 35 minutes. At Gruissan, near Narbonne, you can windsurf in the salty Lake of Mateille, an 'etang.

where we live and who we are

 

* 'Montlaur-En-Val'

by Pierre Cabirol, curé 1926

history of the village of Montlaur

http://www.editions-lacour.com/

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