French Country Houses: Rives Pres

Rives Pres: large country house with magnificent pool & panoramic views

5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms  (Sleeps 9/10)

“Rives-Pres”: magnificent accommodation on a private estate in the heart of the Languedoc vineyards. Two kilometres from a sizeable village with shops, restaurants, bars.

This unique property is in a privileged situation, nestling amongst vineyards with stunning views (photo below left) over the countryside to the mountains beyond. The park-like grounds have many established trees, including fragrant pines, palm and plane trees.

The superb, huge pool area, planted with palm trees, is totally private, with pool house and plenty of sunbathing space.

LOCATION:
Just 2 kms from St André de Sangonis, which has all shops and services, including two mini markets, several boulangeries, butcher, bars, restaurants, a ‘Maison de Presse’ which has English newspapers, and a Friday morning street market. The market town of Gignac, 6 kms, has a supermarket, restaurants, shops, banks etc plus an excellent big Saturday morning market which is one of the best in the area.
Mediterranean beaches 35 kms, Lac Salagou for swimming and non-motorised water sports, 10 kms. Montpellier 40 kms, Spanish border 150 kms.

APPROACH & HOUSE:
A driveway leads up from a small country road to the impressive wrought iron gates leading to a large, secure, private parking area. Another set of gates leads through to a beautifully landscaped garden featuring palm trees and native plants, and the house.

The house is luxuriously appointed and all furnishings and fittings are of superior quality. The renovation has been carefully executed with a great deal of attention to detail, keeping as many original features as possible whilst incorporating every modern comfort. Beautiful, old-style terracotta floor tiles have been used throughout to complement the lovely old exposed stone walls and beams.

Entrance to the main house is via a door with an arched stone surround, into a roomy entrance hall with exposed beams. To the left is a guest powder room with WC and hand washbasin.

To the right, up two steps, is the enormous sitting room of 31 sq m, which has beautifully exposed stones and beams and a marble fireplace. It is comfortably furnished with sofas, armchairs, coffee table etc. Two sets of French doors lead to the paved terrace which runs the length of the building and on to the garden, two more French doors open to a shaded patio at the back of the property. Two beamed doorways lead through to the large dining room (28 sq m) with exposed beams, French doors opening to the terrace and garden and a large window opening to the back.

 A doorway leads through to the well-equipped kitchen, decorated in muted yellows and greens. Equipment includes a gas cook top (hob), electric oven, dishwasher, full size fridge with freezer, microwave, plenty of cupboard space and a double sink. There are two windows plus double French doors opening to a patio. A staircase with handrail leads from the entrance hall to the first floor and the bedrooms: 

* A vast master bedroom suite, consisting of a bedroom of 27 sq m with air-conditioning, exposed beams, and a large, fully tiled ensuite bathroom. This has a separate WC, big walk-in shower, hand washbasin with vanity and a bath with amazing views over the countryside, plus a French door leading out to the suite’s own terrace. A French door also opens from the bedroom to this terrace – a tranquil spot to enjoy the wonderful views of vines and distant mountains in all directions.

Also off the master bedroom are French doors opening to a veranda of 30 sq m, which runs the entire width of the house. It has large windows all round to fully appreciate the marvellous views in all directions.

* a twin bedded room with ensuite bathroom
* a further double bedded room
* a bedroom with a single bed (with fold up bed for a child if required),
plus bathroom with bath and overhead shower, separate WC, second equipped kitchen with washing machine and sitting room with semi-circular terrace and wonderful views.

The utilities room with washing machine, tumble drier, iron and ironing board is also on this floor.

 The guesthouse, (photos left and right) located in the grounds close to the main house, has a large bedroom with twin beds and ensuite shower room.

THE GROUNDS:

The house and pool are situated in half a hectare and the surrounding three hectares belong to the property.

A built-in wood or coal burning barbecue with outside sink and preparation area in the garden has a little covered terrace providing the perfect spot for alfresco dining on a hot day.

THE POOL:
From the garden a flight of steps, secured by a latched gate, leads down to the secluded pool area enclosed by a beautifully built stone wall. The entire area is totally private and paved with big, stylish, flagstones, providing plenty of sun bathing space. Palm trees have been planted to create an atmosphere of a tropical oasis. The 12 x 6 pool, 1 metre-1 metre 50 in depth, is entered by four steps.

The pool house has a shower and WC; its covered terrace, providing shade on hot days, has a handy outdoor sink with stone surround.

SUMMARY OF BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS:

Main house:
2 double bedded rooms (one is master suite with ensuite bathroom – bath, separate walk-in shower, hand washbasin, separate WC)
1 twin bedded room with ensuite bathroom (bath, overhead shower, WC, hand washbasin)
1 bedroom with single bed, fold up bed available for a child
1 further bathroom (bath, overhead shower, hand washbasin) and separate WC, hand washbasin
Guest powder room (WC and hand washbasin)
Guest house:
Large twin bedded room with ensuite shower room (shower, WC, hand washbasin)

A cot and mattress (120 cm by 60cm) with eiderdown can be provided. Please bring a waterproof under sheet and cot linen.

2010 Rives Pres French Country House Rates

The above quoted rates are per week in AUD. Rates include linen. Rates are subject to change without notice and subject to currency changes. Security Deposit of $940 is additional. Electricity additional over Low Season, Easter & Christmas

Latitude Vacations offers a range of Hotel Barge Cruises and Yacht Charters in the South of France. Why not team your French Country House stay with a yacht or hotel barge cruise. Packages are also available with return airfares from your nearest capital city and car hire. Please contact Latitude Vacations for further information