Chateau Orbieu, Stunning Chateau, Air-Con, Family Friendly, 8 Bedrooms, Large Pool, Amazing Summer Kitchen, 20min to Beach [AU036A]

South of France Chateau to sleep 16

Chateau Orbieu really is just magnificent!  This French 18th century Chateau has been renovated with the upmost love, care, attention to detail and no expense has been spared.
Original features have been carefully maintained, however a heated pool, modern air-conditioning, beautiful bathrooms, stunning kitchens both inside and out will ensure that you will make the most fantastic memories whilst on holiday in this stunning South of France Chateau which dates back to Napoleonic days. Although some rooms are formal the Chateau is family friendly and young children are welcome.

Situated in the heart of a Languedoc (Occitanie) wine village, a bistro, bakers, butchers and grocers are all within a 2 minute walk.

The Mediterranean beaches are a short 20 minute drive away, with the centre of Narbonne being just 10 minutes away.

Perfect for large family holidays, special events (large weddings may be possible in 2025).

We have visited a couple of times so please do ask any questions as there is so much more to this amazing Chateau.

French Chateau for vacations in the South of France

The spectacular oak doors open into the fabulous grand hallway, to the right through the original double doors is the large formal lounge with comfortable sofas and antiques. Doors lead through to the French style bureau which also has a door out to the hallway.

There is a powder room with wc and sink on the right.

From the entrance on the left you enter into the majestic dining room, the table can seat 16, just perfect for a special occasion, why not get a chef to come and cook for you!

Doors lead through to another sitting room/piano room, which is ideal for pre-dinner drinks should you not wish to be outside.

From the dining room you enter a small hallway with an independent wc.

Swing doors lead into the large, modern kitchen which is equipped with everything that you could possibly need. An island with stools houses the special wine fridge which can be stocked for your arrival.

Sliding doors lead out onto the outside area, a large wraparound terrace with lots of comfortable high quality sofas and sun-loungers, a magnificent outdoor kitchen with BBQ and a pizza oven, outdoor shower and separate wc.

From the main hallway there is access to the outside area, the original feature staircase leads to the upper floors and bedrooms.  The staircase is wide and is easy to access.

First Floor

Large hallway with a feature stained glass window to your left.

The first of the four bedrooms on this floor is the Peacock bedroom, air-conditioned, bright and airy with 2 shuttered windows overlooking the village square, double bed (160cm), large, modern en suite shower room, with a rain shower, sinks and wc.

The Vermilion suite, air conditioned, super-king size bed (180cm), original features including a pink marble fireplace, large modern ensuite with rain shower, free standing bath and wc.  From the bathroom, doors lead into an air-conditioned sitting room, perfect should you need to work whilst on vacation, or just take time out with a coffee using the machine in the room.
French doors lead out onto a small balcony with a table and chairs, the whole suite overlooks the Chateau’s front garden and fountain. The sitting room also has doors that lead onto the hallway.

The Rose bedroom, air conditioned, super-king size bed (180cm), views over the garden. En suite shower room, modern walk-in rain shower, mirror with integrated magnifying glass and wc.

An independent wc is off the hallway. At the other end of the hallway through double doors is a twin bedroom, this is the only bedroom without air-conditioning however there is a fan.  This room can either share one of the other bathrooms on this floor or use the independent shower room on the 2^nd floor.

Another staircase leads from the hall up to the 2^nd floor, the original iron gate dates back hundreds of years (the Chateau was taken over in the first world war and used as an information centre by the Germans).

To the left is the TV room, large TV with UK channels and Netflix, a perfect place for teenagers to hang out. The room is air-conditioned and has access to an outdoor balcony with a couple of chairs and a table, along with stunning views over the black mountains.

Off the TV room is a double bedroom with a 180cm bed, air-conditioned, this room also has a TV. Doors lead to a hallway with an independent bathroom, corner bath with an overhead power shower and wc. This bathroom could also be shared with the Gold Suite

Accessed from the other side of the hallway is the Gold Suite - air conditioned, super-king size bed (180cm), views over the garden, doors lead to the air-conditioned sitting room with a table and chairs. Doors lead into the Green bedroom, which has a 140cm antique double bed, modern en suite with rain shower and wc.

The Gold Suite and Green bedroom are ideal for a family, making use of the Green bedroom en suite instead of the independent bathroom.  If necessary a single bed can be provided for a young child.

The Blue bedroom off the hallway has a 160cm double bed, air-conditioning and a modern en suite shower room with wc.

There is also a small kitchen, laundry room and large shower room on this floor (in the tower!), which is accessed via the TV room, stairs also lead down the tower into the ground floor main kitchen, this was the original staff entrance.

South of France Chateau equipped to a very high standard including:-

Pool table
Ping pong table
Table football
Electronic dart board

Dishwasher
American Fridge/freezer 
Oven Hob/stove 
Microwave 
Electric kettle
Coffee Machine - L'or capsules
Toaster
TV's with UK channels
Bose sound system
Free Wi-Fi
Travel cot and High Chair x 2

Utility Room with:-
Washing-machine
Dryer
Iron/ironing board 

Air conditioned bedrooms

Summer Kitchen:
Large Gas BBQ
Pizza oven
Drinks fridge

Car-Parking for multiple cars

South of France Chateau to sleep 16

The pool and wraparound terrace has lots of comfortable sofas, sunloungers and parasols. Part of the terrace is also covered.

The heated pool is 10m x 5m and is 1.40cm deep, it has an electric cover for safety and this also helps keep the water warm. Easy access with roman steps.

A large gas BBQ and Pizza oven are by the pool in the fabulous stainless steel outdoor kitchen, there is also a drinks fridge.

An outdoor shower is by the pool. wc and sink are next to the summer kitchen.

Dining tables to seat up to 16 for al-fresco dining.

The large garden of the chateau has a synthetic grass area, with plenty of room for children to play or have a game of petanque.

A separate building at the end of the arches (planted with jasmine) on this side houses the games room with a ping-pong table, table football, pool table and electronic dart board.

For little ones there is a playhouse with kitchen and shop.

The front garden has a fountain and formal garden planted with specially selected roses.

Plenty of secure parking.

Explore the area from this South of France Chateau

Narbonne centre (10km) –  10 minutes away by car. The Cathedral dominates the main square, lots of restaurants, cafes, shops and indoor market Les Halles open daily until noon (except Sundays). Street market on Thursday.

Beaches  - there are numerous ports and beaches within easy driving distance such as Gruissan where there are water sport facilities for hire and the old town and modern marina offer a good choice of bars and restaurants. Plage du Doul 30 mins (24km)- on the etang, unspoilt beach no facilites. Port de bages 22 mins (17km) - small coastal village with a couple of restaurants/cafes.

The Canal du Midi is a short drive away with numerous restaurants along the way.

Pezenas approx 45 mins (60km) - a lovely Renaissance town with lots of cafes, bars, restaurants, Artisan boutiques and a lively Saturday market.

Beziers approx 35 mins (40km) Major market town, noted for its bull-fight 'Feria' in August. Tourist train to les Neufs Ecluses (Nine locks).

Carcassonne - approx 50 mins (60km) - includes the modern town as well as the Medieval Cité, which is in the Top 100 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Summer Festival offers an array of events.

Mediterranean Sea - there are numerous ports and beaches within easy driving distance such as Gruissan where there are water sport facilities for hire and the old town and modern marina offer a good choice of bars and restaurants.

Abbaye de Fontfroide - approx 15 mins (13km) - one of France’s best preserved Cistercian monuments. The Abbey is open from March to December and there is also a very good restaurant open on site as well as classical music concerts.

Collioure - approx 75 mins (95km) - a lovely cove on the Cote de Vermeille with a town beach, rocky coastline, restaurants, shops and winding streets. Known for its "special light" it attracted painters such as Matisse and Derain - there are lots of galleries!

Rennes-le-Chateau as featured in Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and the other Cathar Castles - Queribus and Peyrepertuse - are within easy reach.

Spain – under an hour away to the border and beyond where there are many lovely coastal villages. The Dali Museum at Figueres is worth a visit.

For more information about this region, please refer to our Languedoc Regional Guide

ACCESS

For information on reaching Languedoc, please refer to our South France Travel Information Guide

International airports are at:

Beziers approx 50km (Ryanair from Bristol, London, Manchester, Shannon, Paris, Stockholm, Dusseldorf and Edinburgh)

Perpignan approx 65 km (Ryanair Stansted, Birmingham, 

Carcassonne - 70km  (Ryanair to Stansted, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Manchester, Cork, Dublin, Porto and Sardinia).

Montpellier approx 100km. (Easyjet London, Bristol, Ryanair Stansted, BA London)

Nimes approx 140km (Ryanair)

Toulouse approx 160km - International flights

Girona (Spain) approx 160km (Ryanair to various UK airports)

South of France by Road:
1040 km south of Calais (about 12 hours drive non-stop)

South of France by Rail:
Paris to Narbonne - direct train 4.30 hrs.

Station at Narbonne

The chateau is in the heart of the village yet it feels like you are in the middle of the countryside within a 1-2 minute walk you have:

Local bistro serving pizzas, and simple food
Bakers
Butcher
Small grocery store
Wine co-operative - wine tasting and you can buy direct.
Hairdressers
Tennis courts

Approximately 5km away in Saint Marcel Sur Aude:

Large Supermarkets
Chemists
Restaurants

River Aude is 5 minutes away and you can book a day fishing for carp and monster catfish with a guide, approx 100 euro per person.

Beach - Gruissan plage is a 20 minute drive, lots of restaurants too.

Narbonne centre 10km - Lots of shops, restaurants, especially Espace de liberté, which has the world record for the largest selection of cheese. Booking is essential.

Lac de Jouarres 20km - Swimning lake, boat hire, picnic area, snack bar, great if you are not a beach lover.