Another little view of our French home!

As we continue with our huge renovation project down here in the Languedoc Roussillon, we have nonetheless taken time out every now and then over the last 8 months or so to welcome friends and family down here. This, we find, is one of the joys of living in France. Rather than spending just an evening together as we did in the UK, we can spend real time with our friends and enjoy their company as well as revel in their interest in our work. Mr. Fix It is more than happy occasionally to down tools, tootle off to some neighbouring village for lunch and enjoy the company of old friends with a fine glass of Minervois. This week saw us doing just that as we welcomed some of our family down here for a few days. We paid a visit to the old Cathar stronghold of Lastours where we happened upon a Michelin starred restaurant, set on the site of an old factory, nestling beneath 2 Cathar chateaux. Life could be worse!


“This house is splendid,” mused Steven, a lawyer by trade and therefore not one to offer false compliments. We showed them around proudly and sat at our kitchen table for the first time. A log fire in the corner, soft candles and lighting, a little music, some robust red wine and delicious delicacies from the wonderful market in Narbonne: why, we almost forgot we don’t actually have a kitchen fitted yet! So this was a landmark for us: we could see how convivial, warm and cosy this space will be when it is properly up and running.


Our rooms are mostly square and large with high ceilings, our floors splendidly tiled and intact. Although we have a great deal still to do, this house becomes somehow more “lived in” each day. Standing majestically opposite the 14th century church of St. Julien, it invites great interest from passing folk, its Flemish architecture standing out amongst the French houses alongside it. We often wonder about its history, a mission for me in store whilst Mr. Fix It continues to pipe in our remaining cast iron radiators in the entrance hall, kitchen and one of the bedrooms and we await the final “oui” from the monsieur at Gaz de France.

Now in the heart of the Autumn season, fetes and gatherings abound in the villages surrounding us and the colours on the rural landscape are quite astounding: reds, oranges, yellows, browns each take their place and sometimes mingle amongst the trees, vineyards and leaves. The sun is still with us, now lower in the sky but still bright and golden until early evening.

The long views over the hills and mountains which surround our village render us humble: there is a real feeling here of humans having worked the land for over two thousand years. As we continue to bring this house back to its former glory, we marvel at the Cathar monuments, often seemingly precariously placed at the top of a craggy rock, and wonder at their ability to build so magnificently in those ancient times. Mr. Fix It can take heart: his knowledge of house renovation is paying off bit by bit and as the work continues, we revel in this Autumn season here in the South of France.

Alexis
The Overseas Guides Company
Visit my main website at: http://www.francebuyingguide.com/