"Maison de Village" in the heart of a sweet village in the Minervois wine region

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It was love at first sight when I came across this eclectic place and I am happy now to be able to share this guesthouse with you in the lovely little village of Azille, right in the heart of the Aude & Minervois. A 3-story house, dating back to 1802, was once three separately owned structures. During the years when olives were ripe for picking & squeezing into virgin olive oil, the original owner of the outermost building, purchased the backmost section of the house, closed trap doors and exterior windows, and opened up the interior to create a larger home for his family. While the area grew richer and richer in the times of the great grape revival, his son was then able to add the last interior section, which was once a barn, creating what it now a complete village home.

The property remains very private, with three separate facades and an exterior garage with an exposed front and back. Exploring the interior of the house gives you the sense of moving into different spaces, feelings created when decorating guest rooms and the gîte. The original spaces are visible in the interior, as well as rises where the first property lines were established. The terrace on the top floor of the house gives the impression of being on top of the world, with unobstructed views across the local vineyards and homes down below, and across to the 14th century church steeple in the village. The veranda is a great place to spend a quiet moment, especially on rainy days, where you can still enjoy the open space of the terrace while remaining indoors, dry and cozy. You truly feel as if you are living in many spaces all at once in La Dolce Vita.

Welcome to La Dolce Vita

a surreal adventure...

In AZILLE in addition to your guest room and freshly prepared, private meals at La Dolce Vita, Azille has much to offer in history and culture with its population of only 1,300 inhabitants:

Saturday morning brings the village street market, with fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood, bric-a-brac, and a number of other stalls and vendors. In the middle ages, Azille was one of the more important sites of the Archdiocese of Narbonne, which gave it the 14th century church of St. Julien, in the center of town (still maintained and in use to this day). The Clarisses Monastery is just around the corner from the church and may also be visited.

Parts of the original fortified walls, towers and entryways can still be seen surrounding the very center of town. There are also a number of chateaux from the 19th century still in use today, which you can see as you stroll around the village. Take special note of the Chateau Gallimard, of which the Azillaise population are quite proud! Only 4 kilometers from the center of Azille, the Canal du Midi runs through the vineyards and the community's hamlet of Jaurrès, which houses original aging barrels of gargantuan size. In town, there are a few wine tasting rooms and Azille's own Cave Cooperative, which is home to many of the grapes harvested in the fall from the vineyards surrounding the village.

The village is also proud to offer many of the services that are, sadly, not to be found in every small village in the South of France. Here in Azille we have a post office, boulangerie, boucherie, and tabac (which also provides a bank ATM (cash dispenser) service. Throughout the year, Azille offers a variety of street fairs, such as craft fairs, local food and wine festivals, and flea markets, plus many artisans and their crafts are on display around town on a permanent basis.

Come on a Safari!

Viewing Azille from the Vineyards below

Unique & Personalized Visits: At La Dolce Vita you can plan your individual vacation or celebrate a special occasion in comfort and be catered to at our B&B Guesthouse - we offer personalized retreats with special packages created according to your preference and to your passions:

Motorcycle: We can help you organize motorcycle tour beginning here in Azille with self-guided itineraries in the South of France, recommendations of routes and places to stay along the way, returning to us as your final destination for a meal and bottle of wine. We can recommend motorcycle rental agencies, and paid, guided touring as well. If you choose to arrive with your own gear, we have secure and safe parking for your motorcycles, which can be included in your room price.

Bicycle rentals with self-guided tour to include vineyard routes, historical Cathar region sites and picnic lunches. Please inquire for daily bike rentals and coordination.
Honeymoon celebrations w/private champagne dinners.

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Owner last modified the information in this this advertisement on 14/05/2010