Umande

where the sea breeze seasons a village rendezvous

 
Traditional Languedoc Village House with secluded roof terrace to the master bedroom

Sleeps 4

Umande has been the little gem of the last few summer and autumn seasons - and has already proved a popular retreat for winter and spring. Summer 2011 beckons and several regular guests are planning their return to their favourite corner of their favourite village in their favourite region of France.

For couples, friends and families, Umande nestles in the very heart of old Marseillan, just minutes from the wine cellars and fishermen's counters,  restaurants and markets of the village centre and an easy stroll from the port. Yet, even in midsummer,  a week or two at Umande is a world away from the holidaymakers in the harbour; Umande is a taste of forgotten France, real France, living with the locals, wandering through history itself and sipping wine under the stars, La Vie Marseillanaise.

A delightful age-old cottage in one of Marseilan's quaint ruelles, but a blink and a whisper from the meandering rue Emile Zola, Umande has been thoroughly renovated to provide all the comforts of home.

Find fresh fish, fruit and herbs just around the corner to prepare in the fully equipped kitchen and create delicious diner à deux to enjoy by candlelight under the night sky on the roof terrace; pick up a jar of Mamie Elise's unforgettable home-made fig jam and crusty fresh baguettes from the boulangère in the market place and enjoy your breakfast en famille in the morning sun. There is a treasured recipe folder in the kitchen, packed with the secrets of memorable meals enjoyed in Umande - tap the brains and talents of other chefs and create your own magic with the pick of Marseillan's finest produce.

Nod your bonsoirs to neighbours gossiping through open windows as you make your way home from yet another inspirational dinner by the waterside ...

For Umande is a real home from home in Marseillan.

Umande gives a true taste of the traditional Languedoc lifestyle, with the sights, sounds and scents of the village all around. Yet, here you will find all the comforts of a true home from home.

Step in from the street into a welcoming living room. A big comfy sofa, hifi, DVD player and even British satellite TV for evenings in.

There is a dining table by the window and a brand new fully fitted kitchen leading from the main living area.

Up the stone steps to the first floor with its twin bedroom and the bathroom with a proper bath ...

Ideal for relaxing after the long journey south.

Then upstairs once more to the spacious master-bedroom, with windows to the east and the west.

From the double bed you can look up to the night sky and count the stars, as the bedroom opens out to the secluded roof terrace.

There is even an extra little fridge upstairs - ideal for storing the occasional bottle of champagne or your favourite tipple for toasting promises made under a mediterranean moon, raising a glass in the refreshing summer sea breeze that lends its name to the house:

Umande

For the keys to Umande and a week or more in the heart of Marseillan use the Contact Us form on the Where To Stay page or drop us an email

stephane@marseillanvillage.co.uk

and reserve your special stay

KEEP SCROLLING DOWN FOR MORE PHOTOS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS TERRACE

2011 RATES - held at 2009 prices
(£ Sterling prices per week)

email us for dollar and euro rates

Ask about off-peak MIDWEEK CHANGEOVER DAYS off season

to help you save money on flights to the Med.

All reservations must be accompanied by a 25% deposit. Balance 8 weeks before arrival. We also require a security deposit against breakages of £150, refunded 7 days after departure. Prices quoted do not include linens - available at a modest charge. [*] £20 winter electricty/heating supplement.

Enjoy our diary of events in and around Marseillan and the region during your stay, with tips on nearby markets and festivals and reviews of the best restaurants in the village and port. Ask for information on sight-seeing, itineraries, wine tasting, dining further afield and other trips, from visiting a goat farm to taste delicious cheeses to catching the local overnight ferry to Palma and the Balaerics! We can also advise on cycle hire (subject to availablity and a locally paid deposit). Weekly bookings Saturday 5pm - Saturday 10am. Other changeover days possible  to take advantage of Ryanair's best fares.

Ryanair fly from Luton to Beziers (15 mins from Marseillan), Stansted Carcassonne (75 minutes) and Perpignan (75 minutes ) from well under £50 return.

The airline also flies from Dublin Liverpool and East Midlands to several airports including Montpellier (40 minutes away) Carcassonne and Nimes with fares starting at around £25 including taxes.

They fly from Bristol  and Luton to nearby Vias Agde Beziers airpport (15 minutes from the house). And Flybe have links from 6 UK cities. Easyjet fly from Gatwick to Montpellier from £50.

Visitors from Birimingham, Blackpool, Bournemouth,  Edinburgh, Manchester and Southampton find local bargain flights into Beziers, Toulouse, Marseilles, Nimes or Perpignan and just across the border in Girona.

Toulouse also welcomes direct flights from Canada. High speed Eurostar-TGV trains run from London Waterloo to Agde, Montpellier and Avignon from just £100.

You might even decide to bring your own car with you and take the Motorail service, parking aboard a train in Paris one evening, then driving off at nearby Narbonne at breakfast time - a 45 minute drive to the Etang de Thau.

For all UK-France route details and contacts, click here.

A proper bathroom with a proper bath!

(below) The twin room on the first floor

Umande is a typical village house in a typical village street, Yet even in these resolutely residential quarters, fresh food and drink is never too far from your front door.

Two roads away at the av Gambetta, discover the vignerons selling their own red and white wine from their homes.

Bring an empty bottle or jug to take away a litre from the tap, or splash out on a bottle. Dozens of Domaines offer wine tastings (local Picpoul de Pinet white wine ideal with oysters).

The family run Domaine de Carayon sells not only its wines, but market garden produce (fresh peas, delicious fruit, summer veg) from the wine cellars just around the corner on place de la Republique. And the village co-operative is down in the port - just a few yards from Marseillan's world famous vermouth Noilly Prat, ever the heart of a true dry martini.

Other houses have oyster counters by the front door - the fishermen selling their wares to their neighbours.

A typical Marseillan meal, without going anyware near a shop!

Umande's personal touches reflect the truth that this is a much loved family hideaway,