Le Patio

2 bedrooms

Sleeps 4

On a small, private development, the house is situated in the Rive Gauche fishing port Tabarka and a short walk from the Port de Plaisance, the charming old town centre and the Marina, with private parking by the front door.

Just around the corner from Les Hirondelles, Les Chaluts and the Saint Clair, this little hideaway is just a couple of hundred yards from the lakeside park.

The special plus about this cottage is its exclusive little patio garden area - a private outdoor space, free from the prying eyes of passers-by.

The front door opens on to the airy living room and kitchen.

cross the breakfast bar, a dining table and four chairs and by the windows are two easy chairs, and a settee for flopping around the coffee table and catching up on the weather forecast - the sunshine of Languedoc and the alternative climes back home as you zap between British satellite and French terrestrial channels.

The French windows open on to the private, south-facing terrace, the walls topped with wooden fencing and where shade is provided by the spreading laurier rose or a parasol.

The world of the port quarter itself is safely screened away with just the occasional sounds of the outside world remind you that  you are so close to the water: the chiding of a mallard, the boast of a seagull and the  welcome bark of the fisherman's dog as his master retruns home.

A couple of sunloungers for lazy afternoons and four garden chairs around the glass table and a portable barbecue for long evenings over freshly frilled seabass, chilled rose and delicious confections from Monsieur Servant's fabulous chocolaterie in Marseillan.

If you fancy working your way through a good recipe book (browse the selection before you travel at www.languedocbookshop.com), then you could make the most of the excellent kitchen. Equipped with an electric oven with a three burner halogen hob, and two extra electric rings, there is also a  microwave, fridge, and both a washing machine and a dishwasher.

Upstairs: two bedrooms, one double and one twin. Linen and towels can be provided at an additional cost. The bathroom, unusually amongst its neighbours, comes complete with a full size bath with a shower above.

You can keep your cool in summer, since Le Patio has a portable air conditioning unit for your comfort during the hot weather.

The Languedoc breezes do their bit, whatever the season - the Tramontagne breathing its crisp air from the arriere pays, through the village streets and down to your home in the port. On other days, the Mediterranean brings the ripe Marin air to the shores.

PRICES 2011

(weekly rates in £ sterling)

Email us for euro rates and to check availability 

stephane@marseillanvillage.co.uk

or complete the form on the WHERE TO STAY page

Whatever the wind, whenever the season, the life of the port continues as usual.

Across the road, your neighbours take their fishing boats out to the lagoon, a hundred yards away, two dozen ducks gossip and huddle by the slipway into the water.

On Tuesday morning, boats queue quietly to replenish their tanks; on Thursday, the tooting greeting of the Anjodi hotel barge heading towards the quay.

One summer Thursday evening in summer, Les Quais d'Art sees artists from around the region setting up their easels on the quaysides; another evening, another barge brings Salsa musicians dancers to the waterfront.

Every Wednesday afternoon, when school closes early, the children of the village play in the park along the way;

And on the night pf the full moon, holidaying couples walk hand in hand around the corner to watch the silvery light trickle across the waters of the Etang de Thau, syncopated by the rythmic swaying slash of the Sete lighthouse across the bay.

Full moons come just once a month, but it is market day in Marseillan every Tuesday. The aromas around the central market hall are worth the five minute walk into the village.

Fantastic rich ripe tomatos from market gardens are a salad celebration.

And in August, melons peaches and nectarines are sold by the handful for just a few euros.

A rotisserie turns corn-fed chicken and a neighbouring stall sells the green and black olives, sun dried tomatos and tapenades that define the Midi.

Exoticism from further afield, as Marseillan housewives queue for home made spring rolls, delicious noodles, salads and other specialities from the Veitnamese delicatessen stall.

Decked in in the traditional smock and beret, the cheeseseller offers samples of his mountain specialities from Languedoc's own back country.

On any other weekday, we'll let you know the nearest street market.Perhaps Agde on a Thursday, Sete on Wednesday morning or the Saturday favourite in Pezenas.