The Domaine was originally a farm, and until approximately 50 years ago, supported a flock of 100 goats. We discovered this last year when the last farming tenant, a lovely old lady in her early nineties, came back for the first time in the 50 years since she and her husband had farmed here, to say "farewell".

An industrialist then acquired the estate, and built the present main house on the site of the old farm. The extensive ruins of the old farm outbuildings still adjoin the main house.

We are not sure of the originals of the cottage, but until fairly recently it was used as the maison de gardien. The upper floor is the part rented, and the lower floor contains a laundry (to which guests have full access), storage areas, and a workshop.

Although the estate is only 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) from Carcassonne, it is reached via a 1 mile long private drive from the route départementale, so privacy is unsurpassed!

The land of the estate extends to 72 hectares (172 acres), and comprises rough pasture, improved grazing, and deciduous and coniferous woodland. It is nicely undulating, and at roughly 400 metres above sea level, so the views south to the Pyrénées, and the rest of the Corbières, are really fantastic.

There are also two small lakes, one which dries in summer, the other occasionally in very dry conditions.

The views from the ridge that forms the northern boundary, down into the wine-producing villages and fields of Monze and Pradelles-en-Val, are also superb.

In fact, we would say that the scenery of the estate is the very best in the area, owing to its elevated position.