Midi-Pyrénées, Ariège, Montségur, France

Montsegur is a beautiful village in the Ariege with panoramic views and the famous Montsegur chateau perched on the top of a mountain.

The house is situated in the oldest part of the village and is full of character and original features. The house has views of the chateau from the rear and the front is south facing with views across the village to the mountains and has sunshine all day.

You warm to the property immediately as you enter the gate into the enclosed terraced garden.

GROUND FLOOR

The double patio door enters directly into the spacious living area with:

* Tiled floor
* 2 ornate radiators
* Window overlooking the terrace
* Exposed beams
* Large open stone fireplace with wooden mantel
* Dining area
* Lounge area
* Coin bureau
* Under stair storage ideal wood store
* Partial double heigh ceiling
* Open original wooden staircase to the first floor

To the left of the living area is a passage with a door opening into the boiler/laundry area.

Continue into the kitchen with:

* Sliding door cupboard ideal for crockery and pans
* Fitted units
* Electric oven
* Dishwasher
* Extractor hood
* Tiled wall above the units

A door from the kitchen leads into the pantry/storage area with a door to a separate WC with wash basin and half tiled walls and tiled floor.

FIRST FLOOR

The original wooden staircase from the living room opens onto the landing with wooden floor, and exposed beams.

On this level we have:

TELEVISION ROOM

This open area has:

* Wooden floor
* Exposed beams
* Window
* Under-stairs storage cupboard
* Ornate radiator

BEDROOM 1 (MASTER BEDROOM)

An open hallway with wooden balustrade that overlooks the living room below leads you to the large south facing master bedroom with:

* Two windows
* Wooden floor
* Exposed beams
* Views of the mountains

BATHROOM

This is a spacious room with:

^ Bath (with shower)
* WC
* Washbasin
* Window
* Ornate radiator
* Wooden ceiling
* Partially tiled walls

A door opens onto the original wooden staircase leading up to the:

SECOND FLOOR

At the top of the staircase is a large landing with sufficient space to create an office with

* Wooden floor
* Wooden ceiling
* Window
* Wooden balustrade overlooking the staircase.

There are three spacious double bedrooms on this floor each with:

* Wooden ceiling
* Ornate radiator
* Window

Bedrooms 1 and 2 have their own dressing room (it may be possible to change these into en-suite shower rooms).

The third bedroom has a built in clothes hanging area

SHOWER ROOM

This room has:

* Radiator
* Wash basin with a mirror and lights
* Shower unit
* WC
* Wooden ceiling

EXTERIOR

The property has:

* A large enclosed south facing terrace, a perfect place for al-fresco eating with friends and family or relaxing - there is sufficient space for a dining table and sun loungers.

* A separate piece of land facing the terrace that has private parking for two cars and has an underground storage tank for the gas central heating.

The south facing facade of the house has a lovely mature 'trumpet vine' providing beautiful colour to the house when it flowers and is a magnet for hummingbirds.

SUMMARY OF THE PROPERTY

This property has:

* Wooden windows throughout
* Wooden shutters
* Main drains (no septic tank to replace!!)
* Gas central heating
* Two bathrooms
* 4 bedrooms
* 2 lounge areas
* Red 'tuile' roof tiles
* Beautiful ornate radiators throughout
* Is south facing
* Private parking for two cars
* Original features - staircase, ceiling beans, fire mantel.

The property has sufficient space for a family home but is also a perfect lock up and leave holiday home or rental.

The current owners fell in love with the house the minute they saw it - perhaps you will too.

REGION

The village of Montségur - Towards the end of the 13th century, a small community called Ourjac settled around the present village, near to the fountain still bearing the same name.

The community did not have a church, so they used the castle as a place of worship.

In the 16th century this village became Montségur and slowly developed through the 19th century to become the current village, many of the houses being partially built with the stones from the castle.

Weaving and agriculture were the main activities of the inhabitants.

There are the following shops and services in the village:

* Galerie
* Book/craft store with snack bar
* Museum
* Holistic therapy centre
* Weaving workshop
* Hotel/bar/restaurant
* Traditional French restaurant
* Charcuterie butcher
* Bakers

ACTIVITIES

There are stunning walks, hikes, mountain, and road bike cycle routes as soon as you walk out of the door. In addition you have:

* Gorge de la Frau (14 km – 33 mins)
* Prehistoric Park at Tarrascon (37 km – 34 mins)
* Mirepoix - quaint historic village (40 km – 48 mins)
* Le Mas d'Azil cave (61 km – 1 hour)
* Carcassonne (83 km – 1h 19 mins)
* Tour de France climb - Col de Montsegur)
* Equestrian centres Montbel (31 km – 43 mins) and Leran (22 km – 30 mins)
* Grand route for hiking GR107
* Downhill skiing - Mont d'Olmes (19 km – 27 mins)
* Lakes to swim, water ski and wind surf
* Green cycle lane on an old railway

and lots more - this is just a taste of what the region offers.

TRANSPORT AND SHOPPING

* Lavelanet has supermarkets, doctors, and schools (13 km – 19 mins)
* Foix hospital (39km – 37 mins) plus a small hospital at Lavelanet
* Carcassonne airport (73 km – 1 hour 11 mins)
* Toulouse International Airport (127 km – 1 hour 32 mins)
* Train station at Foix (33 km – 35 mins)

Hopefully, this has given you a flavour of the region and the house. Don't miss out on this lovely home, please do contact us for more information or to organise a visit. Please scroll down and look at the 360 degree tours of each room and the exterior.