In 2003, we stumbled upon a hidden treasure in the Roman village of Montouliers- La Placette or “the little place”. With the glorious weather and history of the Midi, and its reputation as an unspoiled corner of France, we immediately fell in love. A century and a half of charm pervades this beautifully remodeled home in the Languedoc region of southern France. Distinctive features such as exposed wood beams, original stone walls and wood floors have been lovingly restored.
The three-story house has two bedrooms and two baths and is completely furnished. Antiques in harmony with the character of the house and reproductions of Louis XVI-style chairs are part of the furnishings and are complemented with modern functional pieces. The result: a home that combines taste, comfort and the flavor of France.
On the top floor a sunroom with wet bar and stone sink adjoins a sunny, roomy terrace with views of the village rooftops and the belfry of the old church.
- Quiet medieval hilltop winemakers village
- South-facing 2 bedroom 2 bath home, filled with natural light
- Private rooftop terrace & winebar
- Large open plan kitchen with dishwasher and full fridge
- High-speed wifi/TV/ Washer/dryer
- Owner storage
- 2 months owner usage per year
The Area
Our home is in the heart of the picturesque hillside village of Montouliers. Here, in the southern reaches of the Minervois region, vineyards hug the sunny slopes and stretch across the plains. It’s an ideal headquarters for exploring. Some of our favorite local side trips from Montouliers include Bize-Minervois with a popular swimming hole, Aigne, an incredibly small fortified circulade, the busy market town of St Chinian, renowned for its good wine, and Minerve, one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France and steeped in history.
The Village of Montouliers
The quaint cobblestoned streets of Montouliers (derived from Monte Olerio, the “Mount of Olives.”), is a place where time has stopped. With a population of 212, everyone knows everyone. The village has a school, a mairie, post office, wine cave and a small grocer/boulangerie. One of my favorite stories while my family lived here was when we went to get bread on a Monday (the one day the boulangerie was closed). The neighbors were all lined up outside of the post office, which distributed bread on Mondays. I placed my order and prepared to pay, only to be told that I could pay the boulangerie the next time I stopped in. The post office kept a running tally of the day’s bread sales!
A 1/6th share entitles you to 2 months of usage per year, one in high season and one in low. Since running costs are equally split among the owners with the exception of the house manager who foregoes dues in exchange for managing the property, these dues average around 500 euros/year. La Placette uses a rotational calendar booking system.