Nestled in the medieval village of Mas-Cabardès, in the green foothills of the Montagne Noire, this holiday cottage sits just 30 minutes from Carcassonne's UNESCO-listed citadel — close enough for a day trip, far enough to escape the summer crowds. Built in the 18th century from local grey stone, the house has been carefully restored to preserve its original character: thick walls that stay cool in summer, arched cellar, handmade terracotta floors, and a sun-drenched courtyard where mornings are spent over coffee and croissants.
The house sleeps 8 guests across 4 bedrooms: one king double, two twin rooms and one family room with bunk beds for children. The ground floor features a large stone-floored living room with fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen (dishwasher, microwave, Nespresso machine) and a dining table seating 10. The stone courtyard — shaded by an ancient wisteria — is the heart of summer evenings: a long plancha BBQ, teak garden furniture, and the distant outline of the Lastours castles on the ridge above.
The village of Mas-Cabardès is one of the most picturesque in the Aude: a tight cluster of medieval houses around a Romanesque church, with the Orbiel river flowing through the gorge below. EV charging is available on-site, and free parking for up to 3 cars. WiFi throughout. Pets welcome on request. The village has a bakery open daily and a bar-restaurant within walking distance.
The Cité de Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, is one of the best-preserved medieval fortified cities in Europe. Its double ring of ramparts stretches for nearly 3 kilometres, punctuated by 52 towers and the formidable Château Comtal. The citadel tells the story of the Cathar crusade: in 1209, Simon de Montfort laid siege to the city and expelled its inhabitants — an event that shaped the entire history of the Languedoc. Viollet-le-Duc's 19th-century restoration gave the towers their distinctive pointed slate roofs, now iconic against the Aude plain skyline.
Inside the walls, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus hides some of France's most beautiful medieval stained glass. The narrow streets are lined with artisan shops, Cathar-themed museums and restaurants serving the legendary cassoulet de Carcassonne. The best strategy from the gîte is to arrive early — before 9am in July and August — to explore the citadel before tour groups arrive, then retreat to the bastide (lower town) for lunch and an afternoon walk along the Canal du Midi embankments.
Beyond Carcassonne, the Pays Cathare offers an extraordinary circuit of Cathar castles: Lastours (4 castles in the hills above the gîte, 20 min), Minerve (perched village, 40 min), Peyrepertuse (vertiginous cliff castle, 50 min), Quéribus (last Cathar stronghold, 60 min) and Montségur (the most dramatic, 90 min). A week at the gîte is barely enough to see them all.
Rates: from €155 per night, minimum 3 nights. The cottage is priced for the entire property (up to 8 guests) — no extra charge per person. Cleaning fee included. We accept bank transfer and accept bookings direct (no Airbnb or Booking.com commission fees added).
Amenities: 4 bedrooms (sleeps 8), 2 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine, WiFi, EV charging point (Type 2, 7kW), private courtyard, plancha BBQ, outdoor dining area. Air conditioning in bedrooms (installed summer 2025). Parking for 3 cars on site. Cot and highchair available. Pets welcome on request (please ask before booking).
Getting here: Mas-Cabardès is 35 km north of Carcassonne (35–40 min by car via the D118). The nearest train station is Carcassonne (TGV from Paris in 3h45, direct from Toulouse in 1h10). From Carcassonne station, a taxi to the gîte takes about 35 minutes. The nearest airport is Carcassonne Airport (Salvaza), with direct Ryanair flights from London Stansted, Dublin, Manchester, Edinburgh and several other European cities. Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is 100 km away with frequent daily connections to all major hubs.
The cottage is 35 km from Carcassonne city centre, approximately 35–40 minutes by car via the D118 mountain road. There is no direct public transport, but a taxi from Carcassonne station costs around €45–50. We recommend hiring a car for the duration of your stay, as the area is best explored by road.
Yes — the house is family-friendly. We have a travel cot, highchair and stair gate available on request. The stone courtyard is enclosed and safe for small children. The village has no busy road traffic. Note that the stone floors and staircase are typical of 18th-century houses, so standard care is needed with very young toddlers.
Absolutely. A 7-night stay allows you to visit Carcassonne (1 day), Lastours castles (half day, 20 min away), Peyrepertuse and Quéribus (1 full day), Minerve (half day), and still have time for hiking in the Montagne Noire and swimming in the Orbiel river. We provide a suggested itinerary on arrival.
The minimum stay is 3 nights. For July and August we typically have a 7-night minimum (Saturday to Saturday), though exceptions can be made for early or late season. For shorter breaks outside high season (spring, autumn) 3-night stays are always available. Weekend bookings (2 nights) are possible on request if the slot is not already taken.
8 guests, 4 bedrooms, stone courtyard — 30 minutes from a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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