Le Jardin Secret

Who said you can’t have everything: In the narrow winding streets of old Marseillan, discover a 3 bedroom traditional village house … with a difference. Our special treasure for summer 2010 has a secret garden behind the high stone walls. Not only this, but a suntrap terrace on the first floor and, the ultimate luxury in the historic centre of the village – a garage for your car.

Freshly modernised and redecorated, this garden hideaway is ideal for larger families or groups of friends, as extra hidden beds and a sofa bed mean that up to 11 can sleep here if friends come to stay.

Let yourself in and open the electric shutters to park the car in the very generously proportioned garage.

Leave your suitcases in the utility room off the hallway and the ground-floor cloakroom/wc, and walk through the garage to see the garden.

Up the traditional turning staircase to the main living room. Bigger than some holiday homes, with over 400 square feet of bright and airy indulgence. Large windows at both ends of the room bathe the space in natural light all day long. This also brings you the refreshing bonus of wonderful refreshing breezes. 3 bedrooms on the top floor, 2 doubles, one kids room with 4 beds. A family bathroom and an en-suite shower room. The house has 3 wcs. The garden allows the family to relax outdoors, barbecue and take the air, and a terrace on the first floor is a great place for a pre-dinner tipple at sunset.

Marseillan is paradise on earth - a centuries old languedoc village, clustered round the 13th century church and market square, yet spilling out into a fishing port hailed as St Tropez before Bardot. Foodie heaven on the banks of a sleepy Mediterranean lagoon, in the heart of wine country. Venture a few minutes into the village to discover the charming weekly market in the old streets around the 13th century church. Visit the original Noilly Prat vermouth distillery on the port and taste the catch of the day at any one of two dozen restaurants. Sea, Lagoon and Canal: Boating and watersports within 10 minutes walk of the house. Miles of long sandy beaches on the Med and the leafy tree-lined Canal de Midi, with its timeless locks and solitary fishermen. Play Pétanque on the shady village square or book a tennis court along the Oystermen's road. Send the kids off to let off steam in the Park Tabarka playground two minutes walk away - skate ramps, volleyball and table tennis areas. Golfers tee off at nearby St. Thomas and Cap d'Agde golf clubs. Skiers drive up to the Pyrenees for the weekend. Shopping: Legendary Brocante fleamarkets at Marseillan Plage resort, 5 minutes drive from the port, hailed by BBC TV as the ultimate continental boot fairs. Dozens of Domaines offer wine tastings (local Picpoul de Pinet white wine ideal with oysters). Discover earthier delights at the village centre restaurants. Le Boulevard - just up the road from the house - is famous for its seafood.

bedlinen and towels available at a modest supplement.

All reservations must be accompanied by a 25% deposit. Balance 8 weeks before arrival. We also require a security deposit against breakages of £300 sterling or €400 euros, refunded a week after departure.

UK based guests may pay in sterling direct to British banks.

In the kitchen: A large fridge, dishwasher, gas hob, electric oven, microwave, kettle, toaster, cooking utensils and other mod cons. Breakfast bar area with bar stools. Find a washing machine in the ground floor utility area. aircon unit in living area and fans in the bedrooms.

Other facilities at the house: Flat screen TV, DVD, stone barbecue in the garden. Garden furniture both by on the patio by the lawn and the abris covered shady nook and up on the first floor terrace.