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| Château
d'Agel
Languages: English, Spanish Credit card accepted: VISA Département:
Hérault (34)
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| It
is our great pleasure to include among our members the incredible Château
d'Agel in the Minervois region of Languedoc. Located just south of
the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut Languedoc, this imposing
12th century castle boasts an important historical significance as a strategic
fortress during the Albigensian Crusade in the 13th century. The
Crusade against the Cathars was led by the famous Simon de Montfort and
continued mercilessly as Simon attempted to take Minerve in 1210. The château
was nearly completely destroyed by fire. The Treaty of Paris, which
annexed Languedoc to France in 1220, put an end to the Crusade. It was
Guiraud de Pépieux, having escaped the massacre, who restored the
castle for his own descendants. Records date back to the year 1300,
documenting all that took place and providing details of the many owners
through the centuries.
As indicated by the various styles of windows in the château, ranging from the small windows of the 12th century to the large and lovely windows of the Renaissance, the architecture of the château evolved over the past thousand years. The Renaissance and 17th century brought changes to the castle such as replacing the Renaissance recesses of the façade by broad bays with small squares influenced by Trianon. Regrettably, by the early 20th century the castle fell into serious disrepair. It was the Ecal family who began the daunting task of restoration in the 1960s. Not only were the buildings restored, but the gardens were rejuvenated as well. Today, visitors will meet the Ecal-Besse family whose decades of loving effort have brought this amazing Medieval property back to life with warmth and beauty, reminiscent somewhat of Tuscany ~ but definitely maintaining the intrigues of the middle ages while offering visitors the comforts of the twenty-first century. Château d'Agel is a weekly rental property, and bed and breakfast accommodations are offered only in off season when there are no weekly bookings. There are two spacious and comfortable salons, a quiet library, an office, two dining rooms, a modern and well-equipped kitchen, six sumptuous bedrooms, and five bathrooms in the château ~ all on a park of two hectares. The park offers specimen trees, terraces, manicured box hedges and a fine swimming pool. Grape vines provide the fruit for the château's wines, and guests can enjoy tastings in the château's cellar and can visit the vineyards during their stay. An orangerie in the château is ideal for wedding receptions indoors, but a marquee can be provided for garden weddings as well. Staff can be hired when renting the château, including a maid and cook. For wine enthusiasts, this is a rich land with an abundance of vineyards for visits and dégustations. Château d'Agel is just about ten kilometers southeast of the town of Minerve, the heart of Minervois wine country, and just north of the Corbières wine region. Vines were first introduced to the region by the Romans, and it is said that Romans Cicero and Pline were lovers of Minervois wines. Primarily full-bodied red wines are produced here that are elegant when young and become silky after two or three years of aging. Dry white wines and fruity rosés are produced here as well. Some ten varieties of grapes are used to make the much appreciated wines of the region. Your hosts will be pleased to arrange a variety of thematic stays for your enjoyment including a 7-day Discovering the Minervois region, a Castle Weekend that includes winemaking, a Decorative Painting course, horse riding near the castle, and participation in other cultural events. The château is the ideal authentic French location for a wedding, family gathering or courses and seminars. Your hosts, Martine and Jean-Marie Ecal-Besse are warm and welcoming and have years of expertise in creating memorable special occasions for guests at their family home. Inquiries are welcome. When you are next planning to visit Languedoc, be sure to consider renting this incredible Medieval castle for a holiday you will always remember fondly. * * * Book this lovely château by contacting au Château and mention 'Agel' in the subject line. * * * |
| Rooms:
Six double bedrooms and one triple. Sleeps 15 people. Five bathrooms,
all equipped with hair dryers.
Self-catering weekly rental rates: (breakfast is not provided) January through March and October through December 15th € 3520 + heating costs. April, May, Christmas and New Years € 4125 + heating if needed. June € 4730, July & August € 5280, September € 4400. Prices include taxes, and all linens are provided. Renting for less than one week: 2 nights, 50% of weekly rate, 3 nights 60% of rate, 4 nights 70% of rate, 5 nights 80% of rate and 6 nights 90% of rate. B&B prices per night (in the off season when available - not in July or August): Doubles € 150 to € 160 per night; suite € 160 to € 220 per night. Breakfast is included. Deposit: A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking a reservation both for B&B accommodations and weekly rentals. Balance due one week or more before arrival. Dinner: gourmet dinners can be served by prior reservation (48 hours notice) at € 35 per adult, wine not included. Local restaurants at Aigne, Minerve, and Bize-Minervois. Your hosts will be happy to make reservations for you. Weddings, seminars and receptions can be hosted at the château. Weddings Friday to Sunday afternoon € 4620 (2 nights included with 15 people sleeping at the château). Renting the castle for one week for a wedding, add € 1100 to the weekly rate of the period. No weddings in July or August. Please ask about bringing small pets when making your initial booking inquiry. Satellite television and DVD are available. No telephone. Stereo and Internet ADSL. Open
all year.
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Directions:
From Paris Gare de Lyon by TGV direct to Narbonne, 4.5 hours; Gare de Lyon by TGV direct to Beziers, 4 hours 10 minutes. From Paris & the North by auto: take autoroute A9 or A75 and exit Béziers Ouest direction St Pons. Take road marked Montady / Capestang (D11) for about 25 kms to Cabezac. Then turn right direction Bize-Minervois along the D26 for 2 kms. At Bize-Minervois follow signs to Agel on D26 (4 kms) and D20 (2kms). From Carcassonne: take périphérique north of the city to the D610 to Mirepeisset (road number changes to D11 and D5), turn left onto D607 / D907 direction Aigues-Vives. In town turn right onto D20 to Agel. Airport:
Carcassonne (50 kms)
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