Welcome
Domaine Thomson is a lovely house. It has a real `family` feel about it, and now that I have completed what I felt needed doing inside, guests can be really comfortable in what is a fairly old building. Inside the house, it is warm and cosy in winter, and cool and refreshing in summer. The pool is extremely popular, and I am endeavouring to surround the pool enclosure with wild flowers. The very secure fence surrounding the pool gives everyone peace of mind regarding small children and the large level lawn to the rear of the house is an excellent play area for family games, badminton, boules, even to put tents up on, or just to relax on.
I offer B&B/Chambre d`Hotes from September to June, and in July and August I rent out the entire house as a giant gite on a weekly basis from Saturday to Saturday. Second or third week bookings receive a discount.
I can, and do, serve evening meals, using my own home grown vegetables, and locally sourced meats. I present the meals in the French style, choosing dishes that I think reflect the diverse flavours of this region. Guests wishing dinner, need to request this at least 24 hours in advance.
This area is fantastic for walking, horseriding, road cycling, or mountain biking, and of course seeing the wild flowers. There are so many paths/routes that may be taken straight from the doorstep. There is an abundance of wild orchids from March to June, and throughout the year there is always something of interest to be found in flower. There are a wide range of birds to be seen, many varieties of small birds, and of the larger varieties, red kites, buzzards and eagles can be commonly seen.
This is a rural area, of rolling hills covered in wooded forests, pasture land, and crop land. The crops are wheat, maize (sweetcorn), and sunflowers. Also some millet, and vines. The nature of these crops are very colourful and spectacular just in themselves, without all the added interest of wild flowers and birds to see.
Also in this area are many Cathar Castles that cannot fail to catch your interest. The architecture of these – many in ruins – is so dramatic, you want to visit as many as you have time for.
Mirepoix, my local town, is a Medieval town, a fantastic example of tudor architecture, and with its cafes, Monday market, Cathedral, and lots of festivals throughout the year, is most definitely somewhere you will love to visit. And revisit.
It is difficult to know what are the most important things to tell about, a) my house, pool and garden; and b) my surroundings. All I can say, is if you do decide to come to stay here, I will do my utmost to tell you what I know of the region and recommend places for you to visit that I think you will like and help you to organise your activities. But don`t forget, you will be here for a holiday – so some time must be set aside for just chilling out. I have a wide choice of books for all ages, childrens games, jigsaws and lots of things that just make people feel at home.
The small village I live in – Engravies, is very easy to get to, just one hour from both Carcassonne and Toulouse, and each of these very easy drives by car.
If you have queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
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