Le Jardin Secret

Le Jardin Secret is in a beautiful part of France, spectacularly unspoilt by the rigours of time, in a small, protected Cathar hilltop village surrounded by rolling hills of woods, fields and wilderness. Yet the grandeur of Carcassonne is just a 30-minute drive away alongside plenty of neighbouring villages and towns nestled in the surrounding landscapes.

Once upon a time, Laurac Le Grande was a key fortified stronghold and the capital of Lauragais – you can still see the remains of the old castle walls of this resplendent historic village.

The front door of this 18th-century house opens onto the village’s Grande Rue (with all of about 12 houses). Indoors lies a beautifully restored and very comfortable family home with stunning open views over the countryside. There are thick, stone walls keeping it fresh in the summer and there is a Jotul wood-burning stove in the living room for cooler nights. It has a breathtaking south-facing terrace as well as a spacious yet cosy open-plan kitchen, dining and living area alongside four carefully styled bedrooms with their own contemporary bathrooms.

There is a separate charming and private walled garden enclosing the fabulous pool, sun terrace and shaded dining terrace with its idyllic panorama of the untouched hillside. The scent of wild lavender, rosemary and thyme is abundant in the air and you can hear the occasional chime of the old church bell in the background.

Surrounding the hamlet, discover seemingly endless walking and mountain bike paths with views of the Pyrenees, Black Mountains and the Corbières. Beautiful market towns and vine-covered villages can be found in every direction.

If you can bear to leave this rural idyll, the Cité de Carcassonne (a UNESCO World Heritage site) awaits. You could also venture to the pink city of Toulouse, only an hour by car, or taste some of the finest sea-food near Narbonne and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean. If staying in the winter months, some of the best skiing in France is less than a 90-minute drive away.

Back at Le Jardin Secret, enjoy leisurely lunches made with fresh produce from nearby markets, washed down with local wine. Stroll through pine forests and cypress groves, cycle along the Canal du Midi or simply rest at home – there are plenty of books to read beside the swimming pool before taking a refreshing dip. This is where worries float away, replaced by a stunning sense of the good life.

Le Jardin Secret is one of those rare finds where history and nature, alongside the personal touch of the artist-owners, have created a tranquil paradise in the sun-drenched Languedoc where the foothills of the Pyrenees begin.