THE VILLA
Step into tranquility
TERRACE
This large, private terrace leads out from the living room giving you a 270-degree panoramic view: the village, the valley, the distant mountains. Lying out here at night to watch for shooting stars is magical.
SWIMMING POOL
The recently refurbished pool keeps you refreshingly cool. With deep and shallow ends, safety railings, and a large fig tree providing dappled shade, it's perfect for a leisurely dip alone or a fun-filled splash with friends.
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LIVING ROOM
The spacious living room stays cool on hot days, with a balcony that overlooks the ancient castle walls and valley below. Sit back, put on some music, browse one of the books, play a board game or enjoy a sneaky siesta.
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BEDROOMS
Sleeping up to eight, the villa includes a master double bedroom with medieval stonework, a double bedroom with valley views and bathroom en suite, and two other bedrooms with twin beds; one with an en suite bathroom.
GARDEN
This private garden provides a peaceful place to hide away with a book, relax with a glass of wine in hand under some shade, or entertain guests around a table on a small terraced area – perhaps with a BBQ, which is also provided.
KITCHEN
When you aren't treating yourself to one of the restaurants in the area, this fitted kitchen has all the essentials you need. There's an oven, hob, microwave, air fryer, fridge-freezer, Nespresso machine and space to chat while you cook.
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STUDIO & GAMES ROOM
Away from the main part of the house, beside the pool, these two separate rooms include a twin bedroom with a wash basin and closet. You'll also find an authentic French table football game, accessories for the pool or river, and a fridge for drinks and snacks.
BATHROOMS
There are three bathrooms in the villa, two of them en suite. One has a modern shower, another a bath, and another a bath-and-shower combined. They are all well kept and ensure that no matter how many people are holidaying together, there's never a queue.
BOULODROME
The garden has a gravelled area which, as well as being used for drying washing, is perfect for the French game of boules or pétanque. Much like English bowls, but with smaller metal balls, boules is played throughout the region. Practice before challenging the locals!
A WARM WELCOME
Arriving at
your destination
Located conveniently close to the small town of Ganges, and only a 55-minute drive from the city of Montpellier, the village of Brissac is quiet, secluded and untouched by tourism.
As you approach "Lower Brissac" (Brissac-en-bas) from the neighbouring town, Ganges, you're greeted by a spectacular view of the castle. The road takes you past the tasty boulangerie, scenic park and old church, then climbs dramatically to "Upper Brissac" (Brissac-Le-Haut), where you will find your villa.
The road to Brissac-Le-Haut takes you to a car parking area on two levels, where you'll always find a space. Only residents can park 'inside' Upper Brissac, but your villa is only a couple of minutes' walk through the small streets that surround the castle.
As you enter your villa, you're met by a shaded breakfast/dining area and the swimming pool beside a magnificent fig tree. Everything is built on three levels against the hillside, with the entrance at the highest floor. The house is large enough to make sure no-one feels on top of each other, yet intimate enough to feel homely and private.
Family Braithwaite and friends have been holidaying here for decades and never tire of the sights, sounds, smells and serenity here. There's so much to explore and do nearby, if you're feeling adventurous. Or it's the perfect place to simply relax, soak up the atmosphere and feel deeply restored.
The house was bought as a pile of low walls and stones in 1965. At the time, the village was largely in ruin, including the castle, as the French used to remove their roofs when they inherited an unwanted property to avoid paying taxes.
Over the years, the castle and village were lovingly restored and rebuilt. The property was redesigned and restored by two generations of architects in the family, in keeping with its surroundings, adding a swimming pool. Today, the house has everything you need whilst retaining a sense of simplicity and of its centuries-old past.
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