We have just returned from the most fabulous week at this wonderful villa with our adult children. Bill couldnât have been more helpful prior to us arriving answering many emails quickly and with patience.
We found the directions and the road to the Villa much easier than anticipated⊠we have a hybrid mini which managed the drive with ease..
The villa is outstanding it has absolutely everything you would need for a stay and although we had five adults in the villa we never felt on top of each other⊠The villa was impeccably clean and the welcome pack was very much appreciated and contained everything we needed for the first night.
We felt it an absolute privilege to be able to experience this accommodation and although we originally had many day trips planned we barely left the villa for the entirety of our stay⊠thank you so much Bill , we canât recommend this highly enough
A lovely house in a peaceful spot with great views
Les Hautes Terres is a lovely and beautifully maintained house - really spacious and comfortable and equipped with everything you might need (including a particularly excellent coffee machine!). The house is located in a very quiet road with amazing views from the terraces, but is only a short walk into Cessenon - so within reach of shops and a couple of restaurants. The pool and terrace are definitely a highlight of the house and we spent much of our time there. We were also delighted to discover that the Tour de France goes right through Cessenon - so we were able to walk down from the house and enjoy the excitement of the Caravane and the Tour itself passing through the town without the hassle of having to travel and park.
Booking with the owners was very easy and they were able to answer our many queries beforehand. Arrival logistics were very easy and we arrived to find a spotless house. Thanks for a great holiday... :-)
From our first enquiry through to booking the owners could not have been more helpful - excellent communication. I am super fussy when it comes to booking properties and all my questions were answered extremely promptly and comprehensively. I often decide where going to book on the basis on how well owners communicate as it says alot about what you can expect from your holiday stay.
Upon arriving there was a an excellent welcome hamper including wine and all necessary basic groceries. Again a good indication that the owners care about their guests experience.
The description of the house was very accurate - infact the house exceeded our expectations in terms of location, local vicinity, layout and amenities. Immaculate throughout.
The views from the house were fantastic, and so very peaceful despite being on the edge of a village. Sunrise was always especially beautiful.
We know the area relatively well, so we knew what to expect lots of pretty hill top villages, lots of lazy lunches, kayaking on the orb (the orb valley is very beautiful and worth driving up if not into kayaking!) Many BBQ's enjoyed in the evening (watch out for the sprinklers in the evening :) ) FYI the local supermarket in Cessenon is well stocked and is open Sunday Morning (The Super U is not)
Would highly recommend for a laid back relaxing break with abit of kayaking thrown in to keep the kids happy. .
Das Haus ist top! Die Lage des Hauses ist genial und sehr ruhig. Der Blick vom Pool ins Tal des Orb ist traumhaft. Wir haben den Urlaub mit Kindern und Oma und Opa sehr genossen. Ich kann das Haus sehr empfehlen.
Great property, well equipped and with a stunning pool, but...
there were a couple of draw-backs.
First the very many positives; the house was clean and well furnished. Obviously a family home as the kitchen came equipped with nice touches such as a welcome hamper and drawers containing the essentials with which to prepare meals. There were a good supply of toiletries and soft towels including some for
the pool. All in all from the interior and the pool this was one of the best villas we have enjoyed in all our years travelling France.
However there were two worrying aspects. Firstly the access to the house was through the tortuous village of Cessenon-sur-Orb with its tiny streets that became narrower and more hilly as we neared the house. The drive was almost impassable being narrow, lumpy overgrown. This was with the latest and most powerful 4x4 currently on the market. We discussed at length whether a standard family car would have made it up the drive without sustaining damage and we were all firm in the belief it would not. Secondly the aspect of the house was firmly south facing so trying to find shade was very difficult. We tried using the parasols but the wind precluded their use most of the time. The built in BBQ around the pool was unusable as it was in full sun until 9pm with temperatures on the terrace approaching 40 degrees. Even after sunset the area was too hot to use. Nearly all the windows faced south which resulted in the shutters to the house having to be closed all the time . This was a great shame considering the magnificent views.
So, in conclusion, we had an enjoyable stay but beware the negatives that precluded this from being exceptional.
Dealing with the owner was a pleasure from first enquiry to return of deposit. All mails responded to in excellent time.
The villa is amazing, the online photos do not due it justice.
Very spacious and well equipped.
The pool area is excellent with a nice summer kitchen area, not overlooked at all.
A fantastic villa,everything was such good quality,we just really enjoyed being at the house & at the pool which was a godsend as it was so hot! The shops in the village were great & really had everything we needed, also the bar was very friendly, we hope to return
The Villa is well placed up in the hills with fantastic views. It feels very private and you are not overlooked. The grounds are quite extensive and very well landscaped. I am a keen gardener and was very impressed with the design, it borrows and merges beautifully with the surrounding landscape. Town is a 10 minute walk and not too strenuous, especially if you go early morning before the sun is too hot. There are a couple of bakeries, a butchers/deli a bar and a couple of restaurants. For bigger shops there are a couple of supermarkets about 15 minutes away by car.
I was there with my family, including a toddler. We mostly enjoyed relaxing by the pool and in and around the villa. I should mention that the villa is very well stocked. The kitchen had more and better utensils/crockery/cutlery than my home kitchen. Also I had taken lots of things I did not need. There is a stock of washing up liquid, dishwasher and washing machine tablets, cleaning products, soaps, handwashes ect......
The bedrooms are nicely decorated and the beds comfortable. I slept well thanks to the air-conditioning in the bedrooms.
The pool area is slightly set away from the main property, on a lower terrace. It has a nice tiled area with loungers and an outside kitchen with a built in BBQ. There is a washing up area and even a fridge. The views are wonderful. It got a little hot down there at 1700 so we would often venture back to the coolness of the terrace off the living room.
The beaches are about a 35-40 minute drive. We went to Valras Plage near Beziers. To be honest it was not really my thing. A little naff with 1000s of people crammed on the hot sands.
I can recommend a visit to Sete, with its lovely canals and seafood restaurants. We also had a nice time in Beziers, there is a good shopping centrre called the Polygon, where we bought our toddlers first pair of shoes. St Chinian is worth a visit on Market Days. There is a lovely restuarant called cafe de paix (or something similar). It is very popular so you may need to book. We also visited Roquebrun and had an ice cream and a swim in the Orb , where the river bends and slows, there is a pebble beach and lots of people swimming.
I think a car is a must. If flying have a look at Beziers, it is the closest by far. The drive up the villa is a little bumpy, and there are a few ruts in the turning area to start the ascent up the villa drive. I had a 4x4 but to be honest it is not a necessity!
This holiday villa met all of our expectations and more, and we have just had the best summer family holiday for a few years. The holiday home was immaculately presented and to a very high standard. We felt privileged to stay in such a lovely villa, in such a stunning location. The views were truly fabulous giving one a feeling of being completely isolated, whilst in actual fact the village of Cessenon sur Orb is walking distance. Each day we walked into the village to the Boulangerie next to the Helder, the walk back up the hill part of our justification for our indulgences. The area itself provided us with plenty of interesting places to visit without having to travel too far, so we could return to the villa to relax in the afternoon.
If you are looking for somewhere to recharge your batteries or as abase for exploring, this is for you. We have just returned from 2 weeks, fully rejuvenated.
The villa is clean and very well equipped, especially the kitchen, with high quality crockery and appliances. There is both air conditioning and heating although we did not need to use either. The master bedroom is really large and roomy, as is the en suite which is difficult to appreciate on the photographs. The views from the balcony down towards the pool are stunning.
The location is quite and tranquil but not remote. The small village is within walking distance with all the amenities needed. We ate in the local restaurant there and were treated to excellent food and service.
It really was a treat to be able to lie by the pool and watch the buzzards and eagles soar above during the day and star gaze and look for shooting stars at night.
There are many local attractions worth a visit should you wish to venture from the villa including beaches, the Canal De Midi, places to swim in the river and historical towns both within 30minutes and a little further afield such as Carcassonne.
The communication with the owners was excellent and very efficient. The directions to find the villa and instructions for use of the equipment in the villa very comprehensive.
I would certainly recommend this villa to all.
Great communication from the owners ahead of the stay. Villa was spacious, clean and very well equipped. The air conditioning worked very well and selection of games available. Welcome basket a lovely touch. Real opportunity to get away from it all with peace and tranquility. Views were stunning and the pool lovely. Highly recommended
Peaceful location, walkable to village for shops and restaurant. Villa very well equipped and comfortable. Good base to travel out to places of interest. We were five adults and it catered for all our needs.
Beautiful villa in a totally peaceful setting, the only sounds are the church bells ringing in the valley. The description hardly describes just how nice it is. High standard and generous quantity of kitchen equipment and towels etc.nothing felt pinched. Toilet rolls, dishwashing tablets, soaps all in abundance, herbs, spices, oils salt & pepper available and a lovely welcome pack including a bottle of wine from the vines in the garden.
The pool is a little away from the house but is large and in a wonderful setting with plenty of seats and table and chairs.
A downhill walk to the village to the boulangerie and two restaurants and shops, but very manageable. Also paths to walk around the vines from the house. Lots to do and see in the area. A suggestion - we have found it helpful to have a book for people to write comments on things to do and see, and places to eat, its gives you some idea where to start. A really lovely holiday, we would love to go back.
Amazing place! We had a wonderful relaxing week. The view from the gardens is amazing and looking out across the French vinyards from the lovely infinity pool is a great way to spend the day. The villa and gardens are entirely private so you really feel like you are having a 'get away from it all' experience. I would very much recommend.