Chateau De La Joie

Arriving at Château De La Joie is a joyous event in itself. As you wind your way through verdant, patchwork hills at the foot of the majestic Pyrénées mountains, your spirits are instantly lifted. Then curious anticipation sets in as you approach the small farming hamlet where a quaint country road rolls over a hill and leads to the entrance, where you start your way down the long, private drive. Here, you have already left the world behind, but nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of the château. Sitting on a hill, surrounded by 360 degree views over beautiful countryside and the Pyrénées beyond, it is clear that this is a special place and a private retreat you will not want to leave. The estate is made up of a superb 19th-century château, originally built as a shooting lodge, an adjoining 16th-century farm, two separate cottages and a splendid 12th-century chapel. Amongst the impressive six hectares of grounds, sublime statues by David William Ellis stand in silence and contemplate the views. Lawn gardens, flower pots and impressive trees adorn the extensive grounds with a private lake, which is often dressed in water-lilies. Indoors the journey continues. Family portraits and memorabilia invite you to be part of this real family home, rich with warmth and joyous memories, which only a truly loved home could have. The elegant rooms are spacious and bright with beautiful views of the outdoors. There is plenty of room for friends and family to spend quality time together as well as lots of space to spread out. The new ‘disco room’ is the ultimate in family fun, with a bar, billiard table, dance floor and balcony with views of the Pyrénées. This is the land of Cathars, an area full of beautiful hiking paths, ancient castles and market towns. A trip to the ruins of the Château de Montsegur, one of the last Cathar strongholds, should not be missed. Pamiers is only 10 minutes away and offers all amenities, whilst Foix, with its ancient castle and Mirepoix are a little further. The Ariège is the flower garden of Europe offering 3000 species of flowers, 160 of which are unique to the area - a paradise for flower- and bird-watchers. Furthermore, the château is only 55 minutes from Ax Les-Thermes, a charming ski resort with a hot spring and hiking in the summer. Château De La Joie is the perfect blend of refined and elegant accommodation, breathtaking scenery, history and rich family memories and it has generously opened its doors to new guests and their own memories. Features: The whole estate comprises of the main chateau with its adjoining farmhouse sleeping 10 guests and 2 separate cottages sleeping a further 2 guests each, for a total maximum capacity of 14 guests. Chateau+ Farmhouse (10  guests) Chateau InteriorGround Floor- Main entrance hall- Dining room- Fully equipped kitchen - Large drawing room with bar- Shower room with washbasin and WC- Guest WC- Billiard room/utility room (dividing the chateau from the farmhouse)First Floor (accessed through main staircase off hall)- 2 large master bedrooms with king-size beds, dressing rooms with walk-in wardrobes, en-suite bathrooms with showers, washbasins and WCs with one featuring an adjoining tower room with bathtub - 1 small bedroom with queen size bed- Bathroom with shower, washbasin and WC First Floor (accessed through second staircase)- Small library area- Evening/Disco/Games room with balcony with tables and chairs (can also be accessed from the backstairs of the farmhouse)Farmhouse Interior Ground Floor- Small kitchen (with backstairs leading up to disco/games room)- Small sitting room with log-fireFirst Floor (accessed through backstairs off kitchen)- Double bedroom with king size bed, dressing room with walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom- Double bedroom with king size bed and adjoining balcony (doors opening onto disco/games room)- Bathroom with shower, washbasin and WC- Double bedroom with king size bed, dressing room with walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom with shower, washbasin and WC Second Floor- Twin bedroom (with low beam) with 2 single beds and en-suite shower room with washbasin and WC Pool Cottage Interior (2 guests) Ground Floor- Fully equipped kitchen- Drawing room- Guest WC- Terrace Open Mezzanine- King-size bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower, washbasin and WC Cottage in the Woods Interior (2 guests)- Double bedroom- Shower room- TerraceOutside Grounds- 6 hectares of private grounds- Lawned gardens with flowers and trees- Private heated swimming pool (size: 14mx6m/shape: rectangular) with automatic security hard cover- Poolside terrace- Outdoor dining area- Covered terrace- Tennis court- Private chapel- Private small lake with boat (not suitable for swimming)- Barbecue- Zip wire- Boules pitch- Covered parking spaceAdditional Facilities - Wi-Fi- Underfloor heating (main chateau ground floor)- Heaters (upper floor and electric heaters in cottages)- 2 working fireplaces- Fans- Flat-screen satellite TV- Oven- Hob- Fridge/Freezer- Bar- Iron and ironing board- Outdoor dining facilities- Sunbeds and parasols Location: The property is set in the heart of Cathar country, a beautiful region known for its hiking trails, historic castles and charming market towns. A visit to the dramatic ruins of Château de Montségur is a must.Pamiers, just 15 minutes away, offers cafés, shops and a lively Saturday market, while Foix (30 minutes) impresses with its hilltop medieval castle and atmospheric old town. The vibrant bastide town of Mirepoix is also nearby, famous for its excellent Monday market and year-round events.The wider Ariège region is a haven for nature lovers, rich in flora and birdlife, with opportunities for hiking and outdoor exploration. In winter and summer alike, Ax-les-Thermes (55 minutes) offers skiing, hot springs and mountain walks.Within an hour, you can explore the spectacular fortified city of Carcassonne, while further afield, Albi, Andorra, and even the Spanish border are all within reach for memorable day trips. Terms & Conditions: ? €1000 paid to the owner by bank transfer one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure subject to inspection. 4.00 p.m. 10.00 a.m. Yes. Yes. Not allowed. Weddings and other celebrations are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges. Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager. Saturday. Standard changeover clean included in the price. Guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Outdoors only. 7 nights. Yes. Included. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. French Visitors Tax payable to Property Manager at the time of balance payment (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night - please enquire if exact amount is required). Yes. The pool is open from approximately May to end-October. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.