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A beautiful holiday home for short & longterm rental in Occitanie


Happy New Year from Bolquère ⛷️ #skiing #bolquerepyrenées2000 #newyear2026


My favourite stocking filler, now put to good use ✨
These rechargeable LED lights sit on top of any bottle — perfect for lighting dining tables and they’ll be amazing in the barn 🤍 They come in warm white or white (go for warm) and are dimmable (3 settings). #domainenjc
These rechargeable LED lights sit on top of any bottle — perfect for lighting dining tables and they’ll be amazing in the barn 🤍 They come in warm white or white (go for warm) and are dimmable (3 settings). #domainenjc


15k afternoon cycle with 200m elevation 🚲 ☀️ Then home to enjoy the whimsical goodies I purchased in Mirepoix (mini jug & bowl, and a blue fish plate- aka my new cooking utensil rest). Looking at the sunset here, over the garden gate, absent family members are remembered as I can hear my father saying ‘no one would believe this view if you painted it’ and my mum romanticising the magic colouration of the sky: ‘the angels are cooking’. Sayings that will undoubtedly pass down through the generations🪽


Stunning morning in Mirepoix. Monday markets for the win 🙌 ☀️


The sun is finally out for winter strolls 😃 Happy birthday Grandpa Peter x


‘Twas the night before Christmas x


Family time 🎄


In between house jobs (watch this space…..potential tree house to be built) we managed to fit in a trip to Carcassonne castle, the seaside at Gruissan (eat at La Perle for fresh seafood as well as ice cream, crepes and waffles), and some horse riding (just in the next village- Routier). It was overcast for Gruissan, but crepes and waffles kept the kids on board! On season this area is really vibey with lots of beach clubs along the coast. I can’t wait to return in the summer for a cocktail or two. 💃


That’s a wrap. Officially end of the season. The pool has been winterised and won’t reopen until the late Spring. ❄️


Exploring Toulouse. I will definitely be back. So many shops and eateries to explore. We had time for a long lunch in the square, a little cultural trip to the cathedral, before a quick snooze back at the hotel before the late rugby match at the footie Stadium.


The idyllic setting for a relaxing getaway with friends and family #pincardel #southoffrance #limoux #alaigne


Lunch in Carcassonne, at Place Carnot. Amazing service at Le Longchamp. Highly recommend 🙌 #carcassonne #placecarnot


Cozy nights in the wine vat room 🍽️


Signs of Spring 🌸


Ski trip to Font-Romeu Pyrenees 2000 ⛷️ 🎿


Lunch at ‘Le Creneau’ inside Carcassonne Castle. Delicious food and friendly staff. We walked in, with no reservation, (6 adults, 7 children) and they were very accommodating. Please note that in peak season you would need to book. Also pictured is the entrance to Chez Christine. Another one for the list of restaurants to try here 😊 🏰 🥘 🥗


Merry Christmas one and all 🎄#christmas2024 #southoffrance


As we approach September we have the insulating pool cover out and ready for action. Super easy to use and on wheels, so you can move it out of the way. Roll out the cover, over the water’s surface, to keep the water temperature (warmed by the sun in the day) consistent #swimmingpool #swimmingpoolcover


Friday night- pizza night at Capiès, a lovely family run domaine just 5 minutes drive away #domainedecapies #pizza #southoffrance


Carcassonne castle - a must visit with guests. We wandered around the ramparts, ate lunch at Le St Jean (but have also pictured three others that look great-we will try these on our next visit….if you’ve been there please let me know what you thought), bought ice creams, friendship bracelets, sweets, and tablecloths! We popped to the Place de Carnot (Carcassonne central square) afterwards for a quick mooch (Sephora for the teenagers!) 🏰 #carcassonne #carcassonnecastle #stjeancarcassonne #southoffrance


Lovely afternoon spent wine tasting in Alaigne at the wine cave of @domainenjc #domainenjc #domainenjcwines 🍷with wine maker Nicholas Coates.


Dinner in Limoux, at Le Concept. Brasserie and Pizzeria. Very kid friendly. Reserve a table on a Tuesday evening and take in the vibe of the night market. Limoux is the famous home of two French sparkling wines- La Blanquette de Limoux and the Crémant. A must drink whilst in this region. 🍾 🥂 #premierbulle #sieurdarques #leconceplimoux #southoffrance


Golfing in Carcassonne ⛳️ #carcassonnegolfclub #carcassonne🇫🇷 #southoffrance #golf


Impossible to leave Marie’s without some deliciousness…..#boulangerie #patisserie #croissants #painauraisin #brioche #bagette #southoffrance #holidaymodeactivated #dietstartsonmonday


@domaine_de_pincardel ……where kids can be kids #thegreatoutdoors #noscreentime #summer2024 #southoffrance #wholesomefun


Although our local bakery at Alaigne has closed, disrupting our morning cycles to get 🥐, a little shop now occupies the same space. It is a little convenience shop selling basics from sausisson, fruit and veg, cold drinks, wine, ice creams and some household products (cleaning products and cupboard staples like pasta, crisps, pet food and flour). More expensive than the supermarkets but if you need something quickly- it’s just up the road and you can cycle there. For croissants I have to be a little more organised now and leave earlier for a longer (mostly flat) cycle to Limoux….or realistically, on holiday, having a lazy morning and taking the car to the shops! There is also a bakery at Belveze -for the seasoned cyclist who loves hills #localshop #alaigne #southoffrance #belvezedurazés


Our poor grass is frazzled by this sun 😢 Just taking it all in before our next guests arrive. The dorm is ready for the kids 😁 and the 🍾 is on ice for the adults. holidayswithkids #southoffrance #summernights


Cute lunch at La Buvette in Alet-les-Bains. The vista on this drive is completely different to the other side of Limoux (Carcassonne and Narbonne beach bound- straight roads and more open flat scenery with farms). On this 24 min journey you are driving towards Quillan and Couiza - bordered by hills and mountains that can reach up to 750m above sea level! Beautiful. This is the way you’d drive to the ski slopes. At La Buvette there is plenty of tree cover so it feels cool and breezy in this heat. The evening menu and outdoor kitchen look great so i’ll have to return of an evening to sample (see menus pictured). Parking is free along the roads. You could combine this trip with a visit to the Abbey, wander around the medieval village, canoeing on the river and then pick up supplies on way home for dinner at Super U or Lidl. #aletlesbains #labuvettealetlesbains #southoffrance


Early morning cycle to Limoux for a coffee (or herbal tea in my case….weird fact- I’ve never had a tea or coffee). Luckily, it was overcast this morning, which made it easier (I'm not a cyclist….yet!). Relaxed at home during the day and then sauntered off to the night market in Limoux….jeans were a massive error. Lulled into a false sense of security with the sun hiding behind the clouds 🙈 The Limoux market is every Tuesday from 5-11pm. Restaurants get chocka so best to book ahead/book as soon as you arrive 😁 Oooh and I've discovered a new cocktail. Ran out of Prosecco.…so here we have Aperol with pineapple juice and a dash of soda. Delicious. #grandcafelimoux #lecommercelimoux #limoux #cycling #southoffrance


Dinner on the kitchen deck followed by some alone time by the pool (whilst the kids watch a movie). Just me and the chirping crickets 😃 The night sky is stunning - so clear. This weekend we have seen so many shooting stars! Magic. Tranquility #peaceful #relaxing #private #holidays #southoffrance #stargazing
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Little Moon Pincardel
We are delighted to announce that on Thursday 29th April at 9.00pm Little Moon Pincardel was born. Mum and baby are doing extremely well....
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Moving in....and the challenges.
In the summer of 2019 we travelled from Hong Kong to France for a family holiday to explore the area and get the kids excited about our...
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Why Pincardel?
Before my reccy, the original vision of what I wanted was a Maison de Maitre style house in a village, with amenities in very short...
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Why France?
We have lived in Hong Kong for about 14 years now. Both our children were born here but consider England their home and love travelling...
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Apr 5, 20217 min read


Me, me, me
So, I thought I would give a little insight into the real people behind Pincardel. Our backstories, what brought us to this part of the...
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Mar 17, 20215 min read


Ooooh I love a bit of Chinoiserie
For a modern take on Chinoiserie have a look at some options below.....a little nod to our time spent in Asia. I searched far and wide to...
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Mar 17, 20212 min read


Spring is here
The blossom is out at Pincardel and the temperature is heating up here in the South of France. We can't wait to open up the swimming pool...
Pincardel
Mar 10, 20211 min read


Covid 19 and Summer 2021
There is an increased sense of hope and confidence that we can all enjoy a summer holiday this year! With vaccines rolling out, herd...
Pincardel
Mar 3, 20212 min read


Pincardel
Jan 27, 20210 min read


The local shops in Alaigne
We have 5 bicycles at the house which are perfect for little trips to Alaigne, 2.6km away. Simply turn left out of the drive (D52). By...
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Jan 27, 20211 min read


Deer
We often see these beauties from the kitchen decking. This family were running in the fields to the right on the drive up to our house....
Pincardel
Jan 27, 20211 min read


Beautiful walks in the countryside
Domaine de Pincardel is set within 12 acres of beautiful farm land. We have a pony and horse which rotate through the fields and act as...
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