La Cuve

From the outside, this centuries-old wine ‘cuve’ is still sturdily, albeit beautifully, traditional. So the inside comes as a sublime surprise, right from the double height reception hall, bright white and minimalist, to the sleek steel and clean lines of the kitchen/diner, and the airy living room with huge white sofas, silvery blue fabrics, an old stone fireplace and convivial bar. A fabulous place for get-togethers of family and friends, the house also has a cinema room and an informal TV/games room, its built-in benches piled with cushions.  Bedrooms are stylishly furnished and artfully uncluttered. Six in the main house include the romantic master suite with its in-room bath and en suite shower, while two in the Guest Apartment share a handy kitchenette. Outside are lavender scented gardens, a shaded terrace for lunching and lounging, and a courtyard with al fresco kitchen and 18th century fireplace, perfect for barbecues under the stars. La Cuve also boasts a private tennis court and swimming pool, and is perfectly placed for a feast of outdoor pursuits. It is 12km from restaurants and shops in the villages of Lagrasse and Fabrezan.