Le Domaine Calmel & Joseph Gites & Œnotourisme

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The Estate

Environnement route des Corbières

Whether you are just planning to travel through the region or looking for a holiday destination, Domaine Joseph & Calmel’s gîtes, set in the heart of the countryside, are the perfect place to stay. They sit in a valley, nestling in the Val de Dagne in the Hautes Corbières foothills, and which offers breathtaking views of the Montagne Noire and the Montagne d’Alaric.
In addition to its own vineyards and olive trees, the estate is surrounded by garrigue scrubland populated with Mediterranean plants, as well as dense woods of Aleppo pines, Holm oaks and Florentine cypresses.
You will stay in the former buildings of the Métairie (tenant farm estate), surrounded by flora and fauna, with plenty of activities available, allowing you to enjoy this natural environment to the full: cycling, swimming in the heated pool or relaxing in the sauna up in the tower, as well as hiking or horse trekking ...
Or you can simply adopt a Provençal pace of life – catch up on your reading, or find a comfortable spot in the shade to settle down for a "restorative" nap...
In the evening, after the heat of the day, it's time to enjoy the local food and wine on the lantern-lit terraces overlooking the countryside.

200
hectares

An estate unlike any other.

The estate currently covers 200 hectares of vineyards, fields, woods and garrigue scrubland, of which 160 hectares surround the estate buildings. The estate is unusual for the Corbières appellation in that it is located in its most continental part, in the commune of Montirat in the Val de Dagne and listed as “Terroir de Serviès.” Located at an altitude of 240 to 300 metres, the estate is protected as it lies in a secluded valley surrounded by scrubland, pastures and woods with numerous species of trees.   A stone’s throw from Carcassonne’s medieval citadel, the estate is the perfect place for a relaxing break, as well as an excellent base for numerous activities.

A little history ... Domaine Calmel & Joseph is a former Languedoc métairie (tenant farm estate) that was first mentioned in a property deed in the name of nobleman, Jehan de Calmès – Lord of St. Jullia, dated 26 July 1577. It is a traditional tenant farm estate of the period covering around fifteen hectares, primarily growing cereal and raising livestock. Viticulture was evidently practiced in the late 16th century, but the wine produced was for the family’s own consumption. The métairie has had several names over the course of its history, including Borde Neuve and La Madone. Roman ruins can still be found to this day hidden away in the estate’s scrubland ...

Activités in & out

Le Domaine est un lieu exceptionnel qui vous propose des activités diverses intra et extra muros, à découvrir rapidement !

Activities on-site

caveau

Wine cellar

Enjoy our products (wine, honey and oil olive) in our wine cellars. You will be able to try our estate’s wines as well as the wines we produce in other Languedoc-Roussillon appellations.

Voir le caveau
piscine

Swimming pool

Enjoy our heated indoor swimming pool looking out over the vineyards, and access to the solarium, all year round.

sauna

Sauna

Caché dans la tour du Domaine, un sauna de 4 places vous attend pour des moments de relaxation seul(e) ou en famille.

ecuries

Stables

The estate’s
stables have
3 horse stalls.
We are therefore able to cater
to riders on horse riding treks.

randonnees

Hiking and Cycling

There are various hiking and cycling paths on the estate itself (mountain bikes available for rent), all offering fabulous views and stopping points.

Activities in the area

Vue sur Carcassonne

15 mins - Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi

The town of Carcassonne is a few minutes’ drive away. Carcassonne boasts two UNESCO World heritage sites: its medieval citadel and the Canal du Midi.
You can also walk or cycle to Carcassonne’s medieval citadel (10 km), passing the Lac de la Cavayère, along the GR36 walking route which runs alongside the estate.

cavayere

15 mins – Lac de Cavayère

On hot summer days you can cycle (mountain bike) to the Lac de la Cavayère (lake) in 15 minutes, where numerous water activities await you.

10 mins - The GR 36 and the Val de Dagne

The GR36 walking route runs through the Val de Dagne, passes alongside the estate, and continues to the Cité de Carcassonne. It is ideal for exploring the Hautes Corbières foothills and the Val de Dagne. This long-distance walking route starts in Cambounès (Tarn) and runs as far as Ribaute (Aude) - 121 Km in total. The Val de Dagne, located at the western end of the Corbières, is bounded on the north by the Alaric mountain and on the south by the Lacamp plateau. It extends from Lagrasse in the east to the Fajac-en-Val hills in the west.

20 mins – Alaric

Alaric is a small mountain to the east of the estate. Many paths lead up to its summit from where you can admire the Montagne Noire and the Minervois region, which extends as far as the Mediterranean Sea.

30 mins - Montagne Noire

The Montagne Noire (black mountain) is the perfect destination for a hot summer’s day. Here, you can discover the “Prise d’Alzeau”, a source of the Canal du Midi, and explore the cool forests populated with oak and chestnut trees.

bages4

40 mins - The Mediterranean Sea

This is a “must-do” destination during your stay in order to see the mythic Gruissan’s cabin, Bages lagoons, Leucate, and the superb Clape-Quatourze mountain range dominating the coastline. You can enjoy the fish and seafood, the wines of terroir, and the sandy beaches found all along the coast.

90 mins – The Montpellier hinterland

Just beyond Minerve, you will find the wild, typical Mediterranean landscapes of the beautiful wine appellations of Saint Chinian and Faugères. If you carry on driving, you can continue as far as the Terrasses du Larzac and be back at the estate in 90 mins via the A61 motorway...

puivert

30-45 mins – The Cathar castles

After Carcassonne’s medieval citadel, these castles boast the richest history... and it is a tumultuous one, reflected by the architecture and the dizzying landscapes in which these edifices were built. From the estate, you can set off to explore the castles of Aguilar, Arques, Lastours, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Puivert, Queribus, Termes ...

abbayestpapoul2

Abbeys

At the estate, you are in a great location for Abbeys, as you can head for the Abbey of Lagrasse or drive in the direction of Limoux and visit the abbeys of St Hilaire, St Polycarpe or Alet-les-Bains ... and if you are heading for the Montagne Noire or the coast, don’t miss the Abbeys of Fontfroide and Caunes Minervois.

montolieu

Towns and villages with character

As well as the medieval citadel of Carcassonne, the towns of Limoux and Narbonne are well worth a visit, particularly on market days. There are also numerous Languedoc villages which make great destinations or stopping points when you are touring the area: Minerve, Montolieu, Bages, Lagrasse, St Hilaire, Caunes Minervois, Rennes le Château, etc.,….

45 mins - Toulouse

Toulouse is only a 45-minute train ride from Carcassonne station - perfect for those who love architecture, history and museums, or for those who simply want to see the famous “Ville Rose” (pink town) for themselves...

collioure

1 hour - Perpignan, Collioure, Port Vendres

These lovely ports,
nestling against the Pyrenees foothills flowing down to the sea, are great visit destinations taking the Corbières or Cathar castles routes.

Wine & Gastronomy

As well as being the region of origin of the estate’s wines, the Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest vineyard of the world and the quality of its wines is undisputed. As for local gastronomy, the Aude “department” alone boasts 9 Michelin-starred restaurants ...