Romantic three-bedroom house in southern France nestled in historic village
In one of the sunniest regions of France, amongst endless vineyards and wineries, and sat between the sea and mountains, this village house has been lovingly renovated in line with the romantic character and rustic charm of its natural old stone walls and timber beams.
Natural sunlight filters year-round into the airy open plan ground floor, three double bedrooms, and a private walled courtyard. It's ideal for all seasons - cosy in the Winter and cool in the Summer.
The open plan ground floor provides the ideal sociable holiday living and is reached by balustraded steps from the sunny walled courtyard equipped with BBQ, large parasol, patio chairs and four small tables (which can be put together to form one larger one).
There are delightful views over the river from all bedrooms as well as the dining and kitchen areas. The glass fronted raised fireplace provides a focal point in the living room (also glimpsed from the dining area) and is linked to under floor ducts to bring warm air into the kitchen and dining areas in the Winter. We've got fully stocked book shelves from which you can borrow a book during your stay, as well as board/card games, and a TV with both English cable and French channels.
You'll find a fully equipped kitchen in rustic oak with reclaimed tile surfaces, which includes an island induction hob, oven, microwave, dishwasher and fridge/freezer. It's also well stocked with automatic coffee maker and 'French Press'. pots, pans, crockery and cutlery to make your stay as convenient as possible. In the kitchen you'll find an old English dining table with seats for two people to enjoy an intimate meal, or you can sit there and talk to the 'chef' as we often like to do.
The dining room has a large farmhouse-style table that seats eight comfortably, and provides views onto the living room.
On the first floor there are two large double bedrooms with views over the river and skylights with remote control blackout blinds. The main bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with a dressing area, shower, and WC. And in the hallway you'll find a further bathroom with traditional claw-foot bath tub and WC.
On the second floor there is a third large bedroom with two single beds, which can also serve as a 2nd living area as the beds can be folded into arm chairs.
The medieval village is a genuinely friendly rural community. People live here all year round and enjoy chatting to each other. Every now and then you'll hear authentic "Allo Allo" announcements though loud speakers announcing that a fish seller or chimney sweep will be in town that afternoon, for example. There are the usual small shops a tiny epicerie for essentials, a fantastic boulangerie with bread made throughout the day, a pharmacy, and cafe as well as a mobile pizza van that sets up shop in the middle of the village square twice a week.
Larger supermarkets and wonderful local restaurants are all within 10 minutes drive.
We recommend renting a car during your stay as you'll want to take advantage of your location to explore the area. Surrounded by a scenic river and hillside walking, vineyards, markets, medieval villages and other historic buildings, there are also Mediterranean beaches and stunning mountains trails within 20 minutes drive. Just 15-minutes drive is Pezenas described in the Rough Guide as “one of the singularly most beautiful towns in the French south west, endowed with an almost overwhelming concentration of grand architecture”. You'll be hard pressed to find anywhere as stunning for walks as the "Gorges d'Heric", or a village as distinct with magnificent gorge views as the medieval Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. And if you're a cyclist you'll be in for a treat with the views and well maintained roads, you'll be sure to challenge yourself and discover unique corners. Ahead of your trip we'll send you a welcome pack with information about the house and ideas of places to visit locally, and we're also happy to make recommendations if you'd like something specific.
There is easy access to airports within a 45 minute-2 hr drive served primarily by Ryanair, Air France, EasyJet, and British Airways including Montpellier, Beziers, Toulouse, Perpignan, and Carcassonne. Barcelona is 4-hours away by car and has regular flights if you want to enjoy Spain and France.
The fast train from Paris to Montpellier is only 3.5 hours and rental cars are available at the train station in addition to the airport.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Gabian
Gabian is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park and Cirque of Mourèze, while Scenovision Moliere and Musée de Vulliod St-Germain are cultural highlights. Ready for a night out? Consider Domaine de la Resclauze and Béziers Mediterranean Sports Palace. Sailing and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain climbing and hiking nearby.
Plage Naturiste Cap d'Agde - 50 min drive - 45.4 km
Cap d'Agde Beach - 51 min drive - 46.1 km
Getting around
Magalas Station - 11 min drive
Béziers (BZR-Cap d'Agde) - 43 min drive
Restaurants
Bistro Przystanek - 19 min drive
Sas le Zebre - 17 min drive
Seventeen Six - 12 min drive
Phil'Pizza - 9 min drive
Au Soleil - 12 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Romantic three-bedroom house in southern France nestled in historic village pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Romantic three-bedroom house in southern France nestled in historic village?
As of 9 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Romantic three-bedroom house in southern France nestled in historic village on 11 Apr 2026 start from AU$164, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
What time is check-in at Romantic three-bedroom house in southern France nestled in historic village?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Romantic three-bedroom house in southern France nestled in historic village?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Romantic three-bedroom house in southern France nestled in historic village located?
Situated in Gabian, this holiday home is 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from Château Abbaye de Cassan and 2.4 mi (3.9 km) from Domaine de l'Arjolle. Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park and Domaine Chartreuse de Mougères are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Emilie was a gracious and lovely host who provided us with tips for all the wonderful visits and hikes in the area. We were able to relax and enjoy the peaceful south-of-france ambiance both inside and outside of the home. Wine-tasting in nearby Fougères, lake-swimming and hikes in Gorges d'Heric before coming home to taste new wines in our cozy cottage made this a holiday I hope to do all over again. Great for romantic getaway or family trip; we found it to be both at the same time!
Jennifer H.
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Come back any time Jennifer! So glad you and your family had a wonderful time and that you found my suggestions helpful.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
clive W.
10 Sept 2018
great holiday
Stayed in Gabian for two weeks, the house was very comfortable, clean and well placed for exploring the surrounding area. Town itself is good although not much in the way of shops, however, a 10min drive to the next town of Roujan provides all essentials.
Nearest beach is Meze about 40mins, the town is easy to access with no parking issues. Nearest beach directly by the sea is an hour.
Would love to go again
clive W.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience, Clive. I hope you host you again in the future!
A lovely home in a medieval village, with a charming private courtyard. The house is fabulous - beautifully decorated and comfortably furnished on all three levels. It is very well equipped with everything you need for a home from home. The location is fantastic with many wonderful places within easy reach by car - Pezanas, Beziers, St Guilhem le Desert, Narbonne, Carcasonne and many more. Our host, Emilie, provided great suggestions of places to visit included in the very comprehensive house guide. Gabbian is small with a friendly pub that offers live music once a week, which is great fun! While it has a Boulangerie, Pharmacy, an Epicerie and a small weekly fruit and veg market every Weds, just 10mins away is Roujon which offers much more including a great supermarket and other bars/shops. Beautiful Pezanas is only 20mins away by car with plenty of car parking and a fantastic street market on Saturdays. While parking at the property is not possible, we were always able to park somewhere within 300m in the village, so not too far for cases. We absolutely recommend this property.
Das Haus von Emilie ist sehr geräumig und stilvoll eingerichtet. Es eignet sich perfekt für Ausflüge an den angrenzenden Nationalpark oder ans Meer. Die Kommunikation mit Emilie verlief problemlos und unkompliziert. Wir hatten in Gabian sehr schöne Tage und können das Haus von Emilie nur weiterempfehlen.
Felix H.
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Aug 2020
Félix and his friends were great guests — clear communication, very respectful and courteous. I’d recommend Felix to other hosts wholeheartedly.
Maison conforme aux photos, très bien située dans le charmant village de Gabian. À mi chemin entre mer et montagne, à 20 mn de la si belle Pezenas, idéal pour se ressourcer et être au calme. Voiture obligatoire. Beaucoup de belles randonnées pédestres. Émilie la prioritaire est très réactive et agréable. Je recommande vivement.
Isabelle B.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Isabel V.
20 Sept 2018
Cozy, well maintained holiday home perfectly located between beaches and mountains
We enjoyed 11 days in Gabian with our 3 teenagers, exploring the area with our bikes and enjoying tasty food in a variety of good restaurants in the area. Gabian is a wonderfully calm and friendly little village, perfectly situated to explore both, mountains and beaches and to start daytrips by car to farther away points of interest in the Langedoc. We clearly recommend the house for families with a little more grown up children who no longer require permanent surveillance due to the construction of the house.
Isabel V.
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Thank you for your kind review Isabel. I do hope you'll be back soon!
Verified
8/10 Good
Steve B.
19 Apr 2018
Lovely old stone property really well furnished and comfortable inside, and a nice sunny courtyard
The property was excellent, really well furnished and modernised with plenty of hot water and a nice kitchen. As mentioned by the owner, steep stairs and location at the top of a hill mean this isn't ideal for those with infirm relatives or toddlers. The village of Gabian is friendly but very quiet, with a small convenience store and a small bar/cafe for locals, with mainly elderly residents. There are plenty of nice restaurants within a short drive. Access to the property could be an issue; I made the mistake of driving my hired estate car to the door to unload our bags at the start of the week, and managed to scrape the wing mirror - very narrow, steep and winding streets leading up to the house. Better to park in the nearby car park and transfer luggage on foot if driving a large vehicle. The location is excellent with young children; we visited beaches, a lake, dinosaur park and aquarium over the week which was great fun.
Steve B.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Thanks for your detailed description, Steve. Your comments about parking are especially helpful for visitors - while Gabian's winding cobbled streets are incredibly charming, they aren't ideal for driving (as I too have found out on many an occasion). Hope to see you again soon!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Richard M.
5 Jan 2018
A very cosy hideaway
We booked the house for our family for Christmas and new year and were absolutely delighted! On arrival the house was toasty warm and thoroughly inviting. The house oozes old-world charm and is comfortable in every way with excellent facilities and everything to ensure comfort and a great stay. Whilst the family spent much of their time with us, they felt very much at home here and it was, at times, hard to drag them out! I would thoroughly recommend to anyone looking for a charming hideaway in a delightful French village!
Richard M.
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Thank you Richard for your kind review. Gabian is indeed a special place and I am so pleased that your family felt as if they were home for Christmas. I hope they'll be back to enjoy it at another time of year!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Anne F.
3 Jan 2018
Recommended if you want to getaway in the Winter
We had the most wonderful time in Gabian at this beautiful home. By the end of the first morning it already felt like our home away from home and we can't wait to go back. We had never been to the region in the Winter and were nervous about whether we would feel isolated or if the weather would impact our stay, and I can honestly say that it was perfect. So peaceful to walk among the naked vines, and discover roads without all the traffic of the Summer crowds, and unbelievably relaxing to drink wine and read by the fire, and there were board games available for us to play after dinner. The only addition I proposed is that they provide puzzles as well! If you are looking for a place to unwind and simply get away from it all, we couldn't recommend this place more.
Anne F.
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Thank you for the suggestion Anne! Puzzles are a great idea. We'll make sure to add a few for use by guests before the end of the Winter. I hope you come back again next year.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Andrew T.
8 Nov 2017
Peaceful retreat for all
The house was a perfect place for me and my wife to relax and rejuvenate in a peaceful environment. This gorgeous house has every amenity you would need and the location is perfect for day trips in the region and for tasting amazing wine. We felt really spoiled and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We will definitely be back!
Andrew T.
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Hi Andrew, thank you for your kinds words. The wine is indeed spectacular. Please don't hesitate to let me know if there's anything further we can do to make your next stay even more relaxing!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Laura B.
6 Oct 2017
Amazing place!
We spent a wonderful week in this charming and cozy house in Gabian. It's quiet, clean and fully equiped.
We really enjoyed relaxing in the lovely courtyard with a glass of wine from the region, after a day of sigthseeing!
Emily has been very helpful with the organisation of our trip, she adviced us where to rent a car and what to visit around.
Everything was perfect, we would definitely return!
Laura B.
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Thanks Laura, so pleased you had a nice stay!
About the host
Hosted by Emilie Colker
We're a family that is both French and American, and we've been living in London for the past several years.
This home is our cherished retreat away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. We visit the house frequently to recharge and spend quality time with family and friends. It's our pleasure to share it with you.
We aim to be as responsive and helpful as possible so our home feels like yours and that you have everything you need to make your trip one you'll remember for a long time to come.
Why they chose this property
We're originally from the West of France, but we've fallen in love with the Languedoc region because it is still less developed than other parts of France and we're wine lovers. We also love the proximity to the Mediterranean, Pyrenees and to Spain.