House in Raissac-d'Aude, Aude

There are houses you visit. And there are houses that immediately make you slow down. As you walk through the gate, the bustle of everyday life fades away.

Olive trees cast soft shadows across the stone terraces, jasmine perfumes the warm summer air and the heated swimming pool shimmers between palms, oleanders and climbing bougainvillea. It is hard to believe that Narbonne, with its restaurants, boutiques, TGV station and Mediterranean lifestyle, lies just sixteen minutes away.

Built around 1760 for one of the village's wealthiest families, this remarkable residence reflects more than two and a half centuries of French history. The generous reception rooms still speak of its original elegance, while the magnificent Art Deco staircase, added around 1940, marks another fascinating chapter in the home's evolution. Upstairs, the staff were once accommodated beneath the roof, while the building that is now the independent gîte originally served as accommodation for seasonal vineyard workers. Even today's peaceful garden once formed the family's horse paddock.

The current Dutch owners carried out an extensive renovation in 2018, introducing every modern comfort with great sensitivity. Ducted reversible air conditioning, photovoltaic panels, fibre internet, a heated swimming pool and excellent insulation now combine effortlessly with the authentic character that makes this property so special.

Today this period home offers exceptional flexibility. It works equally well as an elegant family residence, a successful chambres d'hôtes, a multi-generational home or a combination of private living with independent rental accommodation.

A GARDEN THAT FEELS LIKE A MEDITERRANEAN RETREAT

Thoughtfully landscaped and wonderfully private, the garden enjoys sunshine from approximately 8 am until 7 pm throughout the summer months.

Ancient olive trees mingle with palms, oleanders, lilac, jasmine, bougainvillea, mimosa and fruit trees to create a mature Mediterranean oasis that remains remarkably easy to maintain thanks to automatic irrigation.

From breakfast beneath the pergola to long summer evenings beside the heated swimming pool (7.5 x 3.75 m), every corner invites you to slow down and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. A heated outdoor shower completes the atmosphere of effortless holiday living.

THE MAIN RESIDENCE

Entering from the garden, a remarkably wide entrance hall immediately reveals the generous proportions that define this home.

To your left lies the spacious kitchen overlooking the garden, fitted with quality appliances including a recent Samsung refrigerator together with Whirlpool oven and microwave. The kitchen connects directly to the utility room and also provides access towards the gîte.

Further along is a ground-floor bedroom with its own shower room, making it ideal for guests, single-level living or owners wishing to operate a bed and breakfast while retaining complete privacy.

Continuing through the impressive hallway, the eye is naturally drawn towards the magnificent Art Deco staircase and the light well above. Here, the programmable pellet stove forms the warm heart of the house, distributing comfortable heat into both the private sitting room and the guest lounge.

At the front of the property, overlooking the quiet village street, three elegant reception rooms unfold one after another. The breakfast room opens into the principal salon with its wood-burning stove, while a second sitting room — currently arranged as a bedroom — could equally become a library, television room or home office.

Throughout the entire ground floor, ceilings rise to approximately three metres, reinforcing the sense of space and elegance that characterises the property.

FIRST FLOOR

The magnificent landing, almost a reception room in its own right, leads to beautifully arranged guest accommodation.

One section has been designed as a fully self-contained apartment with its own living room, kitchen, bedroom and shower room, offering ideal accommodation for family members, long-term guests or resident managers.

Three further bedrooms each enjoy their own private en-suite shower room, while a separate guest kitchenette provides additional comfort for longer stays.

The generous circulation spaces and impressive ceiling heights continue upstairs, preserving the graceful proportions found throughout the house.

ATTIC

The attic provides an abundance of practical space and future possibilities.

It currently includes a dedicated laundry area, extensive storage, the technical installations including the ducted air-conditioning system and an additional section that could potentially be transformed into a rooftop terrace, subject to the necessary permissions.

INDEPENDENT GÎTE

The former accommodation for vineyard workers has been transformed into an inviting contemporary gîte that blends beautifully with the character of the estate.

The gîte benefits from its own independent entrance from the street, where an external staircase leads directly into the bright open-plan living room. It also enjoys direct access from the garden. Entering from the garden side, you first pass through a small shared laundry/utility room, conveniently available for guests staying in the chambres d'hôtes or apartment, before reaching the private staircase leading up to the gîte.

Inside, large floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the garden, filling the spacious open-plan living room and kitchen with natural light. The accommodation further comprises two bedrooms and a modern shower room.

A discreet original doorway still provides an optional connection with the main house if ever required, while allowing both buildings to function independently in everyday use. Whether used for holiday rentals, visiting family, staff accommodation or independent living, the gîte offers outstanding flexibility.

COMFORT FOR MODERN LIVING

While the architecture remains unmistakably historic, everyday comfort is entirely contemporary.

The 2018 renovation introduced modern technology with remarkable discretion, allowing the period character to remain centre stage.

Highlights include:

Complete renovation (2018)
Heated swimming pool (2018)
Heated outdoor shower
30 photovoltaic panels
Fibre internet
Double glazing throughout
Ducted reversible air conditioning
Programmable pellet stove
Electric radiators
Five hot water tanks, including two thermodynamic units
Automatic irrigation
Water softener
Roof renewed in 1999
Carport
Private parking space
Ample additional street parking

A PROPERTY THAT ADAPTS TO YOUR LIFE

Few character properties offer such remarkable versatility. Whether your ambition is to continue the successful chambres d'hôtes activity, create an exceptional family home, accommodate several generations under one roof or combine private living with holiday rental income, this property adapts effortlessly.

The independent apartment on the first floor, the separate gîte and the generous reception spaces create a home that can evolve with changing lifestyles for many years to come.

A GENUINELY FRENCH VILLAGE

Raissac-d'Aude is one of those villages that many buyers hope to discover but seldom do. Peaceful without feeling isolated. Beautifully maintained. Authentically French.

Neighbours still know one another, help one another, and newcomers quickly become part of village life. Everyday essentials are close at hand, with a local village shop offering everyday essentials and daily bread collection, a restaurant currently open on Friday and Saturday evenings, a post office, and a regular bus service to Narbonne. A new restaurant is also due to open soon. Known locally as one of the gateways to Narbonne, Raissac-d'Aude offers the perfect balance between peaceful village life and the convenience of the city just a short drive away.

Known locally as one of the gateways to Narbonne, the village offers the perfect balance between countryside tranquillity and city convenience.

Some places invite you to stay a little longer. This is one of them. Beautifully restored, rich in character and designed for modern living, it is ready to welcome its next chapter.

ROOM DIMENSIONS

MAIN HOUSE — GROUND FLOOR
Entrance hall: 28 m²
Entrance hall (street side): 13.7 m²
Central reception hall with Art Deco staircase: 32 m²
Kitchen: 18 m²
Utility room: 6.6 m²
Bedroom 1: 16 m²
Shower room with WC: 3.5 m²
Separate WC: 2 m²
Private sitting room / office: 23.1 m²
Main lounge: 35.3 m²
Dining room / breakfast room: 22.2 m²

FIRST FLOOR
Landing: 59.4 m²

Bedroom: 23 m²
En-suite shower room: 5.9 m²
Bedroom: 19.7 m²
En-suite shower room: 5.8 m²
Bedroom: 15.7 m²
En-suite shower room: 4.3 m²
Hall: 4.3 m²
Guest kitchenette: 4.2 m²

Apartment:
Living room: 16.9 m²
Hall: 1.1 m²
Kitchen: 7.2 m²
Bedroom: 14.9 m²
Shower room with WC: 7.7 m²

ATTIC
Laundry area: 20.6 m²
Storage area: 40 m²
Technical room (air-conditioning): 60 m²

INDEPENDENT GÎTE
Entrance: 0.9 m²
Shared laundry / utility area: 2 m²
Hallway: 7.5 m²
Living room with open kitchen: 40 m²
Bedroom 1: 14.6 m²
Bedroom 2: 14 m²
Shower room with WC: 6.5 m²

OUTBUILDINGS
Store / workshop: 38 m²
Carport including pool plant room: 40 m²

DISTANCES

Narbonne city centre: 16 minutes
Narbonne TGV station: 20 minutes
Mediterranean beaches (Narbonne-Plage / Gruissan): 35 minutes
Carcassonne: 40 minutes
Spain (La Jonquera): 1 hour 15 minutes
Montpellier: 1 hour 25 minutes
Perpignan: 55 minutes

AIRPORTS
Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport: 40 minutes
Carcassonne Airport: 40 minutes
Perpignan Airport: 55 minutes
Montpellier Airport: 1 hour 5 minutes
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport: 1 hour 25 minutes
Girona-Costa Brava Airport (Spain): 1 hour 40 minutes

For further information, additional photographs or to arrange a viewing, please don't hesitate to contact us. We'd be delighted to introduce you to this exceptional property.
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Information about risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website : https://www.georisques.gouv.fr