French property in Languedoc Roussillon - Herault - A small building plot in a charming hamlet in the Minervois, super views - very rare!

The land has been allowed to become wooded, but is clear enough for its extent to be seen. It is about 36 metres long and is roughly triangular. As can be seen from the photos, it has super views, is in a very rural position, and on the edge of a lovely ochre stone-built hamlet nestling in the countryside amongst trees and hills. It looks out over the valley of the river Cessière, with its vineyards and garrigue.
A certificate of urbanism has been obtained, and points out that although the water and electric networks are not actually on the site, they do run in the road adjacent to it. There is no mains drainage yet in the hamlet, so a fosse septique (septic tank) or other suitable method of sewage disposal will be required until the mains system is built.
An architect is available to help with the design of the property and obtaining the Planning Permission.

The hamlet has special protection from the 'Bâtiments de France', the Conservation Officers of the region, who have pronounced it as a place which should be preserved, because of its situation in the midst of unspoilt countryside. They have given guidelines as to the colour of exterior walls, the proportions of windows, and paint colour, so its traditional aspect will not be lost.
Its origins go back to Roman times, when the most important crop on the hill terraces was wheat. Later olive trees proliferated, and latterly, vines. It is a wonderful place for walking and cycling; far from supermarkets, motorways and housing estates, nature flourishes, with almond, apricot, cherry, olive and fig and oak trees, wild flowers in abundance, birds - nightingales, cuckoos, eagles and buzzards, orioles, owls, hoopoes...There is an important listed chapel in the village, as well as a church and a tiny family chapel on the road to the south.
The hamlet is situated between the coastal plain of Narbonne and the really hilly Montagne Noire, so the countryside is gently rolling with the odd rocky outcrop.
The Cathar stronghold of Minerve is about 10km away, now designated as 'One of the Most Beautiful Villages of France'. The Mediterranean is 45km, a pleasant drive south to the other side of Narbonne. If you don’t feel like going so far, you can swim in local rivers at Cailhol or Bize-Minervois. To the north is the Parc Régional du Haut Languedoc, with St. Pons, Olargues, and the lake region around La Salvetat-sur-Agout. There are weekly village markets on practically every day of the week, the most popular being St. Chinian on a Sunday and Thursday, and Olonzac on a Tuesday - both meeting-places for coffee and a chat.
Towards Perpignan are the Cathar castles, and the Pyrenees and Spain are not far! Narbonne is known as the crossroads of the south, as it is close to Provence as well.
As far as amenities are concerned, there are small shops, a nursery school, a bakery, a Post Office and the Mairie in Aigues-Vives, 3km away (walking distance if you are feeling energetic!) although the baker's van comes round four times a week, as well as a grocery van and two butcher/charcutiers once a week, and other mobile shops once a month (frozen goods and clothes, etc.)
More shopping can be done in Olonzac (13km) where there is also a secondary school, and St. Marcel (20km), and otherwise, Narbonne is 30km, Béziers 40km and Carcassonne 50km, for serious purchases and administrative arrangements.
The airports at Béziers Vias and Carcassonne are both around 60km away and take about an hour to reach by car. Toulouse, Montpellier and Perpignan are also options for international flights.

DPE : This property does not have a fixed heating system

Type

• Land with CU

Location

• Hamlet

Features

• Close to golf course
• ADSL

Conditions

• Land