Rent La Belle Coste France

In the picturesque Hérault region of southern France, La Belle Coste blends historic charm with understated elegance. With a hillside setting, admire panoramic views from the south-facing swimming pool before wandering down to village shop and restaurants or hiking through Les Gorges d’Héric.

The owners have created a special sanctuary following a careful and sensitive restoration of this former silk factory. Across the main part of the house and its annexe, up to 8 guests can stay in four bedrooms. The living and dining room is the heart of the home with its wood-beamed ceiling, travertine floors, characterful dining table and armchairs surrounding a wood-burning stove. The kitchen is just as beautiful and fully-equipped, leading through to a rustic stone patio where the original bread oven remains, an idyllic spot for morning breakfast or a glass of wine beneath the clear sky at night.

There are three bedrooms in the main part of the house. Downstairs is the double bedroom with its own lounge (with sofa-bed) and bathroom whilst there is a upper double bedroom and the most gorgeous en suite with a bath and a view. The third bedroom is a twin on a mezzanine level above an office/lounge in the oldest part of the house.

Finally, the self-contained annexe (which can be accessed via the main kitchen or an independent entrance) is charming with its upper bedroom and separate kitchen-diner, a private shower room downstairs and the prettiest of vine-clad patios with kiwis.

Pass mulberry trees, figs, cacti, summer roses, lavender, sage and rosemary as you explore the terraced gardens, then gather beside the swimming pool with sweeping vistas of the rooftops and hills. Atmospherically lit up in the evening, enjoy poolside barbecues by the summer kitchen or wander down to the village, around 800m away, for delicious local fare.

Les Gorges d’Héric awaits for hiking, waterfalls and rock pools or hire bikes to cycle along the voie verte to Olargues, just 5km away, classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Not to mention canoeing along the Orb River, pottering around weekly markets (including one in the village) and sipping coffee on café terraces before returning to your authentic holiday abode to truly soak up the relaxed way of life in southern France.

Maison Interiors

Main Floor (with steps)

–    Living and dining room with French doors opening to patio
–    Kitchen, well-equipped including Nespresso machine, coffee maker, oven, dishwasher, blender, Kitchenaid, Sodastream and toaster
–    Bedroom with king-size double bed and lounge with sofa-bed
–    Bathroom with freestanding bath and shower cubicle
–    Office/lounge 

Mezzanine Level (via stairs from office)

–    Open bedroom with two single beds (90cm each) and sofa-bed (140cm)

First Floor

–    Bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom with freestanding bath, walk-in rain shower and WC

Annexe Interiors (connected to main house via internal door or separate entrance)

Lower Floor

–    Bathroom with large rain shower, washing machine and separate WC

Upper Floor

–    Open-plan kitchen and dining area with door leading to steps and small terrace
–    Bedroom with queen-size double bed and sofa-bed

Outside Grounds (across the hillside)

–    Swimming pool (50m2, diamond shape, depth: 0.5-2.8m). Poolside area secured via fencing. Open approximately mid-April to beginning of October
–    Poolside terrace with panoramic views  
–    Poolside outdoor kitchen, barbecue and dining area
–    Other patios/terraced levels   
–    Pétanque set
–    Garden with olive, fig, maple, pine and mulberry trees, kiwi vines, roses, bougainvillea, herbs, cacti, succulents etc)
–    Different levels and many steps
–    Private parking space (x1)
–    Second parking area (to side of house, shared with neighbours)

La Belle Coste enjoys a spectacular setting on a hillside on the edge of a pretty Hérault village, just a 14km drive from the spa-town of Lamalou-les-Bains. This is the perfect destination for guests seeking relaxation, natural beauty, outdoor activities and a touch of authentic French culture.

The heart of the village is less than 1km away – you can walk there in about 10 minutes (as long as you don’t mind the hill on the way back) passing rural landscapes, charming residences and rolling hills as you walk down the country roads. The village centre has a grocery store, tabac, tourist office, weekly market and a handful of places to eat. From here you can join the Passa Païs voie verte walking or cycling trail.

Also accessible from the house is the spectacular Les Gorges d’Héric. This natural wonder offers an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts. Hike along well-marked trails that wind through the gorge, with crystal-clear pools and cascading waterfalls inviting you to pause and soak in the serenity.

For those seeking a taste of relaxation and rejuvenation, the nearby town of Lamalou-les-Bains beckons. Renowned for its thermal spas and therapeutic treatments, this charming town has been a haven for wellness seekers for centuries. Stroll through its historic streets, indulge in a spa session, visit the cinema or casino and soak up the ambience of the town’s weekly market.

Explore the medieval village of Olargues (5km), listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, with its cobbled streets, belltower and bridge dating back to the 13th century. You can walk or cycle here along the voie verte or it’s just a 5-minute drive.

Roquebrun (16km) sits by the River Orb with its summer riverside beach, historic mills, restaurants, café-bars and Mediterranean Gardens. Stop off for a coffee in the gorgeous village of Vieussan (6km) en route.

Further afield, so many gems of the Languedoc region await from Lac du Salagou (48km) with its walking trails and summer watersports to Pézenas (51km) with its historic Saturday morning market, summer festivities and L’illustre théâtre de Pézenas inspired by Molière. Embrace the vibrant ambience of Béziers (45km), try the oysters of Mèze (66km) or venture further to the Mediterranean coast with Valras-Plage around an hour by car.