The Domaine des Jasses is all about escape - three cars a day pass the end of the drive, which leads to a landscape unchanged since Roman times. Sitting on the hills above Carcassonne, the airy house sleeps 22 in comfort, grandeur and style; yet it was for centuries a place of contemplation and still feels like a haven from the world. The house is incredibly spacious with large, elegantly decorated rooms that still retain the feel of the home it has always been, with books on the shelves and art on the walls. There are horses and ponies on site and you may be surprised by Bounty the Shetland pony wandering past the long dining tables on the terrace - he is an escape artist! The pool is large and secluded, with stunning southerly views to the mountains - on a clear day the Pyrenees are visible across the rolling foothills in front of the house. In all directions are gentle walks across rolling meadows and along woodland paths. This year we have upgraded the facilities to make the house even more suitable for families with playpens outside on the terrace, sandpits, an indoor playroom and baby equipment. Housekeeping and chef available by arrangement.

Anthony Murphy is a well known Irish artist. You can view his work online. In his own words: “ I abandoned my lawyers desk in Paris thirty years ago, and headed south to try my luck . Domaine des Jasses entered my life and our partnership continues to this day. My sculptor friend, Brian Wall, from San Francisco, says you can see its influence in my work. Long may it last. I travel alot putting on exhibitions and Sophie runs the house rental. I have three studios; one above the stables which you are welcome to visit; one in London and one in Ireland. At Jasses there still exists the 'Old France' where one can look down the tunnel of time to the old-world and be left free. ” Sophie Crockett used to renovate property. She is a children's book writer and has had two novels published by Macmillan. She is probably writing another one, unless she is sitting in the field waiting to see where Bounty the pony is escaping from…

Our department is the Aude, known for its wild beauty and the Cathar religion which found a stronghold here centuries ago. People still come to tour the famous Cathar castles and sites, seeking out expert guides from the region. If you stay at Les Jasses, there are beautiful walks in all directions from the house along ancient tracks and wooded paths. Eagles fly overhead, and you may see the local shepherd grazing his flock of sheep across the hills. For the more adventurous there is hiking and climbing: Bugarach for example is a 1200m high peak 35km south of Carcassonne only for the fit and experienced. Boating on the canal du Midi is possible, as is mountain biking in the Black Mountains and wild river swimming can be found a short drive away. Picnics can be arranged. There are local markets nearby, notably Mirepoix and Revel. Brocante shops are open all year round. Day ski-ing in winter is possible, a swim and lunch at Leucate beach in summer. There are prehistoric cave paintings at the Grotte de Niaux, a prehistoric museum in the Ariege - and of course, Carcassonne Cite which is 25 minutes away. We can advise on local attractions.