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Maison Rives

Maison Rives has three guest bedrooms (two double and one twin), all of which have en-suite shower rooms. The two double rooms can easily accommodate an extra bed(s) and families with children are very welcome. Breakfast, which will set you up for the day, is served downstairs in the panelled dining room.

Montolieu - originally Mount of Olives - sits on top of the gorge separating the Alzeau and Dure Rivers at the foot of the Montagne Noire. Surrounded by Cathar castles, caves, abbeys, forests, rolling fields, clear-running rivers and lakes, this pretty village in the Aude has a history to match its natural beauty. Among its ancestors are Charlemagne and Colbert. Charlemagne founded the Monastery of St. Jean de Mallast in 800 AD; the latter, Louis XIV’s minister, established a Royal Manufactory that exported high-quality woollen cloth. In 1146, the Viscount of nearby Carcassonne fortified the village. It’s early inhabitants - those who weren’t nuns or monks - first made their living working the rich vineyards and olive groves; they also tamed the river torrents to run water mills, which powered highly successful textile and paper plants. As the times changed a community of more than 3,000 shrank to around 800.

A book lover stepped in to revive Montolieu as a book village - a village du livre. Today, the village is on the itinerary of many visitors every year. Non-bibliophiles love the village as well, and can easily while away a few hours, perhaps visiting the glass blowers, the cultural centre, the art gallery, museum of print or just wandering and relaxing, enjoying the views. The village has two restaurants - dining under the trees in the summer at Le Marque Page opposite the church, or at Les Anges au Plafond in Rue de la Mairie.

Whether Montolieu is one stop on an extended itinerary to other destinations or the base for your explorations of the Aude and Languedoc Roussillon, allow yourselves time to explore the village. Daytrips are a must including La Cité (the World Heritage site of Carcassonne), at least one of the medieval villages - Mirepoix or Revel, the wondrous caves of Limousis, a boat ride along the Canal du Midi, and the beautiful seaside town of Collioure. Two more of the Cathar Castles are practically on the doorstep (Saissac and Las Tours), or you could go and see Europe's highest waterfall or take a tour of the watermill at Brousses and see paper being hand made. Even Barcelona is within a day's reach if you want.

Check-in time: from 16h00
Check-out time : by 10h30

Room Rate : 55,00 euros per room per night, including breakfast. Extra bed possible at supplementary rate.

Sorry, we do not accept animals.