Mas Forge
Once you are at Mas Forge, relaxing in one of the two delightful gites at Hedley and Anita's secluded hillside retreat, you will enjoy a rare prize that few destinations in Continental Europe can offer the traveller.
You could be forgiven for thinking that this might be the charming approach by rural trackway past goats and vineyards that you enjoyed, the 10 acres of hillside and footpaths that you are at liberty to roam or possibly the spectacular view of Canigou across the valley. Or after a few days you might reflect that it could be the very drinkable and rarely seen in the UK “Muscat Sec” or possibly bathing in the unique swimming pool built into the base of an old kiln of Gothic proportions.
Well these things are all to be enjoyed at Mas Forge, but the treasure to which we refer is the discovery after travelling nearly 1000 miles away from home to deepest, most beautiful, France, that all of the plumbing has been done by an Englishman.
You may think finding joy in such an apparently mundane detail a little eccentric, whilst hopefully not failing to appreciate the numerous benefits it confers upon one's experience, but in many ways it underlines everything that is so unique and enjoyable about staying at Mas Forge.
The essence of this is the way in which the energy, ingenuity, style and sheer joy of both Hedley and Anita have been intimately woven into the fabric of the place - from top to bottom. This takes on a staggeringly literal meaning when you stand back and look at the enormous scale and sheer verticality of the earthworks and masonry that support Mas Forge, but is equally reflected in the numerous small details of construction, landscaping, decoration and furnishing that have transformed what was a dramatic industrial site into a secluded and beautiful place to stay.
Within the grounds of Mas Forge are two semi-detached gites - Cady and Tech.
Cady
6 People - 2 bedrooms
Ground Floor: Hall, shower / toilet, kitchen diner, large south facing living room.
Upstairs: Bathroom, twin room, double room with 2 extra single beds.
Tech
10 People - 4 bedrooms
Ground Floor: Spacious living room, dining table for 12, kitchen area, utility room, 2 shower rooms, large twin.
Upstairs: Bathroom, 1 double, 1 twin (extra bed), mezzanine 1 bed, 2 bunks.
Outside
Private terraces with BBQs, tables & garden furniture. Extensive shared gardens lead to pool and solar-heated jacuzzi, fenced and gated.
Separate informal common room with pool table, reference books, maps, table football, games and general information.
Accommodation & Facilities
Cady and Tech, the two semi-detatched gites within the grounds of Mas Forge, are named after local rivers.
The restored properties have a feel of rustic comfort: white walls, dark beams, cool tiled floors, wood burners and comfortably furnished.
Both have well equipped kitchens, fridge freezer, washing machine, cot and high chair. Bed linen is provided.
CADY
Sleeps a maximum of 6 people in two bedrooms.
Terrace entrance to hall with W.C. and shower.Oak-fitted kitchen/dining for 6, with washing machine, gas hob, and fan-assisted electric oven.
Downstairs the light south-facing living room with wood-burning stove has a separate door to the terrace.
Upstairs there is one bathroom with basin, full sized bath and WC.Bedroom one has a double bed plus two optional extra single beds.Bedroom two has twin beds.
The 'feel' of Cady is one of rustic comfort; well furnished with white walls, dark beams, tiled downstairs and wooden floors upstairs.
Both gites have their own terrace with garden furniture, umbrella, deck chairs, barbecue and drying line.
Visitors are welcome to use the gardens, play pool and table tennis, and during the summer share the round 16' solar heated pool.
Young children should not be allowed to use the pool unsupervised. Whilst being happy to share extra facilities, it should be remembered that children remain strictly the responsibility of their parents at all times.
TECH
Sleeps a maximum of ten people in four bedrooms.
Terrace entrance to a spacious, comfortable living room, 20' x 20' with wood-burning stove, sofas, chairs, dresser, dining table to seat ten, and kitchen with fridge-freezer, gas cooker, coffee machine.
The first bedroom with double bed is on the ground floor with doors both to the main living area and the terrace.
There are two downstairs shower rooms with WC, basins, double ceramic sink and washing machine.
Circular wrought-iron stairs lead up from the living room. There is one bathroom upstairs.
The second bedroom has two bunks and a single bed and being on a mezzanine floor over the living room, is ideal for children.
Bedroom three, adjacent to the children's room, has a double bed, baby cot and stained glass windows.
The fourth bedroom has three single beds.
The walls are white and all the heavy oak beams are exposed. The whole feel of the house is friendly and comfortable.
