From a 1600 farming lease to the farm of today, the story of a family who fell in love with the Aude countryside.
Every milestone has shaped the estate you discover today.
The first written trace of Bellelauze: a farming lease kept in the archives.
The estate's first dwelling is built; its old stone walls still watch over the place today.
During the oil crisis, the Cool family (Tone, Ki and their two children) decide to leave Belgium and its urban sprawl. After criss-crossing France in a van, drawn to the Aude countryside, grape pickers point them to Bellelauze. Love at first sight, a trip to the notary, and the deal is done.
For six years, the family comes back every school holiday to restore the abandoned buildings: a dwelling, a cowshed, a goat barn and a farmyard.
Tone, Ki, Filip and Ingeborg settle for good. With the help of the elders, they choose to become farmers. The first cow, Mireille, christens the renovated cowshed. The success of good milk, cheese and yoghurt grows the herd. Two small gîtes open for rent.
Thanks to the investment of Filip and his partner Martine, the estate is transformed: the cowshed becomes a dining hall, the henhouse becomes a bar.
Ingeborg, her husband and their children Maarten and Simon settle in and take over the business. The pool is completed. The estate offers five equipped rooms and a group dormitory.
The birth of Luka and of a flock of ewes: the estate's land comes back to life.
A fire destroys a quarter of the buildings. The rebuild gives rise to rooms with en-suite bathrooms, offered either self-catering or as guest rooms.
Simon takes over the farm, the "Ferme de Bellelauze", carrying the spirit of the estate into the years ahead.
The estate is better seen than told. Book your stay in the heart of Cathar Country.
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