Les Hirondelles in Marseillan , Hérault

TV with satellite channels.

A fully fitted kitchen with a good size cooker (oven and 4 ring hob), a fridge and a freezer, microwave. A washing machine in the utlity area.

If you can tear yourself away from the view, the crisp white wine and the pleasures of watching a simple port going about its daily business, venture a few minutes into the village to discover the charming weekly market in the old streets around the 13th century church. Visit the original Noilly Prat vermouth distillery on the port and taste the catch of the day at any one of two dozen restaurants. Sea, Lagoon and Canal: Boating and watersports within a few minutes walk of the house. Miles of long sandy beaches on the Med and the leafy tree-lined Canal de Midi, with its timeless locks and solitary fishermen. Play Pétanque on the shady village square or book a tennis court along the Oystermen's road. Send the kids off to let off steam in the Park Tabarka playground two minutes walk away - skate ramps, volleyball and table tennis areas. Golfers tee off at nearby St. Thomas and Cap d'Agde golf clubs. Skiers drive up to the Pyrenees for the weekend. Shopping: Legendary Brocante fleamarkets at Marseillan Plage resort, 5 minutes drive from the port, hailed by BBC TV as the ultimate continental boot fairs. Dozens of Domaines offer wine tastings (local Picpoul de Pinet white wine ideal with oysters). Closest winery 200 yards from the house!

Overlooking the little Port Tabarka itself, this is a cosy two-bedroom, two-storey cottage just yards from the waterfront. Open the living room shutters and step out onto your private ground-floor terrace and take in the view, before breakfast al fresco. Pour a glass of chilled orange juice, a bowl of freshly filtered coffee and enjoy warm buttered croissants as you watch little chalut fishing boats bobbing in the secluded harbour.

The terrace at the front, with its dining table and chairs overlooks the port and lagoon: In the bright smart living room, flop and relax on a comfy sofa or step into the open-plan kitchen to prepare a supper of locally caught seafood or fresh bass and sole from the lagoon to savour as a bright harvest moon rises over the Mediterranean, before you climb the white wooden staircase to bed and the promise of even more spectacular skies in the morning.

The living room has a comfortable new sofa, which cunningly converts into a guest bed, a dining area looking out to the port and large bright french patio doors opening onto the terrace.

Upstairs are two bedrooms, one double and one twin room, and a smart shower room and wc. Park outside the front door, or in the private parking area behind the house.