Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment

About a year ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing my favorite blogger residing in France (Taste of France), and we learned about the renovation of her vacation apartments in Carcassonne. Today, we’ll tour the beautifully restored apartment she makes available for vacation rentals you didn’t see last time! Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment will whisk you away to France and get you dreaming about a trip to the “other South of France.”

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

Photos/Source: unless otherwise noted, Taste of France

Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment

Welcome to a luxurious 1600’s French apartment rental known as
L’ancienne Tannerie in Carcassonne, France.

One of Many Reasons to Visit!

Carcassonne, France fortress
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.

Vacation Apartment Overview

This elegant apartment with private entrance and 100 m2 of space has a huge French country kitchen, in a building from 1600. It has been thoughtfully renovated recently, following strict Bâtiments de France rules. It’s a floor above street level in the heart of the Bastide Saint Louis, a block from Place Carnot and near la Cité.

Staircase with tile and wrought iron rail. Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

Furnished with antiques, the apartment can accommodate up to 5 people, and there is even a private sauna! The sauna is located next to a spacious, luminous bathroom with a large shower.

Sauna. Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.

The 24 m2 fully equipped kitchen is perfect for those who love to cook. The eat-in kitchen is the ideal setting for a convivial meal or a lesson in French cooking.

Kitchen. Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

Two large marble fireplaces are topped with intricate decorations.

Kitchen fireplace. Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.

The apartment overlooks a flower-filled shared courtyard.

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

French Home Tour: Salon

Let’s virtually explore a lovely holiday rental in Carcassonne with classic French decor, L’ancienne Tannerie!

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

Versailles-style furnishings leave no doubt you are in France, and what a coup to discover a palatial apartment sleeping 5 with a sauna at a cost conscious price point ($146 nightly at the time of this post!).

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.

This lovely home recently received four stars in an official inspection based on its interiors and façade.

South of France apartment rental for vacations in Carcasonne.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

French Home Tour: French Country Kitchen

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.
Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.
Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.
Detail of Old World fireplace in kitchen. Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.
Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.
Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

French Home Tour: Luxurious Bathroom

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.
Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.
Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.
Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

French Home Tour: Classic French Bedrooms

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.
Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

Where is this vacation rental apartment known as L’ancienne Tannerie?

In the city of Carcassonne.

Carcassonne, France
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.
Mappa Linguadoca Rossiglione - Cartina Linguadoca Rossiglione
Image result for map of carcassonne, france
Map of the Medieval city of Carcassonne, France
Umbrellas over Carcassonne art exhibit
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.

I’m ready to book my stay here…how about you? In the mean time, we can experience French living in Carcassonne through the lens of Taste of France, where we are treated to authentic glimpses and tastes of beauty and mystery.

Interview With Taste of France

French country magic blossoms around this little villa in the South of France. Overgrown with lush greenery and deep pink, the turquoise doors and gabled roofline work together with the architecture and nature to take your breath away. #Frenchfarmhouse #FrenchCountry #turquoise #SouthofFrance #FrenchCottage
Petite Canal House (Villa Odette) courtesy of Taste of France.

HL: I adore your blog and your writing style and am always stirred by your stories and photos. Tell us about this gorgeous photo above which is bursting with color and charm!

TOF: It’s a little refuge or boat house along the Canal du Midi that I pass numerous times a week. There’s a fabulous view of la Cité de Carcassonne just across from it. It doesn’t seem to be inhabited, at least not in the 15 years that I’ve known it. It’s covered with vines that turn a blazing color in the fall.

I don’t know who Odette might have been to have had such a cute little house named after her. However, it always makes me think of Odette de Crécy, a major character in “In Search of Lost Time,” by Marcel Proust. Catherine Deneuve played her in the movie based on the book. It took me three years to read all the tomes of “In Search of Lost Time.” It was like savoring a very high-quality chocolate–so rich and dense you had to take the time for it. Which is very French indeed.

HL: If we are visiting the South of France for the first time, where should we stay?

TOF: If I were traveling here for the first time, I would stay in Carcassonne, not in a village. Villages are pretty small, and the list of things to do is ticked off rather quickly. They are adorable, and worth wandering around, but many don’t have any restaurants or cafés, and most have only one or two. So you’d get bored pretty quickly. 

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

HL: How in the world did you find these beautiful apartments in Carcassonne?

TOF: We looked for over a year for apartments to turn into AirBnB rentals. We wanted something in the “new” town (which dates to 1260; the “old” town dates to 900 or so). We wanted a beautiful building; there are many places that have low ceilings or little natural light. We got not only high, high ceilings, but also original tile floors and incredible decorative moldings.

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.

HL: How did you arrive at the decor plan?

TOF: We chose to decorate with antiques, because (1) that’s what we do in our home and (2) other AirBnBs tend to be furnished with the same Ikea furniture—whether around France or around the world. We want a visitor to walk in and know that they are in France. We want them to feel like they’re in a palace, but without the intrusion of staff. We want them to feel like they’re staying in a home, a place that they could imagine as their own home.

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

HL: Tell us about the renovation process.

TOF: The renovations took a year and were supervised by the Bâtiments de France, which are the French historical protection authorities. So we couldn’t just renovate at will.

We were told where we were allowed to put bathrooms and kitchens, and even the color of the shutters. I see that not everybody follows the rules, but even our windows were custom-made to match the old ones. On the AirBnB listings, I see plenty of cheap fake-wood floors and dropped ceilings for more easily running electricity lines in buildings with solid stone walls. The city has a hard time policing the people who do renovations themselves and don’t get a building permit.

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.

HL: What did you learn about yourself as a result of the renovation process?

TOF: What I learned during the renovation was a new respect for the French. I always have been a francophile, since I first read Madeline as a little girl. But the care, precision and craftsmanship of the local artisans astounded me. One hears so many horror stories about contractors, but these guys were such professionals, and true artists, full of passion for their work. I have seen the same kind of perfectionism in so many areas, from winemaking to cheesemaking and more. But a painter of walls gives his subjects as much care and precision as a painter of canvases. It was impressive.

Classic French apartment with luxurious interiors has been fully renovated to high standards in Carcassonne, France and is available to rent - L'ancienne Tannerie.
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France. Home Tour: South of France 17th Century Apartment…certainly lovely indeed. Photos of a lovely French apartment with classic decor and details about its renovation as well as tips for visiting Carcassonne, France.

Such a treat to become more acquainted with the brilliant author of Taste of France and entertain the notion of staying at one of her properties in Carcassonne!

Carcassonne, France
Photo: courtesy of Taste of France.

There are actually two renovated luxurious French apartments to consider if you are traveling to Carcassonne, and here’s the other possibility. These images will give you a peek:

French apartment balcony at La Suite Barbes in Carcassonne, France. #French #balcony #Frenchapartment #vacationrental
Classic French decor in La Suite Barbès in Carcassonne.
Classic French decor in a stunning historical apartment available to rent in Carcassonne. The view through the dining area to the balcony sets a romantic tone. #French #classicFrench #balcony
Luxurious French Apartment with Classic French decor to Rent in Carcassonne.

French Country Lovely!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing

Let me know if you decide to check in to this beautiful South of France apartment, and do visit Taste of France in the mean time!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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4 Comments

  1. Connie
    April 22, 2019 / 8:42 am

    What can I say but “WOW that is lovely indeed!” And the price per night seems too good to be true! Now….to find air fair that doesn’t break the bank 😉

    • Michele
      Author
      April 22, 2019 / 9:40 am

      Right? Let’s go! 🙂

  2. April 22, 2019 / 2:08 pm

    Thank you, Michele, for spotlighting our other AirBnB listing. It would be so much fun to show you around here!

    • Michele
      Author
      April 22, 2019 / 4:26 pm

      I am ready to head there! You’re so welcome, friend.

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing