Light and airy luxury 2-bedroom waterfront apartment with south-facing sea views

Located on the quaint historic port of Marseillan, Salicorne is a luxury waterfront 2 bedroom apartment with breathtaking sea views of the 'Etang de Thau' lagoon from every room. The south-facing sitting room windows slide open completely and disappear into the walls, turning the whole room into a spacious interior terrace where you can almost believe your toes are in the water. The stylish apartment offers elegant and comfortable self-catering accommodation for 4. Marseillan, described by the UK's Sunday Times newspaper as 'staggeringly pretty' and looking like St Tropez before Brigitte Bardot, remains an unspoiled local village with an unhurried nature and no crowds. In the village, its market and in the many restaurants alongside its pretty port you will find some of the best seafood you will ever taste.

Simply decorated in natural hues, the apartment is a blend of traditional elegance and contemporary living. It sleeps 4 people in 2 bedrooms, one with a very large double bed and the other with 2 single beds, both with fitted wardrobes. Both bedrooms have sea views and double 'French Doors' which open onto a covered terrace overlooking the water, ideal for relaxing and outdoor eating. The sunny dual-aspect living room with dining area looks onto the lagoon as well as the port entrance and has an additional small side-balcony perfect for a quiet read or an aperitif. In addition to casual seating, a large comfy sofa is perfect for viewing the passing sails and sea birds. The dining table seats six and there is an additional outdoor table and chairs seating 4 on the terrace. Two deck chairs are also provided.

The open-plan kitchen is small but perfectly formed and has all the modern equipment necessary for relaxed self-catering, should you wish. This includes a dish-washer, large fridge, induction hob and multi-function oven. A kettle, coffee-maker and toaster are also provided.

The bathroom offers both a luxury deep double-end bath as well as a separate walk-in shower with overhead rainshower. Along with a wash basin, there is also a heated towel rail and hair drier. Good quality bathroom towels are provided within the rental cost. There is a separate wc with wash basin.

The apartment has integrated air-conditioning/heating, controllable in the living room and both bedrooms. Should you need to stay in touch, free Wi-Fi access is provided throughout your stay. For leisure, in addition to a small flat-screen satellite TV with integrated DVD player, there is an i-pod dock music system. Other amenities include a communal laundry room with washing machine and separate drier. Secure on-site car parking is available in the garage on request.

The apartment Salicorne is on the first floor and can be reached by stairs or lift. It is wheelchair accessible and is on one single level.

Located in a quiet waterfront spot, the port with its cafes and restaurants is just around the corner from the apartment. The centre of Marseillan, dating back 2500 years and reputed to be the oldest continually occupied village in France, with its myriad of narrow winding streets, shops bars and restaurants is a 5 minute walk away.

For those seeking activities, there are bicycles, boats, canoes and kayaks for hire at the port. There are also water sports such as kite surf, wind surf and water-skiing in the village or close by. Dinghy and yacht sailing are on offer and Salicorne guests can take advantage of the owner's membership of a local sailing association 'Atouvents', enabling them to take accompanied sailing excursions on the etang at very low cost.

Cycle hire on the doorstep and a new dedicated cycleway can quickly get you around the southern edge of the Etang to Marseillan Plage and then along the sandy strip to Sete. For the more enthusiastic cyclist there are many quiet, well-surfaced back roads amongst the vines and foothills to enjoy.

For beach lovers there are miles of soft sandy beach and the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean are good for swimming and monitored in summer months.

Just a little further down the coast lies Cap d'Agde, one of the largest marinas in France where sea tours in glass-bottomed boats can be taken.