WHERE ARE WE? In Lot-et-Garonne, 20 kilometers from Nérac, but very close to Gers and its rolling landscapes since we are only 13 kilometers from Condom. It is a countryside dotted with quaint villages, vineyards, and varied crops. A small road climbs through fields and leads us to a sleepy village. Here, in this peaceful countryside, not far from a lake, emerge the ruins of a 13th-century castle, preserved in a glass case. These ruins, part of the old village castle, were restored by an architect who fell in love with the place over 10 years ago. Today, it is a loft and one of the most unusual properties we offer. Past the gate, we find ourselves in the garden, a completely enclosed 837m2 plot. To our left, the impressive façade majestically blending stone and glass, and to our right, the guest house. A terrace, lawn, and a cooling pool with a view to the west and its wooded horizon separate these two buildings. Inside the Loft Castle The ground floor, like the entire space, is bathed in light. The Italian stone flooring reflects the modern elements surrounding us. A spacious entrance with a wooden door on the right opens to the former dungeon of the castle, now a much more welcoming place as it serves as the wine cellar. Your Côtes de Gascogne (the regional appellation) or other prestigious bottles will find an ideal and chic storage place here. On our left, a white lacquered designer cabinet contains technical elements. Taking a few steps, we pass through a stone curtain and find ourselves in the heart of the loft. An open space 8 meters high, the first floor overlooks us. Small stone niches and mullioned windows let light flood the entire loft. A white spiral staircase with a light and elegant metal structure leads us upstairs, revealing an office space and a beautiful stone vault behind it. Immediately to the left, a door conceals wall-mounted toilets with indirect lighting, giving this often banal place a very elegant look. Returning to the center, an incredible living space welcomes us. We could sit on one of the black leather sofas, as if in a museum, and contemplate our surroundings: red, black, and white furniture transports us to a universe that could be Mondrian's. A large red lacquered five-door cabinet separates the living area from the kitchen. Made to measure by a local craftsman, it houses practical and aesthetic storage on both sides. Behind it, the black and white equipped kitchen also offers plenty of storage. The refrigerator: two large built-in stainless steel doors, steam oven, and stainless steel hood, all pure and sleek lines. Nothing disrupts our visual field; we remain in an artistic ambiance. You can cook under the light of a high stone window facing south. Don't fear the summer heat; the thick walls act as natural air conditioning, and the property is equipped with a heat pump providing both air conditioning and central and underfloor heating. The TV lounge is located opposite the kitchen. The architect and owner took care to structure this space by placing a large white lacquered cube, thus separating the two zones. This trick shelters a laundry room equipped with a washing machine, dryer, sink, and shelves. One of the electrical panels is also found here. At the center, hidden in the white cube, an Italian shower, practical for those who wish to set up a bedroom on the ground floor instead of the existing TV lounge. The First Floor, a U-shaped Mezzanine, Also Bathed in Light After taking the stairs, immediately to the right, a space currently used as a studio by the current owner, who, as you guessed, also has artistic talents. Then, access to a small stone terrace where the air/water heat pump is hidden. In front of us, protected by glass, the old medieval latrines. Turning left, we admire along the entire length, this 13th-century stone wall with the old castle's watchtower on its right. Today, it houses a modern white and red bathroom illuminated by three openings. We walk along this stone wall, wide enough to accommodate a huge red lacquered buffet, to arrive at what is now the sleeping area. In harmony with the ground floor, white lacquered cubes structure and delimit the spaces: the bedroom is open-plan, with a large Italian shower. The sinks naturally found their place in stone niches. THE GUEST HOUSE – ABOUT 114 m² Ideal for hosting friends or family. It can also serve as a guesthouse for those considering a small tourist activity. It has retained its exposed beams and stones, giving it the charm of the typical country houses one imagines and hopes to find in the southwest of France. On the ground floor, an equipped kitchen, a shower room, and the dining room, living room with a beautiful fireplace inviting relaxation and reading by the fire. All rooms benefit from double exposure and therefore beautiful brightness. French doors from the living room provide direct access to the garden. Upstairs, we arrive at a large landing with a transparent floor, overlooking the living room. Three bedrooms and an L-shaped balcony to enjoy the sun, the garden view, and the village square. The Garden and Terrace Of ideal size for low maintenance but allowing enjoyment of the outdoors. One can easily imagine having a cocktail with feet in the cooling pool and continuing with a Gascon meal on the beautiful terrace. A barbecue area to prepare duck skewers. A lean-to attached to the guest house to shelter tools and all the necessary gardening equipment. There is a well dating from 1673 equipped with a pump to water the entire garden.
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