House with terrace Lectoure (32)

Where are we? In the heart of Lectoure, in the shadow of its celebrated cathedral, on its vibrant high street, with its eclectic galleries and popular Friday market. Introducing..... The much loved « Blue Pig » as local anglophones affectionately call it - or to give it its true denomination « Le Cochon Bleu » bookshop, tea-room/restaurant. A celebrated meeting place for friends and book lovers for the last ten years, its creators, are ready for pastures new, and to pass onto into capable hands this extremely successful book shop and restaurant so synonymous with one of the most loved and celebrated towns of south west France. For so many locals or passers by, a trip to Lectoure is synonymous with a Blue Pig lunch with duck served « à la façon Ginette » or a delicious but pie, served on the white wooden terrasse beneath the scented leaves of the flowering jasmin. Coffee with friends or a place to sit and read alone without ever feeling lonely, Le Cochon Bleu is a vibrant splash of blue in a town renowned for its pastel, its sunshine, and its warm welcome. But the bookshop and its restaurant are just the start of the story. Read on ... The downstairs shop, so well known to so many, is but one small part a fabulous building. To the side of the terrasse a discreet wooden door (in blue - what else?) opens onto a long and elegant hallway, its wooden floorboards lacquered in white, an echo of its crisp clean walls. The hallway leads us to another universe; entirely unexpected, fresh and innovative; a peaceful haven far from the bustle of the shop below, with an elegance and an attention to detail which promises something quite unexpected in a town where the best kept surprises are always behind closed doors! At the far end of the hallway an elegant elm staircase from the 19th century rises to the two floors above. To the rear of the ground floor we discover a spacious storeroom for the shop and appartment with a water supply, and a WC. Beyond the storeroom, a magnificent stone wall dating back to Medieval times draws the eye to the entrance to a wine cellar built in wood and stone as well as a spacious atelier - perfect for DIY enthusiasts or artists. A tranquil hub in which to work beneath the town - warm and dry. In this area the gas boiler (condensation) is housed as well as a healthy supply of wood for the stove on the first floor. Lastly, a small external courtyard links the house to the kitchen at the rear of the shop. Having concluded our tour of the ground floor - let us turn our attention to the living space on the two floors above. Prepare to be surprised and delighted in every way! ... The gentle turn of the ancient staircase to the first floor lulls one into a world of period charm which does little to prepare for the thrill and surprise of the bright and dazzling light of the open space of the main reception room above. The room stretches before us, magnificent in size, height and light! A luxurious (there is no other adjective) kitchen with simple clean elegant lines welcomes us.. Made from white resin with invisible door handles and pale cork, this bright white space offers a purists vision of an area where the vibrancy of a red tomato or a green lettuce creates something resembling Art itself. There is little doubt that no expense has been spared and that this space would be an absolute joy in which to work. The reception room stretches beyond the kitchen with two tall 18th century windows at the far end. The cosy aspect of the room on winter’s nights is underlined by the presence of the wood-burning stove at the far end. This is a room which as the photographs highlight so well, works beautifully at night or in winter as well as in the day, having been created in such a way as to highlight the warm cocoon like nature of this inner sanctuary which feels so far removed from the hustle and bustle of the commerce below. At the rear of the room an elevated terrace area offers an intimate space for a summer meal or drink. The space is enclosed between the walls of the city and perfectly private. On the other side of the landing from the main reception room / kitchen, there is a spacious double bedroom overlooking the internal terrace area, with a vast dressing room and luxurious bathroom and WC. On the second floor - accessed by the same elegant elm staircase, are two double bedrooms to the front and rear of the property. One overlooks the high street and is bathed in light, the second bedroom overlooks the terrasse. Both are fitted with a shower room and WC. One last door on the landing leads to one last surprise : - a loft style room with a New York style feel worthy of « FRIENDS » has been converted into a gym area, an informal sitting room and a games area. It’s used are multiple : sports’ room, teenage hub, artist’s atelier, writing room .... this is an area in which to create and to play! Technical details : This property has been entirely restored from top to bottom - and attention has been given to the smallest of details. The best quality fixtures and fittings have been used throughout. This building is a promise of comfort of the highest level. Further technical available on request. Interesting facts and thoughts! The kitchen was designed with the idea of its being used for the filming of a cookery programme on French television. The first floor living space and kitchen could also be used to extend the surface area of the tea room with easy access from the ground floor. The entire building has been designed to offer different parts or blocks which can be modulated according to the business plan one has in mind. For example : one could live entirely on the upper floor as a 100m2 appartment and develop the middle section of the building as a book shop / restaurant offrir more space. Evening meals have never been on the menu at Le Cochon Bleu other than for the summer night market once a week - but this is it to say they are not in hot demand! There is a definite market for evening meals to be developed and often in the summer time a shortage of places to eat due to the popularity of Lectoure. The Potential for development is endless.