This luxurious four-bedroom property is located in the heart of the pretty Gascon village of Lavardens and has been renovated to an extremely high standard. Every detail has been carefully considered in this sumptuous restoration project. This superb property is set against a quintessentially Gascon backdrop. The village could not be any more attractive with its château, picturesque central avenue and glorious village properties, each one worthy of a photo or painting. The current owners have used high quality materials throughout to create a stunning, modern home whilst preserving its original character. Columbage walls painted in light colours with a chalky finish, stripped wooden floors, a stunning stone fireplace place, an old oak staircase and original stone sinks are a few of its many charming nods to its past. This classically styled house is situated in between Condom, Auch and Fleurance, so whether buying as permanent or second home, these larger, well-resourced towns are all within easy reach. The property comes with a small separate garden set at the edge of the village at the foot of the famous Chateau de Lavardens. Picnic in the shadow of one of the most beautiful monuments in SW France, in the privacy of your own garden. A closer look at the house The house can be entered on two levels, each with picturesque entrances located on quiet village streets. Once inside, there is an immediate sense of calm, and all the rooms are light-filled with tall windows in every room. There are lovely views of the village and the countryside beyond, with the year-round sculpture of plane trees on the square below, the chink of coffee cups at the neighbouring and picturesque café, below, or across the street the barber's shop with its vintage signpost. If there were a film 'An American in (not Paris but) Gascony' one could be forgiven for thinking that the backdrop to this property had been commissioned as a stage-set labelled 'Authentic French village with timeless appeal.' The Lower Ground Floor The lower section of the property may once have been a shop and could perhaps one day be repurposed as a gallery, gite or perhaps a guest suite. It has an attractive arched entrance which opens directly onto the street below. Currently on this level there is one spacious room/bedroom and a door to the adjacent garage. The garage forms part of the medieval basement area with beautiful stone walls dating back to the time of the château. All other living accommodation sits 'above' the lower ground floor and is accessed either by a charming wooden doorway on the next tiny medieval street up, or via an internal stairway which runs up to the kitchen and upper floors. The Ground Floor The Main Entrance Hall The main entrance hall to the property is an attractive room worthy of a mention in its own right. It opens directly onto the main reception room, but has the size and proportions of a library, or small study. Today it is stripped back, with lovely plastered walls and an original oak floor, and provides a nice separation between the street and the rest of the property, so that on arrival one has the impression of tranquillity and privacy when entering the main reception room. The Reception Room With two windows, one overlooking the sculptured plane trees in the central square of this tranquil village, and the other overlooking the side of the property, this room boasts an impressive and original medieval stone fireplace which has been sympathetically restored, and currently houses a wood-burning stove. This room works perfectly in winter or in summer, with the windows open. The room is elevated from the street level and offers a view of the plane trees and terracotta roof tops and is peaceful and harmonious. One has a sense of being quite private, without any vis à vis, and yet part of a community. The Kitchen The kitchen is the heart of the property. There are hand-built and hand-painted shaker-style base and wall cupboards with black granite worktops. The finishing and detail on these units is exceptional with cleverly concealed doors to conceal the shelving, which can be closed to lend a sleek and tidy feel to the room when entertaining in the open-plan dining-room. There is a striking range cooker (gas), the hood above cleverly concealed by an attractive handmade wooden pelmet with fine detailing. A large peninsular unit also topped with black granite, houses a butler’s sink. Beneath are cupboards edged with tongue and groove panelling for an elegant feel. The dining space At the far end of the kitchen, with a first-floor window over the street, is the dining space with its original fireplace and fitted cupboards alongside. Beneath the stairs an old pine fitted cupboard allows for more storage. Utility area & shower room On the other side of the kitchen is a small yet smart utility room with hand-built fitted cupboards, a butler’s sink and space for a washer/drier. Also on this floor is a newly renovated wet room which, simple and classic in its styling, includes a shower cubicle, WC and basin, black floor tiles and high-quality fittings. The first-floor The first floor is accessed from the kitchen via an old wooden staircase which has been beautifully preserved and ascends to the first floor landing. The Library/Landing The owners have maximised the generous upstairs landing space with the creation of a first-floor library with hand-built bookcases and cupboards. Made in the same style and quality as the kitchen units this is a lovely reading room. The three first floor bedrooms From the landing we access three characterful bedrooms and the family bathroom. The master bedroom has a suite-like feel with a recessed area in which a double bed sits snugly. The original fireplace confers additional character to the room, and there is plenty of space around it for a sofa or amchairs. A quirky feature is the lovely Art-Déco glazed doorway opening out onto the landing. There are two other good sized double bedrooms on the first floor, with original wooden floors, colombage beams. One room has a walk in dressing room (behind a colombage wall) the other a fitted cupboard beside an original chimney breast. The family bathroom The family bathroom is a fine blend of aesthetic and luxurious. A cast iron bath painted in a soft oatmeal colour sits in the centre of a room, served by freestanding high-quality taps coming out from the floor. A double vanity unit adds to the sense of opulence with a hand-made wooden base unit, marble top, high end taps and two wall lights. What we love here at Bliss It is rare to find a property where so much care and attention to detail has gone into the renovation, and the result is a truly exceptional home. The owners have retained so much of the original character whilst ensuring comfort and luxury throughout. From the light switches and plug sockets to the kitchen handles and bathroom taps, the highest quality fixtures and fittings have been used throughout. To whom will this property appeal? Lovers of authentic French homes that work! Anyone seeking a peaceful and ulitmately rather 'zen' home, in the heart of a bucolic and picture-postcard French village. This is the type of property where one might move to France 'alone' and be part of a community, and yet utterly private. One wouldn't have to worry about builders, or crumbling plaster. The property has been tastefully and neutrally designed, so that one could move immediately into a new French life. Equally it would suit a couple of a family, or potentially anyone wishing to develop (planning may be required) a commercial activity of some kind in the beautiful downstairs 'gallery.' If you had to imagine the new owner, who would it be? An artist; a painter or a potter, opening a gallery, on the lower ground floor, next to the quaint little café with its leafy covered terrace. Anyone who wants to move to France, and Gascony, but doesn't want to feel alone or to be lost in the middle of the countryside. Here one would soon become part of the village, and yet live in a property which by dent of its elevated position, offers total privacy. A therapist or osteopath or anyone wishing to live in a beautiful home, above one's workspace. Clients could access the 'treatment room' directly without having to access the owner's private space. A couple or family with small children, who would relish the generously sized bedrooms. Lovers of period homes with a zen ambience. This is a property which invites quiet contemplation and promises rest and retreat from the world. It is also quietly luxurious. for more information please visit the blissimmo.com
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