luxury houses for sale Condom, France (page 4)

The property There is little to be seen from the outside of the property other than its high stone walls and the solid wooden doors of its entrance, which makes our first sighting of the garden when its doors are pulled back quite special, as the dramatic view on the other side of the garden gate is quite unexpected. Our eyes are drawn along a white stone path to a stone wall at the far end of the garden, from which there is a vertiginous view over the valley to the south. In this respect, the garden has its own “ramparts”, and it is here on a sunny day we sit up on high to lunch and admire the chequered green and golden fields below, spread out in their rich tapestry. The garden is completely private and tranquil, and is surely one of the most beautiful spots for al fresco dining in Gascony. The house sits to one side of the pathway, the old barn to the other. The garden is full of ancient scented roses, with beautiful colours of baby pink contrasting perfectly with the pale leaves of the olive tree. There are flower beds bursting into life with the summer sunshine and with the dramatic backdrop of the barn. The pool is partially enclosed in a stone building, and is thus beautifully sheltered. First let’s take a look at the house. Built on two levels, each level is a separate, independent unit, allowing the property to be occupied as one single house or two completely independent appartments within the same house. One can of course choose to link the two floors via a staircase. On the upper garden level, there is a large and spacious reception-room, with an open-plan kitchen in one corner. This beautiful room has windows on three sides, with views over the valley and the garden. The view from each window is unspoilt and the recently fitted windows provide the perfect framework. Two original doors lead to a large double bedroom with an ensuite shower-room and WC. The bedroom overlooks the valley, and has an ornamental fireplace. A newly fitted wooden staircase leads to a first floor mezzanine above, which is currently used as a study. Returning to the garden once more, we descend a flight of stone steps to an enclosed courtyard below. This area holds the warm sunlight between its stone walls and is the perfect sheltered spot on a windy day, or between seasons. The lower courtyard, and the lower level of the house can also be accessed directly from the village, so that although there are two sections to this property, each has its own garden. On the ground floor we enter a beautiful kitchen with a long stone work surface and sink that runs the entire length of one wall, with views to the garden. The room has two archways, one of which opens directly onto the main reception-room, where there is a woodburning stove, the second archway opens onto an area currently as a bedroom albeit this room does not have a door. This area could also be used as an extension of the main reception-room, as a study, or second sitting-room. On the lower ground floor level, there is also a spacious shower-room. The barn This is arguably one of the most beautiful buildings we have seen at Bliss, and the barn has its own special history. During the war, members of the resistance met here, and made radio broadcasts to London from the upper section of the barn, via a radio set which was still present, and is now housed in a museum. If these old stone walls could tell a story.. we would hear their whispers long into the night. The barn is currently used for storage on both levels. We particularly love the stone steps to the upper level which run up the external wall. Although planning permission would definitely be required for a change of usage, one cannot help but imagine what an amazing project one could carry out here.

The property in more detail. The entrance hall The main front door opens onto a large reception area which seamlessly links the original farmhouse and the new barn conversion into one fabulous home. The entrance hall is generous enough in size to warrant being called a room in its own right. The dividing wall, between the lobby and the kitchen hosts an impressive collection of books displayed on a bespoke bookshelf. Facing the front door we see a contemporary staircase ascending to the first floor. There is plenty of room for boots and coats, and a downstairs cloakroom. The original farmhouse Double doors lead from the reception area into a small hall with a cloakroom. The breakfast kitchen The breakfast room houses the washing machine, a second dishwasher and an electric cooker. It has a cosy farmhouse feel, place for a breakfast table and is fitted with useful storage cupboards and worktops, and is plumbed for an American style fridge freezer. This is a useful room which, together with the sitting room and en-suite bedroom creates a self-contained apartment. The sitting room The property benefits from a second reception room, currently used as a television room and study, and with a window and a door to the courtyard. This room leads directly to the master suite. This is a lovely room in the winter months, being snug and cosy with the wood-burning stove. The downstairs master bedroom & ensuite This large bedroom is a fabulous room, with a window overlooking the courtyard and two French doors giving access to a private terrace. The ensuite bathroom has a double walk-in shower, a bathtub and two sinks. The bedroom and bathroom are luxurious, and include attractive original features such as a stone sink and oak beams. The barn conversion The reception area leads directly to a vast contemporary space, incorporating a fully fitted kitchen, a dining area and a sitting area. The kitchen The pristine, well designed kitchen has extensive storage and worktops, and a central island. It has an induction hob, two integrated ovens and warming drawer, with a built in dishwasher and refrigerator. The dining area The spacious dining area flows through from the kitchen to the main lounge. The main lounge This impressive area has a cathedral high ceiling reaching up to the mezzanine above. This open-plan room is filled with light from the south facing French doors which open directly onto the swimming pool terrace, giving far-reaching views over the valley below. The large sliding patio doors at the end of the lounge open onto a covered terrace which is ideal for al fresco dining. The first floor A contemporary bespoke oak staircase with stainless steel guardrails ascends to the spacious first-floor landing. This is a large mezzanine which overlooks the main reception area below, and gives access to three further en-suite bedrooms. Bedroom 1 A short hallway with fitted storage and a door to the ensuite bathroom gives access to a very large bedroom with fully fitted wardrobes. It has south and west-facing windows and an open view above the main lounge through high windows onto the garden. This room is particularly versatile as it was designed in a way that allows it to be easily divided or laid out differently, for example to create two separate rooms. The ensuite has a bath, walk in shower, double sinks and a west facing window. Bedroom 2 To the other side of the first floor landing bedroom 2 has a large west facing window with superb views. It has an ensuite shower room. Bedroom 3 This very large bedroom has two windows overlooking the courtyard, and a spacious ensuite shower room with a south-facing window looking out towards the Pyrenees and a Velux roof window. There is also a further room with a Velux roof window that was designed as a dressing room but has also been used as a bedroom for children. The garage and workshop The spacious stone garage can be accessed from the utility room or from the parking area. It houses the boiler and oil tank which supply underfloor heating to the entire ground floor, with radiators throughout the first floor. The underfloor heating is zoned, allowing different areas to be heated to different temperatures, and all radiators are fitted with thermostatic valves. The garage can accommodate a tractor and a car. It has a useful very large sink and both the garage and the adjacent workshop are fitted with extensive storage and workbenches. There is a mezzanine which provides additional storage above the workshop. The garden and terraces All of the terraces have external lighting and power points, and are laid out to offer shade at any time of the day. There are several outside taps and a solar shower. All rainwater is directed into the pond, or collected in storage tanks for watering plants.

If you are looking for a property without frills or fuss, with clean lines, spacious light-filled rooms, and a pristine finish, then this could be the property for you. Located within easy reach of the much beloved market-town of Lectoure, this rural haven offers a tranquil and restful retreat from the world. The property is situated at the end of a rural and private lane with neighbouring fields to each side, and sits in an elevated position overlooking the farmer’s bucolic woodlands to the rear; a canopy of mature trees encircling the plot. The gardens are neatly presented, with contrasting areas of woodland and landscaped areas. The lawns encircle a smart poolside terrace, decked with sun-loungers and bordered by a variety of roses, bushes and herbs. Neatly clipped pathways lead to the house both to the main entrance and to the terraces to the side, where vast bay windows overlooking the gardens from the kitchen and the reception-room. Tall and gracious trees provide an additional architectural interest to the garden. From the outside, the property has maintained the classic air of a traditional maison de maitre with its lovely stone façade. It features a stone and wood carpark and a total of five parking spaces. Inside, there an unexpected modern twist. The main hallways opens onto a vast open-plan area comprising the kitchen, dining-room and main reception-room with a vast insert log-burner. Large sliding glass doors that slot into the outer walls of the property can be pulled back to “open” the kitchen and reception rooms “out” onto the garden, creating a seamless indoor/outdoor space in the summer months, with views to the pool. An internal hallway on the ground-floor leads to a spacious and beautifully appointed bedroom with storage cupboards. A second downstairs bedroom is currently used as a study with French doors to the gardens. With access from the same hallway, there is a large a bathroom with a corner bath and spacious shower, a separate lavatory, a vast laundry-room and a boiler-room. With separate access from the garden, the current owner has converted an outbuilding into a peaceful artist’s studio. With a large bay-window ensuring a joyous flow of light into the room, this area is the perfect place in which to meditate; where creative souls can set to work, whether that be with an easel, a kiln or a quill. It is possible to create a gîte or set up an independent business. Returning now to the house, let’s take a look upstairs : A modern open-plan staircase leads to the first-floor landing which has lovely views over the lower ground-floor of the property; almost as though one were standing on the upper deck of a modern boat and looking down, sunlight zinging through the property in every direction. A large internal space at the top of the stairs on the first floor is used as an upstairs reception-room. In addition to this relaxing and private upstairs living-area, there are three comfortable bedrooms, one of which has its own dressing-room and private It has a private shower room with wc and another with a large storage cupboard. There is also an additional shower-room with wc, shared by the other two bedrooms. The house is presented in pristine condition from top to bottom. The rooms are tastefully decorated, mostly in shades of white; the occasional rear wall being wall-papered to the highest standard. The property is functional, with lots of storage space, and the comfort of a large downstairs bathroom and two upstairs shower-rooms. With five main bedrooms (all doubles) and a second private reception-room upstairs, and a separate outdoor artist’s studio, there are plenty of areas in which to work from home, or to find a quiet area in which to concentrate, albeit the main “hub” of the house is open-plan. The property also has a storage area, and a covered area linking the house and artist’s studio.

Situated in the Lectoure/ Condom area, on the outskirts of a popular village location, this impressive building and its adjacent land was once home to a shepherd and his flock of sheep. If “shepherd’s huts” conjure images of small and cosy dwellings, think again. This property has large and spacious rooms, high ceilings and the proportions one might more easily associate with an impressive manor house. The property has been partially restored, over a number of years, so that today we are presented with the bare and solid framework of a sizeable home with an excellent structure. With a new roof, concrete floors, exposed stone walls and new windows in most of the openings. A fabulous stone staircase links the first and second floor and there is a vast barn adjacent to the property which could also be developed (subject to any necessary planning permissions). We particularly like the way the property forms a large “L” shape around an internal sheltered garden area. This is a property which will warrant a visit and is more easily described with our photographs and floor plans - with further information on request. This is an opportunity to create a home almost from scratch, but with a solid structure and with evidence of electrical cables and drainage in place - and plans in place for what the current owners intended to do, there is ample opportunity for new owners to design the property around their own needs. With wooded parkland, stone garden walls and many trees and bushes, the grounds provide plenty of outdoor space. The nearby towns of Lectoure and Condom, with their weekly markets, schools and many shops and restaurants, are a popular destination for holiday makers and home seekers. Agen with its TGV station is just under an hour’s drive, and Toulouse international airport just over an hour.

This beautiful building is situated in the heart of Lectoure and representative of some of the finest architecture found in the historical quarter of this popular and touristic market town. Lectoure is known for its architectural beauty and heritage and has been listed as an area of cultural interest by the world heritage. This appartment building is in the epicentre of town, and allows its occupants to fully participate in Lectoure life, with the towns eclectic restaurants, cafés, and antique stores. The property comprises : Four appartments on three floors (2 grand appartments and 2 smaller studios), as well as a ground-floor room currently let as a professional work-space on the ground floor. Let's take a look in more detail : From the street the building presents attractively, and is built of fine stone and with an imposing and elegant façade. The original front door opens onto an elegant hallway with decorative 'carreaux de ciment' turn-of-the-last-century floor-tiles Ground Floor : Appartment 1, ground floor, currently let as office space: On the ground floor, immediately to the right of the main entrance, sits a 26m2 office space that is currently let. There is large window to the street, and the room has high ceilings and elegant proportions. To the rear of the room there is a storage room/shower and sink area. This area could be let to a lawyer, a medical professional, or anyone who wishes to occupy an office space in Lectoure but who does not need to display products in a traditional shop-window. The window to this space is a traditional 18th century window to an appartment, as opposed to a shop window for display purposes. Though currently let, one day, this space could be converted into a studio appartment. Ground Floor : Appartment 2, luxury appartment with balcony and private garden. This spacious appartment runs the length of the building to a neat garden at the end; a rare find in Lectoure. The appartment measures 114m2 and comprises not only the rear outdoor garden space, but also an internal courtyard that has been enclosed by a decorative iron veranda, creating additional internal space, and an additional balcony/terrace, that overlooks the garden. We access the garden via an internal staircase down to the cellar area, where a door opens onto the garden. The garden is attractive and well-tended, and currenly used only by the occupant of the above appartment. With two bedrooms, a kitchen and a reception room, this is a lovely space in which the future owner of the building might choose to make his home. First Floor (overlooking the garden) Sitting directly above the ground floor appartment, there is a second, equally characterful appartment of 109m2. This light and extremely attractive appartment is currently rented out, and has far reaching views to the countryside. First Floor (overlooking the road) Also on the first floor, there is a 34m2 studio with integrated kitchen and shower room, also currently occupied by a tenant. Finally, on the top floor, under the eaves, there is a 101m2 appartment. The total surface area is divided into two distinct and separate halves by the central staircase, and in the opinion of BLISS is best described as a 'chambre d'étudiante' - or students' room. It is not especially convenient to come out of the main living-room, and to cross the landing and staircase, to access the other half of the property. This room is currently occupied by a tenant. A vast wine cellar in stone runs under the entire length of the building, accessible via an internal staircase from the ground floor. This opens onto the garden. T Our thoughts here at BLISS It is rare that this kind of property comes to market, and usually at the agency we do not tend to market properties that are occupied by tenants. We have made an exception in this case, as the property is a rare find, and with many lovely features we sadly do not often find in rental accommodation. The building has been beautifully cared for over the years. The property is well located and with many lovely features. We particularly love the grand entrance hall, with its colourful orginal floor tiles, and the two larger appartments on the ground floor and first floor. Were the property empty, one might imagine joining the two together into a fabulous duplexe appartment (planning permits permitting). We also noted the gorgeous wooden turning staircase that has retained all the elegance of its period. The tall windows ensure the property is light, and the added benefit of extra rental from the office area allows the owners to contribute to annual taxes and costs. Of course the property currently brings in rental each month. Figures are available at the agency for interested parties. A little unusual on our books, but for lovers of Lectoure, who are prepared to think outside the box, this is a highly desirable building, at a price which is considerably lower than if it were sold vacant. This is one to watch out for, and one which we loved far more than we expected to. For owners wishing to continue rentals, the condition of the appartments is excellent, and the owner is quite rightly very proud of the building, and the hard work he has put in to keep everything ship shape over the years, is apparant even at first glance.

The advertiser did not provide an english description for this listing.

The advertiser did not provide an english description for this listing.

10 minutes from Nérac, beautiful property in the heart of the Lot and Garonne countryside displaying all its charm both inside and outside. This former Templar of 210m2 in which all the old services have been preserved and renovated (stone fireplace, terracotta floor, exposed wooden beams) comprises on the ground floor, a living room of approximately 40m2, a kitchen, a parental suite , a game room, a large bedroom and a bathroom. Upstairs, the house offers a beautiful space on the mezzanine, 3 bedrooms, shower room, wc. The 7.5 hectares of this property guarantee all its privacy which its occupants can fully enjoy, while enjoying its large swimming pool (12mx 6m) and its tennis court. The land is partially wooded and its fields are currently maintained thanks to a lease. Ideal vacation spot for lovers of space near the bastides and fortified villages of the region! Diagnoses under study. Selling price: 650000EUR hai including 5% fees payable by the buyer of which 4.84 % fees incl. VAT at the buyer's expense.

Sole agency, in a green setting on the banks of a stream, on 28,000m² of land planted with trees, a comfortable, charming house of around 200m² comprising 8 rooms including 4 bedrooms and an independent guest house of 840 m2 on four levels. All comforts with relaxation area (indoor swimming pool, sauna, spa, hammam), 5 large bedrooms with toilet, 4 bathrooms, shower room and a reception room with panoramic view over the surrounding countryside. Outbuildings that can be converted on three levels (1,070m²) including an old mill (approx. 280m²) with its machinery to be restored. Selling price: 1 250 000 euros Fees at seller's expense Energy class: D Climate class: F Estimated annual energy costs for standard use: between euros and euros per year. Prices indexed to January 1, 2021. Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: www.georisques.gouv.fr

The advertiser did not provide an english description for this listing.

This beautifully restored farmhouse, with its 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, lake, and pool, provides a perfect setting for entertaining. The current owners have dedicated much love to restoring the property, ensuring year-round comfort. The main house features a hall, lounges, dining area, fitted kitchen, and versatile utility room. A stunning pool house offers relaxation space near the pool. Upstairs, four double bedrooms, including a master suite, offer luxurious accommodation. The grounds feature rewilded meadows, a natural lake, and a productive orchard. Notable features include oil-fired central heating, fiber-optic internet, and the property's excellent overall condition. In summary, this home combines modern comfort with the charm of an old property, ideal for peaceful family living or entertaining guests.

Between Vic Fezensac and Marciac, two dynamic towns with picturesque small shops, bustling supermarkets, and internationally renowned Latino and jazz music festivals, lies this exceptional property. Its remarkable quality renovation has unfolded over the past thirty years, shaped with passion by owners dedicated to creating a unique masterpiece. The landscaped garden spans two hectares and is filled with hundreds of tree species, shrubs, and flowers, creating a perfect visual harmony that complements the stone walls, sparkling lake, covered terrace, and views of the surrounding countryside. The heated pool, its terrace adorned with a fireplace, and the pool house offer an intimate space bordered by hornbeams. The orangery houses a spacious reception hall and a gym nestled in the heart of the park, while a tennis court adds a sporty touch to this haven of peace. The entire property is enclosed, adorned with magnificent wrought iron gates. The main property, which used to be an original renovated farmhouse, harmoniously integrates two beautifull towers in the style of the period, thus preserving the respect for traditions with its parquet floors, beams, and antique fireplaces. Noble materials such as wood, wrought iron, and stone take pride of place in its 672 square meters of living space, which comprise spacious reception rooms: four sitting rooms, a fitted kitchen, a dining room, a room dedicated to wine tasting and a games room. The six bedrooms, each with its private bathroom, offer absolute comfort, accompanied by a dressing room and an office for added convenience. The heating system operates on oil for constant and pleasant warmth. A splendid guest house of 130 square meters, with its tower and garage, completes this magnificent ensemble. A kitchen, living room, dining room, and two bedrooms with a bathroom provide an independent and comfortable space for guests. Situated in a true haven of peace, with breathtaking views of the rolling countryside and the majestic Pyrenees, this property evokes the enchanting atmosphere of Tuscany, making its location a setting of absolute beauty. Fees to be paid by the seller. Energy class D, Climate class D Estimated average amount of annual energy expenditure for standard use, based on the year's energy prices 2021: between 8661.00 and 11717.00 €. Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Geohazards website: georisques.gouv.fr.

GERS near Vic Fezensac, lovely views over rolling countryside and the Pyrenees for this secluded property in a dominant position on over 14 hectares of woods and meadows, comprising a recently renovated house with swimming pool, an old farmhouse and a large garage. The main house offers 189 m² of living space, including 3 bedrooms on the ground floor and one upstairs, a lovely fully-equipped kitchen and a magnificent cathedral-style living room in exposed stone with large bay windows opening onto a wooden terrace with uninterrupted views over the countryside. The swimming pool is just below the wooden terrace. The house also has a covered terrace to the east. Heating is provided by a heat pump and recent electric storage heaters. The former farmhouse or janitor's cottage offers approx. 85 m² of living space on one level (entrance hall, kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom) + 3 rooms for restoration, a terrace and a former stable and its L-shaped hayloft spanning approx. 130 m² of floor space. A large 76 m² garage completes the property. The property is accessed via a private driveway. Whether used as a secondary or main residence, this property will appeal to those in search of open spaces overlooking nature. Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: www.georisques.gouv.fr

This former sheepfold has been tastefully renovated and offers all the comfort you could wish for. In a dominant position and embracing a unique panorama, the property also enjoys 36ha of land, woods and meadows with direct access to a magnificent stretch of water. It is composed of 6 beautiful bedrooms of more than 20m² each, 5 bathrooms, an open kitchen on the living/dining room with fireplace and offers an ideal conviviality space with independent access for big family parties. The gym, the heated swimming pool opening on the lake and the covered terrace of 70m² protected from the wind and the heat make it definitely an unusual and unique property on the market. For lovers of nature and authenticity, sports and hiking, this property is suitable for all types of projects, family or professional (gîte, horse breeding...). You are sure to fall in love with it, time stands still in this extraordinary place to visit as soon as possible. Sold fully furnished. File on request, contact Ref : AS3-3961 Immobilier Chavanne - Sotheby's International Realty. Tel : 05.63.58.36.92

Nestled in the heart of Gers, this spectacularly renovated farmhouse is a masterpiece of architectural excellence. The meticulous restoration, recently completed, showcases exposed stones, a testament to the property's historic charm. The ground floor welcomes you with two salons, each featuring a monumental stone fireplace. Both open onto an expansive terrace with panoramic views. You could transform one of these salons into a luxurious master suite for unparalleled comfort. Ascend a few steps to discover a spacious living area, seamlessly integrating a large open-plan kitchen—a perfect hub for social gatherings. The first floor boasts two generous bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. The farmhouse's second part features an independent guest house with an open kitchen living space and three bedrooms. A beautiful additional master suite gracefully links the two buildings. Possible gite business (subject to necessary permissions) The outdoor spaces are equally impressive, offering a vast panoramic terrace, a large covered terrace with a summer kitchen overlooking the countryside, a pool, a historic pigeonnier, and meticulously landscaped gardens. The estate spans 11 hectares, ensuring complete privacy and endless possibilities. This property embodies prestige and tranquility, offering an unparalleled lifestyle in the heart of Gers.

At the end of a long, long drive, surrounded by woods, completely private with no neighbours, sits this gorgeous fully renovated stone house. Now used as a holiday home and a rental, it was a principal residence for a number of years and it certainly has the feel of a proper home. The main older house is a beautiful classic looking building. On the ground floor you have a kitchen which opens onto a family room and a huge terrace, shaded by the old oak trees. There is a dining room and quiet sitting room, a large laundry area with an access directly to the garden, a WC and an entrance hall with a lovely wooden staircase. Upstairs there are four big bedrooms and two lovely bathrooms, with the possibility of using the eaves for spare beds. It has a lovely, family feel to it. In the garden, a stone’s throw from the house is a fifth bedroom for guests with a shower, and next to that, a 12m x 6m swimming pool and pool house. This currently rents out for 4000€ pw in the summer months, with the potential for winter lettings too. The current owners lived in this property while converting the attached wine store and barns into a large, comfortable home. The two houses communicate by a lockable door so when you have family and friends to stay – and you will, if you buy this property! - you are all under the same roof. This second renovated house offers an office, a TV room and a dining room with a huge fireplace and door to the outside. The salon of 35m² is lovely and light with big glass doors to the front and to the terrace and second pool. The kitchen, fully fitted and modern with lots of storage also gives on to this private pool and dining area. Upstairs there are three good sized bedrooms (22m², 16m² & 14m²), all with their own facilities and with doors giving on to an upstairs balcony, overlooking the pool. There are also three other interconnecting rooms, also with three shower rooms, perfect for children, with an external stone staircase leading down to the grounds. There is one large outbuilding which houses the pool equipment, the fuel tank and boiler, the water heater (provided by the solar panels on the roof) and plenty of storage space for the ride-on mower, garden furniture and even the wine! The first floor of this building – a whopping 120m² – has been converted into a games room, a fabulous space for all the family to get together, or for teenagers to use on their own. It could also double as a gym. With its 24 acres of garden (approximately 6 acres of wood) and tennis court, line of fir trees and small orchard, this is a real haven. At just 3.5kms to the nearest village with a bakery, general store, bar, a couple of restaurants, a primary school and a pharmacy, it could just as easily be a full-time residence as a holiday home. For more information and a visit, please contact our Lectoure office on 05 62 29 59 57.

The advertiser did not provide an english description for this listing.

The advertiser did not provide an english description for this listing.

The advertiser did not provide an english description for this listing.

In a word, this property is all about the VIEWS. Built in a raised position and dominating the landscape, this imposing country home is positioned to admire the sweep of fields and woodland. The mellow stone walls embrace the sunsets and as is clear from the photographs that illustrate this advert, provide an ever-changing tableau of colour. The skies up here are vast. The owner shares a collection of photographs from over the years. Each one depicts a different and dramatic sunset, the colours never quite the same, all with vibrant flashes of pink, oranges, purple and red. There is a wild timelessness about this view, as it stretches far into the distance without the interruption or another house or building. Sitting on the gravel terrace and looking down at the sweep of the valley, there is a sensation of being on the rim of the world. The beloved country estate of the same family for many years, the property was a retreat to which the owner could invite friends from Paris, principally to party, and in later years to live full-time. This property was the dream of one man, who like the Great Gatsby, developed his home around his own desire for comfort, space, luxury and amusement. The rooms are vast. If you like to spread out, there isn’t a risk of ever feeling cramped here. There are some quirky remnants, the vestiges of another world. This is possibly the only property you will ever find with two 1970s bathtubs in one bathroom, positioned to view a TV screen, and with place for the bottle of Champagne. The property does not take itself too seriously, except in the serious business of space and fun. The walls are full of pictures of parties held there, and interesting people who came to feast and dance. As with all properties that are firmly rooted in another time, and place, it is fixed in time, and with regards to the bathrooms, and carpets, new owners will need to rip away the décor of the 1970s, the personality of the previous owners, and expose the bare bones of the property.The bones are good. The rooms are vast, and the property designed around a central courtyard and a long internal gallery. Some of the rooms have a more traditional feel than others, with fine terracotta floor tiles, and stone walls. Other rooms will most likely want to shed their carpets and cladding. There is a mix of styles; traditional Gascon manor house, Spanish villa, or perhaps in parts something slightly Moresque about the woodwork and the detail of the fret work. A second much older cottage sits at the entrance of the property, far removed from the main house, and provides perfect guest accommodation, or home for a guardian. Let’s begin our tour with a look at the main house The formal entrance to the property opens onto a large gallery hallway which in turn opens onto a central courtyard. The family prefer to use the kitchen entrance daily. The Kitchen The kitchen is the heart of the house, divided into three separate zones, this large and spacious room has a breakfast table, a formal dining area, and has a cosy workspace at the far end with an oven range and ceramic tiles. If you were to ask which part of the house is the most traditional, then without a doubt it is the kitchen. With thick oak beams running across the ceiling, a decorative stone sink, and a choice of traditional fixtures and fittings, this is a Gascon kitchen worthy of any French country home. Currently filled with a lifetime of bits and pieces, there is nothing minimalistic about this room, by any stretch of the imagination, and yet it still manages to feel spacious. The kitchen opens in turn both onto the internal hallway to the formal entrance and to the central reception room. This vast living space, with its fireplace, has views to the gardens through tall French windows along the full length of the room. This is a tremendous space in which to party or sit by the fire in a smaller committee. It is a family living space, incorporating an occasional study desk, and various sitting areas. In summer the windows are thrown open to the terrace, and to the fabulous view towards the vast stretch of horizon and the woodland beyond. Besides the main reception room, there is a second study or library, which in turns opens out to a downstairs bedroom and bathroom. The master suite encompasses a huge amount of surface area, with the infamous bathroom, which is spacious enough to dance in, not to mention its two bathtubs… The master bedroom is equally generous in size. Future occupants to the property might wish to rethink how the rooms are used. There is certainly more than enough space to play around with. The master bathroom could perhaps become a bedroom with an ensuite. It is certainly spacious enough. The property was designed so that the sleeping accommodation is almost entirely reserved for Monsieur and Madame, with guests retiring to the cottage at the bottom of the garden. All rooms are on the ground floor. There are no stairs; each room flowing to the next in circular fashion around a central terrace, like a Riyad. There is a guest cloak room behind a decorative wooden door in the main hallway. The Guest Accommodation At the entrance to the cottage, there is a large guest cottage, with a kitchen, living room, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. This cottage was once the original building on the plot and is rustic in style with much smaller rooms, steps and stairs between levels and a quirky layout. The Pool There is a swimming pool and an outbuilding for storage next to the pool, with a covered terrace for summer dining. The pool has not been used recently and will need to be filled again and put back into service. There are lovely views from the pool and it sits at a good distance from the main house.