luxury real estate for sale Ordan-Larroque, France (page 4)

Proudly facing the snow-capped mountains from its hillside position, bathed with light throughout the year, and drenched with golden summer sunshine, this property is one of the most historical, and fascinating properties to be found in the heart of Lectoure. With two gardens, and terraces on two levels, this is a house of mystery, of nooks and crannies, and endless quiet corners in which to read or escape the world. Unique and magical, it is a hard task to describe, but allow us to accompany you into the ever surprising and unexpected world of this property. We enter the building from the heart of town and leave behind the bustle of village life, with the baker, grocer, wine-shop, and tea-rooms on our doorstep, and enter an ochre coloured external hallway redolent of a Spanish castell with a wrought iron gate protecting the entrance to the inner courtyard. Owned by the same family for over thirty years, this property has been a much-loved private home. Architecturally, it is an unusual and segmented property, at the heart of which sits an internal courtyard, from whence there rises a monumental staircase built in 1702. The property comprises two separate buildings one on each side of the courtyard. The north-facing façade overlooking Lectoure’s main high street and the south-facing façade, facing the Pyrenees. The North and South sections of the property are linked on ground floor, first floor and second floor levels by covered passageways with original wooden floors and ceilings. The property has traditionally been used as one single home but equally it could be used as individual apartments with a central communal area, or as luxury lettings : with five fully equipped appartements (each with kitchen and bathroom) and a top floor artist’s studio. The building comprises two appartements on the north side, three on the south side, and the artist’s studio on the top floor under the eaves. From the internal courtyard, where there is an old stone well, we descend a short flight of stone steps, pass beneath the south-facing building, and traverse an area where old stable doors currently provide storage for garden tools and dusty bottles of wine. The south-facing garden opens into an old stone outbuilding (currently used for parking) which in turn opens onto the rear street behind, providing valuable access to the gardens for works to the property or evacuation of garden rubbish. A private parking area in Lectoure is much cherished, and it is convenient to have an exit to the southern ramparts of town, especially during the summer months when on Mondays and Fridays the popular Lectoure markets are held and the main rue Nationale is blocked for vehicular access.

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.

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.

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 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.

Near Lectoure and Agen, medieval château from the XIII century and alterations from the early renaissance of the XVI century. This 950 m² château listed monuments historiques which has conserved many of its original features presents a unique opportunity to restore. The former moat, sentry tower with archer slits, the entrance bridge formerly a drawbridge remind its original defensive purpose while the hexagonal dungeon tower, the renaissance galery, the spiral stone staircase, the cloister and the chapel show the alteration from the renaissance period. The chateau boasts 25 rooms including a guards room, empire style reception rooms, a gallery, 9 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, vaulted stone cellars, a chapel. In the park crossed by a river, there are century old trees, a mill house, outbuildings, a XVI century dovecote. On the land of the property, there are 4 farmhouses to repair, 156 hectares of cultivated land and partly under irrigation and 48 hectares of woodland.