luxury real estate for sale Gers, France (page 2)

EXPERTIMO est le leader français des réseaux dédiés aux mandataires expérimentés

Overview A light and bright three-bedroom mid-terraced town house in the centre of the stylish town of Lectoure, newly renovated and offering spacious living over three floors. Nestled a stone’s throw from the Rue National, the principal street famous for antique shops, galleries and chic concept stores and boutiques, the property is ideally situated on a quiet side street. This solid, traditional 18th century house includes a small courtyard garden at the rear large enough for alfresco living. Those buyers looking for a private low maintenance house at the heart of a vibrant town will find this property simply ideal. As an added bonus, all the bedrooms have modern ensuite shower rooms. A closer look at the house Enter from a typical Lectoure street with its mix of pretty and elegant stone houses. Step directly into a small hallway then into a spacious sitting room painted white; here, recessed ceiling lights and a wooden floor give a contemporary feel. A fireplace has shelving either side which offers practical storage. Walk a little further, passing a solid, beautifully restored wooden staircase and a WC with wooden panelling and a laminate floor. Next you will find the kitchen which is a good size, large enough for a table and chairs and with base and wall units in a modern style. There is a fitted cooker and induction hob and a small dishwasher plus freestanding fridge. Alongside is a separate utility room for the washing machine and storing other practical items including the boiler. Leading from the kitchen via a single glazed door is a charming, decked area for outdoor dining and relaxation and, if you wish, a chance to engage with your neighbours. It’s cosy and there is ample space for a table and chairs. The first floor Climb the stairs from the hallway to the first-floor landing and you will find two large bedrooms, each with a smart, modern ensuite shower room. A shared WC also leads from the landing. Both bedrooms have high ceilings and newly stripped renovated original wooden floors, and each feels spacious and light. The master bedroom facing onto the main street has two large floor-to-ceiling windows with elegant iron balustrades that throw dappled light patterns across the floor. The original fireplace serves more as a decorative feature and a nod to the house’s past as it is no longer working. Facing it is a hand-built headboard with side lights and practical sockets ready to welcome the new owner’s double bed. The second bedroom overlooks the rear terrace and has one large window plus a modern shower room with separate shower cubicle and sink unit. A charming feature on this floor are two oval cut outs above each door into the bedrooms. This design element is mirrored upstairs on the top floor with small oval windows facing out onto the street. The second floor Ascend solid original stairs up onto the top and second floor and in the eaves of the roof with the original beams exposed, are two large rooms one of which serves as a third bedroom as there is an ensuite shower room with separate shower cubicle, a large vanity unit with sink and practical shelves. Across the open landing is another space currently used as an artist studio by the current owner. What we love here at Bliss A new renovation with fresh white paint and where all practical aspects are covered means a new owner simply needs to move in and start living and loving life at the heart of the Gers’ most popular town. The current owner has achieved an artistic vibe that mixes typical 18th century town house with arty Parisian cool. High ceilings, solid wooden floors and stairs and rooms flooded with natural light add to the appeal. It is also situated on a very pretty street! Who will this property suit? Someone who doesn’t want to take on a project as all the hard work is done. It could be a permanent home for a single person or a couple, with plenty of space for overnight guests, or would be the perfect pied-à-terre for those looking for a second home in the area. Artists will appreciate the light and the large space on the second floor for creative pursuits away from the main living areas.

Overview A light and bright three-bedroom mid-terraced town house in the centre of the stylish town of Lectoure, newly renovated and offering spacious living over three floors. Nestled a stone’s throw from the Rue National, the principal street famous for antique shops, galleries and chic concept stores and boutiques, the property is ideally situated on a quiet side street. This solid, traditional 18th century house includes a small courtyard garden at the rear large enough for alfresco living. Those buyers looking for a private low maintenance house at the heart of a vibrant town will find this property simply ideal. As an added bonus, all the bedrooms have modern ensuite shower rooms. A closer look at the house Enter from a typical Lectoure street with its mix of pretty and elegant stone houses. Step directly into a small hallway then into a spacious sitting room painted white; here, recessed ceiling lights and a wooden floor give a contemporary feel. A fireplace has shelving either side which offers practical storage. Walk a little further, passing a solid, beautifully restored wooden staircase and a WC with wooden panelling and a laminate floor. Next you will find the kitchen which is a good size, large enough for a table and chairs and with base and wall units in a modern style. There is a fitted cooker and induction hob and a small dishwasher plus freestanding fridge. Alongside is a separate utility room for the washing machine and storing other practical items including the boiler. Leading from the kitchen via a single glazed door is a charming, decked area for outdoor dining and relaxation and, if you wish, a chance to engage with your neighbours. It’s cosy and there is ample space for a table and chairs. The first floor Climb the stairs from the hallway to the first-floor landing and you will find two large bedrooms, each with a smart, modern ensuite shower room. A shared WC also leads from the landing. Both bedrooms have high ceilings and newly stripped renovated original wooden floors, and each feels spacious and light. The master bedroom facing onto the main street has two large floor-to-ceiling windows with elegant iron balustrades that throw dappled light patterns across the floor. The original fireplace serves more as a decorative feature and a nod to the house’s past as it is no longer working. Facing it is a hand-built headboard with side lights and practical sockets ready to welcome the new owner’s double bed. The second bedroom overlooks the rear terrace and has one large window plus a modern shower room with separate shower cubicle and sink unit. A charming feature on this floor are two oval cut outs above each door into the bedrooms. This design element is mirrored upstairs on the top floor with small oval windows facing out onto the street. The second floor Ascend solid original stairs up onto the top and second floor and in the eaves of the roof with the original beams exposed, are two large rooms one of which serves as a third bedroom as there is an ensuite shower room with separate shower cubicle, a large vanity unit with sink and practical shelves. Across the open landing is another space currently used as an artist studio by the current owner. What we love here at Bliss A new renovation with fresh white paint and where all practical aspects are covered means a new owner simply needs to move in and start living and loving life at the heart of the Gers’ most popular town. The current owner has achieved an artistic vibe that mixes typical 18th century town house with arty Parisian cool. High ceilings, solid wooden floors and stairs and rooms flooded with natural light add to the appeal. It is also situated on a very pretty street! Who will this property suit? Someone who doesn’t want to take on a project as all the hard work is done. It could be a permanent home for a single person or a couple, with plenty of space for overnight guests, or would be the perfect pied-à-terre for those looking for a second home in the area. Artists will appreciate the light and the large space on the second floor for creative pursuits away from the main living areas.

GERS - VIC-FEZENSAC Located on 4 hectares in a commanding position, this property is the very essence of the classical Renaissance in Gascony. It includes two parts: the medieval castle to be renovated and an adjoining house, built in 1840. Very beautiful architectural elements, including mullioned windows, Doric door, spiral staircase, bretèche, monumental fireplaces, French ceiling. The defensive feature is to be pointed out. The castle includes 4 rooms for a surface of 120m² (60 m² per level) with very beautiful heights under ceiling (4,30m). There is a possible passage to the house. Recent renovation with the help of the Bâtiments de France. The house of approximately 140 m² has 5 main rooms including 3 bedrooms. Entrance, boiler room, kitchen and back kitchen, Garage of 40m², bread oven, and large barn. The roofs and boiler room have been renovated recently. The rest has to be renovated. Energy class: N/A Climate class: N/A Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: www.georisques.gouv.fr

GERS - MARCIAC Very bright mansion of 350m² with a studio, a garage, a fitted outbuilding, a park of 1500m², a greenhouse, a spa. Very beautiful architectural elements, including cement tiles, woodwork, parquet floors, 19th-c cast iron radiators, molded ceilings, slates. Ground floor : Entrance hall, living room with a fireplace, lounge, dining room with a fireplace, kitchen, scullery, separate toilet, laundry room. Second floor: Vast landing, 4 bedrooms of 20m², 3 shower rooms. Second floor: Convertible attic of 144m², with 12 windows and high ceiling. Basement of 20m². Outbuilding of 60m², 2 beautiful rooms on two levels. Studio apartment of 45m²: living room, mezzanine bedroom, shower room and separate toilet. Garage for one car. Small greenhouse, XVIIIth century pond, garden shed, semi-buried spa for 6 people, well. Double glazing, alarm with remote surveillance. Suitable as a main residence or for a tourist activity. The Jazz in Marciac festival is well known all over the world. Energy class: N/A Climate class: N/A Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: www.georisques.gouv.fr

GERS - NEAR MAUVEZIN Beautiful country property with a XIXth century castle of 376 m², very bright and divided into 11 main rooms including 5 bedrooms. Without nuisance in the heart of a superb park of 1,6 hectare. Salt water swimming pool with pool house, bowling alley, numerous outbuildings including stables, large pond with a spring, well, orchard and about forty 35 year old truffle oaks. Possibility to acquire more land. Suitable as a family residence, or for a tourist or agricultural project. Energy class: E Climate class: E Estimated annual energy costs for standard use: between 5317 euros and 7193 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

- GERS - LAGRAULAS In a commanding position, surrounded by a park with multi-century-old trees, this nuisance-free property is built on the ruins of a former castle. With beautiful architectural features, this luminous home of 640 m² has many rooms on the ground floor. Terrace, outbuildings, swimming pool and beautiful view. The ground floor consists of a vast 94m² cross-shaped hallway which leads to all the rooms on this level, including a 46m² living room, a 30m² dining room, an office library, 6 bedrooms, some with dressing rooms and shower rooms, a kitchen, a laundry room, 2 separate toilets and a separate shower room. On the first floor there are 4 bedrooms, 3 of which with bathrooms, and an separate toilet. The attic has a games room and there is the possibility of adding 3 additional bedrooms. Large 100m² south facing terrace, 12X6m chlorine swimming pool. 200m² outbuilding, workshop and small dovecote. Oil and wood central heating. The roofs have been revised in 2014. This property is in good general condition but needs to be redecorated. All amenities in Vic Fezensac which is 5 km away (school, shops, restaurants, etc.) and 35 minutes from Auch. Suitable as a second home, family house or bed and breakfast. Energy class: N/A Climate class: N/A Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: www.georisques.gouv.fr

Located in the pretty and peaceful Bouquerie district of Condom, sub-prefecture of the Gers (32), property for sale by Sati Immobilier. This property comprises 2 houses, a studio, a large courtyard, a well, a swimming pool with pool house of approx. 47 m² and more than 300 m² of garages and outbuildings. The main house, which has not undergone any work as it has been completely and tastefully renovated, spans more than 115m². It has a large living room, an enclosed kitchen, 3 bedrooms with the possibility of adding another without any work being required, or a dressing room. The pretty house also has a cellar, a storeroom/laundry room, direct access to the swimming pool and a well. The second house, entirely on one level, is around 96m². It has its own terrace, 2 bedrooms, a large living room and an enclosed kitchen. The studio, measuring over 37m², has its own entrance, terrace, large living room and mezzanine bedroom. The second house and the studio need some general updating, but no major works are required. This property could become a large family home, a group of friends or a guest house. Indeed, being within walking distance of all amenities and shops, as well as the St Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage route, you could easily find guests. There are lots of possibilities with this property, which sleeps more than 12 people. This property can be a complex or everything can be separated. Incredible possibilities for this property with the criteria sought because you will have a great comfort of life with this property without opposite. Do not hesitate to come back to me for more information and/or photos.

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

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

The Landscape This superb Gascon property sits in an elevated position at the end of a long track. There are no near neighbours and views for miles around across the surrounding countryside. To each side, the valley drops gently away, woods and fields dotted all around, as far as the eye can see. The Gardens The gardens were the creation of a local landscape gardener at the start of the restoration project. The line of the land was modified to encompass a tennis court in an elevated position above the swimming pool, and as well as the dozens of roses, shrubs, trees and plants that were incorporated into the scheme, huge boulders or rocks were imported and placed around the pool side. The result is spectacular. The pool is a feat of design and a work of art. Its shape is non symmetrical and the line of water meets the line of the horizon perfectly so that it is possible to “swim into the view and over the horizon.” The waters cascade at the end of the pool into a rivulet and sweep around the side and back into the pool by an ingenious system. There is continual movement of the water. Access to the pool is gentle. The pool slopes down gradually, without steps, so that for younger children it is possible to play safely at the water’s edge. The current owners are keen tennis players, almost to a professional level, and the incorporation of a professional level tennis court was vital to their project. Discreetly located behind a stone wall, and in a raised position above the swimming pool area, a screen of shrubs and trees mask the court from view. A covered terrace area with its own kitchen, and cold beer on tap, provides a vast and shaded area in which to dine, or to relax between matches. From the terrace the tennis- court is almost invisible, the view is predominantly that of the swimming pool. From here it is all to easy to imagine, on our visit to the property, how this property has been used for many years as a place of fun and recreation. Sipping beer, to the gentle and distant sound of yellow balls bouncing on the court; the splash of the water trickling over the edge in the pool; deck chairs placed in sunny spots beside the water’s edge and facing the majestic view. Also of interest in the gardens is the second terrace to the rear, which is accessed directly from the kitchen/main reception area. This covered spot is the owner’s favourite place in which to dine with guests. The property also benefits from a woodshed to the rear and a vast garage/barn area for storage. And now for the house … From the front of the property this is a typical symmetrical and Gascon maison de maitre. When the owners first came to visit it, in their own words it was “pretty much a wreck, requiring gutting and complete recreation from the inside.” Initially the house was joined onto a barn and the restoration of the property has seen the incorporation of the original house and its adjacent stone barn into one fabulous and luxury property. Each internal detail has been thought about, and every item specifically hand-picked for the property down to the last detail. The Entrance The door to the property opens onto a formal entrance hall, with two reception rooms to each side. A wooden staircase leads to two upstairs bedrooms above. At the far end, the entrance hall opens onto the rear dining-room and kitchen area. We note that there are two staircases to the upper level. The first, the wooden staircase rising from the main entrance hall. The second staircase from the bar area, which rises to the mezzanine and an upstairs gallery, which in turn has a door to the rear gardens, and pool area. This property is built on two levels, with each level having access to the lower gardens, and the rear gardens and pool area. Two Formal Reception Rooms (Library, Snug, Music Room… what you will…..) To the front of the property, and from the main door, we enter the original entrance hall, where to the left and right of the door, are the original two reception rooms; once the only habitable rooms in the property. Today, in this original section of the maison de maitre , we open the door onto two beautifully dressed rooms. Both are used as formal reception rooms/ a music room/ reading room. The décor is elegant and timeless, and contrast beautifully with the rear section of the property which has been developed in the original barn. The Kitchen At the end of the hallway, the kitchen is a fantastic example of genius; where the cupboards have been individually designed, including the sink which is a work of art in itself. Hewn from a vast piece of black granite, our current owner jokes: “The artisan who made this, told us that this was the first time he had ever engineered such a gargantuan sink, and that the granite is so heavy, it would also be the last time.” The sink is tapered from a drying area, to two vast sinks, the work top flowing in seamless fashion to each side. With a black Lacanche oven, vital when hosting the large parties of friends and tennis players who come to the house, the kitchen is a design miracle, with a vast amount of storage carefully dissimulated behind hand crafted wooden doors. The Dining Room The kitchen opens onto the main reception/dining- room, with its original fireplace. There is a partial division of the kitchen and the main reception room by a wall which is in essence a row of wooden storage cupboards, to that the light from the kitchen window and the light from the far window of the reception room (overlooking the terrace area) flows between the two spaces. Currently the room is dressed with a long table running before the fireplace, in the traditional Gascon way. The rear wall has seen the incorporation of a large panel of glass, creating an invisible wall between the internal winter dining area and the summer terrace. This fabulous room has been created from the original barn. Behind the kitchen there is access to a downstairs cloakroom, with a fabulous stone sink, and the downstairs laundry- room. La Cave/Bar This property has been designed by a family that clearly loves to party and to entertain in style. It is no surprise that there is a private bar incorporated into the property, with the original beer barrels. A glass and metal window adds a contemporary note to this area, in smart contrast to the thick slabs of stone on the floor. With high ceilings and a view to the mezzanine area above, this is a fabulous party room. A small bar positioned in-front of two vast wine vats, is the perfect place to hang out with friends. With ample space for a dining table, this room provides yet one more place in which to entertain. Set back from this room, and just a few steps from the serving bar, there is a wine cellar. Cool, with a concrete floor, and shelving filled on each side, with the finest wines and spirits; the bar and the wine cellar will delight lovers of fine wines the world over. The Mezzanine/ Library The mezzanine runs as a gallery above the downstairs bar area, and has been fitted with elegant book shelves, to create a library/reading area. Here one can sit and read, while below friends sip wine at the bar. A rear door from the mezzanine opens directly onto the pool area, with its covered terrace and kitchen, tempting readers once more to put down their books, and take a dip in the pool, or sip an ice cold beer. Upstairs Divided into two distinct area, two bedrooms sit to the front of the property in what was once the original maison de maitre. These two rooms overlook the front and side of the property, and share a family bathroom. From the terrace area, two bedrooms share a gorgeous family bathroom, which has all the appeal of a five star hotel bathroom. The master suite has its own vast bathroom, with both a shower (created from a wine vat, circular in shape) and a sumptuous bathtub. The main bedroom also has a flight of wooden stairs leading to a room above, in the style of a Duplex apartment. There are two separate WCs on the first floor. In addition to the impression one has in this property of having come to stay at a luxury retreat (the bathrooms are truly a work of art and some of the most lovely bathrooms we have seen here at BLISS) there is also a dinky circular cupboard area on the landing, which opens out into mini kitchen, for tea and coffee, with a small round copper sink. Also on the landing, for the storage of all those lovely Indian cotton towels and bed-sheets, there are vast cupboard areas, which (as every cupboard in the house) have been individually designed by the finest carpenters. For further information, please contact Bliss Immobilier.

This sumptuous château is found in the heart of Gascony, in the rich and diverse Armagnac region, at an equal distance between Bordeaux and Toulouse (1h45). On the home lands of d ’Artagnan, the estate sits in an elevated position with far-reaching views across the valley. Surrounded by fields bursting with an ever-changing tapestry of colour in the summer months, from the vibrant yellows of the sunflowers, to the neat rows of green vines, the property is situated just a few minutes distance from the picturesque village of Montréal (one of our favourite villages in the Gers) and just a ten minute drive to the larger town of Condom, with its many shops and restaurants. This region is one of the most highly sought-after in Gascony, with visitors driving out here from Lectoure and Condom, Bordeau or Toulouse throughout the year. This is an area world-famous for its music festivals (Condom and its traditional Bandas festival, or Marciac for its renowned jazz festival in the world). Long hot summer evenings are brought to life by colourful night-markets, and many other events throughout the year which ensure that this is a lively area in which to live throughout the winter months as well as the lovely long hot summers. The château is located on the edge of a small hamlet, and sits in private parkland. On arrival, we follow the beautiful stone walls of the gardens, the original ramparts of the château which border the property and can be seen from afar. A traditional wrought- iron gate between two stone pillars marks the entrance. From here onwards, as we enter through the gate, one has an immediate sense of magic as we enter the grounds. A private alley cuts through a line of elegant trees. We pass the guardian’s house, and two cottages, reaching a private driveway at the top where we catch our first glimpse of the Chateau. To the side and the rear of the Château a vast 12ha stretch of land flanks the estate. The parkland itself is filled with a rich variety of mature trees. To each side the fields and pasture is currently tended to by a local farmer. Visible even from up above at the Château one can clearly see a young vineyard, below, planted by the current owners. On an architectural note… The château dates back to the second half of the 19th century, and was once home to a religious order set up by the Pères Prémontrés. The property is built in the shape of an “L” with beautiful golden coloured stone walls and Parisan style persiennes shutters painted in muted tones of elegant grey. Sunshine dapples the walls from the south, the east and the west. There are roses and many varieties of shrubs everywhere you look. The property comprises two main wings, linked on the ground floor, the basement and the first floor. The main house has been lovingly restored by its current owner who is an interior designer. The renovated wing is the southern wing blessed by a beautiful flow of light from the south, north and west it bathes the rooms with natural light throughout the day from its tall windows. The property has undergone a tremendous programme of works supervised by an architect an expert in historical buildings, but as we shall see in more detail later, this property has the advantage of comprising a second as yet non-restored wing : the western wing. The additional Western wing, once restored would lend itself perfectly to parties (a large party room), weddings, or summer lettings. The Southern Wing The entrance A small flight of stone stairs on the northern side separates a courtyard from the majestic entrance, with its turning staircase and doorway onto a beautiful courtyard on the southern side. This south-facing courtyard is graced with a burst of pink blossom from its trees in spring. A long hallway on the northern side leads to the kitchen, a drawing-room and a laundry-room. On the other side there is a second reception room and the guest cloakroom and WC. The ceilings are high and the floors lain with stone tiles. The elegant, sculpted cast-iron radiators throw out additional heat, in addition to the under-floor heating in the entrance hall. The lighting system at the château is particularly well designed, and the property is a delight to visit in the evenings, when on arrival the lights twinkle as they might from The Great Gatsby’s home. The perfect backdrop for a summer party. Reception Room 1 : As with every room in the château the ceilings are high and the tall windows allow one a sweeping view over the valley and across the Gascon countryside. A stone fireplace and double doors divide the first reception room from the kitchen, both rooms are lain with the same stone floor tiles. Reception Room 2 : With a warm and inviting interior this room is a perfect evening room and has the same lovely views, and also a stone fireplace. Cloakroom & Guest WC At the far end of the entrance hall, discreetly positioned behind a carefully designed cloakroom wall we find the spacious guest lavatory and washbasin. The kitchen, Rear kitchen, Laundry-Room It would be more apt to say that the kitchen is yet another grand reception room. Warm and inviting, majestic in size with a long table to welcome guests or for breakfast with views across the valley, this kitchen is the heart of the property and spacious enough to host a large gathering. French doors open on the garden on the western side, where guests can dine under the plane trees and look over the fabulous stone ramparts and balustrades to the stunning views across the valley. Guests are provided with a backdrop view of the medieval ruins of the original château, and the pigeonnier or dovecote. A grand central island with spacious work surface place for big bowls of food prepared on the AGA. The rear kitchen/ scullery is also directly accessible from the garden and the main kitchen and is equipped with a traditional oven. This is an ideal space to be used by caterers serving food in the garden or interior. In the hallway on the other side of the kitchen a door with a beautiful sculptured wooden surround opens onto the laundry room. The First Floor : Bedrooms Opposite the courtyard entrance an impressive stone staircase turns upwards to the first floor, leading to a spacious landing and a second long hallway that runs above the ground floor hallway. All the bedrooms have parquet flooring. At the top of the landing to the right, two bedroom with ensuite shoer rooms and fitted wardrobes with decorative doors from old French armoirs. To the left of the landing there is a third ensuite bathroom with views to the south, and a long hallway leading to a vast parental suite which is one of the most spacious bedrooms and bathrooms we have yet to see in Gascony. The master bedroom suite comprises a vast bedroom with five tall windows, a double dressing room and a bathroom with a double sink, shower and oval bathtub. The Western Wing At the far end of the downstairs entrance hall, close to the entrance to the kitchen, a set of double doors opens onto the western wing comprising two floors with around 400m2 space for further development with planning permission. The Western wing comprises a hallway leading to a staircase to the first floor. On the ground floor there is a large reception room with grand openings to the park, and with views of the Medieval ruin. The family has hosted weddings at the property and this is a perfect room in which to dance and party, opening onto the park, the lovely views of the ramparts, the medieval chateau, and the folly at the end of the garden.

Sitting in six hectares of parkland, in a non-isolated location, this beautiful old property is located close to Auch, capital of the Gers, and benefits from splendid views over the valley. Its fine old stones have born witness to centuries of history and remain in excellent condition to tell its tales of time today. Located on the top of a hillside, the view is remarkable over the valleys of Gascony, reaching as far as the Pyrénées. The swimming pool is located in an ideal position from which to enjoy these views, sitting in an elevated position. The vast expanse of land lies to the front of the property with one nearby property to the rear (thus preserving the uninterrupted views to the south) The current owner has carried out a vast programme of restoration over the years, carefully preserving the original walls and the authenticity of the property’s medieval architecture, as well as preserving many original features internally. Today, though the property bears witness to major works carried out in recent years, it offers also an exciting opportunity to the next generation to lift the works to the next level in order to render it comfortable for modern living being somewhat sparse on the inside for the moment. One is easily forgiven for imagining this to be the 16th century and not the 21st internally - but this is in many aspects a blank canvas on which to design a remarkable home with spacious rooms and high ceilings Throughout the property the inside walls are exposed stone, the ground-floor tiled in more recent years. Fine examples of medieval history are preserved throughout : fireplaces, original vaulted walls and a wine cellar. With successive renovations, the owner lifted the veils of time and reveal the property’s hidden secrets, such as a magnificent Renaissance door. Who knows if further treasures await to be discovered ….

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.

Overview This elegant maison de maître sits in elegant parkland of just over 4000m2, with far-reaching views to the rear. In addition to the delightful garden, with its mature trees, there is a walled courtyard which houses the swimming pool, with a separate guest house. ?The main house will appeal to anyone in search of a characterful manor house in-keeping with the style of the region, with four bedrooms in the main house, and two in the guest house. It offers over 350m2 habitable space. The property is in excellent condition throughout with grand rooms, high ceilings and a grand turning staircase with a generous hallway on both the ground floor and the first floor. The main house comprises: a spacious kitchen/breakfast room, a grand reception room, a dining room, a summer room, a wine cellar, two separate studies three bathrooms and four bedrooms, with a very large undeveloped attic space. The guest house also benefits from a reception room, a kitchen, and two bedrooms, and is situated at a discreet distance from the main house, with just over 250m2 habitable space. This property will appeal to anyone looking for a spacious family home, with the flexibility of guest accommodation, in the heart of Gascony. Plus points: Period charm, wide-reaching views and a glorious garden. Please go to our BLISS website for a full description.

This fine stone property, situated close to the popular market town of Lectoure, sits on a quiet country lane, in its own lovely private park of 4.8 hectares. The gardens are full of life and colour with a wide variety of mature trees and shrubs which add to the character of the property. The tall Cyprus trees and palm trees lend a flavour of the Mediterranean to this property. Often visitors to the region compare it to Tuscany and with this property it is easy to see why. The property is completely private, with a fine wrought-iron gate, beyond which we glimpse a fine square building, with all the symmetry of the traditional maison de maître, or manor house. There are far reaching views over the valleys, a neat gravel driveway, and various seating area, including a rear terrace and the enclosed pool area. There is also a water-well on the property. A second and completely independent guest house sits at a short distance from the main property. The main house This beautiful four-bedroom property has been beautifully restored. Entrance is via a traditional central Gascon hallway, with a large and spacious 53m² reception/dining room, with a second 23,07m² dining room, a beautiful separate kitchen. The ground floor is grand and spacious, with a lovely flow of rooms and windows to all of the gardens, south, north, east and west. There are two good sized double bedrooms and bath/shower rooms on the ground floor. The first floor echoes the symmetrical shape of the house with a mirror-image central hallway. Upstairs there are a further two bedrooms and bathrooms, with a total of four ensuites in the main house. In the guest house, separate to the main house, and with a private entrance, there is a fifth bedroom and shower room, a kitchen, and a private study room – ideal for anyone wishing to create a peaceful office space under a separate roof. Outbuildings & Other features The property also has a sports’ room, barn and garage. On a technical note 4.8 hectares land Water-well Good roof (last works 2017) Roof insulation hemp Wooden windows Gas central heating (boiler for heating and hot water) Fireplace Linky metre 1 (2019) 2 hot water tanks Internet connection : yes (2 lines) Pool (6 m x 13m) Chlorine No liner Security cover Room Sizes Ground floor main house : Entrance - 19,18 (north + south facing) Kitchen - 24,18 (east facing, parquet floor, fireplace) Reception room 53,25 (west, south and north facing with parquet floor) Dining-room - 24,05 (north east facing, parquet floor) Room - 11,68 (floor tiles) Bedroom 1 - 22,29 (north facing with access to terrace, gardens and pool) Bathroom 1 - 12,80 (bathroom with shower + WC) Room with sauna- 22,97 (with large fitted cupboards) Bedroom 2 - 19,71 Shower room - 5,81 (WC + shower) Boiler + laundry room - 11,31(gas boiler) First Floor Landing - 17,69 (north / south, parquet floor) Bedroom 3 - 25,08 (north/ east with sea grass floor) Bathroom 3 - 25,42 ( WC + shower + bath) Bedroom 4 - 25,51(south west) Bathroom 4 : 22,76 (north/ west, bath with wooden surround, WC and shower) Studio appartment Bedroom 5 - 24,75 (west, south and east with sea grass) Shower room - 8,55 (east and north, tiled floor, shower + WC) Study - 10,07 (with balcony overlooking pool) Summer reception room + kitchen - 29,64 (with fitted kitchen) Sports’ Room - 43,00 (north facing with parquet floor) Barn - 89m2 ((wine cellar, storage room) Garage - 49,56 ( 2 spaces, automatic doors)

Romanticists, aspiring Gothic heroes & heroines apply within…. Overview If your heart is stirred by visions of a Chateau with ochre-coloured walls in the setting sun; of high ceilings, and period charm without the need for perfection; or if you are someone for whom beauty outweighs all sense of the practical… then “read” on Macduff: this paragraph could be the first stepping-stone on the road to a great adventure. This is a property for those who are grand of heart, for souls imbued with a touch of gentle folly and for whom the reward is something quite beautiful: A cinematic backdrop, a theatrical pastiche of every castle-based movie you have ever viewed; a home of character with all the grandeur of the Italian Renaissance. The entrance & gardens The arrival to any Chateau must by necessity be somewhat majestic and here the avenue does not disappoint, being suitably mysterious with vegetation high on each side. The long stone driveway opens out onto a forecourt with a circular driveway which circles around a central island of Cyprus trees. The chateau rises before us, amber and gold in the sunlight, its flaking façade perfect in its imperfection. Its windows are guarded by tall French Grey shutters, its central doorway is grand and majestic in its welcome. The property rises high above a stone terrace and decorative fishpond. The façade to the North reveals a series of stone arcades, open to the elements. To each side of the Chateau there are woods and gardens, with hundred-year-old trees, all of which lend a sense of mystery to the lieu. To the front of the property there is a stone fishpond beyond which is a flight of stone steps up to the terrace and the grand front door. The stone barn to the right of the Château is the perfect backdrop to the grand hydrangea bushes which have grown tall in its shade. The barn to the rear is partially inaccessible and now more or less in a ruined state. Once a stable block, this building might yet be salvaged. A second outbuilding to the front of the driveway is in a similar condition. Sitting to the right of the main terrace, in a recess beyond, is a stone building or orangery, with a sink and an array of pots, to harbour the lemon and orange trees over winter. The Entrance The grand front door opens onto a majestic hallway, from which a turning wooden staircase rises to the first floor, with a sweep of wrought iron balcony, and walls which look as if one has fallen headfirst into the pages of an Italian Gothic novel. The walls are remarkable, in the pastiche of a pastiche setting sun, their gentle ochre and yellow tones catching the sunlight from the west in a theatrical manner. The kitchen & Pantry area To the right of the entrance hall door, there is a large double kitchen, with a fireplace and windows over the front forecourt and to the gardens at the side of the property. The ceilings are high, and the room spacious enough to incorporate a large dining room table, and a rear section with a sink, for food preparation. Beyond the kitchen is a small vestibule, which serves as a pantry, and an inner corridor with a large cupboard, which houses the washing machine and dryer, and overlooking the gardens to the rear, a room currently used as a study, and a downstairs 1930’s style bathroom. The Drawing Room From the main entrance hall, it is pleasing to access the grand drawing room via the original eighteenth century doors. The drawing room offers a view onto the rear garden via a set of characterful French windows that open onto the rear terrace. The room has a central fireplace which is not currently in use and as in many of the rooms here at the Chateau, we invite guests to look upwards at the ornate ceilings. The drawing room opens internally onto two other rooms, one on each side. Firstly, a grand dining room, conveniently placed between the drawing room, and (via the internal hallway) back to the rear pantry and kitchen. The second room is smaller in size and used as a snug, or living room, where the family gather to watch television or play games. From the door of the snug, we return to the main hallway, passing a doorway with steps leading down to the cellar below. Central Turning Staircase The staircase in the central hallway is a delight, and climbing to the first floor, we experience its generous proportions, and the majestic tall ceilings which lead the eye upwards to the first-floor landing. The first floor The first floor has all the elegance one would expect, with tall windows to the front forecourt of the property. A half landing, with a secret door leads up a tiny internal staircase to one of the ante chambers above, serving no logical purpose other than to evacuate servants (or lovers?) from the bedroom in haste. A delight for amateurs of Hide and Seek, whatever one’s age. The bedrooms On the first floor via a second internal hallway, there are four double bedrooms and at each end of the property a vestibule or oval room and a family bathroom at each end of the property (or a total of two bathroom on the first floor and one on the ground floor). The second-floor vestibules, which are oval, might well be used as antechambers, dressing rooms, or children’s bedroom. Each of the rooms is similar in style and period feature: tall ceilings, lovely wooden floors, fireplaces and views over the parkland. A doorway opens onto a second stairway, in brut form and far less grandiose than the first, leading to the impressive attic space above. This huge space has at one end the tremendous open archways. At the opposite end these have been bricked in but beg to be opened. The Attic The space sets the imagination on fire. Whatever architectural plans are born here, they must of course be validated by the local planning authorities that be, but this is a space which in sheer volume at least (with the romantic idea of an arched view over the gardens at one end, if not two ends of the property) offers endless possibilities. Technical Talk Total habitable surface area: approximately 368m2 4 bedrooms 2 ante chambers (or children’s bedrooms) 3 family bathrooms (2 on the first floor one on the ground floor) Grand drawing room Dining room Snug/television room Spacious kitchen and rear kitchen Study Immense third floor attic space Outside: Orangery Various outbuildings requiring restoration Parkland of over three hectares with mature trees Plot size: 37690m2 Property Tax: 2285 Septic tank Mains water 2 water wells Double Glazing: No (original wooden windows). Shutters in fair condition except on the top floor Roof: Original roof (to be verified Oil fired central heating (De Dietrich boiler) 2 plastic tanks house the oil in the basement Kitchen fireplace working order (others may have been capped off and are not used) Smart metre: no 1 hot water tank Internet: by OZONE – satellite Who might want to live here? – and what needs doing? This is not a modest property by any stretch of the imagination. It has a grandeur which requires a generous budget and a grain of delightful folly. Beyond the purchase price, unless one is content to live here throughout the warmer months of the year, there will be by necessity the need to be some thought and finances given to insulating the property to minimize running costs. The top floor, whether it obtains planning permissions in the future or not, whatever the project might be, is currently open to the elements at one end (via a series of Romanic “in the summer” archways) and not currently insulated either on the floor or the ceiling. The property was decorated some years ago by an interior designer and the walls are in their own delightful way a work of Art, which add much charm to the building. If the style and colours please, then there is nothing that needs doing other than choosing furniture for each room. The windows however require some attention. The lovely old window frames are single glazed, and the choice here will be one of heart or head. But if the current window frames are to be kept some repair work will be necessary. The bathrooms have a period charm but are completely unmodernized (one of these has a quaint 1930 air to it), and the decision to change these or not will be one of aesthetics. All this said, the property will appeal to anyone who loves the architecture of an old French Chateau. This is the perfect home for a large family or a business project. This is a house to fill with family, friends and furniture. The elegant rooms beg to be decorated and the tall ceilings offer a fantastic opportunity to hang great chandeliers, or pieces of Art on the walls. The home of a Collector, an Artist, a Designer? A small bijou hotel… the possibilities are endless. This will be a property which will tug on the heart strings of many, for it is so easy to imagine the Chateau illuminated in the evening, the backdrop to any number of wonderful soirées. A property which requires full evening dress, full glasses, a full imagination, and a not immodest purse. But oh! ……Quelle Joie!!! A Little Bit of Fun Recommended Books to take on the trip: Enchanted April - Elizabeth Von Arnim (try the 1993 movie if not the book) Recommended movies : Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) or A Good Year ( 2006) Recommended drinks: The very best pink champagne to reflect the golden pink and amber tones of these lovely old walls.

This elegant stone property was built in the 18th century on the vestiges of a much older building; an archbishop’s palace, dating back to the 14th century. The property, with its stone- pillared entrance, elegant parkland, 3 hectares + of gardens and lawns, in fine golden stone with its maison de maitre style architecture, offers a promise of elegance, space and light from the outset. It is safe to say, we are not disappointed. With high ceilings and a wealth of period features throughout, the property has been renovated to a high standard, with luxurious and comfortable fittings throughout to provide a comfortable home for year-round residency. The garden is filled with mature trees, and there are two natural water sources; including a pond which is filled with koi carp. The property is ideally situated within easy reach of Blagnac international airport, which is a 40 minute drive, with a local village with a boulangerie just ten minutes away. The current owners are spoilt for choice with local markets, being within easy reach of Mauvezin, Gimont and St Clar. With five luxury bedrooms, and 6 reception rooms, all beautifully appointed, this property provides a luxurious home which is inimitably and deliciously representative of GASCONY; and the traditional, spacious and tranquil homes for which the area is so well-loved with buyers from all over the world. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS VISIT BLISSIMMO.COM

LOCATION In the heart of the Ténarèze, in the north of the Gers department, well known for its Armagnac, the oldest eau de vie. It's also the land of the cadets of Gascony, the most famous of whom is undoubtedly d'Artagnan. Within easy reach of the cities and airports of Bordeaux and Toulouse (1 hour 45 minutes), and less than an hour from Agen and its TGV station. Everywhere you look you'll find villages full of character, some of them listed as among the most beautiful villages in France. A small path shaded by old oak trees leads to the property. Immediately on the right, past a huge hundred-year-old oak that seems to guard the grounds, the estate and its majestic tower come into view. PRESENTATION I, Chevalier Jean de Gascogne, invite you, citizens of the modern world, to follow me to the land of my ancestors. Here we are on my almost 35 hectares of land made up of vines, coppice, moorland and meadows. My ancestors decided to settle here, very close to a small ancient and medieval town that had to be defended. So, in the 15th century, they built this architectural gem! A rectangular, three-storey building made entirely of stone, wood and cob, it is a rare and perfect example of what is known as a Gascon fortified room. Some would call it a watchtower, because its dominant position allowed it to observe and protect the pretty village that was to become the first Gascon bastide. The tower is crowned with hoardings, a corbelled construction that allowed all kinds of objects or liquids to be thrown at potential attackers from above. In the early 16th century, openings were made to let in more light. Rest assured, my tower, although defensive, offers breathtaking panoramic views from several points! 360° views over the surrounding countryside! Windows onto the rolling hills of my native Gers, which so many people love to immortalise on postcards, or to be even more modern, what our young ladies and gents might call ‘Instagrammable’ landscapes. My tower certainly suffered during the Wars of Religion when Montgomery's troops passed through, as they did throughout the region. The two wells on the property and the silos filled with grain on the ground floor, in what was the guard room, enabled my ancestors to hold out during the sieges. I myself worked hard, with the help of one of my friends, to save my tower. The restoration of the roof and the corbelling in 2006 earned us a Heritage Award for its preservation. The years have gone by, and we're now in the 21st century, with its overcrowding and concrete, where space is becoming a luxury because it's almost impossible to find. On my land: space, light, blonde stones that reflect the sun like nowhere else! There's no noise or visual pollution, just the chirping of crickets, birds and the occasional frog in the little pond, offering their courtship to anyone who enjoys observing nature. THE 15TH-CENTURY TOWER The south door opens onto a room that was once the guards' quarters. The first floor, with its mullioned windows, was reserved for the nobility. A beautiful monumental fireplace where more than one boar and poulard must have roasted! On the ground floor, we can still make out the grain silo openings. A dividing wall separates this entrance from another room, which houses the staircase to the first floor. A beautiful south-facing arched double door brings a great deal of light into this space. We can also make out an old opening to the north, now closed off but easily reused. The first floor features the same layout as the ground floor, as well as a second large stone fireplace whose lintel has been restored. On the second and final level, we find the place where the town's protectors kept watch for any attackers. It's an incredible vantage point, with a breathtaking view! The framework and roof have been completely redone, under the supervision of a heritage architect, for which we won a prize awarded by the Société Arquéologique du Gers. This is also the largest level, thanks to the corbelling, which rests on the original stone corbels, as can be seen from the outside. THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY HOUSE Next to the tower is a single-storey house dating from the 18th century. The year of construction, 1768, is still engraved in stone above the door. This building, as the saying goes, is ‘in its original state’, which will allow the future lord of the manor to put his personal stamp on it without having to demolish an unfortunate restoration. It too has retained its fireplace and beautiful beams. But yes, I admit it, the person to whom I pass on the torch will have to love stone and history, but also major works! And at the end of all this effort: what a reward! SOME TECHNICAL NOTES The house to be restored measures 117.13 M2 including the attached garage. The three-storey tower measures 261.67 M2 The hangar measures 148 M2 Septic tank to be reviewed Two wells A pond Of the almost 35 hectares surrounding the estate, just over 2 hectares are planted with organic vines.

Romantic Château in search of loving owner to restore to former glory. Dear House Hunter, I am a beautiful and sizeable stone property. Some call me a château, but I resemble many things, from an elegant chartreuse, or manor house. My foundations are embedded in the 15th century, but over the years I have grown to resemble what you will most easily recognize as a sumptuous 18th century home, with high ceilings, tall window frames and many period features, from parquet and terra-cotta stone floors to my grand salon, which begs to host a ball should you so wish. Netherfield Park, or the Château de Courcelles have nothing on me! Currently slumbering in woodland, with English-style gardens planted to the front some thirty years ago, the first thing you will see on arrival, beyond my stoned and walled entrance, is a romantic summer garden, bursting with life. To the rear there are both raised lawns with walled gardens, and below a riot of woodland, a haven for birds and bees. On arrival and from the outside, I look somewhat more modest in size than I am. People say I resemble the kind of house publishers choose to put on the front cover of novels; stories in which there is usually a love affair and a mystery to unravel; but which could not have happened without the beautiful property itself. The house is always a central character; an elegant backdrop to life itself, where history can be made and new memories carved. To move here is to take on not just a project, but a lifestyle. A piece of history. As a château, I am proud of my brilliant Basque red front door, which strikes a colourful and elegant note on my impressive façade. With symmetrical windows, I am imposing. I have inspired many artists and photographers, being, if I do say so myself, rather an attractive building. I may have faded over the years, but it is easy to imagine that not so long ago my hallways bustled with ten full-time members of staff, who wore black uniforms with little white aprons, buffing and polishing my wooden floors and shining my lovely terra-cotta tiles on the ground floor. The kitchens were filled with bubbling pans; cooks bustling around to create sumptuous Gascon meals with all the fine local produce. The rear kitchen is the perfect place to prep vegetables or wash the pots. Throughout, my tall windows, which still retain their original glass, were brilliantly polished, sunlight flooding into the house from every angle. This is a property for a large family, a lover of history, or someone with a project, perhaps to create a small bijou guest house, or private hotel. Slumbering is all well and good, but like the proverbial phoenix, I’m reaching out across the mysterious and magical channels of the internet, to find the perfect owner who will undertake this restoration project. Although it is unseemly in my generation to talk of anything so mundane as one’s purse, I will say, that unless you are prepared to live somewhat rustically, just for the pleasure of spending time with me, I estimate a budget of 500 000 euros and upwards, perhaps a million, with which to restore my beautiful old bones. The sky is the limit but so is my potential. At a certain age, no-one likes to talk of their inner rumblings, creaks and all the little things that need to be fixed, but I must confess, my plasterwork has cracked and bobbled on the ground floor, some of my floor tiles are a little wobbly underfoot; my bathrooms meagre and more becoming of an earlier age. It would be lovely if my walls could be smoothed out again, and my creases ironed away. I feel I would do very well with some lovely chalk paint and colours. My insulation and heating need a little attention in order to provide some modern comforts for these old but rather lovely bones. For overnight guests, it would be nice to find a lavatory or two in addition to the two which are currently housed at the end of the ground floor and first floor hallways. I have a grand salon, where you could host a ball, as I mentioned. I also have a cosy living-room for family movie evenings. I have a big farmhouse style kitchen with a range, as well as a large utility room which has seen better days but is such a useful space. There is a hidden door in my dining-room, in the wooden panelled walls (one would expect nothing less in such an intriguing house!) where staff would organise serving dishes, during elegant family meals, when a host of guests would come to dine. There is even a family chapel, which has seen weddings and Christenings, although is quite empty now. When it’s time to sleep, there are five very large bedrooms on the first floor all with a sink and shower. The sixth bedroom which has fallen into disrepair, shares a bathroom with the master suite and could also be transformed into a dressing-room – but sadly this bathroom is currently out of order. For those who have a head for dizzying heights, a flight of stone steps runs from the grand salon up to the rooftop tower, where you can step out like a bird on a perch. Take care, this could be a fabulous place for evening drinks, but you will need to add some railings for safety. The view is fabulous, and from up here, you will appreciate the peaceful tranquility of the area: far from roads. A place where one can almost hear the trees growing; see the swallows soaring. My gardens provide a few unexpected quirks and surprises. Entry is from the ground floor level and ascends the majestic period staircase to the first floor, where there is a second grand door which opens onto a garden on the upper level of the property. This second walled garden is also accessible via both French windows in the Grand Salon. From here one can look down to the woodland below which has been left as a natural reserve. The upper walled gardens are reminiscent of the early 19th century gardens built at this time. On this level, there is a veranda and a covered terrace area for outdoor dining. I cannot deny, it will take a home seeker with heart and courage to take on this project, with so many memories of what the château used to look like, bubbling beneath the surface, if you have the drive to tackle a restoration project in this stunning and peaceful region of Southwest France, I am a Château more than worthy of your attention. This is a very special place, with a very special energy. On arrival here, the château stirs a sense of curiosity. Guests long to push open the grand front door and step inside to explore, which is just what we will do. Be my guest! Let’s look in more detail: The Ground Floor Entrance We enter the château via a brilliant red front door, where we find ourselves in a large hallway, that runs to the staircase at the far end. The central hallway is crossed by a transverse hallway at its midpoint. All the main floor rooms, and the cellar and barns are accessible via these two hallways. The floors have conserved their original terra-cotta tiles. On entering the main front door and the central hallway, a door to the left opens into the formal dining-room. The Dining-Room & Butler’s Pantry (“Garde Manger”). The room is dressed with a large formal table. There is a black marble fireplace, and the rear wall is clad with decorative wooden panelling. One of the wooden panels opens to reveal a secret doorway into a room behind, where staff would stack the plates and dishes, whilst waiting to serve the next course. The Chapel, Cosy Sitting-Room & Study Returning to the central hallway, we turn left, into the second transverse hallway. Here a door opens to an ancient family chapel, no longer in use. At the far end of the hallway, there is another door to the dining-room, and a door to the snug and cosy sitting-room, furnished with comfortable sofas and where the family gathers to watch television. This room has two big windows and a woodburning stove. Next to the sitting room there is a downstairs study room with on window and shelving. On the other side of the central hallway, along the second section of the transverse hallway, we find the domestic quarters and kitchens. The family kitchen & the Utility Room, barn & cellar These two sizeable rooms ensure there is plenty of space in the Château for food preparation. The family kitchen has space for a large breakfast table, a range-style cooker, and a sink and workspace tiled with old-fashioned Delft style blue and white tiles. With its terracotta floor tiles, and characterful large stone slab windows sills, opening onto the bucolic front gardens, the kitchen is a delightful room. There is a cosy woodburning stove in the kitchen, welcome when dining at the kitchen table on a cold winter’s night. The Utility Room Next to the kitchen accessible via the hallway and a door to the far end of the room, we find a second room, equally as spacious in size where the kitchen staff worked. With somewhat faded glory, this is nonetheless a very useful space, also with a large table and sink. The Barn & Cellar Opposite the rear kitchen there is a door to a vast downstairs barn, and a wine cellar. This room is ample enough to store a tractor, or any number of garden tools. The downstairs lavatory The WC is situated at the far end of the hallway leading to the kitchen, rear kitchen and the barn. The Outbuildings A door to the far end of the hallway opens onto the gardens, and several outbuildings requiring attention. The First Floor The original staircase turns upwards to the first floor and to a spacious landing, where there is a grand door leading to the upper gardens, covered terrasse and veranda. The Grand Salon This room is the pièce de resistance of the property. Impressive due to its size, formidable stone fireplace, and two large French windows opening onto the raised gardens, this is a gorgeous room. There is a terracotta floor, bathed in light from its vast windows and doors, and with a stone staircase to the tower, where there is a bird’s nest view of the property and the countryside for miles around. This is a room where it is truly possible to dine in style. Push back the tables and host a ball in true 18th century style. A wedding party hosted here, but with the ancient carved chairs, and central wooden table, one can imagine this room is fit for a king or queen to come to supper. It is almost baronial. A place to sleep after the ball… On the first-floor level of the property, distributed along two vast hallways clad with terra cotta stone floor tiles, there are five bedrooms each with a shower or bath, and a sink, and one bedroom which has fallen into disrepair which shares the family bathroom which is not in use and requires fixing. There is one toilet in the tower, above the ground floor toilet. The bedrooms are characterized by their size and light, their ornamental fireplaces and high ceilings. The Gardens The property has substantial gardens, both ornamental, terraced and wild, with a total of 13.5 hectares of land. The property has two terraced gardens, one at the front of the property and the second on the first-floor terrace which sweeps around a section of the house creating a very private garden area overlooking trees and distant views of the Pyrenees. There is an area below the terrace which is mown and houses the pigeonnier and an ancient fishtank. Our thoughts here at BLISS This property was clearly once a fine and sumptuous home and deserving of restoration. If you dream of an escape to the chateau in rural southwest France, this property has much to offer and a wealth of character. The building is not as imposing and overwhelming as one might imagine a chateau to be. Make no mistake, it is vast but is has the feel of a very substantial manor house, and one can easily imagine the works required to make it shine again. It is generous in size for a normal family home, though the last couple to live here in total tranquility, lived here by themselves for thirty years. You will need a very solid envelope to make this home perfect throughout. If you can live in rustic charm, and are prepared to do the works little by little, the property was lived in on a full-time basis until very recently. The location is utterly peaceful. This is a rare, and interesting find, and we are excited to share it with our buyers here at Bliss. On a technical note 11 main rooms 6 bedrooms 1 grand salon 1 snug 1 study 1 dining room 1 breakfast kitchen (kitchen incorporates breakfast kitchen) Amount of taxe foncière/property tax : 2,019 euros 2 lavatories Closest village : MIRANDE Agen : 1h 25 Toulouse airport : 1h15 Septic tank Oil central heating (to be changed) DPE Outbuildings Large utility room adjacent to the kitchen Cellar Workshop/Storeroom/boiler room Ground floor of tower with wine cellar Secret room (“Butler’s Pantry”) Chapel Garage for one large car or two small cars, with manual door Oil central heating which will need replacing by the new owner 4 electric hot water heaters (one in the bathroom not in use, not used) 1 woodburner in the small salon 1 woodburning stove in the kitchen Open fireplaces: 1 in the Grand Salon, 1 in the Dining Room (which will need checking before further use, but have been lit by current owners)