Exceptional 18c Gascon Farmhouse

Exceptional 18^c Gascon Farmhouse

This spacious and comfortable farmhouse, with extensive outbuildings and its own pool, is set in a hectare of land on the outskirts of a village. Surrounded on all sides by a lovely garden and set back from the road, this house is within sight but not sound of the village and enjoys privacy and peace – as well as a view of the mountains.

The house, a ‘Gascon double’ (in other words 2 rooms deep), has been entirely restored and is in excellent condition. The imposing entrance hall from which the stairs lead up has beautiful colombage walls with lime plaster. Opening off it the kitchen (22m²), which has French windows opening onto the terrace and garden beyond, is equipped with a four-oven Aga, Bosch dishwasher and 2 bowl ceramic sink; the extensive cupboards are custom-built and the work surfaces are granite. Behind the kitchen is a study and TV room (15m²). A corridor in the entrance hall leads to the downstairs lavatory and to the utility room, which has a washing machine, tumble dryer, large Belfast sink and plenty of storage cupboards. On the other side of the hallway is the drawing room (39m²) which with four windows looks both north and south, and has a woodburning stove and two unusual roomy alcoves fully lined with bookshelves. Beyond the drawing room is the dining room (29m²) with two west-facing windows and a traditional small arched window in the north wall. The walls are panelled to dado height.

Upstairs, leading off the colombage landing, is the master bedroom (23m²) with one window looking towards the mountains, the other overlooking the pond garden. It has a three-door fitted wardrobe. This room has an ensuite bathroom (15m²) which has free-standing roll-top bath, basin with marble surround, shower and loo. Fitted wardrobes and storage cupboards run the length of one wall. Also leading off the landing is a single bedroom (10.4m²).

On the other side of the landing is a suite of rooms currently being used as accommodation for bed-and-breakfast visitors; this comprises three double bedrooms and one bathroom. Because of the arrangement of the rooms, the first one is at present an upstairs sitting-room for guests (23m²) because the other two double rooms lead through it to reach the bathroom, but it could easily double as a child’s room or a room for extra guests. The principal double bedroom (16.5m²) looks both north and west and has an attractive view of the village. The second bedroom (15.5m²) shares this view. The bathroom (15m²) has bath, basin, shower and loo.

Propane-fired central heating has been installed; downstairs the heating is underfloor and upstairs there are radiators throughout. Telephone with 1 Mb ADSL is installed.

The house has been insulated, replastered where necessary, and decorated thoughout to a very high standard. There are many new chestnut windows to match the old traditional ones, and all new cedar shutters.

Outside: the salt-water swimming pool, 10m x 5m, is set at the back of the house and is surrounded by an escallonia hedge.

Adjoining the house in the traditional L-shape is a long barn, (260m²), currently used for storage and garaging. At the far end is a separate area currently used as a workshop but could be ideal for conversion into a garage.

There is also, at the southern end of the property, a large and impressive free-standing barn or ‘hangar’ (310m²).

There is a paved patio outside the kitchen doors surrounded by a border and trellises with climbing roses. Between the house and the barn is a covered area for evening dining, which also provides shade on a hot day. Beyond this is another covered terrace looking towards the village, also ideal for entertaining.

There is a large and level garden, well planted with fruit trees (7 heavily cropping old cherry trees, plus peach, pear, greengage, nectarine), raspberry canes and blackcurrant bushes. There is a small vegetable garden with room for more. Additionally there is a pond with water lilies, and a rose garden planted with David Austin roses and lavender. Between this area and the pool is a large expanse which makes a good croquet lawn and a group of old oak trees shades this corner of the garden.

(For further photos visit our B&B website www.coin-du-gers.com )