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Property Description

This exceptionally fine stone-built Maison de Maitre dating from around 1860 is situated on the edge of a pretty hamlet in the northern Gers. A wonderfully light house of manageable proportions and in excellent decorative order, having been continually improved over twenty years by the resident owners. In addition to the original park with many fine trees, there are several terraces and landscaped areas established to take advantage of the sun at different times of day. The east facing facade of the house has a particularly pleasing symmetry with its square aspect, grey-shuttered windows, and classic arched entry embellished with the original coloured glass. The elegant black and white tiled hallway running the length of the house draws the eye to a fine view of the hills at the back through another arched doorway that leads to a terrace. There is an impressive vaulted cellar at lower ground level that was once the winery when the house was the hub of surrounding vineyards. Local shopping is a few kilometres distant, and Agen with its TGV station is 25 minutes away. The Bordeaux-Toulouse A62 motorway is at 15 minutes and Toulouse airport is easily reached in under an hour.

Ground Floor
Arched entry in dressed stone set with glazed doors below fanlight in original coloured glass.
Central hallway, 13.5x3m, B&W diagonal tiling.
Drawing room, 4.7x5.2m, four windows E & S, white marble fireplace, plaster over-mantle, original Norwegian pine floor.
Dining room, 4.5x4.7m, two windows S, painted marble fireplace, original Norwegian pine floor.
Study, 4.5x5.2m, with window W, wainscoting, painted marble fireplace & carpeted floor.
Kitchen-breakfast, 4.6x5.5m, with custom-made painted hardwood cupboards & display shelves, double sink, dishwasher, hob & oven set in former fireplace, raised wood-burning hearth with glass door, period built-in cupboard and oak flooring, two windows N&E and French windows to large terrace shaded by a vine covered pergola and featuring an ornamental pond.
Cloakroom, with downstairs WC & basin.
Utility room, 3.5x2.7m, with storage cupboards and worktops, butler's sink, 50 kg lift to bring up wood from the cellar.
All fireplaces are original and in working order, two with gas-log fires.

First Floor
A magnificent staircase in carved stone with period wrought iron balustrade & oak handrail is offset from the end hall and illuminated by a skylight. The first floor has original white poplar boarded floors, the landing being carpeted.
Bedroom I, 4.8x5m, two windows S, fireplace & display shelves.
Bathroom I, 3.2x3m, with bath below window, vanity basin set in marble top above beech storage unit, shower & WC.
Dressing room, with comprehensive range of hand crafted oak hanging cupboards.
Bedroom II, 4.8x5.5m, two windows E, fireplace with plaster over-mantle, built-in cupboard.
Bedroom III, 4.8x4.5m, with beamed ceiling, window N, fireplace, built-in cupboard.
Bedroom IV, 4.9x2.4m, three windows E&S, a single or children's twin.
Family bathroom, 2.5x2.7m, with beamed ceiling, bath with shower, period pedestal basin, WC, preceded by linen room.
Attic. The stone staircase continues unchanged to attic. A central passageway separates two large sections with boarded and insulated floors, which could be developed as further bedroom and bathroom accommodation.

Cellar
An internal stairway from the hall leads down to a lower level, a precisely square, 13.3x13.3m, with seven magnificent stone arches, serving as occasional garage, workshop space, garden & wood store and housing a Brotje oil-fired CH unit. Stone-lined well of 15 cubic metres of spring water with pump supplying drinking water to the kitchen.

Land
The house and garden area, occupying half a hectare, is surrounded by approximately three hectares of pasture and features a pond fed by a spring bordered by a black bamboo thicket. Centenarian trees include magnificent cedars, horse chestnuts, limes and yew. The driveway of mature lime trees leading to the house is planted with several thousand daffodils. A gravelled forecourt, 14x8m, framed by a low stone wall approaches the main entrance. Beyond the north facing terrace is a walled area, 18mx8m, surrounding an oval swimming pool, 10x5m. The pool house resembling a pigeonnier houses the salt filtration system.

NB Some fine pieces of period furniture, soft furnishings, etc. and other equipment for sale by separate negotiation.

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