The following information has been added
by the owner of this property:
The Area This is ancient Gascony (now called the Gers), France's least developed and least populated Departement - land of d'Artagnan; Armagnac; foie gras; sunflowers; hot summers; temperate winters and an abundance of wildlife. The area abounds with beautiful old Bastide Towns such as Mirande with its Country Music Festival, a 25 minute drive and Marciac, world-famous for its 2 week Summer Jazz Festival, 45 minutes. Auch, the capital of the Gers, is less than 20 minutes away - a wonderful medieval town crowned by its famous cathedral at the top of the vast stone staircase climbing up from the river Gers. Auch is also home to one of France's most famous chefs - Andre Daguin presiding at his Hotel de France. If Andre's prices seem a bit steep, try the 9 Euro menu at the Hotel de France in Seissan - 5 courses inc. wine!!! On a more practical level, on the outskirts of Auch you will find many famous names of French shopping - Carrefour, Leclerc, Intermarche etc. - very useful!
Local Activities The nearest 18 hole golf course is the 4,635 metre Par 67 'Golf d'Auch-Embats' just outside the Cathedral town of Auch, about 30 minutes drive. The views are stunning and so is the food! Another course worth visiting is Chateau Pallanne, currently 9 holes but with plans to enlarge it soon. There's horse riding about 20 minutes away. Two tennis courts by the lake 10 minutes away in Seissan. Water skiing, sailing, windsurfing on the lake at Marciac. Marked walks all around (Guide Leaflets supplied in the house). Fishing in local lakes and rivers. River Boat hire at beautiful Condom, about an hour's drive - & much, much more - just ask us.
Further Afield 'Lalanne' is a 1 hour drive from the Pyrenees, 1 ¼ hours to Spain, about 2 hours to Biarritz on the Atlantic coast, the same to the Med. The nearest airport is Toulouse, just over an hour away. It's perfectly feasible to drive to the Pyrenees in the morning for some stunning walking - then have lunch in Spain, buy some cheap gin or brandy and return home in time for a swim and dinner. In winter the nearest (and one of the largest) Pyrenean ski resorts is just 1 ¼ hours drive - so day trip skiing is very easy. You can even get to the Costa Brava in under 3 hours. This area of Gascony truly combines peace, beauty and tranquillity with amazing accessibility.
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Lamaguere, Seissan, near Auch, Gascony (Gers)
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sleeps maximum 8
'Lalanne' is a lovely old country Manoir dating from about 1750, sympathetically restored to provide a very comfortable holiday home (260 sq m) in really outstanding rural surroundings. It sits on top of a cote in its own 65 acres of rolling pastures and copses with stunning views to the Pyrenees. It sleeps up to 8 in 4 spacious bedrooms. There's a large farmhouse kitchen/diner with a huge pine table, very well-equipped cooking area & useful adjoining utility room. The period lounge comfortably seats 10, has satellite TV/video &. a CD/tape player. French windows from the kitchen lead to a shady, covered outdoor dining area with barbecue. The 6 x 12 metre solar heated pool adjoins the terrace of the old porcherie, with plenty of seating, sun-beds & more welcome shade.
The 3 family bedrooms each have a king size double bed & a full size single bed. The double bedroom has a king size bed and ensuite bathroom with shower, WC & washbasin. This bathroom can also be accessed without entering the bedroom. The second bathroom has a full size bath, huge walk-in shower, WC, washbasin & bidet. All rooms in the house have electric wall heaters. The kitchen & lounge also have large wood-burning stoves. The 6 x 12 metre solar heated pool (& shower!) has Roman steps & the depth is from 1.05m to 1.80m. It has a non-chlorine water treatment system. Sun-beds, chairs, tables & a large umbrella are supplied for the terrace. NB The pool is unfenced as is the pretty pond teeming with goldfish (look out for the heron!)
'Lalanne' is situated on the outskirts of a tiny hamlet which only boasts a Mairie, the Village Hall, the Boule Pitch and a 7th century fortified church. Yet it is just 8 or 9 minutes drive to the small market town of Seissan with a Bank, Post Office, 2 Boulangeries, Boucherie/Charcuterie, 3 Bar/Restaurants, Petit Casino Supermarket, Pharmacie, a Presse Tabac, various other little shops and the large Friday morning market. It is also only 20 minutes from Auch, the capital of the Gers.
