Traditional
stone farmhouse and converted stone barn with separate private gardens
with patio, and shared use of courtyard swimming pool.
Available separately for 6-8 people, and up to 6 people, or can be booked
together for larger groups. Pets welcome.
Located in historic chateau-village just 5km from busy market town of
Condom, amid rolling Gascon landscape of armagnac vines and sunflower
fields. Bikes provided for guests use. Tennis 5km, choice of leisure
lakes within 10km, excellent 18-hole golf 20km. Airports at Bordeaux,
Toulouse, Pau or Bergerac all within 90 minutes'
drive.
Le Tilleul is a restored farmhouse where original features have been retained
as far as possible, and where modern comforts are successfully combined
with tremendous character. Throughout the house, there are exposed stone
walls and beamed ceilings. The ground floor is fully tiled, while upstairs
are exposed wooden floors.
The gite offers holiday accommodation to sleep up to 8 people in comfort, plus cot if required. A double bedroom overlooks the rear garden, and boasts highly polished original wooden floorboards, and a stone fireplace. A large attic bedroom with 4 single beds is ideal for children, and has 2 windows looking out over the garden and the quiet lane. On the ground floor, a double sofa bed in a quiet alcove screened off from the living room, sleeps a further 2 people.
The huge farmhouse dining kitchen has a lovely open fireplace with wood-burner stove. A big dining table comfortably seats 8 people. The kitchen area is fully equipped with everything you could need, and 4-ring gas hob, separate electric fan oven, microwave and a large fridge/freezer. French windows look out over the garden and patio with teak garden furniture. The garden is level and mainly grass, and offers plenty of space for relaxing in the sun, or for a game of badminton or boules. At the far end of the garden, a large children's climbing frame with slide is available for younger guests use. A separate spacious living room with hi-fi and TV / VCR / DVD player (selection of videos/DVDs provided) overlooks the pool. Large bookcases in the living room offer a collection of local guides, maps and a range of reading material. A fully tiled white bathroom is located upstairs, and there is a WC on the ground floor. A utility room just behind the kitchen houses the dishwasher and washing machine along with full laundry facilities.
The
salon
The
kitchen
"The best equipped house in France we have ever stayed in." Jennifer, Essex
The
kitchen
The
sitting area with fireplace
The
BBQ
On the fully-tiled ground floor the cosy dining kitchen is fully equipped for up to 6 people. A washing machine is provided in the integral garage. Off the kitchen is a huge newly fitted all-white shower-room. To the other side of the kitchen, a passageway leads to a small bedroom with bunkbeds and a built-in vanity unit.
A magnificent oak staircase with terracotta tiled treads leads upstairs from the kitchen. The large attic bedroom has shuttered windows facing north, south and west and is furnished with a large double bed, and bunk-beds (which can be separated if required). There is a sitting area set around an open stone fireplace with 2 comfy armchairs and a sofa. TV and VCR are available for watching a selection of videos provided for guests use.
Glazed doors in the kitchen let in plenty of light and on one side open onto the large terracotta paved terrace and brick-built barcebue. On the opposite side, the kitchen door opens onto the courtyard area and swimming pool.
"...
the spec was of a very high standard which we appreciated little things
like a welcoming pack, a local phone, DVDs and videos, plenty of play
equipment for the kids set it apart from previous gites we have rented.....
we would not hesitate to recommend you to our friends." Julian,
Kent
The gites are located on 2 adjacent plots (inside blue boundary line) within the village of Larressingle, and just outside the castle walls (shown in purple). While sharing a central open courtyard with swimming pool (heated on request), each gite also has on the opposite side, a totally separate private garden and patio with furniture and barbecue (as shown in plan).
The swimming pool is 8m x 4m and a constant depth of 1.5m with steps across the full width at one end. It is a chlorine-free system, using salt-water, and can be heated during cooler months (subject to an additional fee). A current machine is installed enabling swimmers to create a variable current to swim against for those who want a full workout. The pool area is fully waved with warm terracotta tiles, and there is ample space at one end for sunbathing on the teak sunloungers.
The properties are bordered by a quiet country lane in an overall peaceful and relaxing setting.
"The
village is a delight and the location within it perfect."
Julian, Kent
The
shared saltwater pool with steps across the whole width
The
pool is a constant depth of 1.5m
"Thank you for a lovely holiday ... the pool was lovely ... the house was very well equipped, everything we could have asked for." Paula, Warwickshire
Historic Interest: The Chateau de Larressingle is on the doorstep, as is the hands-on museum of Medieval War Machines. Your chance to fire enormous "rocks" across the countryside! Pont d'Artigue perfectly preserved bridge dating back to Roman times is only 15 minutes by foot. Séviac (3km) remains of 4th century Gallo-Roman villa, with remarkably well-preserved floor mosaics and a general exhibition offering an insight into life in a luxury country villa in Roman times. Condom Cathedral, dominating the town centre. Also the Armagnac Museum, and daily boat trips on the River Baise. Fourcès, unusual round bastide town, the only one in the Gers, with beautiful shady "square", good restaurants and bars. Montréal du Gers, ancient hill-top bastide village has a Gallo-Roman museum with guided visits. La Romieu, imposing 14th century hill-top collegiate with quiet streets around, and a couple of nice bars to savour the surroundings. Flaran, abbey buildings and gardens (Abbaye de Flaran) with guided visits of this 12th century Cistercian monastery. Lectoure, Gallo-Roman city with lots of atmosphere and plenty of shops and bars. Photographic exhibitions during high season.
Recreation: There are many bases de loisirs (leisure parks) in the area. The nearest at Montréal du Gers (10km) is a natural lake, with water slides and a sandy beach. At Gondrin (15km) is a huge man-made outdoor pool, with bumpy slides and corkscrew slides. There are separate swimming areas for young children, the slides, and an enormous area with a raft where you can also sail inflatables, as well as a large playground. Further bases de loisirs are at Lislebonne (near Mézin, 10km), Barbotan les Thermes (20km) which also has an open-air splash pool, Lectoure (Lac des Trois Vallées 25km) and more. All good places for a game of boules, badminton, beach volleyball etc. At Condom there is an outdoor public swimming pool, with a full set of diving boards and a grassy area for sunbathing.
Horse-riding at Escalans (20km), Poudenas (15km) and Les Ecuries d'Armagnac
at Valence sur Baise (30km) also offer guided hacks (in English) out into
the hills. Tennis courts available at Condom, Eauze and Gondrin.
Golf de Guinlet (18 holes) at Eauze (15km), beautiful, wooded course
- said to be the best in the area
Mountain biking: various routes around the area, bike hire at Mézin
and other places. Karting, quad bikes, light aircraft all available
at Caudecoste (50km).
