La Guitare is a unique and charming French holiday home in the Midi Pyrenees area of Southwest France. Privately owned by an English family, the house is recently renovated to a very high standard with a new heated, salt water pool. Set in rolling countryside with stunning views of the Pyrenees, our tranquil home provides a relaxing holiday in the beautiful region of Gers. The house is in a very q
uiet setting, on a no-through road, on the edge of a small village. However, it is only a short drive to the traditional markets and bakeries of the local medieval French towns as well as all the large supermarkets you might need. The farmhouse has been modernised in the last few years to provide to the highest standard of comfort including; down duvets and egyptian cotton linens. The house sleeps ten, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms, two of which are ensuite. The first floor is divided into two areas, accessed by separate staircases. There is a well fitted kitchen with range cooker and American fridge, two main reception rooms, a utility room with washing machine and second fridge and a downstairs bathroom. The main reception room is a large living/dining room (Grand Salon) with French doors to the terrace, where the second staircase gives access to three of the five bedrooms. There is a smaller sitting room, with DVDs and library, both have woodburners for the winter. Outside there is a large garden with a generous terrace beside the house leading to the open fronted barn with shady dining and comfortable seating area. The superb, salt water, 12x6m heated pool has an electrically operated cover and shallow wide steps at one end.. Beside the pool there is a large open barn with another generous sized table and chairs, as well as a table football table, ping pong, boules and a sandpit. The area around the house provides wonderful opportunities for walking, and there are many marked routes directly accessible from the house. Bedrooms and bathrooms
1st upstairs area
Bedroom 1 -140cm double bed /ensuite with bath and separate shower
Bedroom 2 - superking bed 180cm
There is a downstairs shower room
2nd upstairs area
Bedroom 3 -superking bed 180cm with ensuite shower room
Bedroom 4-superking bed 180cm
(Bedrooms 3 and 4 have zip link beds that can be converted to singles)
Bedroom 5 -2 single beds (90cm)
There is a family bathroom with bath with shower
There are 3 cots (2 travel and one wooden)
Indoor facilities
Wi-Fi, DVD player, wi-fi speaker, stereo,
Kitchen: range cooker, American fridge freezer with ice maker, dishwasher, coffee maker, utility room with washing machine/dryer and second fridge. Linen, down duvets, and cotton blankets, bathroom and pool towels provided. Fans
Outdoor facilities
Salt water heated swimming pool 12x6 metre with electrically operated safety cover
3 large outdoor tables and chairs
Teak loungers with cushions
Table football
Ping pong table
Swing set and sandpit
Boules
Cleaning and laundry on changeover days, extra cleaning can be arranged
Pool heating available
Changeovers days flexible
The local Area
Gascony is an area of SW France little known to mass tourism. This beautiful and historic area has much to explore for all tastes and interests. Wonderful local food markets celebrating fabulous fresh produce and local specialities such as foie-gras, confit duck, and local cheeses as well excellent wines from the Madiran, St Mont, and Cotes de Gascogne. A short drive from the house takes you to Mirande market on a Monday and Seissan market on a Friday. There is a bakery in the village of Clermont-Pouygilles about 3 miles away. There are good supermarkets in Mirande and Seissan. Mirande is well served a range of shops such as butcheries, bakeries and pharmacies. Shopping Highlights - The region has a great variety of shops ranging from a unique pottery in Bassoues, many brocantes (antiques and collectables) and a wonderful toy shop in Auch, to name a few. Toulouse has a vast range of shops, from designer shops to international high street chains, as well many individual boutiques. Gastronomy The region is well served by some excellent restaurants including Chateau Camille not far from the house. Moving further afield, there is the 2** Puit St Jacques near Toulouse, the 1* Le relais des Cordeliers in Condom, and Le Florida in Castera Verduzan http://www.restaurant-florida.fr/. Toulouse alone has two 2** restaurants and six 1* restaurants. http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Restaurants/Restaurants-Toulouse-31000-Haute_Garonne-
Historic towns and castles to explore would include nearby Auch with its beautiful cathedral and varied restaurants and brasseries. Another historic cathedral is situated in Condom. Not forgetting the bastide (fortified) villages of Forces, Bassoues, Montreal du Gers and Larressingle. The castles of Lavardens, to the north and the Chateau de Mauvezin to the south close to the Pyreneess are well worth a visit. http://www.francethisway.com/regions/gascony-france-highlights.php
The historic, vibrant centre of Toulouse is a wonderful place for a day trip. The Pyrenees (just over an hour away) is a wonderful place to walk in summer with well marked trails through alpine meadows full of wild flowers. In winter the closest ski resort is St Lary Soulan (48 miles - 1 1/4 hours drive). Sports & Leisure
Golf: at Auch, Massuebe, and The Chateau Pallane course at Marciac
Fishing: many rivers and fishing lakes nearby
Lakes and water parks:
Mirande - lake and Ludina water park
Castera Verduzan - lake and water park, water sports
Meilan - lake with water sports and swimming
Treetop adventure course/ paintball: 'Le Verte en l'Air' at Pavie, just outside Auch
Tennis: Clermont-Pouygilles
Nearest horse riding : 6.5 km and 7.5km
Many vineyards and Armagnac cellars are are open for tours and tastings. Specialist local food producers are also opened for tours and on-farm sales.http://www.tourisme-gers.com/gers-vacances/images-tourisme/pdf/guidetouristiquedugersuk.pdf
Airports
Toulouse (59 miles / 1hr 20mins) BA, Easyjet
Tarbes/Lourdes (40 miles / 1 hr) Ryanair from Stansted
Train Stations
Auch
