A private hamlet,

sheltered from the world

We find ourselves somewhere between the Gers, Lot-et-Garonne and Tarn-et-Garonne. A blurred frontier, as is often the case in the countryside. Dunes and Miradoux are close by and, truth be told, it’s hard to imagine prettier villages. Agen is half an hour away. Paris, a little further.

Around? Nothing, except calm.
Eighteen hectares: meadows, fields, woodland, a river. Silence here is never absolute, since the birds insist on singing. But it comes close.

Calling this a house would be too simplistic. It is a hamlet. Private, of course. With a small chapel as its only neighbour. Some come here to marry. It’s easy to understand why.

The hamlet is reached via a track you might miss if you weren’t warned. It leads only here. That, in itself, is a sign.

First impressions

The property is most surprising.

First, the vast stone barn, which we walk alongside. A gate appears, one almost hesitates to cross it. Then, the dovecote. Firmly and theatrically set on its pillars.

Within the grounds lies a world of its own. The house sits at the end of the drive. Not demonstrative. More a presence. It watches rather than reveals itself. The symmetry of its façade carries a quiet elegance.

The porch welcomes us. Let’s step inside.

Inside the main house

Impressive, certainly, but without excess. An entrance hall of a kind rarely seen now. Both understated and majestic.

Doors on either side, like promises. Sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, corridor… it takes a moment to find your bearings.

At the far end, an opening onto the terrace overlooking the landscape, the pool, the river, the woods.

The house is double. So large it is, in fact, two.

To the left: two bedrooms, a large sitting room, kitchen–dining room, a bathroom and separate toilet. And even a sauna, because why not.

To the right: a large living space with its own kitchen, four bedrooms, three shower rooms with toilets as well as an separate toilet. Nothing is done by halves.

Each their own space, each their own rhythm. A large family, friends who stay longer than planned, ageing parents or slightly rebellious teenagers… here there is space for everyone.

The grounds & outbuildings

Outside, the scale of the property is not immediately apparent. Hundreds of rose bushes await their bloom. Above, the trees stand watch. Rooted there for decades, they have seen more than seasons pass.

Meadows, woodland, a wandering river, open horizons. It is vast, yes. And more importantly, it remains so.

The 18 hectares of pasture surrounding the property lend themselves naturally to horses. A lunging ring, water points – everything is already in place. Nothing here has been forced, and the land has not been treated for over thirty years, giving it a rare quality today. It’s plain to see that horses would thrive here.

Garage. The word does not do it justice.

A large stone building, solid, settled, unquestioned. The timber frame, proud and slightly intricate, makes an impression without seeking approval.

Guest cottage

Before the gate, there is a smaller house, discreet. A large open-plan living room with kitchen and dining area, two bedrooms, a shower room. The essentials, simply done. More space to host. Without intruding.

And then, behind a heavy wooden door, the rest: six hundred square metres. Nothing less. For entertaining, storing classic cars, or even, why not, a game of badminton.

An immense space, filled with light, the old beams a constant reminder of times gone by. Even the toilets would rival those of many restaurants.

There is also the pool, suspended above the landscape at the rear of the main house. Recent, waiting for games and laughter under the summer sun.

Finally, the dovecote. Impossible to ignore. Firmly set on its nine stone pillars, self-assured. It has stood the test of time, and some might call it romantic.

Technical details

Central heating via pellet boiler. Fireplace, wood-burning stove.

Septic tank

Three wood-burning stoves

Two open fireplaces

Well with pump

24kW photovoltaic panels

What I would do if this property were mine

Yes, some aspects of the property might feel a little dated. This is not a property taken from last week’s design magazine. But that hardly matters. Everything is here, in perfect working order. All that remains is to leave your mark. A matter of taste, of time, of paint and tiles. Nothing essential. Nothing urgent.

Who this property will suit… and who it may not

It will appeal to those looking for more than a house. To those who seek space, not just in square metres, but in breath. To those who enjoy hosting, without feeling overrun. To those with projects, family, artistic, or simply the desire to live differently.

It will also attract those who appreciate places that already exist, with history, structure and coherence. Those who prefer to adapt rather than transform. And, of course, those for whom calm is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Who might it not suit?

Those seeking interiors perfectly “on trend”, ready to be photographed tomorrow.

Those uneasy with even relative isolation.
Here, silence makes itself known.

Those wanting something simple, compact, easy to manage. A place like this asks for a degree of care. And a taste for spaces that breathe.

Finally, those who need everything defined in advance. Here, there is still room to imagine. And that is not for everyone.