Beautiful 18th century propertyclose to Mauvezin
Period Property
This country estate dates back to the 18th century and sits in an impressive plot of three hectares of land.
It is important to note that the land belonging to the property is not sub-let to farmers and is free from any form of contractual agreement with any third party, so that the future owner may use the land in any way he chooses. The land is currently used as prairie for the owner’s horses. The three hectares sold with the property are ideal for anyone with horses, or anyone seeking total privacy from neighbouring homes.
- Mauvezin
All measurements are approximate
EPC - Energy Consumption
kWh/m².year
GHG - CO₂ Emissions
kg CO₂/m².year
It is also of interest to note, at a time where buyers are increasingly worried about the use of pesticides around their home, that the fields immediately surrounding the property belong to a local landowner who, as a passionate advocate of organic farming, has ensured the preservation of an area of natural beauty for as far as the eye can see.
The property itself will appeal to anyone seeking a period property in rural South West France. Between the two main buildings (the main house and the barn which is converted to a guest house) there is a total of nine bedrooms.
This property sits in a private backwater, close to the popular market town of Mauvezin and
within easy reach of Toulouse international airport. It is also a short drive to many of the popular tourist towns of the Gers such as Lectoure, Fleurance and St Clar.
The property is filled with characterful features and has been restored in a sympathetic manner, providing a comfortable home requiring little, if any, work. The roofs have been restored and both the main house, the guest house and the outbuildings are in immaculate condition.
Built in the traditional Gascon style, the main door to the farmhouse opens onto a large central hallway, which bisects the property, South to North, with spacious outdoor terraces to both sides.
On the ground floor there is a comfortable reception room with an open fireplace in white stone, a library (beautifully fitted) a downstairs kitchen/breakfast room and a dining-room. The floors are a warm colour of terra cotta and are original; the thick oak beams have been lightened to create a soft and gentle interior. The ambiance is gentrified and although it has kept its period features it is not “rustic”; nor is it dark as so many local farm houses can be.
The current library opens directly onto the old “chai”. Further use may be made of this impressive old building, by the creation of a large reception or billiard room. Such an extension would be technically easy to achieve (with a declaration of a change of usage for the building at the local town-hall and other permissions necessary) since there is already a door in place to link the farm house and the chai, and the current owners have created a flight of beautiful stone stairs to link the two. The conversion of this space is further facilitated by the existing doorways and window openings already in place in the Chai with a sound roof above.
To the rear of the property there is a laundry/boiler room, a veranda and a North facing terrace for shade, overlooking a pleasant copse of trees.
On the first floor of the main house there are five spacious bedrooms, two with en-suite bathrooms, and a family bathroom. The upper floor benefits from the same wide Gascon hallway as we find on the ground floor.
The property has large terraces to the front and rear, facing North and South, and providing pleasant areas of shade throughout the year for outdoor dining.
The guest house is divided into two levels, with the upper level offering an immaculate home for a gîte or a private appartment for an extended family. On the ground floor there is a spacious reception room of 65 m2, with a boot /saddle room for riders, and a large atelier. On the first floor of the guest house there are three bedrooms and a separate shower room/WC, as well as a large room of over 50 m2 currently used as a study, with fabulous views to the surrounding countryside and windows on all sides, but which could equally be used as a fourth bedroom. This room has a magical quality appearing to float above the horizon, with far reaching views and a contemporary feel.
I come here to work when I need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main house,” the current owner tells me, “and it’s an ideal vantage point from which to survey the horses and land.
At a discreet distance from the house there is also a tennis court, and a swimming pool – an additional advantage for anyone wishing to run a chambre d’hôte or gîte. This property provides a perfect country residence for a large family.
It is ideal for anyone wishing to farm, or own livestock, but also for buyers seeking the peace of a rural retreat in the heart of the Gascon countryside within easy reach of Toulouse. The spaciousness of the property, with the additional living accommodation in the guest house, would allow for the creation of gîtes or chamber d’hôtes.
Here at Bliss
Here at Bliss we particularly enjoyed the views and size of the land. Walking around the property with the owner it was magical to see his horses grazing and to know that the land around is not only entirely private, but organically farmed – something we are passionate about here at Bliss.
Gascony is fast becoming the first department in France to promote organic culture and there are many organic shops and local farms to buy organic produce around the area, which makes healthy living in the area possible.
We also love the relaxed yet elegant feel of the farmhouse, and the many original floors and fireplaces.
We appreciate the possibility of an extra income should the property, or guest house, be let in the summer. The tennis court and pool being an obvious advantage.
It is also an advantage that the guest house and main house are separate ensuring privacy from guests. From the many family photographs shared by the owners, it is easy to see what a wonderful home this has made for generations of children. For anyone in search of an idyllic location for a perfect childhood, not to mention a pony or donkey or two (!) for the children, it would be hard to find anywhere lovelier.
More images…
Click images to enlarge
