Property- for Horse Lovers- in Sw France

Property Description

A typical Gascon farmhouse and fixtures ( built in 1883 ) sympathetically converted by local craftsmen - and women - into a spacious, comfortable and very individual 4-bedroomed family home. Due respect has been paid to the character and charm of the original buildings.

One of the many outbuildings has been converted into a stable with boxes for two horses and is adjacent to the 800 sq m. manège . The property has the advantage of a contract for irrigation water with taps serving the stable and field shelters.

The property is situated in a small, pleasant village in the rolling Gers countryside - but only a 15 minute drive to the nearest amenities of Masseube ( including supermarket, weekly farmers' markets, bakeries, banks, post-office, doctor/dental/veterinary surgeries, cinema, bars and restaurants ).   Only a little further away is the town of Mirande, sous-préfecture of the Gers.   Monday is the traditional street-market day and supermarkets include Aldi and Lidl.

The spacious 4 bed-roomed home comprises approximately 225 sq m.( ground and first floor ) with plenty of exposed oak beams throughout. Please see the floor plans for the layout of all the rooms. There are two staircases ( one in oak, the other elm ), custom-built solid and half-glazed oak doors with suffolk latches, a tiled ground floor and poplar floorboards on the first floor. In addition to the oil-fired central heating, there are two Godin wood-burning stoves,one distributing warm air to four rooms. The property enjoys four toilets, three showers and two baths.

The grounds of 2¾ hectares are arranged mostly as paddocks and include 2 field shelters and a full-sized 40m by 20 m manège. In the mature orchard are apple, pear, plum, greengage, cherry and fig trees ( amongst others ) whilst the hedgerow includes many sloe bushes, quince and damson trees !. The six walnut trees provide the necessary, not only for pickled walnuts but also for the regional speciality of walnut wine. There is a large ( well-manured ) vegetable plot beside a lawn with rhododendron and rose bushes. From most of the property there are splendid views of the pyrenees, including the Pic du Midi.

The duckpond this year is home to a very large family of moorhens.

Attached outbuildings cover some 279 sq m. and offer the opportunity for a variety of conversion options. The grounds include two former tobacco-drying barns measuring 280 sq m. and 220 sq m. approximately. The stable, some 50 sq m., is presently arranged for 2 boxes, possibility for 4.

The property is a comfortable 1¼ hr drive from the major airport of Toulouse - about the same time it takes to Pau airport and to reach the Spanish border, passing ski resorts en route. The airport of Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées is even closer. Carcassonne airport is another consideration. For those who want to let the train take the strain, the nearest railway station ( with free parking !) is in Auch, the chef lieu of the département and a gentle ½ hr drive away. The TGV network can be accessed from Tarbes, a stress-free 60 Km drive. Also worth considering is the Plymouth-Santander ferry - the Spanish town being about a 4½ hr drive away.

In the vicinity of Lagarde-Hachan are two towns famous for their foie gras, duck and goose markets.   The one in Seissan ( only 16Km away ) dates back to 1532 and that of Samatan is reputedly the largest market of its kind in France.

Mention must also be made of the internationally renowned annual jazz festival held in the town of Marciac, only 38Km away.   Recent stars  include Sting, George Benson and The Jacksons.

The selling price is negotiable. Additionally, for sale at a nominal price is a quantity of agricultural equipment; Massey Ferguson 140 tractor + implements; sit-on MF mower; brush mower; rotovator; chain saw; brush cutter; compressor; Kärcher high-power cleaner; high pressure water pump; tools etc etc etc..
Likewise a number of pieces of quality furniture & white goods.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further details.