Aquitaine in the Hautes Pyrenées

Accessed by a long, private, tree-lined drive and well-positioned in its own 72 hectares of land, with over 2kms of frontage to the River Adour, is this 200 year old maisonde maître with far-reaching views over its own land, lake and swimming pool. The south façade faces into a large courtyard which is entirely enclosed by the house, the outbuildings and the ornamental gates. This courtyard is a particularly appealing feature.

The land consists of 38 hectares of agricultural land (DPU) and 34 hectares of woodland and popular planations which form a protective ring around the estate. The land is in one parcel.

Although the estate enjoys complete privacy it is within walking distance of a bustling, small market town with most facilities, including doctor, dentist, schools, supermarkets, a lively weekly market and a good selection of small shops, bars, restaurants and a hotel.

Accommodation: House - 400m² over 2 floors. Outbuildings - 1150m² + first floor.

House

The property actually comprises two maisons de maître which have been amalgamated to form one large residence. The resulting house is spacious and full of period features, including two splendid staircase. One of the houses is older than the other but they blend into each other perfectly.

Ground Floor

¨     A tall wooden door opens into a large hall, 7m x 7.5m, with an impressive staircase, tiled floor, 2 windows and an ornamental plastered ceiling with a height of 7.3m.

¨     Doors open into the library, 5.7m x 5m, with marble fireplace, ornamental overmantel, 2 windows giving a lovely view over the parkland, and an arch into the salon.

¨     Salon, 5.2m x 5m, with parquet floor, marble fireplace, ornamental ceiling, 2 windows and a pair of French windows overlooking the park, the swimming pool and the lake.

¨     A tiled servery links the salon with the dining room.

¨     Dining room, 6.4m x 4.4m, with terra-cotta tiles, window, French window and original display cabinet.

¨     Kitchen, 5m x 7m, with tiled floor, exposed beams, large open fireplace and a range of kitchen units in lime-washed wood, incorporating hob, double sink, extractor, oven, dishwasher and refrigerator/freezer.

¨     Rear Hall with second staircase, old oak door to the front facade, terra-cotta tiles, exposed beams and window on half landing.

¨     Staff sitting room, 3.7m x 5.4m, with window, beams and large fireplace.

¨     Utility room, 5.4m x 2.3m, with old sink, window, wall of cupboards and points for all machines.

¨     Winecellar, 5.4m x 1.2m.

¨     2 cloakrooms.

First Floor

¨     Elegant main landing with 2 large windows.

¨     Main bedroom, 7m x 6m, a lovely room with carpeted floor and two windows overlooking the park. 

¨     Bedroom (2), 4.8m x 3m, with window, carpet and display shelves.

¨     Bedroom (3), 5m x 5m, with carpet, fireplace, window and washbasin.

¨     Bathroom(1), with bath, basin, shower, bidet and separate wc cubicle within the bathroom.

¨     Bedroom (4), 4.7m x 5m, with parquet floor, fireplace and 2 windows looking south into the courtyard.

¨     Bedroom (5), 5m x 5.2m, with parquet floor, marble fireplace, 2 windows and 1 French window overlooking the park, pool and lake.

¨     Communicating with bedroom (5) is bedroom (6),  5.5m x 5m, with parquet floor, marble fireplace and 3 windows overlooking the park, pool and lake.

¨     Bathroom (2), with shower, basin, twin basins and separate wc.

Second Floor

¨     The second floor is divided into two convertible lofts, each 10m x 10m.

Integral Outbuilding

¨     Adjacent two-storey outbuilding, 33m x 10m.

¨     The loft of this outbuilding, 33m x 10m, has 20 windows, impressive beams and is accessed from the landing of the main house.

¨     The ground floor of the outbuilding has been partially converted into an apartment.

¨     Apartment:

¨     Salon, 4m x 9m, with tiled floor, 3 windows and a French window.

¨     Large bathroom/laundry with shower, basin, wc and points for all machines.

¨     Nice kitchen with fitted units, long, tiled work surfaces, 2 windows and a double sink.

¨     Two bedroom3.6m x 4.6m, and 4.7m x 4m.

¨     A third bedroom, 4.5m x 4.5m could also be created.

¨     Private apartment garden.

¨     The remainder of the ground floor of this outbuilding is used for storage but there are blocked-up doorways which could link it to the staff sitting room and the wine cellar.

Courtyard Outbuilding

¨     Originally these outbuildings, 55m x 15m, were a C13th abbey. The arched openings are still in place. The old façade has been extended but the archways, on ground and first floor level, are intact and they could be restored to their original state. This outbuilding would make splendid stables.

¨     There is a first floor.

¨     There are signs of these buildings having been used as accommodation in the past.

¨     One end of the courtyard is enclosed by a high stone wall with a large gate.

¨     The other (east) end is formed by a wall and a substantial former pig/hen house - typical of the region.

¨     The fourth side is enclosed by the house and the attached outbuilding.

Separate outbuildings

Outside

¨     72 hectares of land.

¨     Swimming pool 12.5m x 6m (about to have an alarm system installed).

¨     Small pool house for garden storage, pump, filtration system, etc.

¨     Ornamental lake - one of several scattered about the property.

¨     More than 2kms of river frontage, providing good fishing.

¨     Large terrace leading from the library and the salon.

¨     Irrigation system for the agricultural land operated from a pump house.

¨     Lovely tree-lined drive.