18th Century Gascon cottage with private pool and large grounds

Cottage in Gers, Midi-Pyrenees, France: Peyrouat is a pretty, spacious and private 18th century cottage among rolling sunflower fields. The cottage has been recently renovated to include all modern comforts whilst maintaining many original features such as stonework, beams and fireplace. The private grounds are very extensive and include many old trees, a shady orchard, open land for playing games and, of course, the private 11x 5 metre swimming pool. There is a very large sunbathing terrace and a further covered terrace with barbecue for dining, all south and west facing so extremely sunny right into the late evening. The surrounding undulating countryside is very peaceful, planted with sunflowers, vines and wheat. Medieval bastide villages abound: the nearest, Montréal, is 6 kilometres away.

Food and Wine: We are surrounded by Armagnac producers and excellent Côtes de Gascogne, also nearby St.Mont, and Madiran. Gascony is foodie country - confit and magret of duck and goose, foie gras, melons from Lectoure and prunes from Agen are found in the many local markets and restaurants. Great spot for gourmets.

Tourist Attractions: Local medieval bastide villages such as Laressingle and moated Fourcès. Historical monuments such as Roman Seviac or the Abbaye de Flaran. Attractive towns, such as Condom, Lectoure and Auch, within easy reach. Day trips to the pine forests and Atlantic surfing beaches of Les Landes; to Biarritz, the Basque region (and Lourdes) or the Pyrenées. Toulouse and Bordeaux are also within easy reach.

Activities: Within 10 minutes there is a golf course at Guinlet (18 holes). Also tennis, horse-riding, boating on canal and river at nearby Condom, and several pleasure lakes closeby. Peyrouat lies on the Camino Real, / Chemin de St Jacques, the ancient pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostella. Many modern pilgrims still walk this route today, and it is an easy walk to Laressingle or Montreal from the house.