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Our cottages offer the ideal base
for long term rental in this region of SW France, whether you are:
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The
cottages are located in the medieval fortified village of Larressingle,
which boasts the best preserved 13th century castle in this area of France, and
is often referred to as the "little Carcassonne of the Gers". The
cottages are just outside the castle walls, less than 50m distance. The village
is one of the stops on the Saint Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage route.
The bustling market town of Condom is just 5km away and offers all amenities, including a choice of supermarkets, banks, restaurants, and (in response to rising demand) a growing number of estate agents! As sub-prefecture to the Gers department, Condom is very much the focus of the surrounding area and has a cinema, a theatre and plays host to many regional cultural events.
If you are house-hunting, prices in this area of SW France are still very reasonable and Larressingle is well-positioned for exploring the so-called "golden triangle" formed by Condom, Lectoure and Fleurance. This area of the northern Gers, with its network of medieval bastide (fortified) villages and links back to Roman times, continues to be the most popular region within the Gers department.
Both cottages have been fully restored to a high standard in recent years, while making every effort to retain the original character. Thick stone walls and ceiling beams are exposed throughout. Most windows have been replaced with close-fitting hardwood frames, and all have been fitted with replacement shutters in the original style. Modern convenience is ensured with newly fitted oak kitchens, as well as fully tiled white bathrooms. All the electrics have been replaced and rewired, offering sufficient power points for modern living.
Le
Tilleul (the lime tree)
Downstairs
the floors are terracotta tiled for practicality, while a wooden staircase
(uncarpeted) at the back of the living room leads upstairs where the floors are
polished wood (original floors retained in master bedroom).
A wood-burning stove in the ancient stone fireplace provides plenty of heat to the farmhouse kitchen, and it can be stoked up to keep burning overnight. The rising heat is channelled to the bedrooms upstairs through the clever use of a "cage" partway up the staircase. The attic bedroom, being directly above the kitchen, is kept particularly cosy in this way. Additional oil-filled electric heaters are provided in the living room and bedrooms, and can be moved around as required. In the winter months, it is natural to gather in the kitchen, close to the fire, and heavy curtains can be drawn across open doorways to keep the heat in. A hot-air heater is installed in the bathroom. The large capacity water heater is powered by electricity.
Le
Figuier (the fig tree)
is the former barn and has been
converted to provide a bright dining kitchen on the ground floor, and a large
studio bedroom with sitting area upstairs. The kitchen is fully equipped and
includes a 4-ring gas cooker, fridge with freezer compartment, kettle and
cafetiere for making coffee. There is also a telephone in the kitchen.
In summer, the cottage is let to groups of up to 6 people, but for off season use we would suggest it makes an ideal base for 2 - 4 people. All rooms of the Le Figuier have windows on the south-facing (garden) side which catch the afternoon sunlight. This creates a warm and bright interior which is particularly pleasant in the winter months.
The studio bedroom has a large double bed with wrought iron frame, and further bunkbeds (if required). A large sofa and 2 armchairs make up a comfortable sitting area around the open stone fireplace. TV with integral radio, a video and DVD player are provided along with a collection of videos and DVDs. Satellite TV connection provides a range of English language channels, including BBC World and CNN.
A small bedroom on the ground floor (currently with bunkbeds) can alternatively be used as a study / office, and has a wash-basin fitted in one corner. A spacious shower-room, with wash-basin and WC is located on the ground floor. The washing machine is installed in the integral garage accessed directly from the kitchen. Full details are available on the main web page for Le Figuier, with internal photos in our extensive photogallery.
Throughout
La Grange the floors are ceramic tiled, and terracotta tiles make up the treads
on the splendid oak staircase leading from the kitchen up to the studio.
There is a wood-burner insert in the traditional stone fireplace in the sitting area upstairs which is the main source of heat which can be stoked up to keep burning overnight. Oil-filled electric radiators are available for cold weather. Bottled gas or paraffin heaters are used downstairs while there is a hot-air heater installed in the ground floor shower-room. A hot-air heater is installed in the bathroom. The large capacity water heater is powered by electricity.
To enquire about availability and
monthly rental charges for either of these cottages,
please
click here to email the owners.
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The Gers
department in the Gascony region is the most rural area in all of France, and has remained relatively
undiscovered by visitors to the South of France. Increasingly, visitors are
coming to appreciate this as one of the last areas of France unspoiled by
tourism, and foreign influence. The area is still very much French, and the
local people continue with their rural way of life as they have done for
centuries past. Here you will not find every other person speaking English,
Dutch or German. Nor are there long traffic queues to get through bottle-necks
in narrow town streets.