Au Chicot

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Farmhouse |4 bedrooms |Sleeps 8

Condom in Midi-Pyrenees

From £1100 per week

7 nights minimum stay

Changeover Thursday

4 out of 5

1 review | Write a review

Key info  Swimming pool, beach or lakeside relaxation, balcony/terrace, car essential, private garden, no pets allowed

About the home

Nestling equidistantly between Biarritz, Bordeaux and Toulouse, in the Midi-Pyrenees region of south-west France, Au Chicot was converted sympathetically by American architects from a rustic Gascon farmhouse, barns and stable. It is now a delightful, light, spacious, well-planned and very comfortable home. It has a private heated swimming pool, and a rare bonus is that its beautiful, unspoilt and far-reaching views can be appreciated while you lazily splash, and from nearly every room! Sunrises are soothingly pretty, sunsets are spectacular, and the night skies are a star-gazer's dream.

Au Chicot sits neatly at the head of a plateau, on three acres of land, and surrounded by fields of sunflowers and maize, and vineyards. Sleeping 8 + baby, the house has 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and stunning character features such as exposed stone, beautiful beams, solid wood floors, high ceilings and three fireplaces. Complementing these is a careful mix of French country antiques and quality contemporary pieces. You'll feel relaxed here.

Though in a tiny hamlet, Au Chicot offers the perfect retreat for those seeking total peace and privacy. The views are very special: there's not a pylon in sight, and the landscape is one of gently rolling hills, dotted by trees and the occasional farmhouse, and the village of Cassaigne (home of a prominent Armagnac château) across the valley, and illuminated at night. Cars are a rarity here, and the only sounds you'll hear will be those of crickets, a bee, the faint whurr of a tractor, or closer to home, happy splashes, pages turning, or corks being popped! A place to rest and unwind!

Commerce? Mouchan (5 mins) for your bread and croissants. There are several larger villages plus the pretty town of Condom within 8 - 10 mins . It's on the River Baise and business centre for the Armagnac industry. As for things to do, there are heaps to suit all ages and tastes without it becoming a military exercise! Four of France's officially listed 'most beautiful villages' are within 20 - 30 minutes drive, there are lakes with sandy beaches, waterchutes and pedaloes, rivers for fishing or canoeing, many excellent golf courses, water parks, including Parc Walibi, a major theme park (35 mins,) a thermal spa (20 mins) for some pampering, museums, antique and bric-a-brac shops galore, Armagnac châteaux and wine producers to visit, for tours and tastings.

Year round, the Gers is perfect walking country and the main St Jacques de Compostela pilgrim route through the region is just a few kilometres away. And of course the area attracts cyclists, so BYO, or hire them from the cycle hire shop in Condom. Painters and photographers are drawn to the Gers for its beauty, enchanting little bastide (fortified) villages and clear air. Foodies will find a market somewhere nearby every day of the week, and Au Chicot's kitchen will supply everything you need and more to cook up a storm. Or, there is a surprising number of excellent restaurants within 30 minutes or less, as well as those offering the more simple, traditional hearty Gascon fare, based on duck and foie-gras, at very low cost.

In the summer in particular, the region is alive with festivals, (including the internationally renowned Marciac Jazz Festival,) night markets, concerts, and exhibitions. Scroll down for extra information and be sure to visit our website for even more, including floorplans to help you plan your stay, and photo gallery for lots more images of the house and area!

Facilities

Further details indoors:
There are two large bedrooms on each floor, and all have spacious built-in wardrobes. Au Chicot, although not ideal for wheelchair users, is suitable for those with limited but fairly independent mobility, having two bedrooms on the ground floor with en suite facilities, which also makes it perfect for two families sharing. Some of the ground floor rooms are linked by a single step. Two bedrooms have triple aspect and stunning views, the twin rooms (which can be made into double if required) have pretty views too.

The salon, our pride and joy, is a wonderful area to wine and dine - the super table and chairs comfortably accommodate 10 - or simply to relax with a really vast range of books (both fiction and non fiction), videos and DVDs to please most tastes, CDs, plus games and jigsaws which you'll find in the old armoire. Satellite and French TV are accessible. Keen cooks will find all they need in the lovely kitchen-breakfast room, with pretty table and chairs seating 6, and a second sofa and TV/DVD/CD player, so no squabbles! Just a few steps away through the French doors, and you're on the terrace where there's a range of herbs to pop in the pot. Two full-sized fridge freezers are supplied, one being housed in the utility room, which adjoins the kitchen. There is a total of 4 bathrooms, 2 on each floor: en suite showers etc to 3 bedrooms, and a separate family bathroom (bath with shower over) on the first floor. Downstairs WC too. Finally, there's a sturdy cot and highchair, steriliser, travel cot, baby bath, changing mat, stairgate and blender. Small humans just love it here too!

Further details outdoors:
Au Chicot is approached along a gravel drive, bordered by a laurel hedge, on the other side of which is a tiny orchard and shady picnic bench. The building is L-shaped, in the angle of which is the terrace, dotted with big tubs of white geraniums. Parsely, sage, rosemary and thyme grow there too, plus basil and mint! Just off the kitchen and salon, the terrace has a teak table and chairs seating 8, parasol, Weber Q gas BBQ, and a ringside seat to those panoramic views.

Beyond that and across the lawn stands a huge, beamed, open barn, with storeroom for sunloungers, recliners and cushions, offering shade for table tennis, (an excellent quality table is provided, plus equipment), or badminton - set also supplied.

Just down a little slope from there is the 11m x 5m heated pool with Roman steps, underwater lighting, windable safety cover, and tiled area. Read, mess about, or breathe in the brilliant sunsets, while you sample Floc, the local aperitif and a blend of young Armagnac and grapejuice - delicious. In the still of the night, mellow after a good meal home or away, with the Château de Cassaigne illuminated in the distance, and a scattering of lights in the hills and valleys to remind you you're not quite alone, stargaze... A glass of Armagnac to send you to bed with, and oh dear, there's more of this tomorrow!

Further details

Please note that our normal changeover day from June to September is Thursday, to allow our visitors to benefit from cheaper mid-week air fares and crossings. However, flexibility eg Sat to Sat is possible for those short breaks - eg for HALF TERM and EASTER (UK) school holidays, so please enquire. Bedlinen and towels including hand- and tea-towels are provided, pool towels by request. Cot linen and blankets are also supplied. Our caretakers are willing to visit for mid-week or mid-stay spruce-up by private arrangement, and an excellent catering service is available locally. The heated swimming pool is open from mid - May to the end of September.

Conditions

In late June, and July/August, 2-week bookings are given priority over requests for single weeks. A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total rental cost is payable at time of booking. The balance is payable 8 weeks prior to the holiday start date, together with a damage deposit of £200 per week of stay, refunded promptly on departure. If booking after 8 weeks prior to the holiday start date, the full amount should be enclosed, including the returnable damage deposit. Euros are also accepted; the currency will be converted at the time of booking. Rates include delivery of clean linen/towels at the end of each week, electricity etc, but exclude non-local calls - or logs, if used. For printable booking form, plus terms and conditions, please see our personal website.

Photos

 

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Au Chicot, your holiday home in magical Gascony

 

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The 11m x 5m heated pool and its beautiful backdrop

 

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Beamed bedroom 2 with stunning views on 3 sides

 

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The kitchen: all you need to chef-it-up ...

The Midi-Pyrenees / Gers region

Au Chicot is in the Gers department, forming the major part of the old historical region known as Gascony, home of D'Artagnan and the legendary Three Musketeers. It is also the world centre for Armagnac production. Just a level (1km) stroll away between vines, is the beautiful Château de Busca-Maniban, a prominent Armagnac producer. It is regarded as the finest example of 17thC architecture in Gascony, and you'll be welcomed for a tour and tastings.

The weather here is generally sunny and Mediterranean from May to August (average 28C), peaking to temperatures in the mid-30's in July. August remains hot, with the occasional short-lived storm. April and October are pleasant, with an average of 22C, whilst late May and early September are warm and swimmable. Winters here are short, with cold snaps at times, and, just to keep us guessing, sometimes quite warm.

Gascony was described by famous Algerian writer Abert Camus as Tuscany in miniature, having the highest concentration of bastide villages - around 100 - in France. Unspoilt by motorways, mass tourism and major industry, it has a rich heritage, an exquisite landscape, superb climate, great regional food (duck confit, foie gras and croustade to name a few) and wine, and natives who are friendly and welcoming! Once you've sampled real France, you won't want to leave.

The Condom area

Condom, (8 - 10 mins) whose heritage reflects the power of the former bishops and the wealth created by the Armagnac trade, is a delightful, rather elegant town on the River Baïse and the historical capital of the Armagnac region."Peaceful without being too sleepy, charming without being prettified.” writes The Observer;" “an old traditional town in the best part of France,” The Guardian claims. Visit its Musée d'Armagnac for an insight into this fiery brandy's history (dating back 700 years) and production. The River Baïse, once used for transporting and trading Armagnac, now provides a waterway along a 60 km route through rolling valleys and woodlands. You can choose a theme-based gastronomic boat trip, or hire a license-free boat from the port.

This section would be incomplete without mentioning a second museum, the result of efforts by the enterprising mayor of Condom, who decided to capitalise on Condom's name! The Musée du Préservatif was opened in June 2005, originally as a temporary exhibition. It remains, and is open daily during the summer only, offering a light-hearted look at 'safe sex' products.

Condom's largest annual event is the Festival International de Bandas in May which draws amateur musicians from all over South-West France's for 48 hours of music and ambience. Not for the faint-hearted however!

Take the time to explore Condom's lovely streets and alleys, gently winding toward the river. Overlooking Condom's main square is the imposing Gothic Cathédral de St Pierre with its 16th century cloisters. Surrounding it are 18th century merchants' houses, large Armagnac mansions, wineries and cellars, boutiques, bars, an excellent butcher's, fishmonger's, fruit and vegetable shop, delicatessens selling fine regional produce, and the charming Librairie Gourmande, a bijou cafe/bookshop. Of course there are also numerous restaurants, from pizzerias and crêperies to the stunning Michelin starred La Table des Cordeliers, housed in an 18th century chapel.

There are two decent sized supermarkets, one each side of the river, and markets on Wed and Sat. Fill your basket with your selection of fresh local produce then linger at a cafe for a coffee and watch the sea of locals stocking up, catching up and drinking up!

How to get there

Au Chicot What's nearby: Attractions Restaurants Click map icons for more information

Reset Map

See photos for map of area and transport links. Au Chicot is just 2 hours from the Atlantic beaches and the ski stations of the Pyrenees. The Gers is bordered north and east by the A62 motorway (Agen exit 7), and by the A64 motorway (exits 10 Pau or 13 Tarbes to the south). From Calais, the drive is around 9.5hrs, and from St Malo, 7hrs. Nearest airports serving Au Chicot are Toulouse 1.5 hrs, (Easyjet, Flybe, BA,) Tarbes/Lourdes 1.75 hrs (Ryanair,) Pau 1.5 hrs (CityJet from London City,) Bordeaux between 1.5 - 2hrs (BA,) and Bergerac, Biarritz and Carcassonne, 1.5 - 2.5hrs (all served by Ryanair) - and more! There are also excellent rail links from the north to Agen via TGV, with one change at Bordeaux.

Please check our personal website for comprehensive transport information.

Activities near Condom

Reviews

Review: 1 to 1 of 1

13 Sep 2011

“A very special place” We have just returned from a week at Au Chicot and although we had seen the photographs and read the other visitor's reviews, Au Chicot absolutely blew us away! The house itself is absolutely... more

Review: 1 to 1 of 1

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Guestbook for Au Chicot

• On arrival my sister, there ahead of us, exclaimed "it's incredible!" The house has been restored lovingly and decorated classically and beautifully and everything is impeccably maintained. It is surrounded on all sides by beautiful views of vineyards and fields. It is private and quiet, yet only a few minutes from Condom. We couldn't have asked for more gracious hosts. An amazing stay.(We're drinking our Busca-Maniban Armagnac to remind us!) IC, Palo Alto, CA, USA

• Having recently returned from an idyllic 3 weeks at Au Chicot, we’re already dreaming of our next trip. Gascony was everything we hoped for and the house is absolutely stunning - impossible to do it justice either in words or photos. I don't think it would be possible to get any closer to the dream we all have of French country living! DH, London, UK

• It is always a pleasure when a house exceeds its description. Au Chicot was one of the most atmospheric, comfortable, and well-sited houses in which we have ever stayed. It was hard to leave this magical place within the rural paradise of the Gers. RG and PG, St Augustine, FL, USA

• We've very much enjoyed staying in this lovely house. The tranquillity and fabulous views (unsurpassed by any other house we've stayed at) have been a special bonus in providing a welcome break from frantic London life. We are very sad to be leaving, and hope to be back - Mr and Mrs G M, London

• Thanks for providing an absolutely wonderful place for us to have our holiday. We all had a great time, and loved both the house and the surrounding area (especially the views). It was so refreshing to go somewhere still un-blighted by tourism, and really feel part of the French countryside. I've never been to a house so well catered for. Everything we needed was there, which I think is amazing. I would have no hesitation in recommending your lovely house to friends and family, and hope Chicot continues to delight its visitors the way it did us" - Mr and Mrs M W, Surrey

• A lovely week - what a fabulous house, the situation couldn't be prettier or more peaceful and the interior is just stunning. The kitchen's been a huge hit - lots of wonderful meals have been prepared here and greatly enjoyed by all of us. Our baby Louisa slept through for the first time in 9 months, and cut her first tooth!" - Mr and Mrs A E, Saffron Walden, Essex

Rental prices

Prices for group size 8
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
	31 Mar 12	28 Apr 12	1100£ 1100	0-	0-	1 Week
	28 Apr 12	26 May 12	1200£ 1200	0-	0-	1 Week
	26 May 12	2 Jun 12	1400£ 1400	0-	0-	1 Week
	2 Jun 12	9 Jun 12	1500£ 1500	0-	0-	1 Week
	9 Jun 12	15 Jun 12	1600£ 1600	0-	0-	1 Week
	21 Jun 12	28 Jun 12	1800£ 1800	0-	0-	2 Weeks
	28 Jun 12	12 Jul 12	1900£ 1900	0-	0-	2 Weeks
	12 Jul 12	29 Aug 12	2100£ 2100	0-	0-	2 Weeks
	1 Sep 12	8 Sep 12	1800£ 1800	0-	0-	1 Week
	8 Sep 12	15 Sep 12	1700£ 1700	0-	0-	1 Week
	15 Sep 12	29 Sep 12	1500£ 1500	0-	0-	1 Week
	29 Sep 12	27 Oct 12	1300£ 1300	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

Euros also accepted, at the exchange rate applicable at time of booking. Rates include towels (but not pool towels) and linen, utilities and local phone calls, delivery of clean linen/towels at the end of each week, and final clean. A welcome pack is also provided. Logs, if required, are available but not included.

Outside the main summer season (mid-June to end Sept inc) FLEXIBLE CHANGEOVER DAYS possible: please enquire, including October 2011 and May 2012 Half Terms Sat - Sat.

Priority is given to bookings of 2 weeks or more from mid-June to mid-Sept, but it is still worth enquiring if a single week interests you and we show availability.

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Availability notes:

Au Chicot is not available to rent between November and the end of March.

Contact the owner

* Required fields Please check the following errors: First name * Last name * Email *   Did you mean ""? Yes / No Phone number Arrival date Departure date   Ignore calendar - enquire anway No. of adults No. of children Message * Email me special offers and holiday ideas T&Cs

5 years listed You are contacting Jane Bennett Landline +44 01763 838183 Mobile n/a Web Visit site Languages spoken The owner is based in the United Kingdom and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2006. This farmhouse has received 1 review from previous guests.