Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Maison Dehes was the farmhouse which belonged to the fortified tower with which it shares a hilltop, looking out over the valley of the Auvignon. The area is entirely rural crop growing, and you should see hares, red squirrels, kites, deer, and much more - all without leaving the garden. The house is 10 minutes walk from the bastide village of Gazaupouy, with tennis and a restaurant, a 5 minute drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of La Romieu, and 15 minutes to the town of Condom with a riverside park, Cathederal, weekly market, banks, and shopping facilties. Visit the Abbey of Flaran for art, and the Chateau of Montluc for alcohol.
The house has been restored to look absolutely traditional from the outside, including the blue shutters which are characteristic of the area. However, internally the house is very modern, with large en-suite bathrooms to each bedroom, a sitting room with an open fire, and a large dining/family room. The kitchen is open plan to the family room, and has all new appliances. The family/dining room has double french windows opening onto the patio (teak garden furniture and BBQ). The garden and swimming pool can be lit at night.
Maison Dehes
Sitting Room
The Swimming Pool
Dining Room and Kitchen
The Midi-Pyrenees / Gers region
The very thinly populated Département Gers is situated in the South-West of France between Dordogne and Pyrenees and between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The Gers originates from the French Revolution when in 1790 the province of Gascony was subdivided. The Gers is now part of the region Midi-Pyrénées. There is hardly any industry in this departement but you will find an almost untouched landscape with a magnificent scenery of sloping hills and valleys with splendid views as far as the Pyrenees.
The Gers offers magnificent sightseeing, walking and biking trips through the inviting vineyards of the Armagnac. There are a lot of tourist attractions such as visits to medieval castles, abbeys, cathedrals and fortified villages where still the presence of d'Artagnan the Musketeer lingers. The Gascony region is famous for its culture of wining and dining and all sorts of musical festivals - including the world renowned Jazz at Marciac.
The landscape is almost entirely rural, with many trees, and is accessible through the well signposted public footpaths. This landscape provides a haven for a wealth of wild animals and birds which it is now rare to see in the UK. This region is relatively undiscovered by tourists - even in the height of summer the roads are largely deserted - but with much to find.
The weather is very hot and sunny in the summer, with virtually no chance of rain. Spring and Autumn are beautiful in the region, with temperatures significantly above those of the UK, but it can rain. The winter is generally mild, with afternoon temperatures comfortably above those of the UK and sunny days but the nights and early mornings are significantly colder because of the lack of cloud cover.
Condom area
Condom is an relaxed place to visit with a fine Cathederal and an interesting port. There is a park and a circular riverside walk crossing by the weir. From the port you can take a cruise on a restaurant boat down the river Baise. It is also possible to hire a small motor boat, or to canoe. There is a good selection of shops, cafes, and restaurants and a market on a Wednesday. Also a cinema, and a concert hall / theatre.
From the house itself there is a 10km circular walk through farmland and rural roads, or you can walk to the village of Gazaupouy which is a small Bastide. Nearby is the UNESCO heritage site of La Romieu. Do not miss a tour around the church. There is also an interesting walk which takes you past the arboretum and then out in a circle through the countryside and back to La Romieu. There are many walks in the area - my favourite starts from Seviac, where there are the remains of a Roman Villa on show with some marvellous floor mosaics. The local tourist office carries a selection of excellent books detailing these walks, with maps and points of interest.
Abbey de Flaran is a fine building and exhibits a world class collection of art on loan from a local collector. There is also the opportunity to attend evening choral concerts. During the season there are many musical events on in the local villages.
Horse racing is popular in the area and there is always a weekend meeting at one of the local tracks. If you can ride yourself there is a local equestrian centre run by an Englishwoman which offers escorted rides into the countryside. If you prefer something less rural try the motor racing circuit at Nogaro - motorcyles, cars and lorries.
Also, do not miss the stained glass windows in the Cathederal at Auch or a trip on the local scenic railway.
Anyway, those are some of the things I like about the area. Or you can just sit by the pool with a view over the valley to the rolling hills beyond and watch the world go by..................
How to get there
You can fly to Bordeaux or Toulouse from many places in the UK. It is less than 2 hours (mostly motorway) from either airport. We usually take the ferry to St Malo and then drive, which takes us around 6 hours. From the Channel Tunnel it is a full days drive, either via Paris, or via Rouen and then Le Mans. Both routes are nearly all half empty motorway, but the Paris ring-road can be very busy at times.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Toulouse: 110 km
Railway:
Toulouse: 110 km
Ferry:
St Malo: 663 km
Activities near Condom
Sports: Tennis in town Horse Riding
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Log fire, DVD player, Private outdoor pool (heated)
General:
Central heating, TV, Video player, Telephone, Satellite TV
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