The Site
Built in 1876, it is the principal property of the Hamlet of Mazères, known locally as the "The Château". It was the principle employer of the village inhabitants prior to World War II. Originally the property had about 300 hectares and was mainly devoted to wine growing. Today the site is 1.5 hectares, situated just next to the medieval church Saint Jean Baptiste. It is rumoured that the house was built upon an old Priory dating back to the The Knights Templers Saint Jean de Jérusalem, with three mills under its supervision. Sadly we have not been able to verify the story as yet, but no smoke without fire…
The main house
Passing through a gated arched entrance building, you enter the vast courtyard surrounded by beautiful outbuildings. On the north side lies the main house, where we live, a completely renovated Maison de Maître, with its big lawn leading to the swimming pool.
The Gîte
The building on the west side of the courtyard, turning left after the gated arched entrance, houses the Gîte. It is the old Guardian's apartment, fully renovated and expanded, on two floors. The Gîte has been tastefully refurbished, modernized with a mix of ultra modern and traditional.
The Terrace Some 12 x 5 meters, has table and chairs for 12, sun loungers, awning and charcoal barbecue (bag of charcoal is supplied) Big arched glass doors connect you to different rooms on ground floor.
Why choose Mazères?
Lying almost exactly on the Greenwich Meridian Line, Mazères is a hamlet of some 15 inhabited houses with a most unusual and magnificent fortified church - Saint Jean Baptiste de Mazères - classified as a Historical Monument. During the first part of the 12th century, the sections above the entrance and the chevet inside the church were carved by some of the best sculptors of the time who had already worked on the Saint Semin Basilica in Toulouse, the Abbey in Saint Sever in the Landes, and in Spain. An excursion in either of these directions could be worth while. The church also boasts its own stone sarcophagus with the the relics of Saint Liberata. This young saint, virgin and martyr was decapitated in the woods near by in the fifth century, as was her sister Quitterie who is being worshipped today in Aire sur L’Adour.
You will find numerous towers, fortifications, bastides and roman churches along the pilgrim route Saint Jacques de Compostelle passing us only 15 km away, in Maubourguet. Major routes lie nearby, leading us to shrines in Spain and the Pyrenees including the more recent site of Lourdes. This area suffered much conflict over the centuries and today adds fascination and imagery to ones' visit. Worth having a look at are châteaux like the one of Montaner, the donjon of Termes d’Armagnac and we must not forget that we are in the Gascony area, where d’Artagnan, a musketeer with great panache, was born.
The Wines and the Châteaux
Madiran is the local wine which has become famous not only for the penetration into the world arena but also by science, now known as the "The French Paradox". In France they used the 1999 census data to identify unusual patterns of ageing in France and found that there are significantly more men aged over 75 in the Midi-Pyrenees in Southwest France where the population traditionally drink their local Madiran wines daily. In the beautiful rolling hills of what is sometimes called “Little Tuscany” you can meander from domain to domain and enjoy the wine tasting. Only minutes away from the gîte lie the vineyards of Château Montus and the Cave with its magnificent interior. We are also in the Bas-Armagnac district with the chais’ walls darkened by the evaporation of the Armagnac - The angels’ share
Events and Country Markets
There are usually a variety of events ongoing (Jazz, Salsa, Country & Western and Wine Festivals, Horse Trails, Motor Racing, Bull Fighting, Cultural Events), especially in the summer.
There are markets in the area on all days except Sunday and Mondays, selling local and artisan produce. We are in the region of duck in all its culinary versions, foie gras, magret, cuisses confites….
In the summer this region has a great variety of events.
Festivals:
Enjoy the Country and Western in Mirande, the Tempo Latino festival in Vic-Fezensac in late July, or the well-known Jazz festival in Marciac the first half of August
Activities
The property lies in the valley with breathtaking views of the High Pyrenees Mountain range to the South, only hours by car to the center of the mountains with its variety of wildlife, walks and skiing. The possibilities are endless. The area is criss-crossed with pathways, tracks and chemins, giving access to fields, vineyards, streams, rivers, lakes, woods and forests. With plenty of wildlife you can often come across deer, boar, local coypu (a large river rodent similar to an otter), plenty of different bird varieties (this area is on one of the major migration routes). Whether you explore by car, foot or bicycle, play golf (nearby Golf Courses), fishing, microlite, enjoy a variety or restaurants - the prospects of enjoyment are limitless.
The region offers a host of possibilities only limited by your imagination. Sports of many varieties exist including fishing and salmon fishing, tennis, golf, shooting club, hunting, mountain biking, walking, canoeing, horse riding, microlite etc.
Further details
Booking Notes (+ “taxe de séjour”:euro;2 per person/night).
Additional service Bedding and Towels etc Ample towels, pillowcases, sheets and duvets covers, kitchen towels/tea towels can be provided. This service is optional at 6€ per person for the duration of the stay. Cleaning equipment and associated articles, electricity, are included for free. Cleaning of the Gîte 75.00€, or 10€ per person if there are more than 6 persons. The accommodation is cleaned and checked before any Client’s arrival and we do expect the Client to leave the property as found. Mid-week cleaning services can also be arranged in advance at €15 (Euros) per hour with a minimum charge of 4 hours per cleaner.
Welcome Pack We can supply a welcome starter food and drinks pack and we can detail a variety of options and prices.
We cannot accept responsibility or liability whatsoever for loss, injury or death to clients, third parties or their belongings resulting from their use of the gîte, swimming pool, trampoline or any other amenity provided for their use.
The SPA/JACCUZZI is available at a cost of 150.00€ per week during the summer at 35 degrees Celsius and 225.00€ per week from 1st October to 30th April at 35 degrees Celsius. (increased cost is due to the energy crisis).
Children are always under the gaurdianship and ultimate responsibility of the parents.
The gîte must be vacated by 11.00am of the day of departure, unless alternative arrangements have been made.
The gîte will be available between 16.00 and 18.00 hrs on the day of arrival, unless prior arrangements have been made.
Opening and closing of the pool cover is electric and All OBJECTS INCLUDING Toys etc to be out of the pool prior closing failure to do so can result in damage to the pool cover and loss of deposit. The opening and closing is done by a key which is out of reach of the children. The clients must not let the cover open or close beyond it’s limits as this can also can result in damage to the pool cover. Full instructions will be given upon arrival.
The client must pay for any/all damages and breakages before departing from the property. A security/damage deposit of 500€ will be payable with confirmed booking payment and this will be refunded on their departure, less the cost of any damage as above. However, the sum reserved by this clause shall not limit the Client’s liability to the Owners.
Further details indoors
Ground Floor:Open Plan Kitchen and Dining Room The Kitchen is of a modern design and new, it includes a large Gaggenau Fridge/Freezer, Meile Double oven, Dishwasher, Espresso Machine, Induction Hob, Micro Wave, fully equipped including a full selection of Le Creuset pots and pans. Kitchen bar with bar stools, a dining room with Danish Piet Heins designed elliptical table, seating 10 (at a pinch). Big arched french windows lead onto the terrace. The Sitting Room comprises two futon settees (turning into 2 double beds), two easy chairs or more if required. Flat screen television with DVD and CD players, the fireplace has a wood fired stove. Door leads onto the terrace. Stairs to the upper floor.Shower Room, Utility Room and Toilet Downstairs there is a shower room, basin off the hallway between the sitting room and kitchen. You will find the toilet, basin and washing machine off the sitting room in the utility room next to the stairs.Partially disabled and/or elderly Access Whilst the Gîte is not specifically constructed with disabilities in mind, the downstairs sitting room has 2 Futon sofa-beds that convert into double beds. With the downstairs shower, sink and toilet, dependent upon the degree of disability, this would be a suitable option for some.
Upper Floor Bedrooms Two spacious double bedrooms with double beds. Extra bed(s) and bed-linen can be supplied and there is plenty of room for one extra bed or two in each double room. One of the bedrooms is accessed via the children's room which has a double bed with bunk bed on top accommodating up to 3 children.
Bathroom - Bath/shower, basin, toilet, heated towel rail, hair drier
Further details outdoors
The Garden Swimming Pool The 12 by 6 meter swimming pool is designed with children in mind and has a shallow area of 1 meter running for approximately 4 meters, a panic ledge of 1 meter deep runs around the entire interior of the pool and the shallow end shelves gently towards the center of the pool. The pool is fitted with an electric floating semi-rigid cover controlled by a key and out of reach of children; this is believed to be a safer option than alarms and fencing.
Pool house includes sun loungers, a hot and cold shower and changing area. (Pool house kitchen, bar and barbecue are for the owners use unless by prior arrangement). Guests have shared use of the pool until 1800 hours, including all pool side facilities but use of pool can be extended by mutual agreement as we are flexible unless we ourselves have dinner guests etc. Amenities We have a quantity of bicycles for adults and bike accessories for babies to 4 years (baby seat, trailer, bike extension for small children), full size badminton court in the old stable building with a full size badminton court, table tennis, etc We also have a quantity of children and baby accessories including baby seats for cars, buggy, toys and cots which are available.
Animals and Pets There are a range of poultry including ducks, chickens, and two cats. Therefore, it is not always possible to accept pets except by prior arrangement. Also there is a possibility that horses can be liveried, but again only by prior arrangement.
