Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or fewer) Corporate bookings
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car essential Wheelchair access Nearest amenities: 5 km
Notes:
No pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Coutin nestles in the glorious Gascon countryside - completely private yet only 5 minutes away from one of the prettiest and liveliest towns in the Gers - Aignan-en-Armagnac. Though secluded, the house is accessed through a working farm so you can enjoy seeing the ducks, chickens and geese wandering around.
This is a holiday base at the heart of probably the most rural department in France - one with a well-deserved reputation for good food, summer sunshine (temperatures can reach the upper 30s during July and August) and fantastic local wines to discover. Just 10 minutes away are the lakes of Aignan and Lupiac which offer sandy beaches, swimming under the supervision of lifeguards and small cafes.
There are, of course, plentiful restaurants and casual cafes - often serving the duck dishes for which the region is famous. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the prices as well as the food & wine.
The house
The entrance
The sitting room
The dining room
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/29730
The Midi-Pyrenees / Gers region
No longer shown on today's maps, the historic region of Gascony - at the heart of which lies the department of the Gers - is a one hour drive west of Toulouse International airport. The region is centred around the medieval town of Auch (45 minutes away), capital of the Department and famous for the real life D'Artagnan who was actually born in the nearby village of Lupiac!
Gascony is unspoilt by modern development and delightfully free from traffic and mass tourism. With a temperate climate, the winters are generally mild and the summers hot and long.
The visitor is first struck by the rolling patchwork of green countryside, dotted by ochre coloured farms with terracotta roofs. Punctuating this pastoral backdrop are fortified towns and villages with galleried arcades and market squares, dating from the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Hundred Years' War. This was the last region of France occupied by the English and these towns (or bastides as they are known) are a lasting legacy of those troubled times.
Close to the Spanish border, Atlantic beaches and Pyrenean ski resorts, Gascony has much to offer the traveller, offering the peace & quiet increasingly rare in today's world. And yet at a local level there are festivals, concerts, golf and many other leisure activities to enjoy. The excellent wines, Armagnac and cuisine, and above all the hospitable Gascon people make this a perfect place to visit.
Loussous Debat / Aignan area
First Capital of l' Armagnac, Aignan, was founded around 620 and later became one of the fortified towns (or bastides) which can be found across Gascony. Plundered and set fire to in 1355 by the Black Prince, the Romantic church of St Saturnin remains, together with others (Lartigue, Fromentas) which have now fallen out of use but still exist as picturesque ruins.
This small town of fewer than 1,000 offers all the necessary services: an excellent baker, mini-supermarket, a cafe, two restaurants, post office & chemists shop together with several antique shops, one of which is also a tea room. There is a lively social scene in Aignan in which visitors are always very welcome to participate with fairs, communal meals - great fun! - and other events.
How to get there
Closest airport is Pau (airport code PUF - about 50 minutes away) with Ryanair flights from Stansted & Bristol in the UK. Also connections to Paris with Air France. Alternatively, consider Biarritz, Carcassonne or Bergerac (about 2 hours). Nearest "main" airports are Toulouse (TLS - 90~100 minutes) and Bordeaux (BOD - about 2 hours) both with international & domestic services.
Driving time from the main channel ports is 10~12 hours. Other ports (Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo) are nearer but involve longer crossings. Santander in Spain is 3~4 hours away.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Pau (PUF): 71 km
Railway:
Dax (for TGV high speed train): 116 km
Ferry:
St Malo: 700 km
Activities near Loussous Debat
Sports: Tennis in town Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Beach or lakeside relaxation Cycling holidays
Bedrooms (5), Bathrooms (5), En suite (5), WCs (1)
Furniture:
Sofabeds (1), Single beds (1), Double beds (4), Cots (1), Dining seating for 10, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 10
Other:
Please check with the advertiser regarding linen and towels.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, BBQ, Childrens pool
Access:
Wheelchair access
Further details indoors: On the ground floor you will find a cosy sitting room with a working fireplace (plus TV, VHS & DVD); a dining room with a large fireplace (also fully functional), a playroom/extra bedroom, basic but functional bathroom (bath, basin & bidet), separate WC and a generous kitchen/living room.
This last has three sets of French windows providing access to a covered terrace and views of the garden and is fully equipped with a very large, electric oven, gas hob (5 burners), fridge, microwave, coffee machine & a generous supply of crockery, cutlery & cooking utensils. There is a large dining table which comfortably seats 8 in addition to the 6 seater in the dining room.
The all en-suite accommodation - every bedroom is at least a large double - together with the spacious kitchen/ living room, dining room and separate sitting room (with DVD/Video) makes Coutin an ideal destination for two families looking to share a property for a headache & queue free holiday!
The upstairs landing provides access to: large bedroom (double bed & single bed) with en-suite bathroom (corner bath with shower attachment, basin & WC); double bedroom with en-suite (corner bath, separate shower, basin & WC); large bedroom with double bed & space for a further single with en-suite (bath, separate shower, basin & WC) and an office.
The office leads to the master bedroom (en-suite with bath, separate shower, two basins, bidet & WC) which enjoys French windows to a balcony over-looking the garden and views beyond.
Further details outdoors: There is a large garden extending to 1.3 hectares (about 3 1/2 acres) which is mixture of lawned areas - ideal for children to play or simply for you to stop a deckchair from blowing away! - some woodland (which includes a tree house) and an area of vines.
These are table grapes to which you are very welcome in the autumn, along with the figs and walnuts.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Winter
29 Oct 09
20 Dec 09
350£350
0-
0-
2 Weeks
Christmas & New Year
20 Dec 09
10 Jan 10
500£500
0-
0-
1 Week
Winter/Spring
10 Jan 10
28 Mar 10
350£350
0-
0-
2 Weeks
Easter
28 Mar 10
11 Apr 10
500£500
0-
0-
1 Week
Spring
11 Apr 10
27 Jun 10
350£350
0-
0-
2 Weeks
High
27 Jun 10
5 Sep 10
600£600
0-
0-
1 Week
51
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
On booking a 25% deposit is charged. Full balance due 6 weeks before the start of the holiday together with a (refundable) payment of £250 for security deposit. The deposit will be returned when the house has been checked - not later than four weeks after the end of your holiday.
Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
Key:
11
12
Booked
11
12
Available
11
12
Unknown
11
12
Arrival/Departure dates
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To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/29730
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