Laspagueres is a rare combination of very comfortable country house and superb family holiday home, suitable for children of all ages and fully equipped to be enjoyed throughout the year. You will approach the house up a winding tree-lined drive to arrive at the mulberry tree shaded parking area. From here, you walk under a rose-covered pergola to the kitchen terrace – glancing across the wide lawns to the brilliantly sited swimming pool (16m x 6m, shallow end 1m deep and children’s all round, with diving platform at the deep end). The pool has curved steps along one long side, overlooking the wide valley of the river Arrats to the distant tower of Mauvezin church (3km). Mauvezin (3km) has an excellent market on Monday mornings, partly in the grand ‘place’ and partly under the C14th mediaeval hall with its massive original timber beamed roof. There are banks, chemists, a supermarket, wine shops, bakers, butchers – everything you might want! Laspagueres is a mid-C19th stone-built Gascony farmhouse, stylishly converted by the present owners into a modern family home. The spacious kitchen was once the stables and the huge covered summer terrace once the hay store. There are panoramic views across rolling countryside with oak woods and fields of sunflowers. The house is designed to be enjoyed through the long Gascony summer, with terraces and shady sitting areas, an outdoor summer kitchen and dining room, and space to enjoy any number of outdoor games! Inside, the main ground floor rooms all have tiled floors and are grouped around an internal courtyard with a flowing water rill that acts as a natural cooling agent. Internal and external spaces flow easily into each other and there is ample room for a house party of twelve (or ten adults and four children).
From the east terrace (which overlooks the swimming pool) French doors lead into the kitchen - this is stylish, well lit and very well-equipped with a large central breakfast ‘island’. A few steps lead down from the kitchen to the main living room, a very light, double height space with French windows facing east and north, a big open log fireplace, tiled floors, stone walls and the original timber beams. This indoor living room in turns ‘flows’ out to the huge north covered terrace, which has an outdoor living area, a large dining area, space for hammocks and a ping-pong table. This north terrace leads in turn to the outdoor summer kitchen and dining room, complete with gas BBQ. In summer, you will live on this north terrace and from it you can walk a short distance between olive trees to the pool terraces, with the fabulous view opening up in front of you.
From the kitchen in the other direction you pass the children’s playroom, with TV, DVD player, books, games, and computer terminal with internet access (wireless on ground floor) and games console - the occasional rainy day will not be a problem for a family with children! Beyond the playroom is the winter dining room (seating up to 16) with sitting area and another large open fireplace – a great room for a big family party! In fact, with the open wood fireplaces and full under floor central heating, Laspagueres really does work throughout the year – and for children of any age. As well as the playroom, pool, football table and ping-pong table, there are four bicycles of different sizes (more can be hired), a badminton set, ‘boules’ set, two football goals on a large lawn, trampoline, swings, tennis racquets (court 1km) and a magnificent tree-house (to be used at tenant’s risk).
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The accommodation in Laspagueres is arranged to suit different combinations of tenant. Tucked away on the ground floor but accessed from the kitchen area is a double bedroom with ensuite walk-in shower room with adjacent WC. This bedroom is away from the other bedrooms and would suit grandparents or a nanny. Next to this room is a separate, large shower room and large WC with huge shower area, suitable for wheel chair use but without special equipment, which can be used by anyone. Also on the ground floor, beyond the winter dining room, there is a group of three bedrooms (2 doubles, 1 twin) sharing a large bathroom with enormous walk-in shower. Up the stairs leading out of the kitchen area, there is a very large double bedroom with sheltered private sun terrace and ensuite bath/shower room, and a further bedroom which can be arranged either as a twin or with bunk beds for four children (this room does not have its own bathroom, so uses the downstairs separate shower room). Adjacent to the kitchen is a large utility room with larder type fridge/freezer and clothes washing and drying machines. The kitchen itself is the centre and hub of the house. It has a gas/electric range cooker, double sink, dishwasher, fridge, twin bottle fridges and ample work surfaces; six people can sit at the island breakfast table. |
