Welcome to Au Chicot, your holiday home in Gascony
Au Chicot was recently created by architects, from the sympathetic merging of the original 18C fermette and its adjoining barns and stable. It has a private swimming pool, stunning 180° + views, and sleeps 8 + baby in four generous double, or twin bedrooms, with three ensuite 'wetrooms', a family bathroom (bath with shower over) and additional downstairs WC.
Standing on over three acres of land, this light, spacious and friendly house is situated in South-West France, in the department of the Gers (32), Midi-Pyrenees. Home of Armagnac, and the centre of the former region of Gascony, the Gers offers long, hot summers, short, mild winters, unspoilt, quite magical scenery, a rich heritage, great food and wine, and heaps to see and do. These, together with fantastic ease of access, make it the perfect French self-catering holiday retreat. You will want to return again and again. . .
Inside
Au Chicot has many lovely character features: high ceilings, truly wonderful beams, some beautiful exposed stone, solid wood floors. To complement this, it has been furnished in a deliberately understated way, using a careful blend of French antique and quality contemporary pieces. Walls are white, sofas cream, colour accents being introduced by means of rugs, pretty French quilts, cushions and prints. Almost all windows have extensive views. In summer, shutters, ceiling fans and thick walls will keep you cool, while sealed unit double glazing, modern electric wall mounted radiators, plus two wood-burning stoves if necessary, will ensure cosiness on a winter break.
The accommodation:
Two of the ensuite bedrooms are on the ground floor, useful for anyone with a mobility problem, plus affording a degree of independence for two families (4+4) sharing. There is also a separate downstairs WC. The family bathroom is upstairs. Bedrooms I and II have triple aspect and share the same amazing panoramic views; the former includes French doors to the outside. The beds are a roomy 160cms in width. Bedrooms III and IV have twin beds, which can be joined to create a 180cms ('Superking'-size) bed. They look across to the old orchard and the vines beyond. All bedrooms have built-in wardrobes, with plenty of hanging space plus shelves.
The large sitting-dining room (table seats 10) benefits from double aspect, by means of two pairs of French doors, one of which opens directly onto an attractive terrace.
The kitchen-breakfast room (table seats 6), which has tiled floors, opens onto the terrace via French doors, and has hand-painted white units, including a central island, large Smeg cooker (gas hob/electric oven), as well as microwave, dishwasher, iron, kettle etc, and full-size fridge-freezer. The adjoining utility room houses a washing machine, dryer, and second fridge-freezer. Self catering couldn't be easier: lashings of cookbooks for inspiration, plus most gadgetry that you will need and more besides! There's also a cool-box plus basic picnic equipment for your days out.
The overall feel at Au Chicot is one of simple elegance and home-from-home comfort.
Outside
Au Chicot is approached along a gravel drive, bordered by a laurel hedge. To the left is the little orchard (plum, apple and cherry trees). There is plenty of space to park cars, (or play boules?) in front of the house.
The property is L-shaped. To the rear is the terrace, where you can eat in the sun (table seats 8), and across the lawn beyond stands a huge, ancient 'hangar', or open barn; more beams! This, too, has been restored, to create a super covered area close to the pool, and has a cupboard for storing the table tennis equipment, boules set and outdoor furniture.
On the far side, trees offer dappled shade. Just down a little slope from the hangar, and 30 metres from the house, is the 5m x 11m swimming pool with Roman steps, underwater lighting and a tiled area for sunloungers.
Read, romp, or, as the sun sets, breathe in the beauty of the views while sampling some Floc - the local aperitif and a delicious blend of young Armagnac with grapejuice. Later, with a neat Armagnac or three, stargaze!
