Gers - Farmhouse with 220 hectares of surrounding land

This is a rare opportunity to acquire 220 rolling hectares of mixed farmland, almost as far as the eye can see from the farmstead in the Gers. There are different varieties of vines, bio arable land for cereal production, and forests and lakes used for fishing and for watering. A well-maintained hamlet consisting of three main buildings provides the accommodation, and there are terraces and a swimming pool, a gatehouse currently occupied by the caretakers and a large shed where agricultural machinery is stored. There are also three further buildings which could be restored. Key points: A very peaceful and private location, yet only 4 kms from a village with amenities Panoramic views across the valley overlooking the land 22 hectares of vines producing both red and white wine, currently looked after by a local wine maker One fishing lake and several smaller lakes A farmstead cluster of three separate renovated houses with en-suite bathrooms A delightful jasmine and honeysuckle-scented orangery with summer kitchen and terrace beside the pool Wi-fi is connected in all the rooms. Location A gated entrance near the caretakers’ house and a track through the trees lead to the farmstead, which sits at the top of a hill and has wonderful views of the peaceful, undulating Gascon countryside. The nearest village has a good restaurant and basic facilities, and it is a short drive to the larger thriving historic market towns of Condom, Fleurance, Lectoure and Castéra-Verduzan. Motorway access is at Agen, 45 mins away, and the A62 connects to the toll network throughout France. Toulouse international airport is just over an hour away, Bordeaux slightly farther. The farmstead A small cluster of separate small houses, each one private, which have been restored with taste and charm and decorated by the well-known writer and designer Victoire de Montal-Montesquiou of Domaine d’Arton, could possibly be linked to create a large farmhouse. The biggest building has a sizeable lounge and dining room, a study/tv room, and a small fitted functional kitchen and utility area which lead to a cosy breakfast terrace, a twin bedroom and adjacent shower room and, upstairs, the master bedroom with its en-suite bathroom. Opposite this, across a paved terrace, is another building with three bedrooms, all with quite large en-suite bathrooms. The third building or orangery is across the garden and has large glass doors at either end providing lots of light. There is a fireplace, and steps lead down to a large en-suite bedroom. At the far end, a small kitchen close to the terraces and pool provides easy al fresco dining. The caretakers’ house has a large kitchen/dining room and a double aspect lounge. A central wooden staircase leads to two double bedrooms and a bathroom. The enclosed front garden is attractive with flowerbeds and shrubs. The gardens All around the farmstead, extensive lawns and lavender beds, mature trees and shrubs and the start of the vines create a tranquil , very French ambiance. Attached to the orangery is a jasmine and honeysuckle-festooned dining auvent, overlooking the enclosed heated 16mx8m swimming pool. Near the caretakers’ house is an enclosed productive vegetable garden with raised beds, and there are fruit trees and a small area with a henhouse. Outbuildings Past the caretakers’ house, off the driveway, is an open agricultural shed for tractors and related machinery with workshops at the rear and a locked store. At the farmstead, a double garage/workshop houses the garden machinery. Former workers' houses in various states of repair could be renovated to provide further accommodation. The local environment The Gers is steeped in history and there are many nearby villages, bastides, market towns and Roman sites to explore. The villages hold local festivals and all the communes have halls and sporting facilities. There is an open market in one of the larger towns almost every day of the week, and the sub-prefecture, Condom, and prefecture, Auch, offer a wider range of facilities and activities.