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Chateau de Lartigolle is in the middle of unspoilt Gascony countryside but only 50 minutes drive from elegant, cosmopolitan Toulouse, France's third city, with its modern international airport, and 10 minutes from the ancient city of Auch (the capital of Le Gers) with its beautiful 15th Century cathedral, bustling twice-weekly country market and a spoiling choice of over 50 restaurants and cafés. The nearby village of Pessan has some local facilities, but Auch itself has two huge super-markets, an 18 hole golf course, an airfield with hot-air balloon flights, museums, galleries, boutiques, wine shops and, of course, shops selling every sort of Gascony food. Gascony is renowned for its Armagnacs and wines, its melons and foie gras, and there are many excellent local producers of both. The owners of Lartigolle would be pleased to arrange winery visits/tastings if you wish, or anything else that would make your holiday more enjoyable. An elegantly restored 18thC chateau in an 11 hectare (25 acre) wooded estate, set high up on a hill with wonderful views over idyllic countryside which has everything: superb facilities, great comfort, immensely stylish interiors, wonderful views and, of course, great cooking - it's a pleasure trip for all ages! Gascony is renowned for its rolling countryside of oak woods and sunflowers, its food, wine and Armagnac, its small mediaeval hilltop villages, wonderful local markets, and warmly welcoming people: this is ancient 'Occitane', the romantic country of Troubadours and Musketeers! Visitors come to Gascony today to enjoy its deep sense of 'well-being' or 'bien-être'! Lartigolle is situated in the very centre of Gascony and the chateau breathes from every stone this feeling of well-being. Whether yours is a large family party, several families together, or a group of friends, Lartigolle can offer up to 24 of you practically anything you might want on holiday. Outdoors, as well as the tennis court (surrounded by vineyards, orchards and ancient woodland) and 16m swimming pool (on a sun-trap terrace with spectacular views down an endless valley), there is ample space for games: a trampoline, table tennis and boules, and the owners (who live on site) will organise golf, horse riding, quad biking, canoeing, canyoning, rafting, treetop adventures, paint-balling, fishing and shooting - you can be as active as you like! And, in winter remember that Lartigolle is only an hour's drive from the excellent and un-crowded Pyrenean ski resorts. Indoors, the choice is just as good: a full-size snooker table, a 'baby-foot' table. a Steinway mini grand piano, a music system and huge CD selection, a well-stocked library, a children's room with toys, SKY TV and DVD player...and whatever level of service you would like, from complete self-catering to having the two resident chefs prepare delicious, freshly cooked dinners, using fresh local ingredients and complemented by excellent local wines. Eating in summer is usually in the chateau courtyard under the chestnut trees, but can also be in the grand salon (dining room) with vast double doors at each end, looking east over the courtyard and west down the valley below the chateau. Accommodation Lartigolle has six luxurious en-suite double bedrooms, a large studio bedroom for six children and two smaller double bedrooms with private bathrooms in the chateau wing. As well as the 'grand salon' or dining room, there is a large sitting room ('Club Room'), the 'petit salon' (music room), the library, snooker room, and the children's 'chill room'; plus there is a large, professionally equipped chateau kitchen in which superb Gascony food is produced, by you or by the Lartigolle chefs. On the Ground Floor, there is a double flight of stone steps up to an impressive double, glazed front door, leading into the enormous dining room which is at the centre of the chateau. This room runs the full depth of the house from east to west, with glazed doors and fine fanlights at each end. This stylish, spacious room sits 24 in great comfort, redolent with the welcoming memories of many happy feasts! Throughout the ground floor, the cool high rooms are lit by tall windows reaching to the ceilings, and one room flows easily into the next with original tiled and wooden floors complemented everywhere by touches of contemporary flair. On one side of the dining room, on the east front, are the snooker room and children's sitting room and on the other side, the music room, library and large sitting room. In the southwest and northwest corners are luxurious double bedrooms, with walk-in shower rooms brilliantly installed in the round corner towers of the chateau. Adjacent to the dining hall is the stair hall, with a very fine original curving wooden staircase sweeping up to the First Floor. Double bedrooms in each corner with walk-in shower rooms set into the round corner towers and two other large, double bedrooms, one with two extra beds so known as the 'family room'. These bedrooms, like the two on the ground floor, are each individual and different but linked in style by hand-printed wallpapers and an inspired combination of antique and contemporary furniture and pictures. Along the upstairs corridor, double doors open into a vast 'studio' bedroom, or children's dormitory, with space for six children to sleep with a round tower shower room. The courtyard is full of flowers, shrubs and trees and most meals are eaten here in the shade of the chestnut trees; then the poolside covered terrace, from which you step down three-sided 'Roman' steps into the pool. There are lots of other sunny and shady places ideally placed to enjoy evening drinks while watching the sun set. Central heating throughout (supplementary fuel charge in winter). Pets are not allowed but babies and toddlers are welcome and baby-sitting can be arranged. Staff The owners of Lartigolle are also the house-keepers who will look after you during your stay. They have carried out the brilliant renovation of the property to its present use and live on site in the chateau 'wing' and the stable block - they are the designers and deliverers of your Lartigolle dream. If you want to take Lartigolle at the basic rent on a fully self-catering basis, they will welcome you into an immaculately prepared house but then leave you in complete privacy - but you have two hours a day of maid service included in the rent. Then there are various levels of extra service, up to a fully (and brilliantly) catered holiday providing you with meals you will remember for a very long time.
Distances Pessan (local café and facilities) 5 minutes drive
Auch (departemental capital, fine cathedral and medieval town centre, shops, markets, restaurants, super-markets, golf course) 10 mins drive
Toulouse International airport 50 mins drive
Toulouse City centre (excellent shops, galleries, museums, restaurants) 60 mins drive
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