La Maison Des Harmonies

The owners of this wonderfully converted 4-bedroom farmhouse in Gascony have opened their doors to allow discerning holiday makers to exclusively experience the character and beauty of their home and swimming pool, located within a glorious estate with views of the undulating Gers countryside.

Just a short cycle ride or drive to Marciac, home of the famous summer jazz festival, the main house at Maison des Harmonies combines historic charm with contemporary design. Once a farmhouse in the 1700s, a 21st century sculptor brought the building back to life taking great care to preserve its heritage whilst adding architecturally unique features such as the modern staircase and mezzanine level. The home’s current owners took over the project just a few years ago, landscaping the glorious grounds to create an idyllic retreat steeped in history.

Enter the 4-bedroom farmhouse through the impressive entrance hall which leads straight through to an elegant dining area and cosy lounge with French windows opening out to the covered terrace. A high-ceilinged classic yet modern kitchen also awaits with a stylish kitchen island and Wi-Fi controlled pellet burner to create an ambience of warmth, alongside an adjoining TV lounge. Upstairs, beneath the eaves, find four delightful bedrooms, each one named after famous singers, alongside three en suite shower rooms and a family bathroom. We especially love the master bedroom with its king-size double and large window allowing light to flood in to the room.  

For more than 8 guests, the adjoining 2-bedroom villa is also available to rent alongside the larger farmhouse, allowing the estate to sleep up to 15 people across both houses. The smaller villa's open-plan lounge and dining area features a Smart TV with French, British and International channels and doors leading out to a terrace for al-fresco dining or a glass of local wine with a beautiful outlook. The kitchen is brilliantly equipped whilst there are two bedrooms, one with a double and a single, the other with two doubles, alongside a good-sized family bathroom.

Rest assured that when the larger farmhouse is booked alone, the smaller villa will not be rented out separately (although there is a small possibility that the hospitable yet very discreet owners may be present).

Sit beneath the covered terrace for al-fresco meals with family and friends or take a stroll across to the gorgeous swimming pool and its raised dining terrace with the most idyllic vistas towards the gentle hills of Gascony, a region known as the ‘Tuscany of France’. Find a pretty spot for a glass of Armagnac or wine from nearby vineyards (Saint Mont and Madiran are half an hour away) and take a walk around the large natural pond within the one-hectare estate.

It's just 5km to reach the charming town of Marciac – why not make the most of the estate’s two electric bikes to grab croissants and fresh bread in the morning. As well as its huge main square, weekly market, atmospheric cafes and welcoming restaurants, Marciac is renowned for the ‘Jazz in Marciac’ festival that takes place over three weeks from late July and attracts big-name artists and visitors from across the world.

Meanwhile, enjoy long walks, cycling and horse-riding through the Gers countryside, visit some of the region’s historic market towns and picture-perfect villages, or venture south to Tarbes and Lourdes in the Hautes-Pyrénées in the true heart of southern France.

Features:

1) Main Farmhouse only (4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms) - 8-person price
2) Main Farmhouse and smaller villa (6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms) - 15-person price

Main Farmhouse Interiors (295m2)

Ground Floor

-    Entrance hall with staircase
-    Lounge with open fireplace and doors leading to covered terrace
-    Dining area
-    Kitchen, well-equipped including kitchen island, American fridge, double oven, dishwasher, pellet burner (Wi-Fi connected) and doors leading to covered terrace
-    TV lounge
-    Cloakroom

First Floor (via contemporary curved staircase)

-    Landing overlooking entrance hall below
-    Mezzanine area with desk overlooking kitchen below  
-    Bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite shower room 
-    Bedroom with double bed and en suite shower room
-    Bedroom with double bed and en suite shower room
-    Bedroom with double bed
-    Family bathroom with bath tub, sink and WC

Some of the double bedrooms feature low ceilings and dormer/small windows

Smaller Villa Interiors (120m2)- only included in the 15-person price

-    Open-plan lounge/dining area with sofa, TV, dining table, desk and French windows leading to terrace with pool and lake views
-    Kitchen (via step), fully-equipped including dishwasher, fridge, oven, microwave and coffee machine
-    Bedroom with double bed and single day bed
-    Bedroom with two double beds and library
-    Family bathroom with bath/overhead shower, sink and WC

Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (8.5x4.5m) with safety alarm. Open approximately May to end-September
-    Raised poolside covered dining terrace
-    Poolside covered drinks terrace
-    Covered terrace for al-fresco dining (next to the main farmhouse's kitchen/lounge)
-    Landscaped grounds (one hectare) with places to relax
-    Large natural pond with 120m long path around the pond
-    Terrace overlooking the pond
-    Electric adult bikes (x2) belonging to the estate

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Heating
-    Fans (bedrooms)
-    Smart TV
-    Small library
-    Board games
-    Children’s books and toys
-    Electric adult bikes (x2)
-    Washing machine and dryer

Location:

La Maison des Harmonies is set within a one-hectare estate with the most beautiful views of the Gers countryside in a region also known as the Tuscany of France. Just 5km away is the charming town of Marciac, famous for its annual jazz festival that attracts musicians from across the world.

You can make the most of La Maison des Harmonies’ two electric bikes and cycle to Marciac or it’s just a 5-minute drive to reach its historic centre. The fortified town dates back to the 13th century and is home to cafes, restaurants, a pharmacy and a good-sized supermarket as well as a vibrant market on a Wednesday morning. The famous jazz festival usually takes place from late July to mid-August – the festival is over forty years old and the town has welcomed big names in the past such as Ray Charles and Dizzy Gillespie. Lac de Marciac (7km) lies just to the north with its nature walks, carp fishing and summer pedalo hire.

The much-loved Golf du Château Pallanne is only 13km away whilst wine-lovers note that the vineyards of Saint Mont and Madiran can be reached within half an hour to forty minutes. There are various walking and hiking routes, cycling trails and horse-riding opportunities to discover, all wonderful ways to truly appreciate the undulating scenery of Gascony and beyond. Heading south, the most adventurous guests can easily reach the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Driving into the Hautes-Pyrénées, admire stunning views towards the mountains when visiting Tarbes (35km) on the Adour River, home to the especially impressive Jardin Massey, a 19th century landscaped park, and the Cathédrale Notre Dame de la Sède. Horse enthusiasts should head to the French National Monument, Haras National de Tarbes, whilst the covered market will delight gastronomes on a Thursday morning.

The fascinating network of caves can be found at Grottes de Bétharram (70km), just over an hour away, perhaps combined with a trip to Lourdes (58km) which welcomes millions of visitors every year.

Back in the Gers, Auch (52km) is the historic capital of Gascony and a ‘City of Art and History’, also the gateway to other gems of this region such as the historic market towns of Fleurance, Lectoure and Condom. If you can find the time, venture to the trio of Gers villages, Larressingle, Montréal and Fourcès, all classified as three of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ and reached in just over an hour by car.

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
£2000 (maison only/8-guest price) or £3000 (maison & villa/15-guest price) charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

Arrival time?
3.00 p.m.

Departure time?
11.00 a.m.

Energy costs included?
Yes.

Heating costs included?
Yes.

Linen & towels included?
Yes, changed once for stays of more than 14 nights.

End of stay cleaning included?
Yes and mid-stay cleaning for stays of more than 14 nights also included. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.

Pool towels included?
Yes.

Pool opening dates?
The pool is open approximately May to end-September. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.

Tax?
French Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required).

Changeover day?
Saturday in high season. Flexible during all other periods.

Minimum stay?
7 nights. All other durations on request.

Pets welcome?
Not allowed.

Smoking Allowed?
No.

Other Ts and Cs?
When the larger farmhouse (8-person price) is booked by itself, there is a small possibility that the hospitable yet discreet owners may be staying in the smaller villa next door.
Smoking - not allowed