Characterful colombage farmhouse with pool

Villa Roche is an antidote to city life. It is very private, away from it all in beautiful countryside but close to a village with a bakery, bar and convenience store. Nearby are medieval towns, chateaus, vineyards and swimming lakes. It is nestled in rolling hills and has 1-1/2 acres of gardens replete with fruit trees (figs, cherries, walnuts) and a private pool. You’ll love our place because of the light, the starry skies, outdoors space, and the peace. It is a great house for families. The downstairs is open-plan living divided into four areas: a sitting area, with TV and a wood burner; a dining area with table for six people; a snug area with sofas and another wood burner, and a study area with a desk. There are big high ceilings in the main room. It leads on to the kitchen, which is a converted barn. Exposed beams are a feature of the colombage-style property throughout. A utility room plus a bathroom, a WC and shower are located off the kitchen to the rear. There is a double bedroom at the bottom of the stairs in the main part of the old house, plus a WC under the stairs. Upstairs are three further bedrooms and a family bathroom. The largest bedroom upstairs contains twin beds plus a roll out sofa bed and a travel cot). The second largest bedroom upstairs has a queen size double bed and an en-suite shower room and the smallest room has a bunk bed plus a single sofa bed. The house is ideal for two families sharing. There are low beams upstairs so mind your head! Outside is a terrace leading to a swimming pool, another terrace at the back which gets the sun in the morning and more than an acre of gardens to explore plus the countryside beyond. There is a wood beside the house but it is not our land and belongs to the local farmer and should not be explored without his permission. The whole house There is a local property manager Demu is a small village on the N124 with a bakery (closed on Tuesdays), a bar, a church and a petrol station. The nearest towns are Vic Fezensac, which is less than 10 minutes' drive and is famous for its bull fighting, Friday market and the Tempo Latino salsa festival in July, which involves three days of partying. Eauze, in the other direction, is a pretty medieval town with a cathedral, market and a lovely square for tasting Armagnac. Other nearby towns include Marciac, famous for its international jazz festival that celebrates its 40th anniversary in July 2017 and Lupiac, the birthplace of D'Artagnan. It is very peaceful - Gers is one of the least densely populated départments in France, there is no heavy industry and no autoroute passes through so consequently it has some of the cleanest air in all of Europe. And the skies are full of stars as there is no light pollution either. You need a car. The house is a 70-80 min drive from Toulouse airport - head straight out west, following signs for Auch, on the N124. Stay on the N124 past Auch (do not go into the town) and head for Vic Fezensac. Alternatively, it is about 2 hours' drive south from Bordeaux or a 2-hour drive north from Pau. For babies: there is a travel cot plus a fitted sheet and a high chair. Please note: You will be in the middle of the countryside - there are insects. If you leave food out, or don't sweep the kitchen floor, you will attract flies and ants. Remember to close the shutters after breakfast and you will keep in the cool and keep the insects out. Nature is everywhere. We think this is a good thing but it is rustic. It is also a 350-year-old house - it is not perfect. We think this is part of its charm.