The beautiful 18th century “Château de Gaujac” is on the edge of the tiny village of Gaujac, and is in the Gers, the département to the west of Toulouse and part of the historic region of Gascony. This is very much an agricultural département, and is particularly unspoilt, well known for its foie gras, Armagnac and its relaxed life style. Because of its rolling, picturesque countryside, it’s often called “Little Tuscany” (‘La Petite Toscane’)
Château de Gaujac
Gaujac, Lombez, Gers, Gascony, South West France
Overview
Sleeps: 8 to 10
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
4 double bedrooms – all ensuite.
A single bed can be added to either one or two double bedrooms.
Rent per week
£2840 to £5740 per week depending on the season. Saturday to Saturday.
Detailed break down of price per week
Key features
Located in the Gers, Gascony
Swimming Pool
Extensive gardens and grounds
Superb local food and markets
Local music festivals through the summer months
Skiing in the Pyrénées
Testimonials
The House and Accommodation
The Music Room. With a sofa and armchair, a Bluthner baby grand piano with sheet music, a non-working fireplace, and two large east-facing windows through which streams the morning sun. The shutters on the window overlooking the piano should be kept closed whenever possible to protect the highly polished veneer of the piano.
The Sitting Room. Very large, with 2 generous-sized sofas, 2 armchairs, and a wood-burning fireplace. (There are logs beside the fireplaces in both this room and in the kitchen and a stack of logs in the nearby woodshed).
Dining Room. With a table seating 8, two long, east-facing windows, and a non-working fireplace. There’s a cupboard containing board games, packs of playing cards etc.
Kitchen/Breakfast & Dining Area: Air-conditioned, with a large central island, separating the kitchen area from the breakfast / dining area and, above it, racks for pots and pans. The kitchen has a Siemens induction cooker with 5 hobs, 2 Miele ovens, a Nespresso machine, a large toaster, microwave oven, weighing scales, a large fridge/freezer with ice-maker, a dishwasher, and sink. Breakfast/Dining Area has a table seating 8, an open, wood-burning fireplace, a long north-facing window, and a door leading to the Terrace.
Bedrooms & bathrooms
Bedroom 1. The Master Bedroom
Air-conditioned, with a 6-foot double bed, an armchair, a non-working fireplace, and 2 long, east-facing windows. It has its own ensuite bathroom with a bath, a hand-held shower, 2 washbasins, and a W.C.
Bedroom 2
A 6-foot double bed, 2 sofas and a west-facing window. It has an ensuite bathroom with a bath and a hand-held shower, 2 washbasins, a W.C. , and a west-facing window.
Bedroom 3
With a 5’6” double bed which can be converted into 2 single beds, a sofa, and a non-working fireplace. It has an ensuite bathroom, with a bath and a hand-held shower, 2 washbasins, windows facing north and east, and a W.C.
Bedroom 4
With a 6-foot double bed which can be converted into 2 single beds. A non-working fireplace, and 2 long, north-facing windows. It has an ensuite bathroom, with a bath, a hand-held shower, 2 washbasins and a west-facing window.
NB: all bedrooms have electric fans and hairdryers and plenty or cupboard space.
Garden and Grounds
Behind the house is a west-facing garden with a hammock. Lawns and trees of many varieties and shrubs descend to the wood at the far end of the property. The views of the countryside are magnificent.
On the other side of the little-used road at the front of the Château is a second garden – east-facing. At one end is a large ‘boules’ court which, whilst owned by the village of Gaujac (and seldom used by its residents), is available to the tenants. The ‘boules’ are kept in the Château.
A gate leads via a pergola to further lawns and trees, including a croquet lawn. These descend to a large open lawn which can be used to play football. There are wonderful views to the east, and a fine view of The Pyrénnées to the south.
There are several ponds in the garden and grounds. Parents are therefore advised to keep a strict eye on their children.
Additional buildings, terraces and eating areas
On the sheltered Terrace outside the Kitchen door is a rectangular dining table seating 8. With 2 large parasols, a door leading to the garden, and steps ascending to the First Floor of the “Dépendance”.
Beautifully framing the pool are trees, flowering shrubs and lawns, and along one side is the 2 – storey “Dépendance” on the Ground Floor of which are stored the sun beds and ancillary equipment, whilst above is a generous-sized Sitting Room with massive sofas and armchairs.
The Dépendance has a large room with a table tennis table, net, bats and balls. This First Floor is a great place to relax and for children to let off steam.
There are 8 sunbeds, a number of tables and chairs, and a large parasol.
There is a portable, charcoal-fired barbecue.
Swimming Pool
On an impressive raised terrace of its own the perfectly sited swimming pool is located just above and to the eastern end of the house. The heated and alarmed swimming pool measures 6m x 12m with Roman steps into a shallow end 1m deep and on to a deep end of 2.1m
The natural wooded hills form the natural protective boundary and shade behind the pool. Its southern side, with an infinity edge to the pool, is open to the long Mediterranean view towards Antibes and the sea. Sunloungers, deckchairs and sun umbrellas surround the pool. There is a gazebo providing additional shade and a larger terrace area forms another seating or dining area nearest to the house.
Location
“Château de Gaujac” is 6 miles from Lombez and 7 miles from Samatan (both in the same direction), and 6 miles from Saramon. All 3 have good shopping facilities including supermarket, a petrol station, restaurants and bars. Recommended restaurants in the vicinity are La Table d’Olivier, Bouche à Oreille, and Château de Barbet. Other suggestions are in the House Information Folder.
How to get there
Toulouse’s airport (Blagnac) is 40 miles. The nearest entry to the A 64 Autoroute is at Muret (34 miles).
Auch (20 miles).
Things to see and do nearby
Photography and Art
The beauty and variety of the surrounding countryside make it a photographer’s and a painter’s heaven.
Auch
the capital of the Gers, is well worth a visit, for its stunning cathedral and excellent market (Thursdays and Saturdays). Toulouse has many art galleries, museums, world-class opera and music, as well as top-quality shops and restaurants. It’s also renowned for its Space Museum, plus fascinating tours of the nearby Airbus factory.
Ski-ing
in the Pyrénées is 2-hours’ drive, Biarritz and its beaches are 2 to 3 hours’ drive
Brocantes
There are a number of “brocantes” (bric-a-brac shops) and “vide greniers” (attic sales) in the vicinity especially during the summer months
Golf
There are several golf courses in the area. The nearest is at “Château de Barbet” (9 holes), about 5 kms drive. Full details are on their website: www.golf-barbet.com
Tennis
There are 10 tennis courts in Samatan.
Horse Riding
There are riding school at Samatan, offering individual and group lessons. www.les-ecuries-massiot.fr Tel: 05 62 62 55 04
Kayaking and Canoeing
There’s kayaking and canoeing on several local rivers.
Tourist Offices
There are tourist offices in Lombez, Samatan and L’Osle-en-Dodon where much useful information can be found.
Local Markets
The best local market, taking place on Mondays, is in Samatan. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays there’s a market in Auch. On Tuesdays there is a market in Masseubes. On Fridays there’s a lovely (small) market in Simorre, whilst on Saturdays there’s one in L’Isle-en-Dodon and Lombez, and on Wednesdays and Sunday mornings there’s a charming small market in Gimont.
Bicycle hire
Bicycles can be hired from Valanciel Club in Samatan. The bicycles, with electric assistance if required, are rented @ Euros 18 per hour for half a day, Euros 25 for a full day, and with special rates for longer rentals. Tel: 05 62 62 36 64.
Monastery / Nunnery service
There’s a monastery/nunnery at Boulaur near Saramon which has beautiful sung services on a regular basis.
Music
During the summer there are high quality music festivals in the locality. Details are to be found in the Tourist Offices. Marciac has a world-famous jazz festival at the end of July/early August. Mirande has a renowned country and western festival. The restaurant Bouche à Orielle in Simorre has regular jazz and rock evenings
Lectoure
The stunning town of Lectoure has thermal baths, and a museum describing the history of wode, which made Toulouse’s fortune. Here also is the Château of the Counts of Armagnac.
Abbeys
The Abbaye de Flaran has ‘son et lumière’. Vic-Fezensac has « Corridas » where the bulls are not killed, plus a salsa festival.
Local Walks
There are marvelous walks all around the property, some indicated by signs. There are maps in the house.
Additional Information
Arrival welcome and departure: A welcome pack is provided for tenants on arrival.
Wifi and Broadband: “Chateau de Gaujac” has WiFi/Broadband internet access, plus telephones in Bedroom 1 and in the Hall.
Housebook: There is a comprehensive House Information Folder with details of recommended local shops, restaurants, markets, cultural, sporting and recreational activities plus many other suggestions on what to do and where to go in the vicinity. The folder also includes maps, brochures and contact details of local doctors, dentists, plumbers, electricians and services. Further details of all matters referred to on this website are available in The House Information Folder.
Additional entertainment: In the dining room there’s a cupboard containing board games, packs of playing cards etc. In the dependence there is table tennis table, net, bats and balls. La Boules. There are many English language books throughout the house.
Music and TV: There’s an MP3 CD player, a radio and a separate record player. There are also some CDs. There’s a giant TV screen and a Blue Ray DVD Player in the sitting room.
Services included: The cleaner is employed by the owner for 3 hours per day on 2 weekdays.
Optional / additional services available: Any extra cleaning hours should be arranged directly with her, and will be charged at Euros 11 per hour. As long as sufficient notice is given, a cook and/or a baby sitter can probably be arranged.
Utilities: Off the Dining Room is the laundry room with a roller and a steam iron. At the rear of this room is a WC.
Children: A baby cot with bedding and a high chair are provided.
Rents
2024
8 tenants or fewer per week | 9 to 10 tenants per week | |
July & August | £5,740 | £5,740 |
June & September | £3,440 | £3,650 |
May & October | £2,840 | £3010 |
Christmas & New Year | £4,500 | £4,500 |
Terms & conditions and the booking process
The Booking Process – A deposit of 25% of the rent will be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing the Rental Agreement, with the 75% balance to be paid 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
Security Deposit – A Booking and Security Deposit of £750 will also be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing this Rental Agreement. This will secure the booking, and will cover the cost of (a) telephone calls made on the landline during the tenancy, (b) replacing/making good any losses, breakages and/or damages incurred during the rental, and (c) any exceptional cleaning work which may be required at the end of the tenancy. This Deposit will be refunded (less any deductions as outlined above) within 4 weeks of the tenancy’s conclusion.
Tenants should advise Anglo French Properties Ltd at the end of each rental of any breakages, losses and/or damages. This is in lieu of an inventory.
Minimum stay: Unless otherwise agreed, all rentals will be for a minimum of one week and will begin and end on a Saturday.
Arrival Time & Departure times: Tenants should arrive between 4pm and 5pm on the commencement day, and leave no later than 10 am on the agreed day of departure. They will be met on arrival by Bryony who will show them around.
Number of People: Unless otherwise agreed, there should not be more than 10 people staying in the property at any one time.
Security: The owner’s insurance policy requires that the burglar alarm is set when all tenants leave the property at any time. Before doing so, all windows and outside doors must be closed, as well as the door leading to the Laundry Room. If leaving the property for a night or more, all shutters also need to be closed.
Energy costs are included: The energy costs are included in the rental price.
Heating costs are included: The heating costs are included in the rental price.
Linen and towels: Bed Linen, plus bath and pool towels for each guest are provided free of charge, and will be changed on a weekly basis.
Pets: No Pets
Smoking allowed: No smoking allowed inside the property. Caution should be taken when smoking outside during the summer months as the risk of fire can be extremely high.
Internet access: yes, included in the rental price.
Optional / additional services available: any additional services, if available, (eg extra cleaning or cooking) will be agreed in advance at a pre-agreed rate per hour. These costs will be the sole responsibility of the tenant.