Château Marcoux

For several hundred of its 800 year existence, Château Marcoux was a 'château-fort' - a smallish fortress of strategic significance in the medieval wars which raged through south western France. Reminders of its military past are spy-holes and arrow slits, whilst the metre-thick stone walls keep the House cool on the hottest summer days and warm in winter. Château Marcoux was enlarged in 1654 and is a listed building.

Owned by an English family for the past 35 years, the Château has been magnificently restored, modernised and furnished to provide every possible comfort, whilst maintaining wonderful original features which add to its authentic character.

Château Marcoux comprises 3 buildings - the 4-bedroom Main House, the 1-bedroom Annexe and the 1-bedroom ‘Pigeonnier’. In addition a recent conversion of a further building, 'Le Petit Nid' provides additional self contained accommodation for a couple taking the total potential accommodation to 14.

The Main House

Ground Floor:

• Entrance Hall with a stone floor.
• Kitchen/Dining Room – spacious, bright and well-equipped with a 4-ring electric hob, an oven, microwave, dishwasher, large fridge/freezer, toaster etc., and an open, wood-burning fireplace. A farmhouse dining table seats 12. French windows open onto a south-facing terrace, shaded by a mulberry tree, with a table and chairs, a large sun umbrella and a built-in barbecue.
• Sitting Room – very large and comfortable, with a high, raftered ceiling and creamy stone walls, a wood-burning fireplace, sofas and armchairs. French windows lead to the south-facing terrace.
• Study – adjoining the Sitting Room and equipped with Broadband/WiFi internet access, a colour printer and a stereo CD /tape system. The satellite TV, receiving both English and French-language channels, also has a DVD and a video player and can be watched either in the Study or the Sitting Room.
• Shower room  1 - with a walk-in shower, a washbasin and a W.C.
• Utility Room – with a fridge/freezer, clothes dryer and the electricity control system. (The main Utility Room is off the 'Cave Voutée' - see below).

First Floor:

• Bedroom 1 - the magnificent master bedroom with an exposed beamed ceiling, creamy stone walls, an imposing king-size bed and magnificent views over the valley. An en-suite (Bathroom 1) has a bath, a separate shower, a washbasin and a W.C.
• Bedroom 2 - also large, with a king-size bed, and an en-suite (Bathroom 2) with a bath, a walk-in shower, a washbasin and a W.C.
• Bedroom 3 - with twin beds and a washbasin.
• Bedroom 4 - with twin beds which can be zipped together to make a double bed, and a washbasin.
• Separate WC with a washbasin.

The Annexe

Situated on the opposite side of the garden from the Main House and created from part of the old stables, with stunning views over the valley:

• Bedroom 5 - with a double bed.
• Shower Room 2 – with a shower and a washbasin.
• Separate WC.
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The Pigeonnier (situated near the Pool)

Ground Floor:

• Sitting Room – cosy and comfortable, with a sofa bed and French windows opening onto a partly covered terrace, equipped with tables, chairs and sun umbrellas.
• Bathroom 3 – with a bath, a separate shower and a W.C.
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• First Floor:
  
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• Bedroom 6 – with an exposed beamed ceiling, a double bed and windows on all 4 sides offering far-ranging views.

‘Cave Voutée’ ('Vaulted Cellar')

11.6 x 5 metres and opening onto the pool area. This mainly serves as a games room and has a hi-fi CD/tape system, and a table tennis table.

• Utility/Boiler Room - with 2 washing machines, a dryer and ironing facilities. The boiler provides copious quantities of hot water for Marcoux as a whole.

Le Petit Nid

Newly converted for 2023 this superbly situated former cottage in its own spectaular position comprises a studio with its own balcony to the views to the East, kitchenette and shower room and 

Bedroom 7 - with double bed.

The Château shares its hill-top with a 12^th century church and commands far-reaching views over some of the most glorious countryside in south western France. This is the land of fortified hill-top villages, called ‘bastides’, medieval churches, ancient ‘pigeonniers’, foie gras farms and woodlands of chestnut, plum, walnut and oak. Situated on the borders of the Lot-et-Garonne and the Tarn-et-Garonne, the Château is at the heart of the Quercy region which takes its name from ‘quercus’ meaning oak tree in Latin.

Château Marcoux lies 2 kms north east of the 'bastide' village of Beauville which has useful shops and a small hotel/restaurant serving excellent local food. There's a Tourist Office in the village which provides much useful information. The House Manual details a number or local restaurants in various price categories, shops, markets (and the day/s on which each takes place), picnic spots, antique/bric-a-brac emporia, fairs/festivals, museums, medieval castles, ecclesiastical buildings of all kinds and other cultural activities, as well as the marvellous walks in the vicinity. A large-scale wall map covering an area within 30 to 40 minutes' drive of Marcoux pinpoints many of these, and tenants are invited to add extra pins and to leave notes/brochures about new discoveries.

The nearest large towns for shopping and supermarkets are Agen (27 kms), Moissac and Villeneuve-sur-Lot (35 kms). The closest access to the autoroute is just south of Agen at junction 7 on the A62. This is the 'Autoroute des Deux Mers', running south east to Toulouse and north west to Bordeaux, making the international airports (called Blagnac and Mérignac respectively), 1½ and 2 hours' drive from Marcoux. There are also international flights to and from Bergerac airport (called Roumanière), 1½ hours' away. The the TGV stops at Agen.

• There are a number of 9 and 18-hole golf courses within 30 minutes/an hour's drive. These include ones near Casteljaloux, Marmande (only 10 holes), Agen, Valence d' Agen, and the very pretty 9-hole course at Sauveterre (east of Lauzerte and called Golf des Roucous). There is also a challenging 18-hole course near Villeneuve-sur-Lot. Details are in the House Manual.
• There is both an indoor and an outdoor tennis court in Beauville (2 kms). Tenants can also play at the Dondas Tennis Club (7 kms) where teaching/coaching is available. Details of both are in the House Manual.
• There are wonderful walks all over the area starting from Marcoux itself and a much larger choice locally - suggestions and details all to be found in the house book, guides and maps kept in the bookcase at Marcoux.
• There are canoeing and cruising on the local canal and/or on the Lot and the Garonne rivers. Details in the House Manual.
• There are bicycles for hire in Montaigu de Quercy (10 kms) and riding stables in nearby Lacour-de-Visa. Details in the House Manual. 
• In winter, there is ski-ing in the Pyrénées, 3 hours' drive from Marcoux.
• Nearby is a foie gras farm and museum, with a shop and a restaurant.
• The ancient city and wine-making centre of Cahors is within an hour's drive - its 14th century fortified bridge is particularly noteworthy.
• Moissac is a 30 minute drive. At its cente is one of the great Abbeys of France and the market here (on Sundays) combines well, as also to eat in one of the bar/retaurants around the Abbey.
• The town of Agen (25 minutes drive) is also a very popular destination. A charming town, classical buildings, small streets full of interesting shops, some fun clothes (Promode) and household (Maison du Monde) shops and an excellent covered market open every day.
• These towns (and the cities of Bordeaux and Touluse - easily within reach) are cultural treasure troves but the local bastides (fortified) villages scattered all around the area are an enduring source of pleasure and interest. Many are perched on hilltops with enormous views and often (as with Marcoux) occupied for long periods by the marauding English! Starting with the local Beauville they fan out - Puymirol, Montjoi, Frespech, Pujols, Roquecor, Lacour, Tornons d'Agenais, Lauzerte, Miramont de Quercy, Penne d'Agenais and Monflanquin are all good examples.
• A by product of these jewels is an appreciation of the wonderful pigeonniers scattered about - a lovely book on pigeonniers is in the house and of course the perfect little 12th and 13th century churches - the best often by themselves in the depths of the countryside sometimes almost hidden in the most surprising spots. The church of St Etienne beyond Lacour just one example next to a lovely picnic spot.
• There are number of vineyards in the area where tastings can be held and purchases made.
• Children might enjoy the animal farm at Le Jougla. 
• Information on all of the above, and much more, is contained in Marcoux's outstanding House Manual which is a wonderful and detailed reference, developed over many years by the owners.
• A large map in the house references many of these local activities, interests and destinations, and is added to continually.
• It is a treasure trove - a week is more than easily filled many times over!