Le Clos des Sources

The house is arranged over two floors. The front façade of the house is approached and appears as a single storey. The main living areas and two bedrooms are on this floor.

There is a simplicity about the interiors true to the origin of the building as a farmhouse complemented by beautiful mellow coloured travertine stone floors throughout, an excellent kitchen forming part of an impressive ‘Grand Salon’ with magnificent island worktop and a contemporary edge. The bedrooms and bathrooms are inviting, with comfortable beds and overall a feeling of clean, light and fresh space. All combine to give an impression of inspirational renaissance within a traditional building and home of great character and warmth.

Stairs descend from the main living room to a lower ground floor that opens to the gardens and swimming pool on the Western front of the house. Two wings extend westwards on this side and enclose a charming courtyard facing the raised swimming pool, pool house and cuisine d’été.

The House sleeps up to 12 in 5 bedrooms.

There are 4 double (two of which can be made into twin rooms) bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Two of the bedrooms share a family bathroom.

There is underfloor heating throughout and all bedrooms have fans. A drive descends to the front of the house lined with mature trees with views through to the rolling hill country so distinctive of this area. There is a generous parking area to the front (eastern side of the house) aswell as access by car along the Southern edge of the house where outside steps give convenient entry with shopping straight into the kitchen.

Ground Floor

There is a generous parking area to the front aswell as parking along the Southern side of the house with access straight into the kitchen.

An attractive fan headed front door leads straight into the welcoming Entrance Hallway in which is a baby grand piano and from which doors lead to the Sitting Room to the left, Bedroom 1 to the right and straight on into the Grand Salon.

Sitting Room - a large sitting/TV room with sofa, armchairs, flat screen TV (with DVD player and selection of DVD’s). A separate sitting area in the same room surrounds a wood burning stove. Windows face South and East and a door leads through to the kitchen end of The Grand Salon.

Bedroom 1 - The ‘Chambre D’Arbieu’. A double bedroom with double bed that can be split to form two singles (beds .9 x 2m). Windows face east and its own Ensuite Bathroom 1 adjoins with bath, walk in shower, wash basin and WC.

The Grand Salon – a magnificent open plan family room (130m2) with exposed beams running the full width of the whole house. At its Southern end is a well equipped kitchen with a massive marble topped island with twin sinks, two washing up machines, a superb Falcon range gas cooker with 5 rings and twin ovens, and an additional oven which also operates as a microwave oven, coffee making facilities etc. An outside balcony immediately outside the kitchen provides an attractive spot for a coffee or drink. Adjoining the kitchen is a breakfast table/smaller eating area and, separated by the descending stairs, a larger dining area with seating for 12 around a fine oak table. At its northern end is a comfortable ‘sitting room’/relaxing area with a sofa and armchairs around an attractive traditional stone fireplace. This whole room, the centre piece of the house, combines the contemporary with the traditional to wonderful effect.

A downstairs WC adjoins this end of the Grand Salon.

A walk in larder immediately adjoins the kitchen with a large double/full length fridge/freezer.

Master Bedroom 2 - ‘Chambre des Pyrénées’ leads straight from the kitchen end of The Grand Salon. This magnificent Master Double Bedroom (bed 1.8w x 2m) occupies the whole of the first floor of this west facing wing. A ‘head wall’ mid room creates the division with its ensuite Bathroom 2 but the two almost feel open plan giving a great sense of space and light. French windows face west to a Juliet balcony and to South and North. The bathroom contains a free standing Victorian roll top bath, large walk in shower, twin wash basins and WC.

The travertine Stairs descend from The Grand Salon to the garden level and western terrace.

On this lower level there are three further bedrooms, one with an ensuite shower room and the other two bedrooms sharing a family bathroom:

Bedroom 3 – ‘The Chambre du Jardin’ with double bed (1.45w x 2m) and attractive French windows opening to the South with its Ensuite Bathroom 3 with walk in shower, wash basin and WC.

Bedroom 4 – ‘Chambre des Petits’. A children’s Bedroom with 4 single beds (.9m x 2m) two of which can be placed together to form a double bed this creating a lovely family room. Generous French windows open to the Southern terrace and gardens.

Bathroom 4 – Family bathroom located between and shared by bedrooms 4 and 5. With bath, walk in shower, twin wash basins and WC.

Bedroom 5 – ‘Chambre d’été’ – Double bedroom with double bed (.9w x 2m) which can be split to form two singles/ a twin room. Windows open on both sides, French windows to the Southern terrace/garden.

Washroom – with washing machine, tumble dryer, drying rails, iron and ironing board and a WC Utility and Storage Room – a large room used mainly for storage adjoined by a boiler room. One of the western wings remains in its original state as a large traditional drying barn of great charm.

Generous doors from this floor open onto a delightful patio/terrace/courtyard framed by the two western wings, the first third of which forms a terrace/patio shaded by a pergola covered in flowering climbers. This in turn looks towards the swimming pool, cuisine d’été and the gardens beyond.

Le Clos des Sources enjoys a peaceful rural location close to the village of Castelnau-d’Arbieu North West of Toulouse in the department of Gers (Gascony) an area sometimes referred to locally as ‘Le Petit Tuscan’ for its characteristic rolling hills.

The next nearest local village is St Clar where croissants and bread can be purchased in the excellent bakery. There are a wider variety of shops including supermarkets at the local market towns of Fleurance (10 minutes/4 miles), Condom (32 minutes/20 miles) and Lectoure (14 minutes/8 miles).

Le Clos des Sources is 1hr 20 minutes/45 miles from Toulouse airport and 2 ¼ hrs/110 miles from Bordeaux airport.

The TGV stops at Auch (36 minutes/19 miles) and there is also a rail station at Agen.

There is a comprehensive 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, pool maintenance etc. Further details of all matters referred to on this website are available in The House Information Folder.

Restaurants and Eating Out: Gers/Gascony is a foody’s paradise. There is an extensive choice of good to outstanding restaurants for all budgets. A recommended selection are detailed in The House Information Book.

Markets: An excellent selection/choice locally. Normally in full swing by 8am and finished by lunchtime. Popular markets are Mauvezin (Monday), Fleurance (Tuesday and Saturday), St Clar and Eauze (Thursday), Lectoure (Friday) Miradoux and Nerac (Saturday) and Motaut-les- Crenaux (Sunday). The House Information Book contains a complete list of all the markets and market days in Gers.

Local Shopping: For morning croisssants and bread there is an excellent bakery in St Clar. There is also an excellent patisserie in Fleurance aswell as a newsagent on the main square.

Supermarkets: There is a carrefour supermarket in Fleurance and an Intermarché in St Clar and Lectoure.

Walking: There are beautiful walks all around and from the house itself. Many are indicated by P.R. (Promenade et Randonnée) signs. There are also maps (series bleu) and suggestions in the house.

Tennis: There is a tennis court at nearby Castelnau d’Arbieu only 5 minutes from the house and a key for this court is kept in the house.

Golf: There is a choice of courses locally at Auch, Eauze, Fleurance, L’Isle Jourdain, Masseube and Tillac.

Riding: There is a local riding school/farm that offer riding trips and riding.

Kayaking, Canoeing, Waterskiing and Sailing: St Clar lake is very popular for children’s swimming and there is a restaurant there too. Likewise Gondrin lake and Castera-Verduzan lake. For sailing enthusiasts the Base de Loisirs, Lac de Thoux St Cricq between Mauvezin and L’Isle Jourdain is popular. Water skiing can be enjoyed on the lake at L’Isle Jourdain but eligibility should be checked in advance.

Bicycling/Bike Hire: This is excellent bicycling country and a wonderful way to see and enjoy the local area. Bicycles can be hired from Condom.

Music and Festivals: During the summer there are local festivals, including a Country and Western Festival at Mirande, a Jazz Festival at Marciac and many high quality classical musical performances in local churches or Chateaux. The former Cistercian Abbaye de Flaran, (37 minutes/21 miles) has a beautiful ‘son et lumiere’ each summer.

Towns and Cities

The stunning town of Lectoure (14 minutes/8 miles) has thermal baths and a museum describing the history of wode, which made Toulouse’s fortune. Here also is The Chateau of The Counts of Armagnac with outstanding views of the whole area and an interesting antiques/brocante ‘village’.

Auch (32mins/19 miles) - Capital of The Gers, its cathedral is renowned for its world famous stained glass windows. The market on Thursdays and Saturdays, shops and historic centre combine to create an enjoyable and interesting visit.

Toulouse (1 hr 20 minutes/50 minutes) has many art galleries, museums, world class opera and music, as well as top quality shops and restaurants. Its also renowned for its Space Museum, plus the fascinating tours of the nearby Airbus factory.

There are a number of pretty villages in the surrounding area. An outstanding example is Auvillar, a stunning bastide village (35 minutes/20 miles) classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Another delightful village is La Romieu (26 minutes/16 miles) with its magnificent collegiale St Pierre, a 14th century cloister with tower. The Coursiana botanic Gardens and arboretum are also magnificent at La Romieu (see below)

There are many beautiful Chateaux which reward a visit. Chateau de Lavardens (25 minutes/15 miles) at Lavardens, 32360 has interesting art exhibitions, events and a fascinating history.

Chateau de Caumont. (55 minutes/38 miles) at Cazaux-Saves 32130 is a family-owned Chateau with a very interesting history and architecture. They offer certain tours in English.

For driving enthusiasts there is the famous Route des Batiments et des Castelnaux which runs from Auch to Marciac. En route you will see many fascinating buildings, including the Donjon de Bassous, masterpiece of XIV military architecture, pretty unspoilt villages and beautiful countryside. This is a half to full day tour.

Military History: Visit the Camp de Siege Medieval at La Cite des Machines, Larressingle 32100 (40 minutes/24 miles). There you can see a wide range of authentic siege-breaking machines.

For garden lovers, visit Coursiana Gardens at La Romieu, (26 minutes/16 miles). Created in 1974 by Gilbert Cours-Darne, an eminent French botanist, the arboretum occupies 6 hectares and has 700 different species of trees and shrubs. There is also a medicinal and aromatic garden which opened in 2002 and a shop.

Then there is Couloume Park in Auch which is a 10-acre park created around a 16th century castle with vast lawns and a great variety of vegetation, including 450 trees, (257 different species) and 1900 bushes, (33 different species), mainly collections of hydrangea and dogwoods (cornus florida)

Course Landaises: In Gascony, it is a major spectator sport, with as many as 600 events each year The ‘course landaise’ is an ancient form of bullfighting held in oval or rectangular arenas covered in sand, that involve no bloodshed. Experienced cows with great horns are used instead of bulls. The cows are selected from the same breed as the bulls used for the Spanish Corridas.

Churches and Abbeys: There are churches of note, a jewel in every village, too numerous to mention by name. The Abbaye de Flaran hosts art exhibitions and each summer a beautiful ‘son et lumiere’.

Vineyards and Wine: There are a wide choice of local vineyards most of which encourage tastings and on the spot purchases. Gascony is famed for its Armagnac and lesser known local aperitif, Floc. Madiran is the local red and Pacherenc du Vic Bihl the best dry white. Juranton is a justly famous sweet wine.

Brocantes and Vides Greniers: There are numerous brocantes and vide greniers where you can, if you are lucky, find little gems. To find out when and where they are consult/google ‘vide-greniers 32’.

Hot air balloon trips: a fantastic way to view the country. Need to be booked in advance.

Thermal Baths: at Lectoure and Castéra Verduzan

Skiing: There is excellent skiing in the Pyrenees at the appropriate time of year. Baqueira-Beret (2hrs 50 mins/112 miles) is a ski resort located in the heart of the Pyrénées, in the Aran Valley and Àneu Valley Lleida, Spain. The ski area extends from 1,500 to 2,610 metres in elevation. Piau Engaly ( has the highest skiing in the French Pyrénées and is a very family friendly resort (2hrs 30 minutes/95 miles). Saint-Lary-Soulan is also highly recommended (2hrs/81 miles).

Beaches: Biarritz is 2hrs 57 minutes by car. The best beaches are at Hoosegor and Cap Breton. Great care should be taken as the surf is very strong.

Tourist Offices: There are tourist offices in St Clar, Condom and Lectoure where much local and regional information can be obtained and all have websites that can be consulted in advance.