Maison Des Sculptures

Experience authentic French charm in Gascony as you stay in an artist’s mansion with a private pool in the heart of the cathedral town of Condom.

Set along a cobbled street just a short stroll from the town’s restaurants and shops, Maison Des Sculptures is an architectural delight dating back to the 18th century. It’s creative owners have designed a welcoming home with period furnishings alongside personal touches such as Murano glass light fittings and sculptures crafted by the owner, always respecting the mansion's many beautiful original features. Yet despite the sense of history around you, there is also a feeling of space and minimalism, allowing guests to rest well in both refined and rustic surroundings.

Appreciate the grandeur of the living and dining rooms, then find a quiet spot to read in the cosy library or reading room. Create a feast in the traditional and spacious kitchen with its double oven and fireplace for cooking in a wood fire, to be enjoyed by candlelight in the 19th century orangerie, accompanied by wine blended by the owners to be found in the vaulted stone cellar.

Outside, the Italian-style garden is just as charming with its stone sculptures, fountain and pretty wrought iron table just perfect for a morning coffee or evening aperitif as you gaze at the views down towards the lower part of town. A swimming pool will also bring great joy as you cool down on hot summery afternoons in your private outdoor space.

Wander out of your maison and within a couple of minutes you will be by the magnificent Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Condom. Explore the town’s narrow lanes, admire medieval houses and find many of the excellent places to dine. The Wednesday morning market will allow you to experience Gascony’s seasonal delights and be sure to try the region’s famous Grand Armagnac in a characterful café-bar.

In the summer hire little motor boats to potter along the river or head into the undulating Gers countryside for canoeing, kayaking, horse-riding, cycling and walks through the glorious landscapes. Be enchanted by the trio of idyllic Gascon villages, Montréal, Fourcès and Larressingle, all three classed as France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ and visit other characterful market towns such as Lectoure, Fleurance, Auch and Agen.

That said, as you stay in this characterful and artistic abode, you may simply prefer to embrace the slow pace of life and take time to enjoy the exceptional food, wine and scenery that this wonderful region is so known for.

Features:

1) House with 6 bedrooms/5 bathrooms (15-person price)
2) House with 5 double bedrooms/4 bathrooms - (9-person price - not available July/August/Xmas)

Maison Interiors (600m2)


Ground Floor
- Living room with fireplace
- Dining room with fireplace, dining table (17 guests) and door leading to garden
- Kitchen, fully-equipped including traditional cooking piano with double ovens, hob and central plancha, two sinks, steam oven, microwave, kettle, toaster, mixed espresso coffee maker, hand-blender, large fridge, chest freezer and open fireplace which can be used for cooking
- WC
- Bedroom with double bed (140cm), doors leading to garden and private bathroom with shower, bath and WC
- Adjoining library with fireplace and two children’s beds (70x200cm)
- Reading room

First Floor
- Bedroom with double bed (140cm) and private bathroom with shower, bath and WC
- Duplex bedroom (with mezzanine) with double bed (140cm) and three single beds (90cm). Private bathroom with bath and WC
- Master bedroom with double bed (160cm), adjoining living room and private bathroom with shower and WC
- Bedroom with double bed (140cm)
- Bedroom with double bed (160cm)
- Bathroom with shower, bath and WC (shared between above two bedrooms)

All bedrooms have street or side-garden views 

Basement (200m2 vaulted stone cellar, unrenovated)

- Simple wine cellar

Outside Grounds (700m2)

- Swimming pool (4x9m, depth: 1.5m) with safety alarm. Open approximately May to end-September
- Orangerie summer dining room
- Shaded patio
- Charcoal barbecue
- Italian garden with stone sculptures
- Fountain
- Second garden (at bottom of ramparts)
- Bikes (2 x vintage bikes, 2 x outdoor bikes including child seat)
- Garage with second fridge (one car parking space)
- Private parking for 4-5 cars (direct access to the garden)

Facilities 

- Wi-Fi
- Gas central heating
- Fireplaces (wood included)
- TV with TNT channels
- Amazon echo dot sounds system
- Entry system via access code
- Security system
- Hairdryer (in each bathroom)
- Ironing facilities
- Washing machine and dryer 

Location:

Maison Des Sculptures can be found in the heart of Condom, a historic riverside town in the beautiful Gers department of southern France.

Just walk down the lane and within 300m you will be at the magnificent Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Condom. Wander around the medieval lanes of this charming town, admiring historic houses and stopping off in a traditional café-bar for a glass of Armagnac (there is also a small Armagnac museum very close by the maison).

Experience the gastronomy of this authentic region by dining out in some of Condom’s excellent restaurants or simply shopping for local produce at the Wednesday morning market where you can expect to find all sorts of seasonal delights as stalls are set up around the cathedral. Seek out Gascony’s famous foie-gras and magret, some amazing goat cheeses and all sorts of fresh fruit and vegetables including melons, kiwi fruit and garlic.

Rent small motorboats along the Petite Baïse in the summer months, take leisurely boat trips along the river or look out for canoe and kayaking excursions both in the town itself and in Beaucaire, around 15km south of Condom.

In the land of D’Artagnan and the three musketeers, get out and about in the glorious Gers countryside and embrace the slow pace of life in this wonderful region. Visit idyllic villages such as Larressingle (6km), Fourcès (13km) and Montréal (15km) or discover more bustling markets in characterful towns such as Fleurance and Lectoure, both around half an hour away, or Auch (45km), the historic capital of Gascony.

If staying in July and August visit the night markets in local Gascon villages, a great way to spend an atmospheric evening. The vibrant and famous Jazz Festival in Marciac, about an hour away, is also not to be missed for music lovers.

There are some lovely walking trails around the villages, especially Larressingle and Montréal which are part of the Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage route. Arrange a hot-air balloon ride, find summer swimming spots at local Base de Loisirs and visit some of the most beautiful wineries and estates across the region.

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
€1500 paid via French cheque or bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

Arrival time?
6.00 p.m.

Departure time?
10.00 a.m.

End of stay cleaning included?
Yes, including mid-week clean (4hrs) for stays of a minimum of one week. 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.

Changeover day?
Saturday in July & August. Flexible during all other periods.

Minimum stay?
7 nights in July & August. 4 nights at Christmas and 2 nights during all other periods.

Energy costs included?
Yes.

Heating costs included?
Yes.

Linen & towels included?
Yes, including weekly change for stays of over 7 nights.

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.

Pets welcome?
Max. 2 dogs welcome on request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, pets must stay on the ground floor only and a charge of €15 per pet per day will apply, payable locally.

Smoking Allowed?
Outside only.

Tax?
French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€3 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required).

Internet access?
Wi-Fi internet access included.



Other Ts and Cs?
The 15-person price is for all bedrooms and bathrooms whilst the 9-person price (not available July/August/Xmas) is for five double bedrooms and four bathrooms only (no access to the duplex/family bedroom which sleeps 5).

Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed.
Pets - allowed
Smoking - not allowed