Auch, Midi-Pyrénées 32000

Exclusive!!Off a country road at the edge of a quiet village tall wrought iron gates open past the formal gardens to panoramic views on one side and to the imposing chateau on the other. A heavy wooden door leads to a spacious hallway with a cloakroom and toilet off and a wide staircase to the upper floor. A nice flow of comfortable sized rooms make this part of the chateau suitable for day to day living. Each room has a particular character and many original features. There are large windows providing luminosity and views over different aspects of the grounds and countryside and underfloor heating provides comfort throughout the ground floor and open fires in each room.The first room is a library with an array of fitted wooden bookshelves. Doors lead through to a spacious formal lounge and another to a smaller snug with an open fireplace. From there a corridor passes separate studies and on to a spacious kitchen/ diner. There are numerous fitted units and appliances and work surfaces and french doors leading to a large covered terrace for al fresco dining. There is a pantry off and a cold room and a short corridor past a toilet to a back door which leads towards separate family annexe and a gate through to an informal park. Behind the garage are a barn and 3 small storage areas, another smaller garage that can easily be extended.Upstairs in this part of the chateau there are 5 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom - some en-suite and others adjacent. The rooms are spacious and airy and are tastefully decorated giving each a distinctive character. Finally there is a door through to an enormous games room with billiard table, table tennis table and video games area as well as room for spectators! On from this is a fitness room fitted with an array of equipment. The tower sits on the right on passing through the gates and with main access at first floor level.It can also be accessed from the internal courtyard. The tower has 4 levels, 3 of which have been painstakingly restored preserving as many of the original features. The cellar on the ground floor, first floor main reception room, 100m2, with underfloor heating, second reception room on the third level and the top floor not yet restored.Attached to the chateau is a self contained family annexe, which can also serve as guardian accommodation or gte.Large wooden doors open into a spacious well fitted kitchen with space for dining. A corridor with toilet off and stairs up to the bedrooms, opens to a large lounge. Upstairs are 3 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and again with distinctive character. To the side of the tower is a large garage suitable for 2/3 cars and given the height it could be converted, subject to permissions, to guardian accommodation.At the periphery of the grounds is the ruin of a farmhouse, sitting within half hectare of grounds, which again could be developed if appropriate permissions are obtained.The gardens are not extensive but well maintained with numerous shrubs, bushes and trees providing many colourful areas around the terraces and paths. In front of the chateau is a meticulous french garden with its manicured hedges and a viewpoint at one end from which the outline of Pyrenees range can be seen as well as villages from miles away. To the side there is a more informal grass area with trees on two sides making it quite private and suitable for a variety of purposes. On taking the path there is an all weather tennis court on the right and on the left lower than the french garden is a heated swimming pool. There are extensive terraces suitable for relaxing with panoramic views. Between the buildings is an internal courtyard with a central fountain and planters and flowerbeds at the sides providing colour.The chateau is private but not isolated. Situated in the heart of the Gers there are 5 towns within easy reach where a wide variety of shops and services are available. The Gers itself is vibrant with clubs for sports and cultural activities, local festivals and the international jazz festival at Marciac.Day trips to the skiing and hiking resorts in the Pyrenees are possible as are the Atlantic beaches for surfing or relaxing.For international travel the airports at Toulouse, just over an hour, where onward direct or connecting flights can be taken.Bordeaux can be reached in just over 2 hours