Lavardens, Midi-Pyrénées 32360

This luxurious four-bedroom property is located in the heart of the pretty Gascon village of Lavardens and has been renovated to an extremely high standard. Every detail has been carefully considered in this sumptuous restoration project.This superb property is set against a quintessentially Gascon backdrop. The village could not be any more attractive with its chteau, picturesque central avenue and glorious village properties, each one worthy of a photo or painting. The current owners have used high quality materials throughout to create a stunning, modern home whilst preserving its original character.Columbage walls painted in light colours with a chalky finish, stripped wooden floors, a stunning stone fireplace place, an old oak staircase and original stone sinks are a few of its many charming nods to its past.This classically styled house is situated in between Condom, Auch and Fleurance, so whether buying as permanent or second home, these larger, well-resourced towns are all within easy reach.The property comes with a small separate garden set at the edge of the village at the foot of the famous Chateau de Lavardens. Picnic in the shadow of one of the most beautiful monuments in Sw France, in the privacy of your own garden.A closer look at the houseThe house can be entered on two levels, each with picturesque entrances located on quiet village streets.Once inside, there is an immediate sense of calm, and all the rooms are light-filled with tall windows in every room. There are lovely views of the village and the countryside beyond, with the year-round sculpture of plane trees on the square below, the chink of coffee cups at the neighbouring and picturesque caf, below, or across the street the barber's shop with its vintage signpost.If there were a film 'An American in (not Paris but) Gascony' one could be forgiven for thinking that the backdrop to this property had been commissioned as a stage-set labelled 'Authentic French village with timeless appeal.'The Lower Ground FloorThe lower section of the property may once have been a shop and could perhaps one day be repurposed as a gallery, gite or perhaps a guest suite.It has an attractive arched entrance which opens directly onto the street below.Currently on this level there is one spacious room/bedroom and a door to the adjacent garage.The garage forms part of the medieval basement area with beautiful stone walls dating back to the time of the chteau.All other living accommodation sits 'above' the lower ground floor and is accessed either by a charming wooden doorway on the next tiny medieval street up, or via an internal stairway which runs up to the kitchen and upper floors.The Ground FloorThe Main Entrance HallThe main entrance hall to the property is an attractive room worthy of a mention in its own right. It opens directly onto the main reception room, but has the size and proportions of a library, or small study. Today it is stripped back, with lovely plastered walls and an original oak floor, and provides a nice separation between the street and the rest of the property, so that on arrival one has the impression of tranquillity and privacy when entering the main reception room.The Reception RoomWith two windows, one overlooking the sculptured plane trees in the central square of this tranquil village, and the other overlooking the side of the property, this room boasts an impressive and original medieval stone fireplace which has been sympathetically restored, and currently houses a wood-burning stove.This room works perfectly in winter or in summer, with the windows open. The room is elevated from the street level and offers a view of the plane trees and terracotta roof tops and is peaceful and harmonious. One has a sense of being quite private, without any vis vis, and yet part of a community.The KitchenThe kitchen is the heart of the property. There are hand-built and hand-painted shaker-style base and wall cupboards with black granite worktops. The finishing a