Set in an acre of parklike gardens,this attractive property and gite, nestles in the tiny hilltop hamlet of Le Mas, 2 kms from Roquecor and 5kms from Montaigu de Quercy. It offers the perfect combination of rural isolation while still having neighbours near enough if you need them. 'A little bit of paradise' was how some guests describe it.

The garden has a variety of mature trees and shrubs including walnut, plum, almond and apple trees, silk trees, Indian Bean trees, an ornamental cherry, beech trees and sumacs to name but a few. It has a fully tiled 8x4 saltwater swimming pool with a swimming lane for those wanting a bit more exercise.

The house is set almost at the end of a no through road so there is little if any passing traffic, just the odd tractor. The house itself is built into the side of a hill and is spread over three floors with a huge attached barn offering numerous opportunities for extending the property. It has a dry cellar and cave, ideal for starting your very own wine collection.
The house also has a lower ground floor consisting of a bathroom which would make an ideal wet room, a large storage room with plumbing for a washing machine and a 12 metre square wine cave.

Roquecor, the nearest village, is a busy place with a lovely cafe/bistro, not to mention a chef who trained with John Burton Race (French Leave) and previously worked at Quaglinos and the River Cafe. There is also an epicerie which has daily deliveries from a local boulangerie as well as a post office.

The slightly larger village of Montaigu de Quercy has a supermarket, bank, pharmacy, several cafes, a pizzeria and the International Club which offers a variety of French lessons as well as a host of other activities, including a Saturday morning coffee drop in, making it a great place to make new friends.

The larger towns of Villeneuve sur Lot and Agen are both within half and hour's drive and cheap flights can be taken from Bergerac (1 hour) or Toulouse (1hr 15). Being within easy distance of Toulouse is a huge bonus during the winter months when many cheap airlines drastically reduce their flights. Toulouse is a major regional airport and so is served all year round by Easyjet, Flybe, British Airways and Aer Lingus.

Schooling is available in Roquecor which has a maternelle (infants school) while older children go to Valeilles and St Amans du Pech on the school bus. Secondary education is available either at Lauzerte or Penne d'Agenais.
The Salon
Approximately 40 square metres in size, the L-shaped salon really is the heart of the home. With it's cathedral ceiling, it is beautifully cool in the summer and having just been completely re-insulated, it's also delightfully cosy in the winter. The old fireplace houses a 13kw Dru woodburner (royal warrant from the Dutch royal family) with a hearth of centuries old handmade terre cuite tiles. The floors are in old pine and with a dual aspect and a velux window, natural light is abundant. From the salon is a door out to the barn giving numerous options for extending the house. A wooden staircase leads up to the mezzanine level which is currently used as an office and as extra guest space.

The Dining Room
Personally my favourite room in the house, the Dining Room has French doors on two sides, one side leading out to the terrace in the front garden, the other to the raised oak terrace overlooking the valley.

It has an enormous working fireplace with old cast iron fireback, a floor made from ancient handmade terre cuite tiles, some still bearing the pawprints of animals which walked across them as they dried in the sun.

From the dining room is a door into the kitchen, another down to the half landing with the old original front door and from then on to the cellar and cave and a lovely doorway with exposed beams into the salon.

The Kitchen
Small but perfectly formed! The kitchen is off the dining room and separated by a stud wall which could easily be removed to make an impressive L shaped kitchen diner. It has a range of fitted cupboards at floor and eye level as well as plumbing for a dishwasher. There is a gas connection enabling the kitchen to be supplied with gas from the main tank rather than fiddly
gas bottles. There are windows to the two sides giving ample natural light.

The Master Bedroom
The master bedroom suite is on the same level as the Salon and dining room as is common with many French houses. The reason for this is that they are generally much cooler in the hot summer months as the heat will rise to the upper floors. It is fitted with a large double wardrobe and has double window out onto the valley. The ceiling is beamed with a plafond a la francais. The floor is solid wood.

Two steps lead up to the double doors into the large ensuite bathroom.

You'd be hard pushed to find a bigger bathroom than this! Created from a former pigsty it has large windows to three sides. But if you are worried about all these windows, don't be. The house is not overlooked at all but in order to preserve your modesty, there are blinds at all the windows. The bathroom has a white bathroom suite with pedestal handbasin and low level WC.

Bedroom Two
A spacious double bedroom with two velux windows, this bedroom has some lovely exposed
beams. It has a solid wood floor and three double electricity points. The roof was recently insulated with thermal insulation making it cool in the heat and warm in the cold. The velux windows are fitted with thermal blinds which, likewise, keep in the heat and prevent the room becoming too warm.

Bedroom Three
A spacious double bedroom with two velux windows, this bedroom has some lovely exposed
beams. It has a solid wood floor and three double electricity points. The roof was recently insulated with thermal insulation making it cool in the heat and warm in the cold. The velux windows are fitted with thermal blinds which, likewise, keep in the heat and prevent the room becoming too warm.

The Family Bathroom
The Family bathroom on the second floor has recently been refitted using top quality Villeroy and Boch sanitary ware. It has a large, deep bath with shower over, pedestal washbasin, low level flush toilet and a velux window to give lots of light. The floor has been painted in a delightful French green.

The Oak Terrace
Double doors from the dining room lead out onto a wonderful raised oak terrace with views across the valley. It has plenty of room not just for a table for 6 but also for a shaded area sipping a glass of wine and reading a book out of the midday sun.

The Gardens
The Gardens are a particular feature of the house and offer many lovely shady spots for quiet contemplation. To the side of the house is a covered terrace, shaded by a mature virginia creeper. There is also an ancient vine which produced abundant crops of delicious grapes every year. The area of garden immediately in front of the house is edged with an old stone wall bordered by mature plants such as roses, lavatera, campsis, silk tree, Indian Bean Tree, and numerous seasonal perennials such as fuchsia, campanula and fritillaries.

Walnut trees, a poplar and an ornamental cherry near the pool provide shade from which a hammock is slung throughout the summer to escape the midday heat...

While the top part of the garden is more open with a variety of apple, almond, sumac and plum trees and looks out over miles of open countryside offering endless opportunities for long walks and hikes.

For those looking for an extra income it has an excellent letting record, having previously featured in Alistair Sawday's 'Special Places to Stay' guide. Despite this year being a bad year for lettings, we have achieved 20 weeks of bookings throughout the spring and summer. It also has a good record for winter lets.

It would also make lovely accommodation for those looking for a home for extended family and being all on one level, is suitable for the elderly.

The property is available for long term let (minimum 3 years) at a rent of 1300 euros pcm for the house and gite or 850 euros pcm for the main house, barn and land only

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