Closer to the gite is Marciac, a large village which hosts a world famous jazz festival throughout August and there are many other local villages which have fetes and festivals throughout the summer where for a small fee you can have a meal, free wine and dance the evening away.
The gite is situated in lovely rural setting nestling between a wood and two vineyards, one producing award winning Armanac brandy and the other producing wines for sale at the nearby farm for less than £1 per Litre! (This is the good stuff that the locals drink, not what they export to us!)

NEW for 2010:– 2nd bathroom with hydromassage shower — 33′ swimming pool & sun deck, new children’s play area (from July)

Additional Photos (click to enlarge & for slideshow)

Formerly a simple farmhouse with adjoining barns and stable, Au Chicot was the subject of a sympathetic conversion by US architects and is now light, spacious, well-planned and extremely comfortable. The views, which are really quite exceptional, can be appreciated from many of Au Chicot’s windows too – and even when you’re swimming!

The property’s rustic charm includes wonderful beams, exposed stone, fireplaces and wood floors. Sleeping 8 + baby in four bedrooms, (three of which have private bathroom with shower, and there’s a separate bathoom offering bath with shower over) the house has been carefully furnished with a mix of French country antiques and quality contemporary pieces; a place to relax and truly call home.

The area historically known as Gascony, of which the Gers forms the centre, has a gently rolling landscape laying claim to the highest concentration of bastide (fortified) villages in France: a tiny Tuscany minus the crowds! From the house you’re only 20 minutes from three of France’s officially listed “most beautiful villages”, delightful Fourcès, Montréal and tiny, moated Larressingle.

This seriously unspoilt area offers an exciting heritage, and enjoys a great climate, super regional food (with duck, foie gras and prunes featuring prominently on local menus) and wine: best appellations of the area Madiran, Jurancon, Côtes de Gascogne. Let’s not also forget Armagnac, the delicious brandy exclusive to this area. And there’s heaps to see and do – for sportsmen, nature lovers, artists, those keen on architecture and Roman remains, sun-worshippers, cyclists, walkers (the main St Jacques de Compostela pilgrim route passes nearby,) it’s all here, and easily accessible!

Au Chicot sits neatly at the head of a plateau, on three acres of land, surrounded by fields of sunflowers, maize and vineyards. Just a short amble along the road is the beautiful Château de Busca-Maniban, a prominent Armagnac producer and the finest example of 17th Century architecture in Gascony, where you’ll be welcomed for a tour and tastings. Passing cars are infrequent, so the only sounds you’ll hear will be those of crickets, bees, the faint whurr of a tractor or closer to home, happy splashes, pages turning or corks being popped! Sunsets are spectacular at Au Chicot, and later, mellow after a good meal, and with the Château de Cassaigne, another renowned Armagnac producer, illuminated in the distance, indulge in a litte stargazing … sunrise is equally special if you’re up that early!

Though tucked away, don’t be misled: the house is only a short drive from commerce – 5 minutes to crusty bread and croissants, and just 10 minutes to our pretty local town of Condom. All the banks and shops you need are there plus a great choice of restaurants, ranging from Michelin starred to those offering hearty Gascon fare – €15 or less for a rustic three-course meal and the local tipple.

Toulouse and Bordeaux international airports are a 1.5 and 2 hr drive away, plus the smaller airports of Pau, Biarritz and Bergerac. The drive from St Malo is around 7 hours so our visitors with children often break their journey. A third option is to relax in the high speed TGV (Train Grande Vitesse) to Agen (4 hrs from Paris,) pick up a hire car and from there it’s just an easy, very pretty run of 40 minutes.

In Gascony you’ll find a warm welcome and be infected quickly by the slow pace of life. Try it and see! We have detailed information and many, many more pictures available on our website (including an interactive floorplan.)

Las Razes makes a wonderful base for large groups or families holidaying together. Sleeping up to 16 people and with masses of comfy living space.

Heated pool (in season), snooker table, library, free wifi access, games, table tennis, sat TV, dvds and bikes.

Sitting in its own gardens and surrounded by woodlands and peaceful meadows, Las Razes makes an idylic base for your holdidays in S W France.

Situated close to Lauzerte, Montaigu de Quercy, Montcuq and Moissac – you will find this area a rich source of local markets, bastide villages, historical sites and miles of unspoilt countryside.

For some of the year Las Razes operates as a B & B, please see our website for full details.