Ref. : F46232
Dordogne and South West France
(France)
14 persons - 6 rooms - 600 sqm
Rates: on demand
In the heart of the Gers region and set in a medieval village, this former wine estate offers spacious accommodation for 12 to 14 people, a large natural stone swimming pool and areas dedicated to children for an unforgettable holiday. 
Welcome to Château Coeur de Gers , an idyllic former wine estate steeped in history and brimming with stories and style. Dating back to medieval times this stunning hilltop château is packed with character, each room a delight for the eyes and the imagination. Relax around the pool soaking up the serene rural atmosphere, enjoy a movie night in the renovated wine cellars with a big screen and popcorn machine, or venture out to discover the Gascony region, one of France’s best kept secrets. Step inside and live the dream.
The Gers département of France lies in the southwest countryside between Toulouse and the Atlantic Coast. It’s part of the wider but little-known Gascony region. This is where you’ll find Château Coeur de Gers.
Surrounded by towering 4-metre-high ramparts, this impressive castle proudly presides over the adjacent village and the valley below. It is located in a rural area, yet benefits from the proximity of the village's shops and restaurants, which are within easy walking distance of the château.
With its honey-coloured stone and ivy-clad exterior, this magnificent family home invites you to switch off and get back to basics. Large open spaces and a long L-shaped stone swimming pool are perfect for a big family holiday, and thick stone walls keep the interior cool in the searing summer heat.
The property has been tastefully restored with scenic wall coverings in the bedrooms and bathrooms that take you on a journey of colourful landscapes. A large antique bookcase, working harpsichord, and club-style armchairs blend well with the splendid herringbone parquet flooring in the reception rooms. A selection of opera and classical vinyl records are available, just waiting to be perused and played on the turntable, and cigar lovers will be impressed by the owner's personalised selection, which is secretly hidden in the lounge and available on request.
Children will be entertained for hours in the play room, converted from the estate's former wine press, where they can dress up as knights and invent endless stories with a wooden arsenal of bows, arrows, helmets and shields.
The château is set out on two floors. The ground floor has a self-contained one-bedroom suite with its own living room, dining room, bathroom and study, ideal for guests preferring their independence.
Continuing on this level, a fully equipped summer kitchen opens onto a vast 100 m² courtyard with an outdoor dining area ideal for family breakfasts.
A wide stone staircase with a wrought iron handrail leads up to the first floor, where a long, tiled hallway leads to five en-suite bedrooms, each with its own personality, all with have a view of the countryside. The rooms are different sizes, but are all comfortable and have everything you need. Some also have a well-preserved antique desk.
Also on the first floor are the living areas – a reading room and games room – and the rustic but well-equipped winter kitchen with original natural stone sinks and a magnificent Spanish earthenware dinner service. The kitchen leads through to a large dining room with original wood and parquet flooring, and a decorative wall covering depicting Brazilian landscapes.
The exteriors are equally as spacious, the highlight being the majestic natural stone pool set in the château's former water reservoir which surrounds the building.
An impressive 6,000 m² of partially shaded, fully enclosed grounds offers jaw-dropping views and an oak forest that leads down to a former vantage point. The fortified walls of the property have unsecured parapets, which, although attractive, require the supervision of young children.
This estate can comfortably accommodate 12 to 14 people.
Indoors:
The total surface area of the château is 600m2
Ground floor space (sleeps 2):
- Bedroom N°1: 1 queen size bed 160cm
- Private bathroom with shower, bath and wc
- 1 sitting room, 1 study, 1 private dining room
- Fully equipped summer kitchen
1st floor:
- Bedroom N°2; Queen size bed 160cm
Private bathroom with Italian shower, bath and separate wc
-Bedroom n°3 with special area for children; 1 queen size bed 160cm and private bathroom with shower, bath and separate wc
1 work area
1 mezzanine with 1 or 2 ‘traveller’ cots for children over 8.
- Bedroom n°4 with additional space for children: 1 queen-size bed 160cm and private bathroom with shower, bath and separate wc
1 work area
1 mezzanine with 1 or 2 ‘traveller’ cots for children over 8.
- Bedroom n°5: 1 queen-size bed 160cm and private bathroom with bath and separate wc
1 work area
- Bedroom n°6: 1 double bed 140 cm and private bathroom with shower and wcs
- Former wine storehouses : converted into a summer cinema area with chiliennes, large screen and popcorn machines.
Outdoors:
- 6000 m2 of outdoor space including a large esplanade, oak woodland, gardens and courtyards with panoramic views over the countryside.
- A natural stone swimming pool of 19m*6m
This château is located right at the top of a lively village with shops that are open all year round, which is unusual for this rural region, plus several restaurants.
Château Coeur de Gers is centrally located for visiting the most popular sights of the surrounding Gers region, which was home to the real-life soldier D’Artagnan of Musketeers fame:
- Château de Lavardens: a historic 12th-century castle which hosts exhibitions and cultural activities every year.
- The episcopal city of Condom: A statue of D’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers takes pride of place in the heart of the town square. Don’t miss the impressive Saint Peter's Cathedral and its cloisters. Condom is also the capital of Armagnac – sample the local liqueur before you leave.
- Auch: pronounced osh, Auch has a rich historical heritage – and a famous statue of D'Artagnan!
Stroll through the narrow streets or take a fun treasure hunt tour to explore the town with your children. The Claude Desbons Walk will take you along the banks of the River Gers, and the Museum of the Americas is worth a visit for its extensive collection of pre-Columbian art. Hikers will be interested to know that Auch is a major stopover on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
In the summer, villages in the Gers come alive with night markets where local craftspeople and producers sell their wares.
Children will love visiting farms or adventuring through a bamboo or corn maze while teenagers will enjoy the space and freedom. Hire a quad bike or an electric bike, head to a lake or river for water sports or simply get out and climb trees!
And for the little ones, there are visits to farms and a bamboo or corn maze. Auch also offers a fun tour of the city in the form of a treasure hunt to motivate the youngest visitors to wander through the narrow streets of the historic centre.
As you can see, this region ticks all the boxes for family holidays.
This is undoubtedly one of the most foodie regions in France. The dishes here are hearty and traditionally based on meat, rich side dishes and red wine – although non-meat eaters can be well catered for, too.
There are too many delicacies to mention, but here are some musts to try before you leave:
Foie gras is the region’s hallmark product, a prestigious pâté made from either duck or goose liver. Visit the farms themselves to buy directly from the producer. This part of France is known for its poultry and noble products such as Gascony beef, which will wow the most discerning meat lover.
The land is rich in plant products such as Saint-Clar garlic, renowned for its health benefits. Take a tour of the garlic house, where you'll see it in all its colours: black garlic, violet garlic and white garlic!
This is also the home of Armagnac liqueur, a wine brandy aged in oak casks that pairs well with a Gers foie gras, charcuterie or even chocolate.
- Toulouse Blagnac airport: 120 km
- Agen railway station: 60km
- Auch train station: 40km
Location, for information purposes only
