Location
The property is located in the southwest of the Occitanie region and the Haut-Garonne department, within the former Comminges region at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains. South of Toulouse and east of Tarbes, the property is surrounded by pastureland and verdant wooded hills with the Pyrenees Mountains visible off along the horizon. In terms of nature, two Pyrenees natural parks are located nearby, to the southwest and southeast of the Comminges region, while forty minutes from the town in which the house is located, the Luchonnais valleys create a mountainous terrain with unspoiled nature, protected by its topography. In addition, the Pyrenees ski slopes can be reached by car in 45 minutes and Spain in 1.5 hours.
Description
The manor house, built in 1870, has either two or three storeys, depending on its various volumes, and is topped with single-pitch, gable, three-sided and hipped slate rooftops. Built out of ashlar stone and covered in ochre-colour plaster, three rectangular sections or foreparts as well as a square tower make up the asymmetrical and elegant building, the various features of which recall the Gothic Revival style. With an exterior designed in such a way as to provide the dwelling with both its character and identity, its light-colour ashlar stone pilasters with smooth rusticated stonework and sharp corners accentuate its various angles.
The house’s colourful friezes with geometric patterns in blue, red and cream, crenels and stone or zinc mouldings along the cornice, wraparound stringcourses as well as the roofs’ projecting eaves, all contribute to the building’s overall elegant appearance and characteristic ornamental grace. The pinkish ochre of its exterior walls highlights all of its decorative elements, while the plain stone or beige-colour plaster-coated window and door surrounds, corners, foundation and stringcourses showcase the structure of the architecture’s volumes.
The manor’s large-paned windows and doors, mainly rectangular in shape, have flat or moulded surrounds, some of which are highlighted by a windowsill, an entablature, fanlights or a balcony with a stone guardrail for those facing south, while the tower, with mostly rounded or dropped arch windows, is illuminated by triple windows on each side of its top floor. In addition, a round oculus crowns the manor’s central second-floor window to the south and an arched window overlooks the rectangular glass doors that open onto the first-floor patio facing east.
The Manor House
The ground floor
This floor includes two reception rooms, accessible via a hallway, a kitchen and an office. The living room has wide glass double doors, oriel windows, a brick and sculpted stone fireplace topped with a white plaster chimneybreast and a white-painted coffered ceiling, which adds character to the room, the floor of which is decorated with honey-coloured oak hardwood. Following on from here is a dining room, which also has the same coffered ceiling and hardwood floor. Incredibly luminous, thanks to their large picture windows and southern exposure, these rooms are located next to an immense tiled fitted kitchen, with an undeniably modern feel. To the right of the front door, the office has a magnificent partially glazed wooden bookcase, while a former kitchen, which was preserved, is used as a large pantry.
The first floor
A timeless-looking stone staircase with an understated wrought-iron bannister leads to a landing that provides access to three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the first floor. The main bedroom has a large flagstone patio and stone guardrail with simple rectangular and square geometric patterns, similar to those safeguarding the other bedrooms’ balconies. In addition, two bedrooms have marble fireplaces, while the same oak hardwood floors can be found throughout this level, with the exception of those in the bathrooms.
The second floor
On the second and last floor, the landing provides access to two large bedrooms with hardwood floors, one of which is extended by a balcony and has a blue-painted tiled bathroom with its original bathtub, washbasin and faucet. It should be noted that all the bedrooms have breath-taking, unobstructed views of the Pyrenees.
The tower
Accessible from a wooden staircase on the first floor, it includes two immense spaces built under the eaves with hardwood floors, wood panelled ceilings and wainscoting, which could be used as either a library, TV room and/or bedroom.
The Garden
Enclosed by stone walls and mostly covered in grass, it provides magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and, yet, remains sheltered from view. Planted with a variety of different trees, both deciduous and conifers, some of which are quite tall, the garden gently slopes down from the patios or stone walkways bordering the building. Lastly, the oval-shaped swimming pool, surrounded by a stone patio and located to the south of the dwelling, is a wonderful asset for the house, situated only a stone’s throw away from shops and, yet, completely ensconced in peace and quiet, nestled within its abundant vegetation.
Our opinion
With its panoply of decorative details, architectural precision and variety of shapes thanks to its exterior and rooftops, this dwelling has been designed with dynamic and one-of-a-kind features. In addition, the house’s many rooms are in keeping with its ornate exterior with their hardwood floors, coffered or moulded ceilings, colourful walls – some of which are covered in patterned wallpaper – and elegant, yet understated, décor.
As for its environment, this is a considerable asset for its future occupants, who will be able to take daily advantage of its ideal location in the foothills of the Pyrenees, appreciated for its sumptuous pastureland, forests and astounding ecological diversity, in terms of both its flora or fauna. Guaranteeing a perfect balance between city life and peace and quiet, the property is also within proximity to a number of hiking paths, ski slopes and nearby tourist attractions in Spain.
Reference 175929
Land registry surface area | 2500 m2 |
Main building surface area | 300 m2 |
Number of bedrooms | 5 |
NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.