Vacation Rental Description
SAVOUR THE BEST OF GASCONY The pace is slow, the food sublime, the local’s friendly. There is a beguiling corner of southwest France that politicians refer to as la France profonde; where stressed Parisians dream of buying their holiday homes. The landscape is as unscarred today as when d’Artagnan, one of Alexandre Dumas’ famed musketeers, walked his native land. This is Gascony. The sleepy villages, vineyards, maize and sunflower fields that define the countryside are still free of the crowds of tourists that flock to neighbouring regions. There are no motorways, no power stations or industry, and no well-known tourist honey pots; it has remained a rural backwater, undisturbed by modernity. The region is clearly defined by its hearty food and drink; duck is the culinary king, foie gras has attained reverential status, and Armagnac, cognac’s earthier cousin, is the local digéstif. Life is slow and relaxed and it is little wonder that locals enjoy the longest life expectancy in France.
PONTACQ is a recently and tastefully renovated farmhouse offering the opportunity to get off the 'stress merry-go-round' and leave any problems at the gate, to relax in peaceful surroundings. It offers you well equipped, secure and comfortable accommodation. It is in an ideal location from which you can launch your exploration of this beautiful and historic region and begin to discover the hidden secrets of rural France. To savour its amenities, heritage, tradition, cuisine and beauty.
The house is situated outside the village of Panjas 15km north of Nogaro and west of the Market town of Eauze, Gers. 90min from the Atlantic beaches and the Pyrenees, two hours from Spain and the airports of both Toulouse and Biarritz. One hour from Pau (Midi Pyrenees) airport with budget flights by Ryanair. It is located on the Route D'Armagnac lined with vines that produce the wines and Armagnac of the region. Set amidst the beautiful rolling countryside that typifies this heart of Gascony. Positioned outside this typically styled and quiet old French village with local shops including the best boulangerie in the area, two butchers, two food stores, a seven day shop, hairdressers, post office, antique shops, restaurant, bar and tennis courts in Estang 3 min drive. Greater selection of shops and major supermarkets, an excellent golf course in Eauze, market town and capital of the Armagnac region, 20 km (16 mins by car). Nogaro 15km. (12mins by car) provides additional supermarkets and retail choice together with its light aero club and formula two race track. All three have arenas with regular events including Course Landaise. www.courselandaise.org/calendrier.php
Facilities
Cable Satellite
Cooking Utensils
Dishwasher
DVD
Heating
Kitchen
Linen Service
Microwave
Open Fire
Amenity Parking
Private Pool
Refrigerator
Sterio
TV
Washer
Seclusion, relaxation, peace and quiet comes as standard on Pontacq as you enjoy the pool and gardens, surrounded by the glory of the French countryside. Enjoy the convivial atmosphere of alfresco dining after a rewarding day of enjoying yourself. It’s tough but someone has got to do it! Try the many fetes though-out the holiday season together with music festivals including the internationally acclaimed Jazz festival at Marciac (1st 2 weeks in August) The country and western festival at Mirande and Pentecote at Vic Fezansac with its International Salsa Festival in July. There are many local markets and regular night markets where the locals buy, dance and party through the night. Follow the d’Artagnan trail to Aignan, sample the local wines and Armagnac, savour the renowned cuisine, perhaps finishing at Lupiac 35 km, with d’Artagnan centre. While away a day in the historic Bastide villages of Fourcès, Montreal and Larressingle.
Activities
Playground
Cinema
Fishing
Golf
Horse Riding
Mountain Biking
Restaurant
Shopping
Tennis
Golf. Mature 18 hole golf course with practice drive, putting greens, restaurant, bar and swimming pools at Guinlet, 15 mins by car, with more at Auch & Mont de Marsan. Fishing. Le Gers has a profusion of lakes and the Adour river with it hundreds of feeder rivers and streams make for ample choice for the enthusiast. Permits covering the whole of Le Gers can be purchased locally. Motor sport – Nogaro race circuit hosts many events throughout the season. Bike, formula two, classic cars, super cars and truck racing are featured regularly. Track days throughout the year offer the enthusiast the opportunity to practise. For the traditionalists among you, the Paul Ricard sponsored Spanish style bull fighting is freely available most of the year as all towns and most villages have their arenas. There is also Course Landaise (heifer-running) no cruelty, only fun for family entertainment, locally in Estang, Eauze, Nogaro or Vic-Fezensac 37 km.
Travel Options
- Nearest Airport : Pau at 90 kilometers distance;
- Nearest Train Station : Mont de Marsan at 35 kilometers distance
- Nearest Town : Nogaro at 15 kilometers distance