7 bedroom Country House For Sale: Pau

No expense has been spared in terms of either the craftsmanship or quality of the materials that were used in the construction. Special features include copper gutters and drain pipes, oak floors and ceilings, exotic wood balconies, apparent cross-shaved oak beams, Spanish antique and modern doors, double glazing with hinged wooden framing, ethernet cabling (CAT 5), speaker cables in every room, an AGA cooker, Andalusian tiled floors and 900 litres of hot water through four separate systems.

There are two principal floors, with a further two within the tower, which is in the style of a pigeonier and replicates a feature of the original manor house. The top floor contains the tower bedroom, which is linked to the large bathroom one floor below by a spiral staircase. Inevitably, the wonderful views from the house become more extensive with each successive floor.

The principal entrance, with its fine antique entrance door, leads into a spacious reception hall, off which there is a walk-in cloakroom. The large drawing room has a feature stone fireplace containing a wood burning stove and a full width “minstrel’s gallery” above at one end. A large double bedroom includes a cast iron roll top bath, whilst a second double bedroom has a fully fitted shower room leading off. There is a good sized utility room and a study or sitting room, with the spiral staircase leading up to the tower rooms above.

The floor below is at garden level and includes a further large drawing room, separate dining room with beamed ceiling and fireplace and a very large dining kitchen with fitted Aga cooker. From all three rooms, glazed double doors, two pairs in the case of the drawing room and kitchen, lead to the garden or large terrace.

Built underground to ensure a cool atmosphere are the wine cellar, large home cinema with built-in seating, larder and technical room containing the central heating and water heating boiler.

Thankfully, the huge detached barn survived the 50 years of neglect sufficiently to be strengthened, restored, modernised and converted into excellent additional accommodation. At ground level, there is an open ended area at one end, with door to the remaining barn area, from which a large living room can be created. A staircase leads to the floor above. There is also a kitchen with breakfast area and further staircase, bathroom and, at the other end, the built-in garage.

The first floor comprises a large studio, off which there is a full width balcony over the open ended archway below, bathroom and two good sized bedrooms.

The swimming pool and its pool house are every bit as special and unusual as the rest of the property! The pool itself forms a fabulous focal point of the grounds. It is twice the size of a normal one due to the extra waterway running from it, adding to both its beauty and the fun that can be enjoyed by those using it. The pool house has been designed as a folly, reflecting the shape of the house, with the swimming pool in turn reflecting the shape of the folly.

The grounds provide the residence with a high degree of privacy, combined with the charm of the oak woodland which prevails. The property includes approximately ten acres (4 hectares) of parkland and woodland. The grounds are part of the Napoleon III period park which accompanied the original manor house and have been carefully restored.

THE SURROUNDING AREA

The property is situated amidst magical rolling hills, surrounded by vineyards and ancient oak forests, at the very heart of the wine country. The grounds border the wine growing region of St Mont, whilst those of Juracon and the Bearn are close by. This is also in the Armagnac region.

The village of Viella is just 2 km away and provides day to day facilities including a boulangerie, supermarket, chemist and bar. Some of the most charming towns in South West France are close by, including Marciac, Plaisance du Gers, Vic en Bigorre, Maubourguet and Aire sur l'Adour. These all combine excellent modern facilities and atmospheric weekly markets selling wonderful local produce with stunning old architecture which, in some cases, reflects their origins as bastide towns, so typical of the region.

Despite being in the midst of vineyard country, the nearest airport to the property is at Pau which is only 35 minutes away. It currently operates seven flights daily to Paris as well as direct flights to London and Amsterdam. Bordeaux, Toulouse and Biarritz are all approximately an hour and a half away.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

1. These details are provided and intended as a general guide only and do not form a contract or any part of a contract. Intending buyers must make their own investigations and are advised to take appropriate independent legal advice. The final sale price may vary due to currency exchange fluctuations.
2. Please be aware that, if you print off these details entirely, they will include the full Disclaimer which covers numerous points, some of which may not be relevant to this property and which can be viewed by clicking on ‘Disclaimer’ at the foot of this page. To avoid this, print the pages of the actual property details individually, but it will then be assumed that you have read and are aware of the complete Disclaimer.

Key Features:

An outstanding individual modern residence of the highest quality
No expense spared in terms of craftsmanship & quality of materials
7 bedrooms & 6 bathrooms complement the fabulous living areas
Underground are a cinema, wine cellar, larder and technical room
Large unique swimming pool plus pool house designed as a folly
Fully renovated and restored original barn with an area of 200 m2
The house stands in ten acres of private parkland and woodland
Wonderful position 2 km from village, near charming market towns
In Wine & Armagnac country yet only 35 minutes from Pau Airport
Stunning views over rolling countryside from the top of the tower Ref: 36696-PS-SS-TV