The Setting: Maison Roxy has been built around part of the C12th fortified wall of a ruined Castelnau, and has performed many functions over the centuries including those of village cinema(The Roxy!), bakery, ironmonger and garage. As a result the accommodation is rambling and on several levels, and now forms the end of a collection of south-facing houses.It istands on the edge of the tiny hamlet of Peyrusse-Grande, having the Mairie just across the street and with views in all directions.The garden is enclosed and secluded with trees, lawn, roses and shrubs (73sqm). The pool is 7 x 3 m (enclosure 48sqm) and is available from late May to the end of October. The covered loggia outside the kitchen is cool and shady for outside meals throughout the year and a comfortable viewing point for the spectacular electric storms that pass along the Pyrenees in the summer.There is a moveable charcoal barbecue. The games room contains table-football, billiards, darts as well as library and a CD player: ideal for teenagers to 'get away' to. The floodlit village tennis court and boules area is a 1 minute walk from the house. Various sizes of bicycles are available for guests to explore the quiet roads. They do not form part of the letting agreement for insurance purposes, so check the tyres first.
The Village: Peyrusse-Grande is a tiny village with two squares, infants' school, church and Mairie set back from the road: no through traffic so very safe for children. Peyrusse was founded as a Castelnau in the 12th century and its church began as a Benedictine abbey in the 11th century. At the end of August, for one weekend, the Fete takes over: all the people of the Commune arrive to play petanque, talk, eat a huge meal, talk, drink a little, talk and play loud music in the evening. More practically: the bread van arrives daily (except Mondays and Thursdays) and there is a vineyard and winery across the valley, the Domaine de Turet, where you can sample and buy their home-produced wines and aperitifs. At night the barn owl sweeps past, in the day the swallows swoop down and drink from the pool and the lizards climb the stone walls. As evening falls the treefrog starts to call but otherwise it is very, very quiet (except for the Fete).
The Region: Gascony is rural France as it use to be: empty roads, ancient villages, traditional local produce, lots of street markets. The wonderful richness and quality of the food, wine and Armagnac is well-reflected in the numerous local restaurants. The department of the Gers is widely recognised as the land of the good life: just observe how the local people entertain and enjoy themselves and follow their example. Prepare to be enchanted. Throughout the summer there are music festivals: internationally-famous Jazz-in-Marciac, Tempo Latino at Vic-Fezensac and Country and Western at Mirande. There are exciting night markets at Vic and a village fete locally every weekend. Within 10 miles there are two swimming lakes with sandy beaches. One of the best ways to appreciate the beautiful rolling countryside of ridges, valleys and ancient villages is to explore the many way-marked walks, especially in late spring, early summer and autumn when the clarity of the air and the quality of light is breathtaking. They are of varying lengths and can take in lakes, woodland and, ideally, a restaurant around lunchtime. The Pyrenees, with wonderful walks, climbing and white water rafting and the Atlantic coast's white sandy beaches and surfing are both 90 minutes away. Finally, this is the birth-place of the most famous Gascon of all: D'Artagnan, born within five miles of the house.
