vacation rental France Midi-Pyrénées Gascogne (Gers) Panjas Pontacq Cottage

Description
Savour the best that is Gascony.The pace is slow, the food sublime, the locals 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 honeypots; 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 located on the Route D'Armagnac lined with vines that produce the wines and Armagnac of the region.Pontacq is situated outside the village of Panjas 15km north of Nogaro and west of the Market town of Eauze, Gers. An hour from the train at Agen, 90min from the Atlantic beaches and the Pyrenees, two hours from Spain and the airports of both Toulouse and Biaritz. One hour from Pau (Midi Pyrenees) airport with budget flights by Ryanair. It has a new private swimming pool and sun terrace with stunning country views, shaded and barbeque areas located in your own private garden. A long tree lined entrance drive offers increased security for children. Pontacq is accessed via a quiet country commune road and there are parkland entrance gardens offering shade, beauty and additional play areas for those warm summer days. Your privacy is assured by the owners who live on the five-acre site but away from the property. They run and maintain their high standards themselves and can be available for those little emergencies should any occur. Help, advice and updated local information is also available.SMALLER PARTY DISCOUNT. 20% OFF PUBLISHED RATES for bookings of groups of six or less persons (offer excludes period 10/07/04 to 03/09/04). All bookings are Saturday 4pm to Saturday 10 am. A 25% Non-returnable deposit to secure booking with balance and security deposit payable 6 weeks prior to arrival. There is a EUR 350 security / damage deposit payable. This is repayable after settlement of any damages and on completion of satisfactory inventory on departure.Getaway breaks available October to April - 3 nights Friday to Sunday inclusive €430. Book yourself a cheap flight with Ryanair (Pau & Biaritz) or BA, Flybe & BMI (Toulouse) for that fun and or romantic weekend. Visit Auch (rhymes with posh) Perched on a cliff overlooking the river Gers, medieval Auch is the capital and heart of Gascony. The labyrinthine streets of the old town are linked to the river by a monumental staircase embellished with a statue of d’Artagnan. The cathedral houses two wonders of the Middle Ages; probably the best carved choir stalls in the world and some of the finest stained glass in France.Positioned outside this typically styled and quiet old French village with local shops, restaurants and tennis in Estang 5 min drive. More shops and an excellent golf course in Eauze, market town and capital of the Armagnac region, 20 km. Nogaro 15km. provides additional choice together with its light aero club and formula two race track. The quiet country roads, profusion of roadside restaurants. 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. There is Course Landaise (heifer-running) - no cruelty, only fun – locally in Estang, Eauze, Nogaro or Vic-Fezensac 37 km. A strong Spanish influence pervades the region; the unique mix of culture is evident & fascinating.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.Golf – Mature 18 hole golf course with practice drive, putting greens, restaurant, bar and swimming pools at Guinlet, Eauze 15 mins by car.Within 15 mins drive there are 3 lakes for leisurely walks, for the more energetic two have sandy beaches, play areas, swimming and water-sports. The majestic mountains of the Pyrenees 90 mins by car. Superb for touring with walks and picnics in the summer, spectacular scenery and of course good skiing in the winter at the resorts of La Mongie, Cauterets and Formigal. Visit Lourdes, shop or coffee in the beautiful and historic centres of Auch and Pau.Larressingle, 5km (3 miles) west of Condom, is like a life-size model fort. Protected by a moat and an outer wall, this 13th-century village has towers, a huge castle keep, impressive machicolated entrance and pretty medieval houses — all huddled within its two-acre site surrounded by vineyards. Three decades ago, it was all but abandoned; today the quiet streets boast a couple of shops, a cosy museum, gallery and crêperie. There is also a collection of medieval war machines. The 12th-century Abbaye de Flaran near Valence-sur-Baïse is an exquisite example of Cistercian architecture; pale stone and shafts of light create a breathtaking harmony. Flaran’s cool corridors; the abbey is now a cultural centre and visitors are treated to edifying exhibitions. Last year’s main display covered the pilgrim routes to St Jacques de Compostelle and there was a colourful show of a local cartoonist’s work that ran until early August. Just off the D930 north of Valence-sur-Baïse on the road to Condom.Gascon festivals: Vic-Fezensac: the Tempo Latino festival takes place over three days and nights around the bullring and streets of this normally sleepy little town around the third week in July. Salsa in the street to the sounds of Cuban bands in a wild but well-behaved atmosphere. Details: 00 33 5 62 06 56 66,www.tempo-latino.com Marciac: The International Jazz Festival, from around August 1-15, attracts stars from all over the world. Last year they ranged from the pianist Oscar Peterson to the Cuban vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer. Real enthusiasts attend the daily concerts, but many just come along to sip a cool beer and hear the jam sessions held in the beautiful square. Details: 62 09 33 33, www.jazzinmarciac.com.Getting here: Ryanair (0871-246 0000, www.ryanair.com) flies from Frankfurt, Stansted to Pau, return flights from EUR 40.Guide book: Lonely Planet, EUR 18. South West France (ISBN 1 86450 382 3) www.lonelyplanet.com

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