La Maison Des Harmonies

The owners of this wonderfully converted 4-bedroom farmhouse in Gascony have opened their doors to allow discerning holiday makers to exclusively experience the character and beauty of their home and swimming pool, located within a glorious estate with views of the undulating Gers countryside.

Just a short cycle ride or drive to Marciac, home of the famous summer jazz festival, the main house at Maison des Harmonies combines historic charm with contemporary design. Once a farmhouse in the 1700s, a 21st century sculptor brought the building back to life taking great care to preserve its heritage whilst adding architecturally unique features such as the modern staircase and mezzanine level. The home’s current owners took over the project just a few years ago, landscaping the glorious grounds to create an idyllic retreat steeped in history.

Enter the 4-bedroom farmhouse through the impressive entrance hall which leads straight through to an elegant dining area and cosy lounge with French windows opening out to the covered terrace. A high-ceilinged classic yet modern kitchen also awaits with a stylish kitchen island and Wi-Fi controlled pellet burner to create an ambience of warmth, alongside an adjoining TV lounge. Upstairs, beneath the eaves, find four delightful bedrooms, each one named after famous singers, alongside three en suite shower rooms and a family bathroom. We especially love the master bedroom with its king-size double and large window allowing light to flood in to the room.  

For more than 8 guests, the adjoining 2-bedroom villa is also available to rent alongside the larger farmhouse, allowing the estate to sleep up to 15 people across both houses. The smaller villa's open-plan lounge and dining area features a Smart TV with French, British and International channels and doors leading out to a terrace for al-fresco dining or a glass of local wine with a beautiful outlook. The kitchen is brilliantly equipped whilst there are two bedrooms, one with a double and a single, the other with two doubles, alongside a good-sized family bathroom.

Rest assured that when the larger farmhouse is booked alone, the smaller villa will not be rented out separately (although there is a small possibility that the hospitable yet very discreet owners may be present).

Sit beneath the covered terrace for al-fresco meals with family and friends or take a stroll across to the gorgeous swimming pool and its raised dining terrace with the most idyllic vistas towards the gentle hills of Gascony, a region known as the ‘Tuscany of France’. Find a pretty spot for a glass of Armagnac or wine from nearby vineyards (Saint Mont and Madiran are half an hour away) and take a walk around the large natural pond within the one-hectare estate.

It's just 5km to reach the charming town of Marciac – why not make the most of the estate’s two electric bikes to grab croissants and fresh bread in the morning. As well as its huge main square, weekly market, atmospheric cafes and welcoming restaurants, Marciac is renowned for the ‘Jazz in Marciac’ festival that takes place over three weeks from late July and attracts big-name artists and visitors from across the world.

Meanwhile, enjoy long walks, cycling and horse-riding through the Gers countryside, visit some of the region’s historic market towns and picture-perfect villages, or venture south to Tarbes and Lourdes in the Hautes-Pyrénées in the true heart of southern France.