In the heart of Gascony, Maison Vintage is located in the historic town of Condom, close to the banks of the Petite Baïse river, in the wonderful Gers department of southern France.
Despite the tranquil ambience of your private courtyard, step out of your front door and you are in the bustling town, a few steps from restaurants, bars, bakeries and more. Wander 300m and find yourself at the magnificent Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Condom and the brilliant statue of the four musketeers.
Explore Condom’s medieval lanes, stop off in a café-bar to sample locally distilled Armagnac, and soak up the ambience of the twice-weekly market near the cathedral, looking out for some of Gascony’s highly regarded foie-gras and magret, delicious goat cheeses and seasonal fruit and vegetables such as garlic, melons and kiwi fruit. Condom is home to several excellent restaurants and has a fine reputation for its gastronomy.
Walking just a few minutes south of the town, head to the large riverside park for picturesque walks, picnics and a small children’s play area. If you fancy a spot of canoeing or kayaking along the Baïse, drive south to Beaucaire around 15km away where excursions can be arranged.
The Gers countryside with its rolling hills and meadows is waiting to be explored. Embrace the slow pace of life and come across pretty bastide villages, fortified towns and impressive historic sites, not to mention so many atmospheric markets selling delicious produce of the region. Look out for night markets (le marché nocturne) in Gascon villages that often take place in the height of the summer – expect live music, good wine, and locally sourced food.
Other characterful market towns include both Lectoure (23km) and Fleurance (32km) whilst Auch (43km), the historic capital of Gascony, is home to the impressive Tour d’Armagnac and Cathedrale Saint-Marie. Idyllic villages not to be missed include Larressingle, Fourcès and Montréal, all within a 10 to 20-minute drive from Condom.
Part of the Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage route, there are some lovely walking trails around Larressingle and Montréal, or discover other hiking routes through fields of sunflowers, vineyards, and farms. Of course, there are also opportunities for cycling, horse-riding, summer water-based activities and even hot-air balloon rides.
Meanwhile, music lovers should check out the dates for the famous Jazz Festival in Marciac, around an hour away, which usually takes place in late July/August (jazz concerts take place throughout the year).
The Region
A relatively new addition to France, the Midi-Pyrénées was created to surround the cultural capital of Toulouse in the late 1970s. You might think that its relative youth would mean the Midi-Pyrénées is short on character or identity, but remember, this is France we’re talking about – the whole country is steeped in history and tradition.
Encompassing parts of Gascony, Languedoc, the Gers and several others, you’ll get a varied slice of the whole French experience here, not least if you stay at one of our beautiful chateaux in the Midi-Pyrénées!
