Pontacq in the heart of the Gascogne countryside.
SAVOUR THE BEST OF GASCONY The pace is slow, the food sublime, the local�s 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 honey pots; 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 dig�stif. Life is slow and relaxed and it is little wonder that locals enjoy the longest life expectancy in France. PONTACQ is a recently and tastefully renovated farmhouse offering the opportunity to get off the 'stress merry-go-round' and leave any problems at the gate, to relax in peaceful surroundings. It offers you well equipped, secure and comfortable accommodation. It is in an ideal location from which you can launch your exploration of this beautiful and historic region and begin to discover the hidden secrets of rural France. To savour its amenities, heritage, tradition, cuisine and beauty.
Some of the many local leisure opportunities include: Chateaux and vineyards visits with wine tastings, Armagnac museum visits with sampling, Regular weekly local markets, Special summer night markets in Vic Fezensac, Antique, Brocante shops, and Flea Markets, Independent country and guided town walks, including special circuit tours of historic Auch and Condom, Local commune fetes all summer long, Classical concerts, Auch Cathedral August Organ Festival, Country and Western festival at Mirande.
The house is situated outside the village of Panjas 15km north of Nogaro and west of the Market town of Eauze, Gers. 90min from the Atlantic beaches and the Pyrenees, two hours from Spain and the airports of both Toulouse and Biarritz. One hour from Pau (Midi Pyrenees) airport with budget flights by Ryanair. It is located on the Route D'Armagnac lined with vines that produce the wines and Armagnac of the region. Set amidst the beautiful rolling countryside that typifies this heart of Gascony.
Positioned outside this typically styled and quiet old French village with local shops including the best boulangerie in the area, two butchers, two food stores, a seven day shop, hairdressers, post office, antique shops, restaurant, bar and tennis courts in Estang 3 min drive. Greater selection of shops and major supermarkets, an excellent golf course in Eauze, market town and capital of the Armagnac region, 20 km (16 mins by car). Nogaro 15km. (12mins by car) provides additional supermarkets and retail choice together with its light aero club and formula two race track. All three have arenas with regular events including Course Landaise.
There are Bandas - big band street music at Condom in May, World famous August Jazz Festival at Marciac, Vic Fezensac Summer Bull Fighting & �Latino� Music Festivals, Canoeing at Beaucaire sur Baise, Fishing, Gliding, Golf - nearby 18 & 9 hole courses at Auch, Eauze (Guinlet) and Fleurance with regular Sunday competitions. Green fee entrants are welcome (golf clubs available), Horse racing (Flat & Trotting), Motor racing, River Cruises from Condom, Astronomy exhibitions at Fleurance & Leisure lake at nearby Gondrin.
Seclusion, relaxation, peace and quiet comes as standard on Pontacq as you enjoy the pool and gardens, surrounded by the glory of the French countryside. Enjoy the convivial atmosphere of alfresco dining after a rewarding day of enjoying yourself. It�s tough but someone has got to do it! 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. 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 Fourc�s, Montreal and Larressingle. For the traditionalists among you, the Paul Ricard sponsored Spanish style bull fighting is freely available most of the year as all towns and most villages have their arenas. There is also Course Landaise (heifer-running) - no cruelty, only fun for family entertainment, locally in Estang, Eauze, Nogaro or Vic-Fezensac 37 km.
Golf � Mature 18 hole golf course with practice drive, putting greens, restaurant, bar and swimming pools at Guinlet, Eauze 15 mins by car, with more around Auch & Mont de Marsan. Fishing - Le Gers has a profusion of lakes and the Adour river with it hundreds of feeder rivers and streams make for ample choice for the enthusiast. Permits covering the whole of Le Gers can be purchased locally. Motor sport � Nogaro race circuit hosts many events throughout the season. Bike, formula two, classic cars, super cars and truck racing are featured regularly. Track days throughout the year for the enthusiast to practise.
PONTACQ has for your exclusive use a new swimming pool and sun terrace with superb country views, shaded and barbeque area located in your own private garden. The pool is fitted with an alarm security system that complies with French regulations to help you further ensure the safety of younger children. A long tree lined entrance drive offers increased security for children. Your holiday home 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.
The quiet country roads, profusion of roadside restaurants and bars, the French laid back attitude to life and fantastic scenery make visiting and travelling the area a pleasure. A strong Spanish influence pervades the region; the unique mix of culture is evident & fascinating. Tradition, custom and courtesy are not forgotten here, they are not cast off as �old fashioned� but respected and used as an integral part of life. Many of our visitors find this refreshing as it gives oxygen to the old fashioned values of trust and respect adding to the feeling of being safe and secure.
The owners who live on the five-acre site, but out of view and away from the property assure your privacy. 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 can also be available should you require it.