The house, built on a promontory, has a 500-year-old feudal tower at its centre and was one of Henri IV’s hunting lodges. Both bedrooms face the garden for morning sun and are supremely comfortable with much space, proper linen bedding and freshly picked flowers. Find a peaceful space for yourselves with a book, or just to unbend, in the inner courtyard or in one of the garden ‘rooms’.
Breakfast is served wherever you want: fresh croissants and pains au chocolat, freshly squeezed oranges and fruit from the market, yogurt and good coffee. For the extra hungry, François will rustle up toasted brioche with avocado and a poached egg. Ottolenghi-inspired dinners are three courses and based on vegetarian cuisine.
You’re deep in the Gers, a quieter part of Gascony famed for its forests and hilltop towns, where you’ll still find locals in the cafes, wearing a cap and sipping a glass of chilled vin de pays. A taste of old France.
I was blown away by the beauty of this house and the warmth and talent of the owners. François' cooking sounded incredible and I long to spend an evening sipping wine in great company watching the sun set on the lovely hills of the Gers beyond. Truly a destination unto itself!