The ‘Maison du Jardin’ (Garden House) has been created by the Chateau’s present owners on the site of the old walled kitchen garden (‘potager’). The swimming-pool terrace used to be the Orangery and the pool terrace wall is part of the fortified walls of the Chateau which successfully defied the Black Prince of England in 1369 during the Hundred Years War between France and England – indeed this part of the property is known locally as ‘Le Bastion du Prince Noir’! The families of the Counts of Poudenas and of Nadaillac have owned the Chateau since the C13th, when the whole of the Duchy of Aquitaine belonged to Edward I, King of England. The magnificent buildings here today reflect seven centuries of the intertwined history of France and England. Alix and Jean de Nadaillac’s branch of the family have lived here since the early 1800’s and have done much to restore and improve the property. Their latest work is the Garden House, stylishly refurbished five years ago from the walls and buildings surrounding the old kitchen garden. All the timber used in the conversion comes from the estate woods, carefully worked by local craftsmen, and Alix de Nadaillac’s design skills can be seen throughout.
Completely self-contained, yet very much part of the Chateau as a whole, this delightful, sunny, cool, well-equipped, holiday house sleeps 12 in spacious comfort. The property looks over its own lawn across to the beautifully sited south-facing salt-water pool (11m x 5m) with its sun-soaked walls and wide shady terraces, and on beyond over the village of Poudenas to the Pyrenees. The Garden House sits within its own walled garden, with private parking, and guests staying here have access to the beautifully wooded park and grounds of the Chateau, as well as the family tennis court. There is a riding stables close by and horse riding can be arranged as part of your holiday. As well television, there is a DVD Player, Music System and broadband internet access. Here you will enjoy a deeply relaxing holiday in the heart of Gascony, at the same time experiencing as much as you want of the history and romance of this historic Chateau.
The history of the property and its families is so interesting that it is with great pride that the present owners, the Comte and Comtesse de Nadaillac, will welcome their guests in the Maison du Jardin for an ‘aperitif’ in the Chateau, and – if you wish - take you on a private tour of the State Rooms – a rare privilege in a private French home. As well as having lunches and dinners cooked for you by the chateau staff in the Maison du Jardin, you can also chose to have a ‘Grand Dinner’ in the State Dining Room in the Chateau – a truly memorable event in your holiday! At all these meals, Alix and Jean de Nadaillac will offer you a selection from the wide range of their favourite Gascon foods and wines. The village of Poudenas, a short walk down hill, has a really good bakery and also happens to have an excellent bistro, offering arguably the best pizza to be found outside Italy! Mezin, with its C11th-14th church, is under 5km drive and has a bank and local shops;, Fources, ‘one of the most beautiful villages of France’ with a famous flower market, is 8km and Nérac which is 18km drive, has a renowned and mouth-watering weekly produce market.
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Maison du Jardin has two suites (each with double bedroom, single bedroom and large bathroom) and three double bedrooms (two twins, one double bed) each with its own bath/shower room. One of the suites is on the ground floor, with an extra-large shower, equipped for wheelchair access. There is an enormous double-height galleried sitting room with a great stone fireplace and beautiful floor of oak, cedar and poplar made using timber from the Chateau woodlands - this is a room in which you can have a great party! There is also a smaller sitting room with TV and books, and views of the Chateau chapel and clock tower. There is under-floor heating on the ground floor, as well as the huge log fire, and radiators upstairs so you will be warm in winter (Poudenas is only two hours drive from the Pyrenees ski-stations). There is a covered terrace outside the kitchen with a large dining table, and a gas-fired "plancha" for cooking vegetables, meat or fish fresh from the market. The kitchen/dining area indoors is very well-equipped, and the furnishings throughout are immaculate. |
The owners of Maison du Jardin live close by in the Chateau. They speak good English and will ensure that their staff do everything necessary to make sure your holiday a tremendous success. Some cleaning every day is included with the rent. Extra cleaning, laundry service or baby-sitting, and excellent cooking, including – if you wish – a Grand Dinner in the Chateau, are all available by arrangement. |
