House for Sale by Owner Near Miélan in the GERS Department of SW France FLOOR PLANS & GENERAL INFORMATION

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1 of SW France FLOOR PLANS & GENERAL INFORMATION This three-bedroom house with a heated pool is in a secluded position on the edge of a small village near local market towns. It is located on a plot of just under 2500 m² with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside of the GERS Department and the Pyrénées. A second building, a beautiful old farmhouse, has been restored for use as gites for your visitors. The Principal House- 160 m 2 The Old Farmhouse Gites- 112m 2 Three bedrooms, lounge/dining room, bathroom, toilet, kitchen, conservatory, laundry room and patio. Two bedrooms, lounge/dining room, shower room/toilet, rustic kitchen and gym/games room. Contact: For more details of the villa, viewing arrangements and to put your questions directly with the owner, please More pictures on pages 5 & 6 V12 Daniel Hawkes 2017

2 of SW France FLOOR PLAN V12 Daniel Hawkes

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4 Getting There: The property is located near the pretty bastide (fortified) town of Miélan, a short distance from the Route Nationale highway RN21 which links the cities of Auch and Tarbes. From nearby airports, the distances are: Toulouse Airport - 120Km (75 miles or 90 minutes drive); Pau Airport - 65Km (40 miles or 60 minutes drive); and Tarbes Airport 34Km (21 miles or 35 minutes drive). Local bus services link Toulouse with Auch and, via Miélan, Auch with Tarbes. The western side of France is served with fast auto-routes giving good access from the Channel ports and from Bilbao and Santander in Spain. V12 Daniel Hawkes

5 House for Sale by Owner Pictures V12 Daniel Hawkes

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7 Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique The Principal House is very well insulated and centrally heated by radiators and a propane gas boiler. This allows all-year round use being cool in summer and warm in winter. A separate gas boiler provides on-demand hot water. The Old Farmhouse relies on its traditional thick wall structure to stabilise seasonal temperature variations. An open wood-burning fireplace is located in the lounge/dining room. An electric immersion tank provides hot water for the shower room and rustic kitchen. SERVICES Three-phase mains electricity. Mains water. Foss Septic tank with filter bed and soak-away (Principal House). Provision is made for connection of the Old Farmhouse to a foss septic tank. A storage tank in the garden provides propane gas for central heating and hot water Telephone Line & Broadband available. The area has good mobile phone coverage. V12 Daniel Hawkes

8 THE VILLA AU DASSABET Originally a farmhouse and out-buildings, two spacious houses have been created on this fully-fenced and gated 2500 m 2 plot. The principal house of the villa has been used as a three-bedroom holiday home by the present owners for some years, and the other, the original attractively restored old farmhouse, as independent accommodation for visiting family and friends. The overall property is in good condition allowing you to use it without the need for your immediate attention. Any updating that you might like to make could be done reasonably easily. The Principal House. This building is in good condition and has a ground floor area of 160 m 2. There is a very large attic which could be developed for additional accommodation. As shown on the floor plan, in addition to a large lounge, the house has a large covered terrace, with windows to two sides, giving views over the garden and countryside. This light and airy room is at present used as a summer sitting/dining room, but you could use it for many things - a games room, gym, conservatory, and a fantastic venue for parties. Adjoining the house is a utility room with a sink, and two gas boilers, one for the central heating to feed radiators, and one for on-demand hot water. There is also plumbing for a washing machine and plenty of space for a dryer, extra fridge and a freezer. The Old Farmhouse Gite. This guest house is a stunning renovation of the original, 300-year-old farmhouse. Also known as the "Metairie" where in former times, the farm tenant paid rent to the landlord with a share of the produce. The building retains its old charm whilst providing self-contained accommodation that is ideal for your guests who will love staying here for their holidays! With a ground floor area of 112 m 2 you could easily use it for renting as a two-bedroom gite with a gymnasium/games room. The building offers opportunities for further development to provide additional accommodation. The Courtyard. This large paved area with a raised trough style of garden separates the guest house and the principal house. The shrubs and plants in the trough add to the beauty of the courtyard enhancing its use as a sunbathing, entertaining, dining and barbecue area for your family, friends and local French visitors. Check out the photo gallery to see an aerial view of the courtyard. V12 Daniel Hawkes

9 The Garden. Gated and fully-fenced, this private garden gives lovely views across the valley. It is well-stocked with many ornamental plants and fruit trees (cherry, pear, apple, fig, peach, mandarin and orange) together with a large garage/workshop and a wood store. An electrically-pumped well with a buried pipe distribution system means that you have economic watering of the garden during dry weather. Within the garden, you will find many tranquil areas to relax. The Swimming Pool. The freshwater pool (10m x 5m and with a deep end), was professionally installed to a high standard on the north side of the property. It has a cleaning robot and the pool is heated with an economical air-source heat pump. Heating can extend your use of the pool from spring into November. A summer & winter cover helps to keep the pool clean and to retain heat. The cover also satisfies the mandatory French safety regulations. An adjacent pool house is equipped with pumping, filtration and control equipment. The surrounding terracotta tiled terrace is large enough for your sun beds and sunshades. It provides an attractive area for entertaining your guests. Security. Window and door shutters together with a fully fenced and gated boundary make the villa extremely secure. Reported crime is not a problem in the area. These factors make this lock-up and leave property ideal as a secondary residence plus the benefits of reasonable insurance costs and peace of mind during your absences! The Local Environment. Tranquillity, clean air, and clean mains water from the Pyrénées, create a superbly healthy environment to make this your ideal primary residence or a secure, lock-up and leave, holiday home. Neighbours include French and British families in a well integrated and socially active community. The Sale Process. The sale will be conducted in compliance with French law under the supervision of a local Notaire thus giving security to both the buyer and the vendor. Independent Condition Reports will be provided. The entire property is offered for sale directly by the owners at the price of No agents will be involved hence the buyer will pay only the Notaire s fee and taxes in addition to the negotiated buying price agreed with the vendor. V12 Daniel Hawkes

10 Whilst the information given here is believed to be complete and reliable, it is not contractual and you should rely on your own inspection and the independent reports before committing to buy the villa. Contact: For more details of the villa, viewing arrangements and to put your questions directly with the owner, please Daniel and Brenda Hawkes Camberley, Surrey GU15 1HH UK Across the Valley View East The following pages provide information about the local area. V12 Daniel Hawkes

11 The Local Area The Occitanie Region France is a big country and what was the Midi-Pyrénées region has been extended from eight departments (equivalent to English counties) to thirteen and renamed Occitanie. The region is located between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The Gers Department was one of the original eight departments of the Midi-Pyrénées. The region is essentially agricultural with high-quality food and wine production, but the aeronautics and space industries are important sectors of the economy with worldwide market penetration. Airbus, one of the world's leading aircraft constructors, has a major production base (for which, tours can be made) in Toulouse, the regional capital. The regional borders to both the north and south are mountainous with the Pyrénées forming a majestic frontier with Spain. The Pyrénées National Park is a protected nature site ideal for summer hiking. Winter sports and fishing are popular activities with a choice of many resorts in the Pyrénées. Places to visit include the observatory on the majestic Pic du Midi, reached by cable car from the ski resort of La Mongie. Further south into the mountains, you will come to the breathtaking Cirque de Gavarnie and its high waterfall, a vast natural bowl of grey and pink limestone carved by glaciers. The Tour de France cycle race also passes each year through the Pyrénées. Excellent motorways (autoroutes) connect the channel ports and Spanish ports to region. The villa is well located for visits to the Pyrénées, the Atlantic and Mediterranean beaches, and to Spain. The Basque region of Saint Jean de Luz, Biarritz, and San Sebastian on the Atlantic coast can be reached in about two hours. In the opposite direction, you can get to the medieval walled Citie de Carcassonne, Narbonne, Perpignan, and the beautiful Mediterranean resorts of Argelès-sur-Mer and Collioure. With little traffic on the roads, long-distance driving through France to and from the villa is both practicable and enjoyable. The Gers Department To quote Ben Palfreyman of the French Property News magazine (February 2016), In a land of wild mushrooms, foie gras and Armagnac brandy, the Gascon department of Gers is as stunning as they come. Fields of sunflowers frame ancient bastide villages in summer until the weather turns and the distant Pyrenean mountains get their first sprinkling of snow. The Gers (rhymes with chairs with a soft G) is located just north of the central Pyrénées and takes its name from the Gers River that runs through the department. Historically, this part of the region was known as Gascony, V12 Daniel Hawkes

12 often compared with the Italian Tuscany because of its gently rolling hills, rural landscapes and pretty villages. The population density is among the lowest in France with towns and villages nicely separated ideal for those seeking a relaxed pace of life. The local economy is mainly agricultural with farms and vineyards producing cereals, fine wine, cattle and a significant amount of duck and goose products particularly the famous pâté de foie gras. Popular local wines include the Madiran appellation and the Cotes de St Mont. Perhaps better known is the department's brandy, Armagnac, which has been produced since the 14th century. With no heavy industry and with little traffic, Gers benefits from some of the cleanest air in all of Europe. The rural tranquillity and the wonderfully clean water from the mountains, contribute to an exceptional quality-of-life. Local records show that the residents enjoy a life expectancy longer than in any other region in France. If, due to polluted cities, you are an asthma sufferer, this is the place to be! With over 2000 hours of sunshine each year, you will find the Gers weather to be very acceptable with reasonably mild winters, little snow, and only occasional periods of freezing conditions. Summers are delightfully warm. July will suit those who like it hot. The summer temperatures mean that water in a swimming pool can be very acceptable without the need for heating. With the pool heater, you can extend the swimming season from spring through to November without busting your electricity budget! In most years, unlike the south-east of France with its parched landscapes, the prevailing winds from the south-west bring refreshing rain that helps keep the Gers countryside green. There are good areas for walking, climbing and mountaineering together with quality golf courses. It s a wonderful area where you can relax and enjoy nature, wildlife, sunsets and amazing star lit night skies. In winter months, the mountain resorts of La Mongie, Barèges, Cauterets and St Lary offer excellent skiing and snowboarding. Local Towns & Villages Our village can be reached from either the airports of Toulouse (Blagnac), Tarbes or Pau each being served from UK and other European airports. You won t need to traverse the busy city of Toulouse. The N124 road to/from Toulouse has been, and continues to be, significantly upgraded to support the overnight movement of Airbus aircraft components. At the moment, V12 Daniel Hawkes

13 your journey time by car from Toulouse to the villa will be about 90 minutes but improving each year as the N124 is upgraded. With a view of the Pyrénées (on a clear day), the village is part of the township of Miélan and has a population of about 200 persons mostly French but with a small, well integrated British community. Only a few of the local French residents speak some English which has motivated the British community to learn French and with some success. There is an infant school and a bakery in the village. Nearby Miélan has more amenities. Local events are well supported by both the English and French communities. These events usually take place in or around the village Salle de Fete including summer dances, discos, a car boot sale (vide-grenier), and a great party on New Year's Eve. Other adjacent villages hold similar events but scheduled in summer so as not to clash with each other. This means that through the summer months there will always be social events to enjoy. Footpaths through the local woods and fields offer you opportunities for country strolls. If you are more ambitious, hill-walking or winter sports can be enjoyed in the Pyrénées, about a one hour drive away to the foothills. Also, you are in easy reach of sandy beach resorts of the Atlantic coast plus the swimming lakes of the region. Crime, graffiti or other forms of unsocial behaviour are not problems for the village. Similarly, you will not need to be concerned about traffic noise or congestion: except for an occasional tractor, there s none! Miélan The town nearest the villa is Miélan, population about 1200, being 4 km away and located on the Route Nationale RN21. It is approximately midway between Auch and the city of Tarbes. Miélan is a thriving bastide (fortress) town set high on a hill with a weekly market, a rugby stadium, a village hall (Salle de Fete), secondary school, bars and restaurants. Also, you will find a supermarket, a doctor s surgery, essential shops and services, and a small lake resort with its own motel and fine restaurant. During the summer months, Miélan offers you fetes, fairs, discos and dances often with a meal provided on a terrace below the town hall (mairie) or in the covered market place. Mirande Mirande is a commune about a 15 minute drive north of the villa. It is a larger town than Miélan with several large supermarkets, a good choice of restaurants plus the local council and tax offices. V12 Daniel Hawkes

14 The Monday morning market is popular with the British community who meet for coffee and a chat in the market hall. For entertainment during the summer months, the "Ludina" aqua park is a very popular swimming facility. In the recent past, the town came really into its own in July when the Country and Western Music Festival was in full swing. It was quite bizarre to see the French locals (who are not nearly as tall as their Texan counterparts) wearing their western outfits with Stetson hats, boots and spurs! Visitors came from all over the world for this festival sometimes bringing their Harley-Davidson motorbikes. The festival suffered somewhat during the recent financial crash but the organisers are now recovering with events planned for future years. Auch Auch is the Gers departmental capital with over 21,000 inhabitants. In the historic medieval centre of Auch you will find the Cathedral of St Marie with its magnificent stained glass windows and 113 carved oak choir stalls which relate the stories of the Bible. A grand stone staircase from the Cathedral down to the river Gers offers wonderful views of the Pyrénées. On the way down, you will pass a statue of D'Artagnan, one of the famous three musketeers from the area. Marciac Marciac is a medieval lakeside town about a 20 minute drive north-west from the villa. Like Mirande, it has a water park swimming facility adjacent to a pretty lake. It is an attractive town with a central square surrounded on four sides by shops and restaurants. The town is world-famous for its annual Jazz- in-marciac Festival, a fortnight of concerts in July/August under a marquee, "Le Chapiteau, which can seat an audience of In the town square, free jazz performances are provided every day of the festival and you can enjoy many stalls and temporary restaurants both in the square and the surrounding streets. These smaller jazz performances spill over into some surrounding villages. Tarbes You can drive for about 30 minutes to the south-west to the major city of Tarbes. It is situated in the adjacent department of Hautes Pyrénées but within the historical region of Gascony and located at the foothills of the mountains. With a population of more than 75,000, Tarbes is a thriving city with a very attractive centre hosting fine shops, restaurants and public facilities. Its railway station offers direct connections with Bayonne, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Paris plus other regional destinations. V12 Daniel Hawkes

15 Tarbes connects with the pilgrims city of Lourdes and, via the A64 autoroute, to Bayonne and Toulouse. The local airport, about 10 km from the city centre, has flights to Paris and other major cities plus seasonal but limited connections internationally. The city is probably better known because of its own rugby union team- Tarbes Pyrénées. Vic Fezensac This nearby town is famous for its annual Tempo Latino festival held at the end of July. Here you can join the party to wine and dine and dance in the streets to Latin American music. Other Nearby Towns and Villages Within 10 to 15 minutes driving distance, you will find Trie-sur-Baise, Tillac, and Ville-Comtal. Each has local shops, restaurants, services and active market days. Further afield, there are medieval towns and Plus beaux Villages to discover and explore. Almost every weekend in summer, you will find a town or village celebrating with fêtes, dances, music from local bands, or vide greniers (car boot sales). Also, at weekly markets, you can get your provisions of fresh bread, cheese, meat, vegetables and other local produce. If you prefer, you can simply relax at a local wine bar or cafe and watch the world pass you by. What a great life to enjoy! Contact: For more details of the villa, viewing arrangements and to put your questions directly with the owners, please V12 Daniel Hawkes