Your contact:	Myles Stanistreet
Telephone:	+33-(0)9-60-18-54-27 or +33-(0)6-33-70-61-63
Email:	Click here to contact Au Gaÿ

Au Gaÿ, a 15th century Maison de Maitre, is a hill-top retreat which was originally built as a fortified stronghold. It features sweeping views of the valley below.

The property is less than 10 minutes from the market town of Nérac, in the region of Lot-et-Garonne in South West France.

The three stone buildings surround a large south-facing courtyard shaded by mature chestnut, lime and olive trees. Guests have the use of the entire east wing, which is detached from the main house and is fully independent. It contains four bedrooms and accommodates up to eight in comfort.

The owner lives in the main house, and is available to give assistance and information about the property and surrounding area.

The house is surrounded by seven acres (three hectares) of private gardens and an oak woodland, with shady mature trees, a rose walkway, and plenty of open grass for children to play in complete safety. Behind the east wing, the 14-metre swimming pool has stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

The terrace is a perfect spot to have breakfast in the shade of the olive trees, or to watch the sun go down over the surrounding fields. The best spot for lunch is under the shade of the huge old chestnut tree in the courtyard. A large stone barbecue is ideal for the endless summer evenings.

The gite, originally a chais where wines were made after pressing, has been converted to a suite of reception rooms at ground level, laid out in the manner of a chartreuse with each room leading into the next.

At the south end, there is a large, fully fitted operational kitchen equipped with a dishwasher, gas stove with five burners and oven, microwave, family sized refrigerator and coffee machine.

A large dining table seats eight. The adjoining study has a pair of sofas and an armchair, with a traditional stone floor. On this level is a large family bathroom and two separate lavatories.

Windows on both sides fill the large living room with sunlight. A sofa and armchairs surround a coffee table. There is a TV, a VCR and a DVD player with a library of DVDs. The living room also has high speed internet access. In addition, there is a stereo system with CD player and cassette player. A Playstation is also provided and there is a large selection of board games.

The hall at the end leads to two separate toilets and a large family bathroom with two bath tubs, two showers and three basins. Stairs from the hallway lead to four bedrooms, all of which overlook the courtyard. Two of the bedrooms have double beds, and two have twin beds. The twin beds can be put together to make a king size double bed. Each bedroom includes ceiling fans. All rooms throughout the gite have independent electric heaters. A bathroom has a shower, bath, basin and toilet, with another separate toilet also on this floor.

Special features:	• Pool on the property • Maid, Cook and Driver can be arranged on request
Swimming pool:	14 x 6 metre outdoor pool

Au Gaÿ is set in quiet countryside, but the historic riverside market town of Nérac is just five minutes’ drive away. It offers an excellent local farmers market, a selection of local restaurants along the river, a good range of shops, and many music festivals and concerts throughout the summer. Among the many local attractions is the chateau of Henri IV, the best-loved king of France, which is open to visitors. Or take a boat trip up the river towards Condom, passing through several locks, with a stop along the way for a picnic.

The Roman hilltop garrison town of Lectoure is well worth visiting, with several fascinating museums, galleries and buildings. The beautifully preserved medieval villages of Fources, Larressingle and La Romieu are all close by.

There is always plenty to do in this area: walking or riding bicycles through the gently countryside, renting a boat for the day and exploring the villages along the way, canoeing, horse riding, searching for antiques and collectibles in the local flea markets and antique shops, dining out at the many regional restaurants, making friends and dancing the night away at some of the many village fêtes, or just relaxing and enjoying French rural life.

Gascony is a region of unspoiled natural beauty, forming a patchwork of vineyards, plum orchards and sunflower fields dotted with old stone farmhouses, small châteaux and medieval villages. In the summer, look forward to hot, sunny days and cooler nights, with no mosquitos!

There is much to discover in the region. To the northwest lies the cultural city of Bordeaux, France’s wine capital, which is surrounded by famous wine châteaux and beautiful villages such as St. Emillion.

Southeast lies the lively city of Toulouse, and Carcasonne, Europe's most famous fortified medieval city. On the Atlantic coast are the old glamorous seaside towns of Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz, and the amazing sand dunes and beaches south of Bordeaux.

Further afield is the beautiful and undiscovered northern coast of Spain, the elegant coastal city of San Sebastian, and Bilbao, where the famous New Guggenheim Museum is well worth a visit. The Pyrénées are Europe's longest mountain range, where you can walk, ski, raft and take take part in many other sports. Situated in its foothills is Lourdes, one of the most visited pilgrim sites in the world.

Au Gaÿ	Au Gaÿ and its gardens
The shaded terrace by the pool	The kitchen
One of the double bedrooms	One of the twin bedrooms
The large family bathroom	The sun room
Dine outside under the shade of the chestnut tree	Au Gaÿ, with the wood behind
	The family bathroom
The pool and terrace	The pool and terrace
The entrance	The surrounding countryside

Your beautiful home exceeded all of our expectations. We’ve had a wonderful vacation here & really appreciate all of your help in making things comfortable for us here. Our children will never forget this beautiful place.
Chip H. and family - Pennsylvania, USA

Many thanks for your wonderful hospitality. We all enjoyed meeting you and had a truly wonderful time at the gite. All our needs were taken care of, the setting and facilities superb. We shall put the word out among our friends that this is a great place to stay.
Simon and Imi S. - Hong Kong

Thank you so much for a lovely and restful week. We have had so much fun,far too much wine and food, but what are holidays for? The house is wonderful and we shall be back.
Rupert L. - Surrey, England

We enjoyed of your wonderful gite for three weeks, filled it with an endless stream of family and friends and enjoyed the swimming pool, barbecue, games and magnificent surroundings. We’ve had the most memorable and happiest holiday ever.
Julie H. and family - NSW, Australia

I simply loved Domaine Au-Gay. From the old chestnut trees and scent of cut grass to the drinks a la terrace before dinner. Thanks for introducing a Galway girl to French country life!
Mary D. - Galway, Ireland

It’s been the best. We have all loved the beautiful house, the fantastic views and the French rural experience.Thank you for one truly great first family holiday.
Samantha R. - London, England