I was always told that three details truly matter when buying a property: the location, the location and the location! The Castel Pierre certainly met the criteria! In the heart of the Gers, the South-West, and the land of bastides and castles, where the stone is magnificent, the nature is abundant and the vineyards are soaked in sunshine, the property patiently wait for someone to take care of it. Located in the heart of the village of Lagraulet where I have lived with my wife for 40 years, it has overlooked a sea of hills since the 12th century and was everything we needed. Several years of work later, we can finally watch the sun set behind the Landes forest, just by the swimming pool.
The Château de Lagraulet has been in constant flux since its construction, but retains some vestiges from its past - of particular note is the 12th century tower which features the terraces of two suites, and part of it is visible from the dining room. The moat, the 13th century tower, the dwelling, and some elements of the large 14th century residence have now been transformed into a holiday resort. The house was restored with meticulous respect for the materials that compose it and in the style of a Gascon house. The plasters are in aerial lime, the beams are oak, and the floors are paved with stone. As many original elements as possible have been preserved such as the exposed stone walls, the fireplaces, the wells, the staircase and the stone sinks.
A small chateau with a tower and fortifications dates from 1245 (the tower and dwelling near the car park) and this corresponds to the period when Castelnau de Lagraulet was created. But it was not until the 14th century, after two centuries of feudal wars, that constructions of the central building's (the current main house) foundations began on the ruins of a first tower from the 12th century. From then on, the chateau had successive co-seigneuries. But in the 18th century, the defensive walls were no more and the whole chateau was abandoned. Important development works were carried out in the 19th century because the Château de Lagraulet became the seat of an important wine-growing property. The owners made their fortune through the distillation of Armagnac until the appearance of the phylloxera in 1898. The 14th century building was then transformed into a bourgeois-style building (the current main house). A park was created along with the main entrance and various interior fittings. This former chateau in the small village of Lagraulet du Gers had already been unoccupied for many years when my wife and I (Lagrauletois for forty years and lovers of historic buildings) became the owners. A 4-star hotel was created here in 2014. And since 2019, we have converted it into a private resort for discerning travelers.
We have tried to create the perfect place for travelers looking for authenticity without sacrificing the pleasure of a 4-star stay. This is a modern and welcoming place for the whole family, in an environment steeped in history. Here, the authenticity of noble and natural materials coupled with high quality services (bar and carefully selected wine cellar, television and air conditioning in each room, wifi available throughout the chateau, spa center with sauna and jacuzzi, lift) add to the satisfaction and comfort of all our guests.
The Castel Pierre de Lagraulet is located in the heart of a bio-engaged region with the most enchanting parts of the Gers on its door step, such as the fortified village of Larressingle, or the Gallo-Roman villa of Séviac (one of the largest antique villas in France). Lovers of antiques will undoubtedly find what they are looking for in the village of Fourcés or in Lectoure's Village des Brocanteurs located in the Counts of Armagnac's former chateau. Farmers' markets are also dotted about the region, such as the village's organic farm produce drive on Saturdays, the very popular Thursday market in Eauze or even the night markets in Condom during the summer. There is no shortage of good local restaurants and the Auberge du Vieux Pressoir de Caussens is one of them. But if we had to pick one, it would be Falène Bleue in Lannepax for its bistronomic, fresh and inventive cuisine. Also not to be missed are the neighbor's open-air paintball circuit which is great for young people, the sublime collegiate church of La Romieu and its remarkable garden, and the unforgettable Gers cultural festivals such as Jazz in Marciac. This is slow tourism at its very best!
With a surface area of 450m2, the property can accommodate up to eighteen people. It offers seven rooms with private bathrooms, four of which are suites (one with a private sauna and spa). One of them, with an entrance on the ground floor, is suitable for those with reduced mobility. The ground floor houses the living rooms, a bar and a wine cellar, and a spa with a two-person sauna and a four-person Jacuzzi. A lift provides access to the upper floors and wifi is available throughout the chateau. All around the building, the 7000m2 private and fenced park gives access to a large 20-metre swimming lane. It also houses outdoor games, as well as the old moat which has now been secured to become a a well-preserved aquatic environment where guests can have a go at fishing responsibly with children.
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