Chateau De Montpezat

Château De Montpezat is a beautifully restored and impeccably designed Renaissance castle located on the banks of the Garonne river, with the Pyrenees mountains close by. Perfect for a grand family holiday or event, the château, with farmhouse next door and gatehouse down the lane, houses up to 22 guests amongst 40 hectares of forests comprised of oaks, pines, sycamores and ash trees.

Privacy, luxury and comfort are at the heart of this historic château, and a team of staff (security guard, concierge and maid) are on hand to take care of your every need, making your holiday a dream. The owner, Jean-François, began a decade-long renovation of this 1520s castle in 1998, and the fruits of his labour are rich indeed. The opulent blend of old and new styles will please the most discerning guests - from the bathroom lounges, to the ultramodern suite beneath the eaves.

The historical Salle des Gardes has hardly changed over the past five centuries. Initially a room where the castle's personnel cooked and guards came for some heat by its massive fireplace, it has become the primary dining room and remains the true heart of the château.

The red living room's history is marked by 19th century Gothic revival with its large chimney and wooden panelling. There is also the formal yellow dining room, billiard room and a fully functional office. The office offers a quiet space for work, and is equipped with a MAC (with all commonly-used software), internet access, a printer and a fax-machine. Located on the château's top floor, the billiard room is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of Armagnac after dinner. It is also the TV room, with access to major international channels through satellite connection and a choice of DVDs for guests to enjoy.

In terms of sleeping arrangements, the castle offers seven wonderful suites, six with queen or king-size beds and one with two spacious twin beds. The château renovations were finalised in 2008, culminating in the completion of the spectacular Cathedral Suite under the rooftop, with its 5 metre high ceilings. The historical rooms have also been decorated over a 10-year time-frame through years of searching in antique shops or auctions and are unique in style. The Cathedral Suite, however, is "outrageously" modern, with contemporary art, a design bed and 50s and 60s Brazilian furniture. 

Bedrooms 8, 9 and 10 are located in the farmhouse just a few steps from the main building, while the 11th bedroom can be found in the gatehouse, located at the entrance of the property, a 1-minute walk from the castle. This cosy detached house used to be the residence of the former caretaker and is ideal for those seeking a little extra privacy. Inside, there is a kitchen, a living room, a double bedroom and a bathroom with a shower and WC.

Outside, the château’s pool (heated upon request) is open from approximately May until October and is the ideal place to enjoy a rare moment of far niente. A poolside lunch can even be prepared and served for 20 guests at the pool, with the help of the Argentinian barbecue.

There are many activities available on site depending on the season, including fishing, hunting, archery, pétanque, croquet, Mölkky, bespoke orienteering races, darts, table tennis and trampoline. Yoga, reiki, reflexology and Tibetan bowl sessions can also be organised. Plus, you can enjoy the château's orchard which offers its fruit from June to October.

The nearest shops and restaurants can be found in the local village, just a 5-minute walk from the property with further options available in the riverside spa town of Salies-du-Salat (8km), a 10-minute drive away. Toulouse is around an hour away, accessible by car or by train, departing from the local village, and is not to be missed. Be sure to take in the wonderful arts and architecture of France’s fourth largest city.

Features:

Château Interiors

Lower Ground Floor

- Secondary entrance
- Kitchen
- Guards' room (primary dining room)
- Cellar

Ground Floor

- Main entrance
- Formal yellow dining room/meeting room
- Office (with internet access)

First Floor (North-Garona River)

- Red living room

Floor 1.5 (South-Gardens)

- Bedroom 1 Royal Suite (40m²) with king-size bed and en suite with bath and shower
- Bedroom 2 Ancestor Suite (30m²) with queen-size bed and en suite with bath

Second Floor (North-Garona River)

- Bedroom 3 Bishop Suite (50m²) with twin beds and en suite with bath

Floor 2.5 (South-Gardens)

- Bedroom 4 Umbrian Suite (40m²) with king-size bed and en suite with bath
- Bathroom 5 Laura's Suite (30m²) with queen-size bed and en suite with bath

Third Floor (North-Garona River)

- Bedroom 6 Cathedral Suite (50m²) with king-size bed and en suite with shower

Floor 3.5 (South-Gardens)

- Bedroom 7 Billiard Suite (30m²) with king-size bed and en suite with bath
- Billiard/TV lounge

Bedrooms 2, 5, and 7 have an extra bed (190x90cm) in a small side room which is suitable for children

Farmhouse

- Bedroom 8 Virginia Suite (25m²) with queen-size bed and en suite with bath and shower
- Bedroom 9 Gabriela Suite (25m²) with queen-size bed
- Bedroom 10 Noa Suite (15m²) with twin beds (can be joined together to make king-size bed)
- Bathroom with shower (shared between bedrooms 9 and 10)

Gatehouse

- Kitchen
- Living room
- Bedroom 11 (25m²) with queen-size bed and en suite shower room

Outside Grounds

- Heated swimming pool (16x6m), open approximately May - October
- Poolside decking and sun loungers
- Expansive grounds extending over 40 hectares of woodland
- Banks of Garonne river
- Argentinian barbecue
- Parking

Facilities

- Internet access (in office room)
- Air-conditioning (in Cathedral Suite only)
- Heating
- TV
- Table tennis
- Pool table

Location:

Château De Montpezat is situated amongst 40 hectares of woodland area on the banks of the Garonne river with stunning views of the Pyrenees mountains. Despite its secluded ambiance, the château is conveniently located just a few hundred metres from the local village, allowing easy access to local shops and restaurants. 

The region is charged with history; the château is even located on the road leading to Santiago de Compostela, the centuries-old pilgrimage route. There are a number of historical chateaux and churches to visit, such as the grand cathedral of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, and handful of charming villages are a short distance away by car, including the riverside spa town of Salies-du-Salat.

In the heart of the rural Midi-Pyrénées, around 30 minutes’ drive from the château is the UNESCO classified ancient village of Saint-Lizier, one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages. Perched upon a hill above the Salat, this Gallo-Roman site is rich with relics and ties to its past. Spend a slow morning strolling along the cobbled streets and secret passages, admiring the views of the meadows, forests, river and the not-too-distant Pyrenees mountains.

The local village train station is only a 10-minute walk from the chateau, with rail connections to larger towns and cities like Toulouse, Pau and Tarbes. Toulouse, also known as La Ville Rose, is well worth a visit, known for its distinctive pink-toned buildings, history, art, and of course, the food.

The South-West of France is a unique region in terms of its wines and gastronomy, and the team at Château De Montpezat will be happy to organise excursions for you to discover the best local specialities during your stay, namely foie gras producers and winemakers.

The beautiful natural landscapes give way to a host of sports which are available nearby, including tennis, horseback riding, golf, ski and summer mountain sports. In the milder months, you can cycle with road or mountain bikes (with or without a guide or assistance vehicle; e-bikes available), trek in the Pyrenees (with or without a mountain guide) or try white water rafting. 

In 2022, the château partnered with Cynisca, a new US women's cycling team and a professional service course is now available for guests to use. It is one of the most upscale and professional cycling venues in the French Pyrénées and perfect for cycling enthusiasts looking to keep up with the sport during their holidays.

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
€5000 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation before arrival (collected by Oliver's Travels at the time of balance payment) and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

Arrival time?
4.00 p.m.

Departure time?
10.00 a.m.

Changeover day?
Flexible.

Minimum stay?
4 nights from May to mid-October. 2 nights all other periods.

Energy costs included?
Yes.

Heating costs included?
Heating available in winter months for an additional cost. €1500 per week or €500 for 3 night stays, payable locally.

End of stay cleaning included?
Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.

Linen & towels included?
Yes.

Pool towels included?
Yes.

Pool opening dates?
The pool is open approximately May to October. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.

Pool heating charge?
Additional €500 per week, payable locally. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures.

Pets welcome?
On request only and with prior agreement with the owner.

Smoking Allowed?
Not allowed.

Tax?
French Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night – please enquire if exact amount is required).

Other Ts and Cs?
Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges.

Guests will be required to sign a copy of the owner’s rental ter