Elegant & Spacious Maison de Maître In Attractive Market Town. Accommodation: 180m² on each of 4 floors - including convertible attic and basement with double garage.

Set in the centre of a busy riverside market town, in the precinct of the the cathedral and a small private kindergarten, is this impressive 19th century house - the former town residence of a judge - with spacious, light accommodation over 4 floors.

The house was restored to a very high standard in 1973, retaining the imposing period features, particularly the double doors, high ceilings and fireplaces. It has mains water, town gas, mains drainage and ADSL connection. The plumbing, wiring, heating, insulation and roof are in good condition, reducing maintenance to the minimum.

The town, with a population of 6000, is particularly attractive, with its grid of small streets, twice-weekly market, riverside walks, interesting specialist shops, pavement cafés and all day-to-day facilities. Access is good by road and by 'plane. Pau airport can be reached in about 40 minutes, Bordeaux is about 75 minutes away and Toulouse can be reached in approximately 2 hours. The Atlantic coast, the ski slopes and the Spanish border are within 90 minutes' drive. The Langon to Pau motorway (planned for completion in 2009) will make access even easier.

Ground Floor:
¨ From a quiet road a stone step leads up to the massive double doors, with a fanlight over, which open directly into a splendid hall, 10m x 2m with terra-cotta floor tiles and wide staircase to the first floor .
¨ Double doors lead, right, to the winter salon, 6.5m x 5m, with carpet, 3 south-facing windows, carved wood fireplace, ceiling cornice and blue silk-hung walls.
¨ Double doors lead, left, to the summer salon, 6.6m x 5m, with terra-cotta tiles, pale wallpaper, 3 south-facing windows, ornamental cornice and ceiling rose.
¨ Double doors link the winter salon to the dining room, 5.5m x 5m, with terra-cotta tiles, ceiling rose, second door to the hall and 2 north-facing windows overlooking the small terrace garden.
¨ Kitchen, 3m x 3m, with limed-oak units, fitted worktops and breakfast table, De Dietrich hob, grill & double extractor unit, double stainless steel sink and window overlooking the garden.
¨ Back kitchen, with further units, built-in oven, connections for machines, floor to ceiling cupboards and French windows to balcony and external stairs to the garden.
¨ Laundry room with secondary stairs to the first floor, window overlooking the garden and potential for creating a ground floor bedroom.
¨ The kitchen, back kitchen and laundry have a total area of 40m².

First Floor:
¨ The first floor is almost entirely carpeted in pale sisal.
¨ A wide staircase with an elaborate wrought-iron handrail winds up to the first floor.
¨ Separate wc with hand basin on the half landing.
¨ Magnificent open plan library/office, 40m² with built-in oak bookshelves and 3 north-facing windows.
¨ Bedroom (1) and en suite bathroom, 5.5m x 5m overall, with2 north-facing windows, and period fireplace.
¨ En suite bathroom (1) with bath, bidet, twin basins, storage cupboard and separate wc with basin.
¨ Bedroom (2) and en suite bathroom, 6.5m x 5m overall, with 2 south-facing windows, period fireplace and fabric-hung walls.
¨ En suite bathroom (2) with bath, basin bidet, window and separate wc with wash basin.
¨ Bedroom (3) and en suite bathroom, 5m x 4m overall, with 2 south-facing windows.
¨ En suite bathroom (3) with walk-in shower, basin and wc.
¨ Dressing room, 4m x 4m, with window, extensive, well-fitted wall-to-wall wardrobes and potential as bed 4.

Second Floor:
¨ The secondary staircase leads up to a spacious attic, 180m², with 5 oval windows and insulation at floor level.
¨ The timberwork is impressive and the roof is in good condition.

Basement:
¨ From the main hall stairs lead down to the basement, 180m².
¨ Double garage with high grade automatic "up-and-over" door.
¨ Boiler room with top-of-the range Wiessmann gas-fired (town gas) central heating boiler.
¨ Extensive dry storage areas.
¨ Wine cellar.
¨ Workshop/home gym, 5m x 5.5m, with window and door to garden.

Outside:
¨ Accessed from a quiet square, lock-up metal gates lead to a parking area and ramp down to the garage.
¨ A small, gravelled, terrace garden, 10m x 6m, has a variety of plantings.
¨ A magnificent climbing rose overflows a trellis wall.

Please note: The price includes most of the furniture.