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La Maison des Lys

English run B&B in a 200 year old merchant's house in the centre of a charming bastide village, 150 metres from the main square and local restaurants. Relax in comfort in this delightful B&B.

The bedrooms have been recently renovated and redecorated with Farrow & Ball paints. The beds are made with Egyptian cotton bed sheets and duvet covers, duck feather pillows and finished with colourful quilts and cushions. The bathrooms have up-to-the-minute fittings, fluffy towels and l'Occitane soaps.

Wake each morning in the heart of the Gers, with its peaceful and beautiful countryside of rolling hills, sunflower covered fields and neat green vineyards. Breakfast is taken on most days in the shade of the garden's east-facing terrace, built into the town's ramparts.

Choose from orange juice, cereals, softly boiled farm eggs with crusty French bread, baked fresh that morning in Valence's artisan bakers, croissants, 'pains au chocolat', creamy butter and home-made jams. A cafetière of coffee, a pot of tea or hot chocolate help start the day.

Perched on a bluff above the River Baise Valence dates back to 1274, the bastide was built by the Abbot of the Abbaye de Flaran and the duke of Armagnac as a defence against the British troops of the 100 years war.

Today it is a sleepy village with its fortifications mostly still in place, its port on the river demarcates the farthest point of navigation for the numerous pleasure cruisers. Enjoy a walk through the magnificent Gers countryside, all rolling hills, fields full of sunflowers and neatly tended vineyards.

Numerous sports activities are within a short drive -take a leisurely bike or horse ride, go swimming, play golf, or watch the regular horse and motor races held in the department.

Historical sites abound, there are delightful little towns and villages to explore with their cathedrals, churches, bastides and chateaux dating back to the 100 Years War. Taste the local gastronomy - the foie gras, the duck, the great value wines and of course the world renowned Armagnac and the tours of the local wineries and distilleries are de rigueur. Then there are markets day and night as well as the numerous fetes and festivals which last all summer long.