Lachapelle, Midi-Pyrénées 82120

A Gascon chateau, a commandery of the Knights Templar and their many outbuildings around an enclosed garden, in the centre of a charming and historic village, at the gates of the Gers department, one hour from Toulouse. Built on a rocky outcrop and enclosed by fortified walls, the detached complex of buildings overlooks the village's few neighbouring houses and enjoys a 360 view of the surrounding rolling countryside from each of its edifices. Sheltered from view, the property is also steeped in silence given that the secluded village is only accessible via one small road.The adjacent buildings that compose the architectural complex surround a grassy courtyard as well as the former chapel of the 'Knights' Manor', which became a church in the 15th century.Although it forms a harmonious whole with stone exteriors topped with barrel tile roofs, different buildings stand out due to the masonry of their exteriors, their roofs and other architectural elements specific to the successive periods in which the property was remodelled, such as its patios or windows.Consequently, the chateau that houses the current 330-m dwelling distinguishes itself from the rest of the property thanks to its towers that cadence its exterior walls clad in stone and small bricks, as well as its many windows and immense patio of more than 100 m, highlighted with authentic balusters.As for the former Knights Templars monastery, which was later used as a wine storehouse and then a residence, it is a perfect example of medieval architecture. The horseshoe-shaped building presents traces of its former functions as a fortified chateau as demonstrated by the arrow slits, loopholes and scars resulting from the multiples modifications to its exterior over the centuries. With a surface area of 450 m, it has two storeys, including the attic space, and is topped with a gabled roof bordered by a triple Genoise corbel, while its exterior walls, composed of an amalgam of unpointed massive rubble stone masonry and ashlar stone, are characteristic of medieval constructions. Nestled next to one another, the outbuildings - former barns, stables, wine storehouse and other storerooms - are arranged between the two main buildings in such a way as to create a single edifice, which acts as the village's epicentre.It was only recently that a tree-filled landscaped piece of land below the village was annexed to the property. Today, sheltered from view, it includes a swimming pool and pool house in need of a bit of refreshing.