Bed and Breakfast/ Chambres d Hôtes

Le Sonnard was originally a hamlet, which changed to single ownership in the 19th century. At the turn of the century 22 families lived here. You can admire the ruins of their houses still standing in the park. The master's house, built in 1848 by Lubespere, a town councillor, is the main house. The other buildings, where our guests stay, are much older.

Le Sonnard is a lovely alcove hidden away in the heart of seventeen acres of greenery, offering to those who want to rest, perfect calm.

The only sounds are birds singing, crickets chirping and sometimes the far-off lowing of a cow or a horse's neigh.

Our location offers a wonderful view of the Gers rolling landscape and, depending on the season and the weather, sometimes a glimpse of the Pyrenees. In Le Sonnard, you can feel the authenticity of a place perfectly preserved and respected by its various owners, who have taken on the responsibility of preserving its unique personality, so typically Gascon. The sitting room's monumental stone fireplace in itself makes it well worth the trip

Castéra-Verduzan, located only 2 kilometers from Sonnard, is a beautiful, tranquil village, surrounded by green valleys and situated on the banks of the Auloue, a river full of fish, top of the central Pyrenees, 360 feet above sea level.

Castéra-Verduzan offers you a wonderful hot springs spa which was founded during the reign of Louis the Fifteenth. It is a recognized therapeutic spa used for the treatment of :.- digestive and metabolic disorders, - nose and throat disorders. The minerals found in the water are sulphur, calcium and magnesium.

We recommend that you take advantage of the afternoon special offering you access to the spa plus three individual treatments and the relaxation room all for 37 Euros (by reservation).

Accommodation

We offer four individual rooms and one family suite. All of the rooms are different, tastefully decorated and equipped with new bedding and a private bathroom with shower. Each room offers a superb view of the park. Three of the rooms and the family suite are located in a detached guesthouse, offering a lounge with television. The fifth room is located in the main house. 

Azalée

Located on the ground floor of the guesthouse. The room is equipped with an extra large double bed and is decorated in French colonial style. The price is 55 Euros a night, including a continental-style breakfast.

Bruyere

Located on the second floor of the guesthouse. It is the smallest of our rooms, but as such it is particularly charming. It is equipped with a double bed, and costs 55 Euros a night, including a continental-style breakfast.

Camelia

Located on the second floor of the guesthouse. It offers a double bed, plus a single bed. The price is 55 Euros a night for 2 persons, 65 Euros for 3, continental-style breakfast included

Digitale and Erable

These rooms make up the family suite, with a door connecting the two rooms. Each room has its own bathroom with shower. Digitale has a double bed; Erable has twin beds. The price is 55 Euros a night for 2, including continental-style breakfast and 10 Euros more for each additional guest.

Ouarzazate

Located on the second floor of the main house and has a large double bed, a bathroom complete with bathtub and a television in the room. The price is 75 Euros a night including a continental-style breakfast.

New Apartment

A charming apartment for two located on the second floor of the guesthouse.

One bedroom with a large double bed (bedding and towels provided), large bathroom with separate WC, fully equipped kitchenette with a complete set of utensils and a matching set of dishes, plus television and a washing machine.

In this formula, breakfast is not included.

The price is 90 Euros a day or 450 Euros per week, and there is, of course, possibility to rent a extra room (at a special price) if you are more than two".

Evening Meals

We offer a set menu in the evening only and only with a minimum 24-hour advance reservation. You will have the chance to taste local specialties, served either in our dining room or outside beside the orchard, weather permitting. You will believe yourself in a giant aviary when you see and hear the many species of birds. It is a truly enchanting experience! As night falls, we will light torches, candles and old-fashioned lanterns. As the birds begin to quiet down, you will be able to hear the soft murmur of the fountain.

The meal costs 35 Euros per person, everything included (aperitif, wine, coffee).

Well-behaved dogs are allowed at no extra cost. Please notify us of any necessary special arrangements.

About the area

You will also find a recreation centre with activities for young and old alike, including a fine sandy beach and bathing in a 10 acre lake (lifeguards on duty). You can also go out on a pedal-boat, sailboat or optimist dinghy (summer classes available).

The casino offers you slot machines, Boule, English roulette, blackjack as well as various expositions and conferences throughout the year.

It goes without saying the Castéra-Verduzan also provides shopping and many restaurants. We could also mention the 1st class Baron Racecourse, offering a great line-up of 8 races throughout the year

At lunchtime and dinner you will understand why Auch has been nicknamed "the capital of good-living and good-eating." Many specialties await you in Auch's excellent restaurants. You will find goose and duck foie gras, magret and confit de canard, of course, but don't forget to also taste the delicious garbure gasconne, a local specialty made from quail, partridge and pheasants and served blazed in armagnac liqueur. It bears mentioning that the Gers flock includes 150,000 geese and more than 2,300,000 ducks and that foie gras is as much about well-living as it is know-how. In Gers the specialties are the Gers fat gray goose and mallard and Barbarie duck.

Places to visit

During your visit to our beautiful country, don't forget to first stop at our markets, especially on Sunday morning in Castéra-Verduzan. We also recommend the organic products market of Fleurance every Tuesday in the ancient walled town, the garlic market in Saint-Clar-de-Lomagne every Thursday morning, the rich market (sales of duck and goose products) on Sunday morning in Gimont (November to March), Lectoure's melon fair in August and many, many others.

Gers offers you a wonderful mixture of museums, churches, castles, vineyards, wine cellars, and concerts. You will also find trails for hiking, horseback riding and strolling along the flowing water of the Baise, the silver river. Gers, a country of clean air and peacefulness, quite and relaxation, is also a place for parties, gastronomy and Armagnac's wonderful wine

Directions

Halfway between Auch and Condom on the departmental highway D930, you will find the village Castéra-Verduzan.

Coming from Auch, around two and a half kilometers before arriving in Castéra-Verduzan, turn right onto a small road (under a large red sign promoting "Floc de Gascogne", you will see yellow and red signs indicating "Chambre d'hôtes, Sonnard"), follow the other signs to less than a kilometer to "Le Sonnard".

Coming from Condom, drive through Castéra-Verduzan, following signs to Auch. About two and a half kilometers after leaving Castéra-Verduzan, you will see a yellow and red sign on your left, indicating "chambre d'hôtes, Sonnard". Follow the signs to "Le Sonnard"

For further information please visit our website:-    http://www.sonnard.com

                                                          email:-           h.ravel@sonnard.com