Picture yourself stepping out each morning into the gentle rhythm of village life in France's storied Périgord Vert, where stone cottages line narrow lanes and the scent of fresh bread drifts from the local boulangerie. This renovated 196m² village house in Hautefaye offers an authentic slice of French countryside living, positioned perfectly between the medieval village of Mareuil-en-Périgord and the market town of Nontron, where centuries-old traditions blend seamlessly with modern convenience. Here in the northern Dordogne, your vacation home becomes a gateway to one of France's most captivating yet undiscovered regions, where you can craft a lifestyle built around leisurely market mornings, riverside picnics, and evenings gathered around your woodburner with family and friends. This property represents more than a second home in France; it's your entry point into a slower, richer way of living that reconnects you with the seasons, the land, and the timeless pleasures of rural European life. The Périgord Vert region surrounding Hautefaye offers international buyers an exceptional combination of accessibility and authenticity. Within a five-kilometer radius, you'll discover Mareuil-en-Périgord, a village crowned by its medieval castle and known for weekly markets where local farmers sell walnuts, truffles, and foie gras. The nearby town of Nontron, just ten minutes by car, provides all essential services including supermarkets, medical facilities, restaurants, and the famous cutlery workshops that have crafted knives here since the 15th century. This is vacation home ownership without isolation, where you enjoy peaceful village life while remaining connected to practical amenities. The house itself tells a story of thoughtful renovation that respects traditional architecture while delivering modern comfort. The ground floor unfolds through a spacious entrance hall that sets a welcoming tone, leading to a well-appointed kitchen complete with a walk-in larder, perfect for storing those cases of local Bergerac wine and preserves from summer market hauls. The large sitting room with its woodburner becomes the heart of your holiday home during cooler months, creating an inviting space for long dinners and card games that stretch into the evening. A separate snug room offers flexibility as a reading nook, home office for those extending their stays, or cozy television room. The ground floor wet room and separate WC provide practical convenience for a house designed to accommodate family and guests comfortably. Ascending to the first floor, you'll find two generously proportioned bedrooms that open onto a landing area spacious enough to serve as an informal sitting space or library corner. The family bathroom with WC is well-positioned to serve these bedrooms efficiently. But the true surprise awaits on the second floor: a 43m² dormitory-style room that transforms this three-bedroom house into a versatile vacation property. This expansive space can sleep additional guests during summer gatherings, serve as a children's play area, or be converted into two additional bedrooms with minimal investment, potentially increasing both the property's capacity and its rental income potential. For international buyers considering vacation rental income to offset ownership costs, this configuration is particularly valuable. The Dordogne region consistently ranks among France's top destinations for holiday rentals, with visitors seeking authentic countryside experiences. Properties offering flexible sleeping arrangements for extended families or friend groups command premium weekly rates during the summer season from June through September, when the region's festivals, outdoor markets, and river activities draw tourists from across Europe. The separate workshop and garage, situated on an additional parcel within the 778m² total land, provide secure storage for bicycles, kayaks, and outdoor equipment, while also offering potential for hobby space or future conversion. The outdoor area, while modest by rural French standards, provides sufficient space for al fresco dining, a vegetable garden, or simply a table under the shade where you can enjoy your morning coffee while planning the day's adventures. Life in the northern Dordogne revolves around the seasons and the land. Spring brings asparagus season and the first outdoor markets, when café terraces reopen and locals emerge to socialize after winter's quiet. Summer transforms the region into an outdoor playground, with the Dronne River offering swimming, canoeing, and riverside walks just minutes away. The Périgord Vert earned its name from the lush green landscapes that dominate this northern section of the Dordogne, where forests, meadows, and gentle hills create ideal terrain for cycling and hiking. Autumn ushers in mushroom foraging, chestnut harvests, and the prized truffle season that makes the Périgord famous. Winter brings a quieter beauty, when village cafés become social hubs and your woodburner makes the house a cozy retreat for reading, cooking, and enjoying the slower pace. The cultural richness of the broader Dordogne region lies within easy reach. The Renaissance château at nearby Bourdeilles offers a glimpse into aristocratic life, while the prehistoric caves of Lascaux and Les Eyzies, about an hour south, house some of humanity's oldest art. The bastide towns of Monpazier and Domme, the clifftop village of Rocamadour, and the wine regions of Bergerac and Cahors all make compelling day trips from your Hautefaye base. This positioning in the northern Dordogne provides quieter, more affordable access to the department's attractions while avoiding the tourist density of the Sarlat area further south. For international buyers, accessibility proves excellent. Limoges airport lies approximately 60 kilometers north, offering Ryanair flights to London Stansted, Manchester, and other UK airports, plus seasonal connections to Belgium and Portugal. Bordeaux airport, about 120 kilometers southwest, provides extensive international connections including regular flights to major European cities and seasonal routes to North America. The drive from either airport takes around 90 minutes through scenic countryside. Paris lies about 450 kilometers north via the A20 autoroute, making this property accessible for extended weekends from the French capital. The property's move-in ready condition eliminates the common challenges many international buyers face with French renovation projects. The systems are functional, the structure is sound, and you can begin enjoying your vacation home immediately while making cosmetic updates according to your personal taste over time. The asking price of 99,000 euros positions this house as an accessible entry point into French vacation property ownership, particularly given the versatile layout and the included outbuildings. The Dordogne property market has demonstrated resilience and steady appreciation over the past decade, supported by consistent demand from both international buyers and French residents seeking secondary properties. Properties in this price range typically attract strong rental demand from families seeking authentic French experiences away from overcrowded tourist zones. With the large second-floor room, you could potentially accommodate groups of eight or more, opening opportunities for weekly rentals at rates between 800 and 1,200 euros during peak summer season. Key features of this Dordogne village house: • Three bedrooms plus expansive 43m² dormitory room on second floor • Two bathrooms including ground floor wet room with WC • Generous 196m² of living space across three levels • Woodburner in large sitting room for cozy autumn and winter stays • Walk-in larder adjoining kitchen for ample storage • Separate snug room offering flexible living space • Workshop and garage on additional land parcel • Total land of 778m² with potential for gardens and outdoor dining • Located between Mareuil-en-Périgord and Nontron for services and authenticity • Renovated and ready for immediate enjoyment as vacation home • Strong rental income potential given flexible sleeping arrangements • 60km from Limoges airport, 120km from Bordeaux airport • Access to Dronne River recreation and Périgord Vert outdoor activities • Positioned in quieter northern Dordogne with excellent value For international buyers, French property ownership involves straightforward procedures. Most purchasers establish ownership through a Société Civile Immobilière (SCI), which simplifies succession planning and can offer tax advantages. Annual property taxes (taxe foncière) in rural Dordogne villages typically range from 600 to 900 euros for properties of this size. If you pursue vacation rental income, France's micro-entrepreneur status allows simplified tax treatment for rental revenues up to certain thresholds. Local notaires (legal professionals) guide international buyers through the purchase process, which typically completes within two to three months from offer acceptance. This house in Hautefaye represents an opportunity to own a piece of authentic France in a region celebrated for its gastronomy, history, and natural beauty. Whether you envision long summer holidays with extended family, short breaks throughout the year to recharge amid the countryside, or a potential future retirement base, this property delivers the space, character, and location to make those dreams tangible. The combination of immediate livability, expansion potential, and accessibility makes this village house particularly compelling for buyers seeking their first French vacation home or investors looking to diversify into the European property market. Contact Homestra today to arrange a viewing and begin your journey toward owning this slice of Périgord life. Virtual tours can be arranged for international buyers, and our team can connect you with English-speaking notaires, property managers, and local service providers to ensure a smooth purchase process. Your French vacation home awaits in the green heart of the Dordogne.
