Picture yourself stepping through the heavy wooden door of your own Périgord stone farmhouse, where morning light streams through tall windows onto centuries-old exposed beams and honey-colored stone walls that have witnessed generations of rural French life. This is your chance to own a piece of authentic southwestern France: a traditional homestead set on over 11 hectares of rolling meadows and woodland, where the only sounds are birdsong, distant cowbells, and the gentle rustle of wind through ancient oak trees. Located as the final property in a peaceful hamlet near Fumel, this 191-square-meter house offers not just a vacation home but a lifestyle transformation waiting to unfold.
The heart of this property beats in its spacious renovated kitchen and living areas, where exposed stone walls and original fireplaces create spaces perfectly designed for gathering family and friends around long summer dinners featuring local produce from nearby Villeneuve-sur-Lot markets. The current owners have thoughtfully renovated key living spaces including one bedroom and a bathroom, providing immediate comfort while preserving the soul of this historic structure. Throughout the house, authentic Périgordian features tell stories of rural heritage: hand-hewn beams overhead, traditional stone sinks that once served farmhouse kitchens, and multiple fireplaces that promise cozy winter evenings with logs from your own woodland.
What sets this property apart is its remarkable potential for customization. Beyond the main house, an adjoining cottage awaits your vision—perhaps guest quarters for visiting family, a creative studio bathed in southern light, or a rental unit to offset ownership costs. The adjoining barn offers storage for outdoor equipment, classic cars, or conversion into additional living space subject to planning permission. A separate barn and original pigsties provide even more possibilities: workshop space, storage for farm equipment if you choose to cultivate the land, or architectural features to preserve as charming reminders of the property's agricultural past. The pleasant central courtyard ties these buildings together, creating a private compound where children can play safely and summer evenings unfold around outdoor dining tables.
Your 11 hectares of land—that's 27 acres of private countryside—roll away from the homestead in gentle waves of meadow and woodland. This isn't just property; it's your own nature reserve where deer may wander at dusk, where you might keep horses, establish organic gardens, or simply walk your own trails through changing seasons. A natural spring and well on the property ensure water independence, a valuable asset for both lifestyle and property value. The undulating terrain provides natural privacy while offering elevated views across the surrounding Lot-et-Garonne countryside, where neighboring farms and villages dot the landscape like scenes from a pastoral painting.
Fumel and the broader Lot-et-Garonne department represent southwestern France at its most authentic and accessible. Unlike the sometimes overcrowded Dordogne or expensive Gers, this area retains genuine rural character while offering all essential services within easy reach. Fumel itself provides supermarkets, healthcare, schools, and weekly markets where local farmers sell everything from foie gras to fresh strawberries. The town sits along the Lot River, offering riverside walks, fishing, and canoeing during warm months. Within 20 minutes, you'll find Villeneuve-sur-Lot, a historic bastide town with excellent restaurants, cinema, shopping, and vibrant summer night markets that run until midnight.
The region's tourism infrastructure has developed thoughtfully, providing cultural depth without commercialization. Explore dozens of medieval bastide towns, each with distinctive arcaded squares and market halls. Visit the famous plum orchards that produce Agen prunes, tour local vineyards producing Côtes du Marmandais wines, or attend summer jazz festivals in riverside towns. The nearby Dordogne Valley offers world-class prehistoric cave art, Renaissance châteaux, and some of France's most celebrated villages. Outdoor enthusiasts find endless activities: cycling along quiet country lanes, kayaking the Lot River, hiking forest trails, or simply swimming in clear river pools on hot summer days.
Seasonally, this region transforms beautifully. Spring brings wildflower meadows and mild temperatures perfect for property projects and exploration. Summer offers long, warm days ideal for outdoor living, with temperatures typically reaching the high 20s Celsius. Local festivals celebrate everything from garlic to music throughout July and August. Autumn paints the woodland in golds and reds while harvest festivals showcase local wines and produce. Even winter holds appeal, with mild temperatures, occasional frosts that sparkle on morning meadows, and cozy fireside evenings in your stone farmhouse.
Accessibility makes this an excellent vacation home choice for international buyers. Bergerac Airport sits approximately 75 kilometers north, offering regular budget flights to UK cities including London, Bristol, and Edinburgh. Bordeaux Airport, 150 kilometers west, provides extensive international connections throughout Europe and beyond. The property lies within reasonable driving distance for those who prefer road travel: about 90 minutes from Bordeaux, six hours from Paris, and well-positioned for exploring both Atlantic beaches and Mediterranean coast.
Key features include: Four bedrooms offering flexible accommodation for family and guests; One renovated bathroom with scope to add more; Renovated kitchen and living room providing immediate comfort; Authentic Périgord stone construction with exposed beams throughout; Multiple fireplaces adding character and heating options; Adjoining cottage ready for renovation and customization; Adjoining barn plus separate barn providing extensive storage and conversion potential; Original architectural features including stone sinks; Private courtyard creating sheltered outdoor living space; 11 hectares of meadows and woodland with spring and well; Peaceful hamlet location with countryside views; Annual property tax of just 600 euros; Immediate habitability with exciting renovation potential.
For international buyers, French property ownership in rural areas like Lot-et-Garonne offers straightforward processes with established legal frameworks. The notaire system protects both parties, and many local professionals work regularly with foreign purchasers. This property's price point of 381,600 euros positions it competitively within the regional market, especially considering the extensive land and outbuildings. Properties of this size and character in more tourist-focused areas would command significantly higher prices. The low annual property tax demonstrates reasonable ongoing costs.
Renovation work required in portions of the house allows you to customize spaces exactly to your vision while the habitable areas ensure you can enjoy the property immediately. Whether you envision a weekend retreat, a summer holiday home, a retirement project, or a rental investment generating income when you're not in residence, this property adapts to multiple scenarios. The rural tourism market in this area continues growing as travelers seek authentic French countryside experiences away from overcrowded hotspots.
This homestead isn't merely a house; it's an invitation to create your French story in one of Europe's most rewarding regions. Imagine mornings gathering eggs if you keep chickens, afternoons reading under orchard trees, evenings watching sunset paint your meadows gold. Picture family holidays where children explore woods and streams, where teenagers learn to appreciate slower rhythms, where generations gather around that farmhouse table. Consider the satisfaction of gradually revealing the property's full potential through thoughtful renovation, each project adding value and personal connection.
Contact Homestra today to arrange your viewing of this rare opportunity. Properties offering this combination of authentic character, extensive land, outbuildings, and development potential in such an accessible yet unspoiled location don't remain available long. Your southwestern French adventure awaits in the golden stone and rolling acres of this Périgordian homestead, where the France you've always imagined becomes your daily reality.
