Charming 2 Bed Cottage in Normandy

Sunday morning in Savignac-Lédrier, and the smell of woodsmoke curls up from the stove before you've even put the kettle on. Through the kitchen window, open fields stretch out to the tree line, the kind of view that makes you put your phone down and just stand there for a minute. This is rural Dordogne — unhurried, deeply rooted, and still genuinely affordable for buyers who move quickly. At 99,000 euros for a four-bedroom stone village house with a flower garden and unobstructed countryside views, this property sits in a price bracket that barely exists in France anymore, particularly in the Dordogne — a département that has quietly become one of the most sought-after corners of southwest Europe for second home buyers from the UK, Netherlands, and Scandinavia. The bones are solid, the condition is good, and someone has clearly loved this house for years. It shows. Step inside through the entrance hallway and you're immediately greeted by a small interior courtyard bursting with potted plants and climbing flowers — the kind of detail that takes years to cultivate and costs nothing to inherit. The ground floor opens into a generous living and dining room anchored by a wood-burning stove, which transforms the space from October through to March when the Périgord evenings drop sharply. There's a fitted kitchen that actually functions — not a renovation project, but a room you can cook in from day one. A ground-floor bedroom with its own wood-burning stove and a built-in library doubles brilliantly as a reading room or a guest suite for friends who can't manage stairs. A shower room with WC completes the lower level. Upstairs, three further bedrooms and a bathroom with WC give the house real flexibility — a family with c ... click here to read more

On a Sunday morning in southwest France, this is what you wake up to: birdsong filtering through mature oak canopy, the faint smell of dew on old stonework, and the kind of silence that cities charge a premium to escape. Step out onto the balcony off the main bedroom, coffee in hand, and you're looking across more than half a hectare of private park-like gardens that feel entirely your own. No neighbors visible. No road noise. Just the trees, the pool glinting in the early light, and the slow rhythm of Lot-et-Garonne life beginning to stir. This is a house with a genuine story. Built in the 1970s to the design of an architect — someone who clearly cared about proportion, natural light, and character — it has been owned by one family since the day it was completed. That alone says something. Properties like this rarely surface on the market in this corner of Aquitaine, and when they do, they don't stay long. Walk through the gated entrance and the house reveals itself gradually, framed by specimen trees that have had decades to reach their full, impressive height. The façade has a quiet confidence about it — nothing showy, just solid mid-century lines that hold up exceptionally well. Inside, the living room is the heart of everything: generous in scale, with a working fireplace anchoring one wall, a mezzanine gallery adding vertical drama, and light coming in from multiple directions. The parquet floors throughout have the warmth that only real wood develops over time — no laminate shortcut here. Exposed stonework and original plaster cornices add layers of detail that would cost a fortune to replicate today. The four bedrooms are arranged sensibly for a family or for hosting guests across the seasons. One opens onto a ... click here to read more

Sunday mornings in Montmorillon smell like warm bread. The boulangerie on Rue du Marché opens early, and if you leave the courtyard door cracked, the scent drifts straight through to the kitchen. That's the kind of town this is — small enough to feel like yours, interesting enough to never feel dull. This 51-square-metre stone house sits right in the heart of Montmorillon, one of those genuinely underrated pockets of the Vienne département that most international buyers haven't discovered yet. And that matters. The Poitou-Charentes region has been quietly attracting second-home buyers from the UK, Netherlands, and Scandinavia for over a decade, but Montmorillon itself remains refreshingly local — no tourist traps, no inflated prices, no weekenders crowding the terraces. Just an honest French market town with a lot going for it. Step inside and the fireplace is the first thing you notice. Cast iron wood-burning stove tucked into the hearth, stone surround, the kind of setup that makes a February evening feel like the point of the whole trip rather than something to endure. The living room is compact but genuinely comfortable — a sofa, a glass of Charentais wine, something good on the screen or nothing at all. French shutters keep the summer heat out and swing open in the morning to let the courtyard light flood in. The kitchen is separate and functional, nothing you need to rip out or apologise for. The bedroom is a proper room, not a converted cupboard — enough space for a double bed, storage, and natural light. The bathroom has both a bathtub and a shower, which is rarer than it should be at this price point. The roof was completely redone in 2024, so you're not inheriting someone else's deferred maintenance. That al ... click here to read more

On a warm July evening in Saint-Maurin, the smell of grilled duck and lavender drifts up from the village square, where the weekly summer night market has spilled across the cobblestones beneath strings of amber light. You pull open the tall French doors in your living room and step straight into the garden, glass in hand, the low Lot-et-Garonne hills rolling out ahead of you in that particular shade of gold that only exists in southwest France at dusk. This is what owning this 19th-century stone house actually feels like. Not a renovation fantasy — a life. Saint-Maurin sits quietly in one of the most genuinely lovely historic villages in the Lot-et-Garonne, the kind of place that shows up on lists of the most beautiful villages in France and somehow still hasn't been discovered by the crowds. The old Benedictine abbey anchors the village center, its warm stone facade unchanged for centuries, and the weekly rhythms here are comfortingly real: a proper épicerie within walking distance, a café where the same faces appear every morning, and a village that actually lives rather than merely performs its heritage. Summer brings the marchés nocturnes that the whole surrounding area comes to — a proper, food-forward evening market with regional producers, live music drifting across the square, and a festive atmosphere that feels earned rather than manufactured. Come September, the vendanges and walnut harvests begin in the surrounding farms, and the air carries that unmistakable mix of woodsmoke and ripe fruit that marks autumn in Gascony. The house itself is 189 square metres of original 19th-century fabric, and it has kept its soul intact. Step inside and the sequence of original details is genuinely impressive: exposed ston ... click here to read more

Picture this: a Sunday morning in Moncaut, the kitchen window propped open, the smell of a café crème drifting up from somewhere down the lane, and absolutely no reason to be anywhere else. That's the particular magic of this three-bedroom 18th-century village house in the Lot-et-Garonne — a part of southwestern France that doesn't try to impress you, because it doesn't need to. Moncaut sits just outside Agen, the kind of small French village that hasn't reinvented itself for tourists and is better for it. The Wednesday market in Agen's old quarter has been running for generations — stalls selling Agen prunes (the area's famous AOC export, eaten fresh in season or soaked in Armagnac in winter), duck confit from local farms, goat's cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves. Life here moves at a pace that feels deliberate rather than slow. The Garonne river runs through the valley below, and on clear mornings you can see mist lifting off the water from the upper floor of the house. The property itself spans 145 square metres across three levels and dates to the 1700s — but don't let that conjure images of damp walls and draughty floors. This house has been properly sorted out. New double-glazed windows keep winters quiet and warm. Aluminium shutters go up or down in seconds. A pellet-burner heating system means running costs stay sensible, and the whole place has been redecorated with a palette that manages to feel both period-appropriate and genuinely liveable — warm tones, no fussy details, nothing you'd want to change the moment you arrived. Walk through the front door and you're straight into the sitting room, which opens directly into the fitted country kitchen. High beamed ceilings make the space feel generous without bei ... click here to read more

On a quiet summer evening in Bourg-de-Visa, you pull a chair into your stone courtyard, pour something cold, and listen. Swallows cutting low arcs over the square. A muffled football commentary drifting from Rémy's café across the way. The smell of bread from the village boulangerie still hanging faintly in the warm Quercy air. This is not a simulation of French village life — it's the actual thing, and this 19th-century stone house sits right at the center of it. The house occupies an almost theatrical position on a secondary square, its stone frontage running nearly the full length of one side. That matters more than you might think. In a village this size, your address is your identity, and this one announces itself with quiet confidence. Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, three barns, a sheltered courtyard, off-street parking, and a small garden — all of it in genuinely good condition, all of it inside walking distance of everything Bourg-de-Visa has to offer. Step through the entrance and you're into a large open-plan living space that the current owners have transformed with real care. A log-burning stove anchors one end — a genuinely useful thing here from October through April, when Tarn-et-Garonne mornings carry a sharp chill. The kitchen is modern and properly fitted, which anyone who has renovated a French country property will tell you is a gift not to be taken lightly. It opens directly onto the courtyard, that private outdoor room that becomes the true heart of the house from May onwards. Aperitifs out there on a June evening, the old stone still warm from the afternoon sun, is the kind of simple pleasure this property was made for. Period features survive throughout — exposed stonework, original proportions, ... click here to read more

The church at La Porcherie rings at eight on Sunday mornings, and if you're sitting at the fireplace in the front room of this century-old house, you'll hear it clearly through the thick stone walls. That's the kind of quiet this place offers — not the performative countryside quiet you read about in travel supplements, but the real, deep silence of the Haute-Vienne bocage, broken only by birdsong and the distant rumble of a tractor working the fields. It's a rare thing. And at this price, rarer still. Built around 1900 and extended in the 1970s, this four-bedroom house sits in a small rural hamlet roughly two kilometres from La Porcherie village. The setting is genuinely pastoral — 380 square metres of land, a proper front garden with room for a table and chairs under whatever shade tree you'd plant in your first spring, and open views across the rolling Limousin countryside that shift with every season. In April the meadows go acid green. Come July, the sunflowers along the D15 toward Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche are head-height. By October the oak woods around Coussac-Bonneval turn the colour of old copper. The house itself runs to six rooms across two floors. Ground level gives you an entrance hall, a kitchen space, a living room anchored by a working fireplace, and a separate office — useful if you're one of the growing number of international buyers who've realised that a Limousin holiday home can double as a remote-working base for the price of a city parking space. Upstairs, four proper bedrooms, a bathroom, and a separate toilet. The footprint is honest: 120 square metres of real living space, not inflated by corridors or cupboards counted as rooms. Attached to the main house is a 27-square-metre garage — big enoug ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in Anais moves slowly. The kind of slowly you forget exists until you're standing in a French kitchen at 8am, coffee in hand, watching light creep across a garden that actually has room to breathe. That's the rhythm this four-bedroom Charente house runs on — and once you feel it, city life starts to look a little absurd. Built in the 1970s on a full basement, this solid family home in the Poitou-Charentes region sits in good condition and carries the kind of practical bones that make a second home genuinely liveable from day one. No romantic ruin-restoration headaches here. The ground floor opens into a kitchen, dining room, veranda, a corridor connecting to the basement and upper level, a toilet, a dressing room, a first bedroom, and a master suite with its own shower room. Upstairs, you'll find a second bedroom, a bathroom, a dedicated office — useful for those who can't fully unplug even on holiday — and a landing corridor linking it all together. Four bedrooms total, spread across a generous 138 square metres of interior space. The wood-burning insert in the main living area earns its keep the moment October arrives in Charente. Double glazing keeps things quiet and comfortable year-round, and the septic tank sanitation system is already in place — a detail international buyers often overlook until the paperwork stage. The outbuilding is one of those genuinely rare finds: it houses a traditional bread oven. Not a decorative one. A working bread oven waiting to be fired up for weekend baking sessions or the kind of long, smoky dinner parties that only happen in French countryside. Then there's the covered swimming pool, enclosed under a dome structure — currently in need of restoration to bring it b ... click here to read more

Step outside on a Tuesday morning and the only sounds you'll hear are the distant moo of Charolais cattle in the field next door and the wood pigeons working the oak at the far end of the meadow. That's Rom. Not a place most tourists pass through, but exactly the kind of unhurried corner of Poitou-Charentes that people who've done the Dordogne circuit a dozen times eventually find their way to — and then quietly start buying. This five-bedroom stone house sits on just over 6,400 square metres of land in the commune of Rom, in Deux-Sèvres, priced at €230,000 all in. At 164 square metres of living space in the main house, plus a fully independent 49-square-metre gîte, a 130-square-metre barn, a gym, a games room, and a carport — this is not a property that runs out of purpose. Walk through the front door and the bones of the place hit you immediately. Exposed limestone walls, thick and cool in summer. Original oak beams crossing the ceilings in every bedroom upstairs. Parquet underfoot. These aren't cosmetic details someone stapled on during a renovation — they're structural, authentic, the kind of craftsmanship that stopped being common practice a century ago. The open-plan kitchen and dining room is big enough to actually feed a crowd, which matters when this becomes the gathering point for extended family summers. Off to one side, the separate sitting room has a stone fireplace with a wood-burning stove — the kind of room that earns its keep from October through March when the Deux-Sèvres countryside turns cool and golden and quiet. Upstairs, four bedrooms with beamed ceilings share a family bathroom with a bath. The ground floor has a shower room and utility room, keeping daily life functional without fuss. The prop ... click here to read more

Saturday morning. The log burner is crackling in the sitting room, the smell of woodsmoke drifting toward the open window, and out past the terrace, the rolling valleys of the Tarn-et-Garonne stretch as far as you can see — all golden fields, dark tree lines, and absolutely nobody else. This is the kind of quiet that people spend years trying to find. This 19th-century stone house in the commune of Castelsagrat sits in one of the most underrated corners of southwest France. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, 110 square metres of honest, well-kept interior — and then the land, the views, the silence. At €229,000, it's the sort of property that makes you recalculate your priorities. The house itself has real bones. The rendered stone facade is classic Tarn-et-Garonne — solid, thick-walled construction that keeps rooms cool through the scorching July and August heat without you touching a dial. Inside, the sitting room centres on a log-burning stove that earns its keep from November through March. Terracotta-tiled floors run underfoot, exposed oak beams cross the ceilings above, and the country kitchen feels like the kind of room where Sunday lunches start at noon and end somewhere around four. Electric heating supplements the wood-burner during shoulder seasons when it's more chilly than cold. The whole ground floor has a relaxed, unhurried feel — this isn't a house that's trying to impress you. It just works. The storage rooms are worth special mention. Large, with genuine potential — convert them into a gite, a guest annex, a studio, or leave them as generous working storage for a household that actually uses its land. The groundwork is there for anyone who wants to expand the footprint without touching the main character ... click here to read more

Some mornings in Masseret, the only sound is the wood-burning stove ticking to life and the distant call of a kite circling above the tree line. You push open the kitchen shutters and the Corrèze countryside rolls out in front of you — green fields, oak woodland, farmsteads half-hidden in the folds of the hills. It's the kind of view that makes you put the coffee down and just stand there for a while. This 132-square-metre stone house sits in the commune of Masseret in the Corrèze department, one of the least-crowded and most quietly compelling corners of the Limousin region. The price — €180,000 — reflects the real French countryside, not the glossy version sold to tourists. This is the France that locals actually live in, and it's exactly what draws a growing wave of international buyers looking for something genuine. The house reads as traditional from the outside: natural stone walls, a slate roof, timber detailing around the windows. These aren't cosmetic additions. They're original, and they carry the kind of weight and texture that new builds spend fortunes trying to fake. The mature garden wraps around the property — established trees, flowering shrubs, a sense of things that have been growing here for decades. You won't be planting hedges and waiting ten years for privacy. It's already here. Step inside and the living room does the work that every French country house should. Exposed oak beams run across the ceiling. The wooden floors are warm underfoot even in January, which matters here, because Limousin winters are real winters — crisp, clear, properly cold. The fireplace is the room's anchor, with a wood-burning stove that connects directly to the central heating system. So you're not choosing between atm ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in Verfeil, and the smell of fresh bread from the boulangerie at the end of the lane drifts through the kitchen window before you've even made coffee. That's not a fantasy — it's just Tuesday here, or any other day of the week. This is a village with an actual bakery, an actual restaurant, and an actual rhythm that you slot into almost immediately. The house itself is built from the same warm ochre stone you see throughout this corner of the Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne borderlands — thick walls that keep things cool in July and hold heat in February. It's been restored with care. The kind of restoration where someone made good decisions: a quality kitchen that doesn't feel like a showroom, a dining area that flows without forcing it into an open-plan living space, all on the ground floor so there's a logic to how you move through the day. Cook, eat, spill out onto the terrace. It just works. And that terrace. There's a generous covered area purpose-built for long lunches that start at one o'clock and end when the light changes — something the French have perfected and visitors quietly adopt. Beyond it, the garden drops into a plunge pool, cold enough to actually matter during the weeks in July and August when temperatures in this part of Occitanie climb well into the mid-30s. Shade, stone, water. You don't need much more than that. Back inside, the stairs take you up to two bedrooms on the first floor, each with its own ensuite — so two couples, or parents and older children, can coexist without the usual morning queue for the bathroom. Then above that, the attic bedroom. It's the kind of room that people argue over quietly: sloped ceilings, the faint creak of old timber, a sense of being under the rooftop ... click here to read more

Picture this: it's a Tuesday morning in late June, and you're sitting on a stone terrace with a bowl of café au lait watching the mist lift off the Tarn-et-Garonne valleys below. No traffic. No notifications. Just the low clang of a cowbell somewhere down the hill and the smell of warm limestone. That's the ordinary Tuesday this 19th-century farmhouse in Roquecor makes possible. This is a proper French country house — solid walls, real character, a past you can feel in the thick stone and hand-worn steps. At 120 square metres it's not trying to be a château. It's a house you could actually live in, maintain without a team of groundskeepers, and love without it becoming a second job. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a kitchen that opens into a living room with a wood-burning stove. When January comes and the Quercy Blanc plateau turns silver with frost, you'll understand exactly why that stove exists. The covered terrace deserves its own paragraph. Long, generous, and oriented toward the kind of view that makes guests go quiet — rolling countryside in every direction, no rooftop intrusions, no pylons cutting the horizon. This is where summer happens. Lunch bleeds into afternoon, afternoon into apéro, and suddenly it's dark and nobody's moved in three hours. The productive vegetable garden alongside it means that summer lunch might involve tomatoes picked twelve minutes ago, which changes things entirely. Roquecor itself sits in the northern reaches of Tarn-et-Garonne, close to the border with Lot-et-Garonne, in a part of France that doesn't feature on the overrun tourist trail. That's the point. The village of Puylaroque is a ten-minute drive and has everything for daily life — a bakery, a pharmacy, a market on Wednesda ... click here to read more

Step out of the front door on a Sunday morning and the smell of fresh bread from the boulangerie two streets over drifts past you before you've even decided where to walk. That's Castelsagrat. A proper bastide village perched above the rolling farmland of Tarn-et-Garonne, where the main square still functions exactly as it was intended — people gathering, locals arguing cheerfully over pétanque, market stalls spilling color onto the old stone paving. This three-bedroom house sits just off that square on a quiet side road, and the address alone tells you something: you're in the middle of the action, but shielded from it. The building has its own quiet history. Before it became the house it is today, it was a workshop where craftsmen built wooden horse-drawn carriages — you can still feel that purposeful, practical quality in the bones of the structure. Thick 19th-century stone walls that keep rooms cool through the heat of July. Ceiling beams worn smooth. Wide wooden floorboards that creak in exactly the right places. The previous owners had the good sense to leave all of that alone and simply update around it — the kitchen is fitted and contemporary, the bathrooms are clean and modern, and part double glazing means the winters are manageable without the kind of heating bills that haunt older stone properties. The layout makes everyday life easy. The sitting room is on the first floor, elevated above the lane below, so the log-burning stove does its work while you watch the light change across the valley through the windows. In autumn, when the plane trees along the road start dropping leaves and the air sharpens, this room becomes the reason you bought the house. The kitchen opens directly onto a balcony — not a symbo ... click here to read more

Step off the narrow lane on a grey October morning and you can already smell woodsmoke curling from the chimney insert before you've even pushed open the front door. That's the thing about stone houses in Corrèze — they hold heat, hold history, and hold you in a way that a modern build simply never will. This four-bedroom stone village house in Lascaux sits in one of the least-trumpeted corners of the French countryside, which is precisely why it's worth paying attention to. The Corrèze department, tucked into the northern reaches of the old Limousin region, draws almost none of the tourist crowds that swarm the Dordogne just to the southwest — yet the landscape is, if anything, more raw and more rewarding. Rolling chestnut forests, granite outcrops, winding rivers cold enough to make you gasp in August. It's France before it became a postcard. The house itself covers 65 square metres across two floors, with a clear and logical layout that makes every square metre count. Downstairs, an entrance hall leads into a kitchen and a living room that opens into a lounge anchored by a fireplace fitted with a wood-burning insert. On a February evening with a Corrèze walnut cake resting on the counter and a bottle of local Marcillac wine open on the table, that insert becomes the social centre of the entire house. Upstairs, four bedrooms — generous in number for a property of this footprint — share a bathroom with WC, with a shower room and separate WC also available on the ground floor. The attic adds further storage or, with the right planning permissions, development potential. Directly opposite the house stands a barn of 66 square metres with an additional lean-to. In the hands of the right buyer, that barn is a project wort ... click here to read more

On a still weekday morning in Bourg-de-Visa, the smell of fresh bread drifts from the boulangerie four minutes' walk up the lane before you've even thought about making coffee. That's the pace of life here — unhurried, rooted, real. This 1850s stone barn, once a working forge, has been carefully converted into a two-bedroom house that sits quietly behind a stone wall on the village edge, its garden opening up to rolling Tarn-et-Garonne countryside that stretches further than you'd think possible for somewhere so easy to reach. Midi-Pyrénées is one of those parts of France that doesn't announce itself loudly. No famous coastline, no ski resort posters plastered at Charles de Gaulle. What it has instead is the kind of slow, unselfconscious rural beauty that people spend years searching for and rarely find — and Bourg-de-Visa sits right in the heart of it. The village has genuine life to it. A weekly market, a café where the same retired farmers have been occupying the same chairs since the 1980s, and those summer night markets that run through July and August: outdoor tables, local wine, grilled meats, children chasing each other between the stalls until well past dark. It's the France visitors imagine and tourists rarely stumble across. The house itself carries its history well. The original stone walls are thick enough to keep rooms cool through the heat of a Quercy summer — and this corner of France runs hot from June through September, with long golden evenings that make the tiled terrace off the kitchen feel like an extension of the living room. Step through the gated entrance off the lane, and the first thing you notice is the well at the centre of the lawn, flanked by established trees that throw proper shade. The ... click here to read more

On a still morning in Coussac-Bonneval, the only sound you'll hear from the kitchen window is birdsong and the faint clang of the village church bell marking the hour. That's not a selling point — that's just Tuesday. This is a corner of rural France that hasn't been polished for tourists, and that's exactly what makes it worth your attention. This three-bedroom stone village house sits in the heart of Coussac-Bonneval, a quietly compelling commune in the Haute-Vienne department of Limousin, and it has been fully renovated without losing the bones that make it genuinely special. The original parquet floors are still there, worn smooth in the best possible way. The exposed timber beams cross the ceilings upstairs with the kind of presence you simply can't recreate. Two fireplaces anchor the interior, and a wood-burning stove in the living and dining room turns a rainy October evening into something you'd want to repeat every year. At 153 square metres spread across two levels, the house has real breathing room. The ground floor opens with an entrance hall that leads into a generous 39-square-metre living and dining space — French doors push open to a south-facing terrace, and in summer you'll barely bother eating indoors. The kitchen is fully fitted and functional, with a ground-floor WC keeping the layout practical. Upstairs, three bedrooms share two bathrooms, each with its own WC, plus a further separate WC — sensible for families or groups of friends who all need to be somewhere at the same time on a Saturday morning. Outside is where this property really opens up. The walled garden runs to 1,101 square metres, giving you genuine privacy without feeling like you're managing an estate. There's a paved terrace for lo ... click here to read more

The bread oven is still there. So is the wine press. Standing in the larger of the two stone barns on a warm June morning, with swallows threading in and out of the rafters above you, it doesn't take long to understand that this 1847 farmhouse near Beauville wasn't just built — it was assembled with the kind of patience and permanence that nobody bothers with anymore. That original stone sink in the kitchen still works. The cast iron roll-top bath still gleams. Some things, if they're good enough to begin with, don't need replacing. This is a three-bedroom farmhouse in the rolling countryside of Lot-et-Garonne, priced at €199,000, sitting on a generous 3,500m2 garden with a separate 1.2-hectare plot attached. Two stone barns come with the property. The house itself runs to 93 square metres. It's in good condition — not a ruin, not a renovation project from hell — but it carries that particular lived-in warmth that a period property only gets after a century and a half of occupation. A little refreshing here and there, and it would be exactly what it already nearly is: one of the most quietly singular farmhouses in this corner of southwest France. Approach along the lane — and it really is a quiet lane, the kind where you occasionally have to pull over for a tractor and nobody minds — and the first thing you notice is how the house sits in the landscape. The Lot-et-Garonne valley rolls out around it in every direction, the kind of view that you'd pay an architect a fortune to fabricate if nature hadn't already done it for free. Established trees frame the garden. Gnarled vines push along their rows. Box hedging holds everything together. There's a vegetable patch, multiple fruit trees, and a small terrace positioned, wh ... click here to read more

Nestled in the heart of Normandy's picturesque countryside, this delightful country home in Sourdeval offers a perfect retreat for those seeking a second home or vacation property in France. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant local culture, Normandy is a dream destination for international buyers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. A Slice of French Countryside Living Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of leaves and the sweet scent of apple blossoms wafting through your window. This charming two-bedroom stone house, lovingly renovated in 1984, is surrounded by a lush garden and a quaint apple orchard, providing a serene and private oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation. Property Highlights: - Location: Situated in a tranquil rural hamlet, just a few kilometers from the vibrant town of Sourdeval. - Size: 91 square meters of cozy living space, perfect for intimate family gatherings or quiet retreats. - Bedrooms: Two spacious bedrooms with wood flooring and ample natural light. - Bathroom: A well-appointed shower room with modern amenities. - Kitchen/Dining Room: Features a granite fireplace with a Godin wood-fired cooker/heater, perfect for cozy winter evenings. - Lounge: A spacious area with tiled floors and large windows, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. - Garage: Attached garage with electric door, providing secure parking and additional storage space. - Garden: Beautifully landscaped with mature trees, shrubs, and flower borders, plus a charming apple orchard. The Normandy Lifestyle Living in Sourdeval offers a unique blend of rural charm and modern convenience. The town is a short drive away, providing access to essential amenities such as banks, ... click here to read more

Nestled in the tranquil countryside of Sourdeval, France, this charming four-bedroom country home offers a serene escape amidst 15 acres of verdant land. Perfect for those yearning for a peaceful rural lifestyle, this delightful farmhouse combines the beauty of rustic living with the convenience of modern amenities. The property is in good condition and features a spacious open-plan living room, dining room, and kitchen area. This expansive space is accentuated with wood flooring and large windows, bringing abundant natural light into the home. The kitchen is well-equipped with built-in units, modern appliances, including a dishwasher, and a cozy breakfast bar for casual meals. Living in Sourdeval offers a unique blend of idyllic countryside and accessibility to essentials. The town is just a short drive away, boasting a selection of supermarkets, banks, and weekly markets where locals gather every Tuesday to shop for fresh produce and connect with the community. For the outdoor enthusiast, the property's location is nothing short of a dream. The surrounding area is ripe for exploration, whether it's a peaceful walk through the nearby Saint Sever forest, a day of fishing or boating at Lac de la Dathée, or perfecting your swing at the 18-hole golf course, all less than 15 minutes drive away. The coast, with its beautiful beaches, is only an hour away by car, making it an accessible destination for a sunny weekend getaway. The house is also equipped as an office and utility room, offering practical solutions for those looking to manage work-from-home requirements or daily household chores efficiently. Upstairs, the bedrooms are well-appointed with wooden floors, soothing views of the surrounding landscape, and ample ... click here to read more

Situated in the charming town of Sourdeval in the picturesque region of Normandy, this delightful townhouse presents a unique opportunity for those looking to own a piece of French countryside. With its proximity to various local amenities and scenic surroundings, this property offers both convenience and a tranquil lifestyle, making it ideal for a holiday home, a first-time purchase, or a potential rental investment. Property Highlights: - Address: Sourdeval, Normandy, Manche, France - Price: €44,500 Property Features: - Three bedrooms - One bathroom - Overall size of 70 square meters - Double glazed hardwood windows, installed approximately 12 years ago - Central heating system via a back boiler on the woodburner (requires maintenance before use) - Full basement for ample storage As you enter the house, you're greeted by a partly glazed front door that leads into an entrance hall, adorned with a tiled floor and offering direct access to both the basement and the upper floors. The ground floor hosts a cozy lounge area, featuring a fireplace with a woodburner and wood flooring, making it the perfect spot for relaxing evenings. The kitchen/dining room includes a ceramic sink, space for appliances, and glazed double doors that open up to a decking area, which awaits renewal to become a splendid outdoor entertainment space. The stairs guide you to the first floor where you will find two bedrooms, each boasting wood flooring and radiators. The bathroom on this floor is equipped with a hip bath, hand basin, and tiled floor. Ascending to the second floor reveals an additional bedroom and access to the attic, providing extra storage or could be converted into a functional space depending on your needs. Local Area and Ameni ... click here to read more

Imagine yourself nestled in the heart of Normandy, in the charming region of Manche, Sourdeval. It’s a sanctuary of peace balanced perfectly with vibrant local life, ideal for those considering a move to France. I'm here to tell you about a truly captivating property that offers not just a place to live, but a chance to integrate seamlessly into a welcoming community with the bonus of potential extra income. This delightful property comprises not one, but two distinct and charming homes—a 4-bedroom house and a 3-bedroom gite. Whether you're an expat looking to find a new home base, or an ambitious individual eager for a potential income venture, this property provides flexibility and comfort. For those seeking a more subdued lifestyle, the atmosphere in Sourdeval promises both tranquility and opportunities for exploration. ### Discovering the Houses: The main residence boasts character and convenience. As you enter the primary house, your journey begins in the entrance dining room. It’s a warm area featuring a wood stove and chimney, perfect for cozy meals with loved ones. The granite fireplace sets a scene of timeless charm—a touch of classic Normandy. - Entrance and Dining Room: Wood Stove, granite fireplace - Kitchen: Granite worktops, breakfast bar, fitted kitchen - Sitting Room: French windows, garden access, wood burner - Bedrooms: Four comfortable spaces - Shower Room: Equipped with modern fittings - Master Bedroom: Ensuite shower room - Utility and Boiler Room: Practical storage solutions In addition to the main house, the property features a three-bedroom gite, offering a taste of authentic French living. The Gite provides an open plan kitchen and dining space with character beams—a nod to its traditional r ... click here to read more

Nestled in the serene heart of Normandy, France, this charming 2-bedroom country home is an idyllic retreat set against the lush greens of the Manche countryside, right near the quaint town of Sourdeval. This property is not just a house but a chapter waiting to be written into the lives of those who seek tranquil living with a touch of French country charm. Over the last 17 years, the current owners have lovingly renovated this residence, crafting it into a cozy haven with an expansive garden waiting for a new family to call it home. The house stands promising with its double glazed wood frame windows, designed to keep the charm of country living while offering modern comforts. For those considering investing or seeking additional income, there’s also potential here. Adjacent to the main house is a gîte that mirrors its structure, providing an exciting project for those who enjoy putting a personal touch on their dwellings. This gîte is wired separately for water and electricity, making it an ideal setup for rental opportunities or housing guests. Key Features of the Property: - 67 square metres of living space - 2 spacious bedrooms on the upper floor - Cozy lounge with exposed stone wall & wood-burner - Kitchen/dining area with tiled floors - Standalone shower room with character - Parking space for 2 vehicles - Lawned garden with mature trees & shrubs - Large attached workshop for all your DIY needs - Mains water & electricity - Drainage via an all-water septic tank Living in Normandy promises peace and authenticity—far away from the bustling cities. Sourdeval, a nearby picturesque town, offers all required everyday amenities including supermarkets, banks, and local markets. Every Tuesday, the vibrant produce mark ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Normandy, this notable farmhouse in Manche presents a beautiful blend of classic charm and modern conveniences. Situated near Sourdeval, a quaint town that perfectly captures the spirit of rural France, this property promises more than just a home—it offers an idyllic lifestyle to those looking to immerse themselves in the tranquility and beauty of this region. With its detached stone structure, this farmhouse stands proud, boasting a stunning elevated position surrounded by nearly 2 acres of lush, green land that invites you to experience the timeless allure of the French countryside. One of my favorites things about this farmhouse is that it’s already ready to move into, although its adjoining gîte still awaits completion, offering you a wonderful opportunity to tailor the space according to your unique vision. The main house promises comfort with its renovated interiors, perfect for those who seek a balance between modernity and the classic charm of a rural home. The gîte is the proverbial "blank canvas," just bursting with potential to become a heartwarming retreat or a guest residence. Features of the Main House: - Five cozy bedrooms mix classic elements like exposed beams with contemporary updates. - The lounge features a charming granite fireplace, ideal for cozy evenings. - A spacious dining room, perfect for gatherings with family and friends. - Two bathrooms on hand for convenience, one on each floor. - Original wooden floors not only add to the charm but make maintenance simple. - A country-style kitchen with modern amenities, promoting a delightful cooking experience. - Radiators throughout to keep you warm even when the temperatures drop. - A noteworthy 'L' shaped ... click here to read more

Nestled in the quaint and vibrant town of Sourdeval, located in the captivating region of Normandy, France, this charming house is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered. As a busy global real estate agent, my time is often stretched thin, but when a property like this comes along, it’s hard not to get excited about the possibilities it offers. Spanning 94 square meters, this spacious four-bedroom house is ideally situated for those looking to embrace a harmonious blend of community life and pastoral beauty. Upon entering through the partly glazed door, one is welcomed by a warm and inviting entrance hall. The tiled floor hints at the practical yet cosy design that permeates the entire home. The ground floor seamlessly combines functionality with comfort, featuring a utility room to make everyday chores a breeze, and a cloakroom for guests. As you move into the heart of the home, the kitchen/breakfast room offers a delightful space for culinary endeavours. Its access to the terrace and rear garden ensures bright and airy mornings as you sip coffee overlooking the garden. The house isn't shy about space, either. The lounge/dining room stretches across the breadth of the house, with glazed double doors and sliding patio doors creating a fluid connection with the outdoors. The promise of afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows is a comforting thought, making it perfect for both relaxation and entertainment. Moving upstairs, the first floor offers four well-proportioned bedrooms, each boasting a unique view and perspective of the surrounding area. The main bedroom, with its ample built-in storage and window overlooking the rear elevation, offers a private retreat away from the hustle and bustle. The remaining ... click here to read more

Nestled in the quaint region of Normandy, this substantial detached house in the Manche department, situated near the bustling market town of Sourdeval, offers a fantastic opportunity for those looking to relocate to the picturesque heart of France. Just a stone's throw away from the vibrant locale of Sourdeval, this residence is not just a house, but the beginning of a new lifestyle filled with local wonders and breathtaking landscapes – suitable for overseas buyers and expats eager to immerse themselves in French countryside living. With its four bedrooms, this house stands ready to be transformed into the home of your dreams. It's a blank canvas just awaiting your touch, which is perfect if you have an eye for renovation and love putting down roots in a place that reflects both your style and sensibilities. There's no denying this is a fixer-upper, but think of this as an opportunity rather than a challenge. The property is ripe with potential, allowing you to create a custom living space that suits your every need. The house is structurally sound—it's bursting with possibilities for those with vision. Accommodation is generous; the ground floor features a spacious junction of rooms that could be adapted to suit your living requirements. This includes: - Canopy entrance hall - Dining room with granite fireplace - Kitchen with a double stainless steel sink - Expansive lounge with exposed stone walls - Bedrooms offering plenty of space The garden is predominantly level, turning your outdoor space into a sanctuary of peace with its mature trees, vegetable garden, and a charming stream. This lush land spans over two acres, providing ample opportunity for gardening enthusiasts or those dreaming of outdoor gatherings wi ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Normandy, in the charming village of Sourdeval, this inviting 3-bedroom country house is now available for sale. This delightful property, situated in the department of Manche, offers a serene and peaceful lifestyle with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. With a price tag of €150,000, this charming country house provides an exceptional opportunity for those looking to embrace the tranquility of rural life in France, whether as a family home or a second residence. Property Features: - Property type: country home - Condition: Good but requires some modernisation - Location: Normandy, Manche, Sourdeval - Bedrooms: 3 - Bathrooms: 1 - Total area: 90 sqm - Price: €150,000 - Land: Nearly 7 acres, gently sloping - New fuseboard installed around 10 years ago - Exterior insulation added - Potential to extend into loft space - Outbuildings suitable for conversion into gîtes - Mains water, electricity, and telephone connected - Gas-fired central heating - Double glazed PVC windows with shutters - Septic tank drainage (needs replacing) - Taxes Foncières: Approx. €561 per year Property Description: As you walk up the driveway, surrounded by mature trees and shrubs, this charming country house welcomes you with its rustic stone façade. The house, though requiring some modernisation, has ample potential to become a beautiful family home or an idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. The ground floor features a spacious kitchen/dining room (6.05 x 4.34m), complete with part-glazed door and windows offering lovely views of the landscape. The room is equipped with a double stainless steel sink, a cozy fireplace with an open hearth, and plenty of space for a freest ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque southwest region of Normandy, near the boundaries of Manche and Calvados, this charming 2-bedroom country home offers a tranquil retreat with a delightful opportunity for customization and enhancement. Situated just 3 kilometers from the town of Sourdeval—rich in community offerings and conveniences—this property blends the allure of rural serenity with the benefits of nearby town facilities. The country house itself has been attentively renovated over the past 17 years, providing a cozy yet modern living experience. Showcasing a blend of rustic and updated elements, the home includes double-glazed wood-frame windows that ensure year-round comfort. The property spans two floors, featuring tiled floors, an exposed stone wall, and wooden beams that add character to the spacious lounge, which is also equipped with a wood burner within a striking granite fireplace. The ground floor hosts a well-sized kitchen/dining area that leads directly to the rear garden. The kitchen is fitted with modern necessities and ample space for culinary exploration. Transitioning to the first floor, you are greeted with a landing area that reveals exposed beams and a sloping ceiling, creating a cozy, attic-like feel. The two bedrooms offer peaceful personal spaces, with the main bedroom including a walk-in wardrobe—an ideal addition for extra storage needs. While the main house is in good condition, the property also features an attached gîte that awaits finishing touches. Reflecting the layout of the main house, this space offers great potential for rental income or guest accommodation once completed. Outside, the landscape envelops the home with a sense of privacy and space. The garden, adorned with mature trees ... click here to read more

Nestled on the outskirts of the charming village of Sourdeval, this picturesque country home offers a perfect blend of tranquility and opportunity for those seeking a serene lifestyle in the heart of Normandy, France. As a busy real estate agent, I've seen many properties, but this one stands out with its unique charm and potential, drawing attention from investors and expatriates alike. Sourdeval, located in the Manche department of Normandy, is a delightful locale where the pace of life slows down, allowing residents to truly savor each day. The local area is adorned with rolling fields, traditional French countryside architecture, and friendly locals who embody the region's warm hospitality. If you’re coming from overseas, you’ll find how community-driven this place is, with market days every Tuesday showcasing vibrant stalls filled with fresh produce, regional cheeses, and more. The property itself is a true countryside gem, boasting a lovely garden spanning over an acre with mesmerizing views of the surrounding fields. This country home, thoughtfully renovated over 22 years, still retains its authentic character while offering modern comforts. It features a separate old stone house that's ideal for ambitious projects – a perfect renovation opportunity for those looking to add their personal touch to a historic structure. With three floors of living space, the main house offers: - 3 cozy bedrooms, filled with natural light - 2 well-equipped bathrooms - A spacious lounge/dining room featuring traditional exposed beams and a welcoming woodburner - A well-sized kitchen, ready to handle all your culinary adventures - A separate shower room convenient for guests or quick refreshes For those who delight in a mix of ... click here to read more

Tucked away in the serene landscape of Normandy, this captivating 3-bedroom country home in Sourdeval offers an idyllic retreat for those looking to immerse themselves in the French countryside. This detached stone "Maison de Maître" boasts a chic and recent renovation that has tastefully enhanced its rustic charm while incorporating modern comforts. Located in a tranquil role, yet within reach of both local culture and nature, this property makes for an ideal family home or a peaceful getaway. The ground floor features a spacious open-plan kitchen and living room, where a recently fitted kitchen includes modern appliances and ample storage spaces, complemented by an inset wood burner in the living area that adds a cozy feel during the cooler months. Tiled floors and access to the basement and upper floors meld functionality and style seamlessly. The first floor reveals three bedrooms enriched with laminate flooring and versatile ambient light, along with a dressing room attached to the master bedroom. The shower room on this floor includes a vanity unit and heated towel rail, supplying added comfort. For the visionary, the loft presents an excellent opportunity for conversion, suggesting possibilities for additional living space or creative room tailored to your needs. Practical features include a tandem garage and utility areas in the basement, poised to accommodate household needs from storage to laundry. Local Area and Lifestyle Living in Sourdeval, residents relish in the weekly market offering from fresh produce to livestock, located among a variety of traditional shops, bars, and restaurants which boast an authentic French culinary experience. Lifestyle amenities are plentiful, spanning golf clubs, a sports c ... click here to read more

Nestled charmingly in the picturesque village of Sourdeval in Normandy, France, this delightful town house is perfect for those seeking a tranquil retreat without straying too far from local amenities. As a global real estate expert, I understand the magnetic draw of the French countryside, and this location is an exceptional choice for international buyers and expats looking to immerse themselves in the idyllic lifestyle France offers. The property itself is positioned within close proximity to the village's bakery and cozy bar/restaurant, making everyday conveniences just a short stroll away. For those who treasure the chance to step out and mingle with the friendly local community, you'll find this neighborhood to be quite welcoming. With a pleasant climate characterized by mild temperatures year-round, Sourdeval is where you can enjoy the full breadth of Normandy’s seasons, from blossoming springs to balmy summers. Let's delve deeper into what this property has to offer. It's a quaint 2-bedroom house with 95 square meters of living space that is meticulously maintained. The high ceilings add an airy feel to the already bright and inviting rooms. Whether you’re looking for a holiday retreat or somewhere to settle, this house radiates the promise of a warm, welcoming home. Property features include: - 2 spacious bedrooms - 2 bathrooms - Loft space with potential for master suite - High ceilings throughout - Woodburner in the lounge - Electric heating - Mains drainage, water, and electricity - Fibre optic internet - Laundry room and workshop in the basement - Gravel parking space - Terraced garden with mature shrubs and hedges Though the house is in good condition, the loft's potential conversion into a master suite ... click here to read more

Discover the Charm of Rural French Living in This Quintessential Country Home in Sourdeval Nestled in the serene landscapes of Normandy, this lovely 2-bedroom country house offers an inviting atmosphere with its thoughtful renovation and a companion gîte still open to customization. Situated on a generous plot of 3/4 acre, this property presents a unique opportunity for those looking to embrace the tranquil lifestyle of the French countryside, with the added possibility of developing an income-generating project. Property Features: - Spacious living room with a classic granite fireplace and enchanting wood-burner - Kitchen/Dining Room equipped with essential appliances and ample storage options - Two cozy bedrooms; the master featuring exposed beams and a walk-in wardrobe - Bathroom featuring substantial shower space and natural lighting - Recently installed double-glazed wood-framed windows throughout - Comprehensive electrical setup with separate meters for the main house and gîte - Generous rear lawn with mature trees and landscaping potential - Large attached workshop and convenient two-car parking The main home has been lovingly renovated, ensuring modern comforts blend seamlessly with rustic charm. The attached gîte echoes the structure of the main residence but requires some finishing touches, offering new owners the chance to impart their personal style. Local Area and Lifestyle: Sourdeval, a mere 3 kilometers away, encapsulates all the charm expected from a Normandy town. It provides a full range of amenities including supermarkets, banks, and a lively weekly market renowned for its local produce and crafts. Beyond merely meeting day-to-day needs, Sourdeval hosts a unique livestock market, enriching the comm ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Normandy, France, this remarkably spacious farmhouse is a dream for anyone seeking a serene rural escape. Located in the inviting town of Sourdeval, it combines the charm of a traditional French farmhouse with the potential for personal adaptation, making it perfect for overseas buyers and expats looking for that idyllic European lifestyle. Sourdeval and its surroundings boast a rich history, enchanting landscapes, and a vibrant community spirit. Known for its quintessential French charm, the area is surrounded by lush meadows, rolling hills, and scenic woodlands that define the region's character. This is not just a place to live but a lifestyle to embrace. This 244 square meter farmhouse set in nearly five acres of lush Normandy landscape captures the essence of country life while offering ample space for families. A large five-bedroom house complimented by a separate two-bedroom gîte provides both comfort and opportunity. While the property is in good condition, it offers ample potential for customization and improvement—a chance to create the perfect retreat tailored to your vision. Imagine waking up to the tranquil sounds of nature, enjoying a leisurely breakfast surrounded by panoramic views, or exploring your own productive gardens with rows of fruit-bearing trees and vibrant vegetable patches. The outdoor space is nothing short of wonderful, with beautifully landscaped gardens that have been lovingly maintained for decades. There's also a charming orchard and paddock, ideal for those looking to cultivate their own produce or keep animals. The separate gîte offers potential for guest accommodation, a rental opportunity, or simply a serene private dwelling offering rust ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Normandy, this charming 5-bedroom farmhouse in Sourdeval offers a unique blend of comfort and potential. Situated in an elevated position, the property boasts stunning views and is surrounded by nearly 2 acres of private land, including a garden and paddock. This inviting home presents a perfect opportunity for those looking to immerse themselves in the rural beauty of France while having the possibility of completing a custom renovation project. The main house is in good condition, renovated and ready for immediate occupation, featuring an "L" shaped lounge with a cozy wood-burner set in a granite fireplace, and exposed beams that enhance its rustic charm. Wooden floors flow throughout the downstairs living areas including the dining room, which receives ample natural light from the front-facing windows. The kitchen is practical, with space and plumbing ready for modern appliances, leading out to the garden which offers a serene retreat or a delightful entertaining space. Upstairs, the personalization of space continues. The landing doubles as a study area, while each of the bedrooms come with features like sloping ceilings, exposed beams, and stone walls that add to the farmhouse's character. The bathroom includes modern comforts such as a bath with an overhead shower and a radiator. Adjacent to the main residence is a gîte, partially renovated and awaiting completion. This offers an ideal project for those looking to create a customized guesthouse or a potential rental property. The initial structure is already in place, with frames and basic installations ready for finishing touches. The property includes several outbuildings that provide additional storage solutions or co ... click here to read more

Nestled in the serene town of Sourdeval in the Manche department of France, this charming 3-bedroom semi-detached house offers a prime opportunity for international buyers or expats seeking a slice of French living. Priced at €118,400 and spanning 84 m², the home sits on a generous plot of 1,232 m², complete with a courtyard, land for gardening or leisure, and a 40 m² garage, providing ample storage or workshop space. The house features traditional architecture and is structurally in good condition but may benefit from some updates and personal touches by its new owners. It’s ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in a project home that doesn't require extensive renovations but allows for creative input. Ground floor: - Entrance hall - Fitted kitchen ready for culinary adventures - Cozy living room with a fireplace for evening relaxation - Boiler room - Conveniently located WC Upstairs: - Landing leading to all rooms - 3 well-proportioned bedrooms - A shower room with WC Additional features: - Attic space, offering potential for conversion - Efficient double-glazed windows - Gas heating system ensuring warmth throughout the seasons - Septic tank sanitation Living in Sourdeval means embracing the tranquil pace of life typical of rural Normandy. The town is small yet vibrant, providing all the necessary amenities for daily life including shops, restaurants, schools, and medical facilities. The local community is active and welcoming, often organizing events and markets that celebrate both the history and gastronomy of the region. The area is a paradise for nature lovers. Numerous walking trails and parks invite residents to enjoy the outdoors, and the proximity to the English Channel allows for easy weekend ge ... click here to read more

Nestled in the charming town of Sourdeval, in the picturesque region of Basse-Normandie, France, this stone house offers a unique opportunity for those seeking a slice of the idyllic French countryside. With its good condition, this property presents a blend of rustic charm and modern comfort, just waiting for you to explore its potential. Before delving into the property details, let's take a moment to acquaint with Sourdeval itself and all it has to offer. Sourdeval is a quaint, little town known for its tranquil surroundings and the friendliness of its local residents. Situated in the northwestern part of France, it boasts a temperate climate, which means mild winters and comfortably warm summers. This pleasant weather provides an ideal environment for exploring the lush landscapes or enjoying a leisurely stroll through the town's narrow streets. Living here, you'll find yourself in close proximity to historic towns like Vire and the stunning beaches of Normandy's coastline, all within a relaxing drive. Outdoor enthusiasts will revel in opportunities for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding in the scenic hills and forests that surround Sourdeval. The local community is vibrant and welcoming, with farmers' markets brimming with fresh produce, cheese, and the famous Normandy cider. The pace of life here is wonderfully unhurried, giving you ample time to embrace French culture, explore artisan shops, or unwind in a quaint café while sipping on your café au lait. And if solitude is what you seek, the serene countryside provides a perfect backdrop for reflection and relaxation. Now, let's step into this inviting stone house, which sits gracefully on the edge of town, offering a peaceful retreat with the conveniences o ... click here to read more