Charming 3-Bed Stone House Beside 12th Century Church in Dordogne

On a still July evening, the only sounds you'll hear from the sun room terrace are the cicadas starting up in the oaks, the faint clink of glasses drifting from the village café a few hundred metres down the lane, and the occasional splash from the pool where someone couldn't resist one last swim before dinner. That's the rhythm of life at this 169 m² single-storey house on the edge of Saint-Maurin, one of the most quietly compelling villages in the Lot-et-Garonne — and a property that genuinely earns the word "immaculate" without you having to take anyone's word for it. Built in 1989 and then thoroughly reimagined by its current owners over the years since, the house sits on 6,875 m² of private grounds just a short walk from the medieval heart of Saint-Maurin. The village itself is the kind of place that still makes you stop walking and stare — a 12th-century abbey, honey-coloured stone arcades, a weekly market that the locals actually use, not one staged for tourists. Summer brings the famous night markets, where the square fills with tables, local Gascony producers set out their charcuterie and Armagnac, and at some point someone wheels out a projector for the open-air cinema. You can walk to all of it in five minutes, then come home to complete silence. Step inside and the architecture does something clever: it keeps things open without feeling exposed. A wide entrance hall with a feature arch sets a quiet tone of quality that the rest of the house follows through on. The living room is generous and very well lit, with three sets of French doors that fold the indoors out into the garden. A handsome brick fireplace with a wood-burning stove anchors the room in winter, while underfloor heating — the sort of detail th ... 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

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

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

Stand on the terrace and the Lot River is right there, maybe a hundred metres below, curving through limestone gorges that turn amber in the late afternoon sun. The church bell above tolls the hour. A swallow cuts past at eye level. It takes about thirty seconds to understand why this house hasn't been easy to give up. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie has been voted France's favourite village more than once, and the title doesn't feel like marketing. The medieval streets of pale stone, the 15th-century church perched at the top of it all, the painters who've been coming here since the Surrealists — André Breton lived and worked up the road — there's a reason this village on the Lot Valley's cliff edge has drawn people for centuries. And within that village, few houses sit where this one does: directly below the church, on the lip of a sheer 100-metre drop, with a private garden that runs right to the edge. The wrought-iron gate is easy to miss from the lane. That's rather the point. Once through it, the world shifts. Mature wisteria covers a pergola where a summer kitchen and dining table sit in dappled shade — this is where long lunches happen, the kind that drift into evening without anyone noticing. The gardens wrap around the property and along the cliff, a genuinely rare thing here; outdoor space of this size and privacy simply doesn't come up in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Seating areas tuck into different corners depending on the time of day and the angle of the light, and every one of them faces something worth looking at. The house itself is old stone and brick, honest about its age in the best possible way. Terracotta floors, exposed ceiling beams, a wood-burning stove that makes the living room feel like exactly the right place ... click here to read more

On a slow Sunday morning in Le Pin, the smell of bread drifting from the boulangerie two streets over is enough to make you forget the rest of the world exists. The church bell marks the half hour. A neighbour waves from across the lane. Your coffee is getting cold, but you don't much care, because you're sitting on the covered stone porch of an 18th-century village house in southwest France, and there is genuinely nowhere better to be. That's the daily reality of owning this four-bedroom stone house in Le Pin, a quietly confident little village tucked into Tarn-et-Garonne, in the heart of Midi-Pyrénées. This isn't a postcard version of rural France that collapses under scrutiny. It's the real thing — a proper community, real stone underfoot, 900 square metres of land, and a house that has already done the hard work of becoming somewhere worth living. The renovation story matters here. Too many houses in this corner of France sell the dream and deliver a project. This one doesn't. The current owners have gone through the property methodically and spent seriously — new heat pump, double glazing throughout, an energy rating of B, which in this region and this era of construction is genuinely remarkable. The result is a house that runs cheaply and comfortably year-round. You arrive with your bags, you open the shutters, and you start living. That's it. Inside, the bones of the 18th century are still very much present. The original stone staircase anchors the entrance hall. Travertine flooring catches the afternoon light in a way that no reproduction material ever quite manages. Exposed beams run the length of the ceilings in the main rooms, and the proportions throughout are the kind that modern construction simply doesn ... 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

On a still morning in Corneilla-del-Vercol, the air already carries warmth before nine o'clock. You slide open the wide glass doors from the living room, step out onto the sun-warmed terrace, and the pool catches the light in that particular way it only does in the Roussillon — deep blue, almost unnaturally vivid against the ochre and terracotta of the surrounding landscape. The Pyrenees are visible to the southwest. The Med is twenty minutes by car. This is the South of France that people actually live in, not the postcard version sold to tourists. Corneilla-del-Vercol sits in the Pyrénées-Orientales, tucked between Perpignan and the coast, in a part of France that locals call the Pays Catalan. It's a genuinely Catalan corner of France — bilingual road signs, sardane dancing in village squares on summer evenings, and a food culture that pulls as much from Barcelona as it does from Paris. The Saturday market in Perpignan's Place de la République sells goat cheese from the Conflent valley, anchovies from Collioure packed in salt the old way, and the blood-orange jurancons that grow practically in your backyard. You get to Perpignan's city centre in under fifteen minutes. The TGV station there connects you to Paris in under five hours, or Barcelona in ninety minutes — which matters enormously if you're buying this as a second home and flying in from London, Amsterdam, or Brussels. The villa itself sits entirely on one level, which sounds like a minor detail until you actually live in it. No stairs. Every room flows directly outward. Three bedrooms, each fitted with oversized windows that push open to let in the evening garrigue breeze — that dry, wild-herb scent that drifts down from the scrubland above the plain. One be ... click here to read more

Step outside on a Tuesday morning and the cobblestones of the Grand Rue are already humming — a potter carrying clay, a boulangerie door swinging open releasing a warm rush of butter and crust, a cat stretched across a sun-warmed stone step that's been there since the 13th century. This is the daily texture of life in Cordes-sur-Ciel, one of the most quietly extraordinary medieval hilltop villages in southwest France, and this fully renovated three-bedroom house with a self-contained gîte puts you right in the middle of it. The house sits just off the Grand Rue on the village's south-facing flank, which means light — generous, consistent, south-facing light — floods through every room from morning through late afternoon. That matters in a village where some properties are tucked into the hillside and live in perpetual shade. Not this one. The kitchen-diner downstairs looks directly onto the garden, and there's something quietly satisfying about cooking a Sunday lunch with the window open while the bells of the Église Saint-Michel drift across the rooftops. The renovation here was done properly. New roof, new plumbing, new electrics, double-glazed windows throughout, updated bathrooms — not a cosmetic refresh but a complete structural overhaul. The result is a house that carries all the character of its medieval context — thick stone walls, the particular acoustic stillness that old buildings have — while functioning with entirely modern reliability. The wood-burning stove in the living room isn't decorative nostalgia; on a January evening when the Tarn valley mist rolls in below the village, you'll want exactly that kind of warmth. Upstairs, two large bedrooms share a well-appointed bathroom. The layout is generous fo ... click here to read more

Saturday morning in Laroque-des-Albères starts with a sound: swallows cutting sharp arcs over the rooftops, the distant clang of the church bell on the main square, and somewhere close by, someone firing up a wood-fired grill. You open the south-facing terrace door, coffee in hand, and the entire ridgeline of the Albères massif sits right there in front of you — no cranes, no apartment blocks, just the ancient limestone spine of the Pyrenees catching the early Catalan sun. That's the daily reality of this fully renovated single-storey house in one of the Pyrénées-Orientales' most sought-after villages. Two bedrooms, a brand-new kitchen, landscaped terraces, a 350m² garden plot, and energy costs running between €810 and €1,160 per year. At €330,000, it represents serious value for a turn-key second home in French Catalonia. Laroque-des-Albères sits at the precise point where the Pyrenees give way to the coastal plain, tucked just above the valley floor on the road that threads between the French and Spanish Catalan worlds. The village itself has kept its shape — stone houses tight along narrow lanes, a café terrace where old men still play pétanque on weekday afternoons, a weekly market that spills across the square with vendors selling local honey, Roussillon wines, and anchovies from Collioure. It's not a tourist fabrication. People actually live here year-round, which gives the place a grounded, unhurried rhythm that resort towns simply can't manufacture. The house sits in a cul-de-sac less than two minutes' walk from the village centre. That proximity matters more than it might sound on paper. You can leave the car in the garage and forget about it for days. Bread from the boulangerie, a cold rosé at the bar, dinne ... click here to read more

Picture this: it's nine in the morning, the kitchen smells of strong coffee and toast, and through the full-height windows the hills of Quercy Blanc roll out in front of you, pale limestone and dark cypress under an already-warm July sky. You're not on holiday in some anonymous resort. You're in your own place — a converted barn in a hamlet outside Lauzerte, one of France's classified "Plus Beaux Villages", and the day is entirely yours. This is what 226 square metres of seriously well-considered living space feels like when someone with a genuine eye has put it together. The previous owner was an antique dealer, and it shows — not in a cluttered, fussy way, but in the confidence of someone who knows what works. Exposed stone walls meet polished concrete floors. Original oak beams run across ceilings that climb to full height. A Canadian 20kW log-burning stove anchors the sitting room, the kind of stove that makes winter weekends here feel like a gift rather than a compromise. The interplay of raw and refined — reclaimed architectural salvage alongside clean, contemporary lines — gives the interior a quality that photographs well but feels even better in person. The kitchen is properly equipped. Integrated appliances, modern fittings, no compromises for the sake of aesthetics. Three bathrooms across the four bedrooms mean no queuing, no negotiating over schedules, no friction — exactly what you need when you've got a family or a group of friends under one roof. Built-in storage throughout and double glazing on every window mean this isn't just a summer house. You can use it in February and be comfortable. Step outside and the 1,100 square metres of private garden immediately make sense. The 8x4 metre pool is the obvio ... click here to read more

On a still Sunday morning in Monflanquin, the bells from the Église Saint-André carry clear across the bastide rooftops, and if you're standing on the roof terrace of this late-19th-century town house with a coffee in hand, the view rolls out all the way across the Lot-et-Garonne countryside in shades of green and gold. That moment alone could sell this house. But there's so much more. Monflanquin is one of those rare places that hasn't been polished smooth for tourists. It earned its spot on the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France list the hard way — medieval bastide grid, arcaded central square, stone and silence — and it wears the accolade quietly. The Wednesday market on the Place des Arcades draws locals who've been shopping there for decades: wedges of aged Cantal, jars of foie gras, flat baskets of mirabelle plums in late summer. You can walk from the front gate of this house to that market in under ten minutes. Walk back with a baguette and a bunch of dahlias and you've already lived the kind of morning most people only imagine. The house itself was built to impress. Whoever commissioned it at the turn of the last century had ambitions — you can see it in every deliberate detail. The slate roof is laid in fish-scale tiles, a technique that demands a craftsman's patience and looks extraordinary in afternoon light. Original cast-iron gates hang between stone gate posts at the entrance, still swinging on their original hinges. Step through the grand entranceway, with its geometric tiled floor, and you're inside a property that has held its dignity through more than a century without losing its warmth. The sitting room has a log-burning stove that earns its keep on January evenings when the Périgord Noir wind picks ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in Loubigné, and the only sounds reaching the upstairs master suite are birdsong, the faint creak of old timber beams settling in the warmth, and somewhere below, the soft clatter of someone starting coffee in the kitchen. That's what 338 square metres of stone-built French country house feels like when it's yours. Not a hotel. Not a rental. Yours. This seven-bedroom property in the Deux-Sèvres department of Poitou-Charentes is one of those houses that genuinely surprises you. The gravelled courtyard you pull into, shaded by established trees and framed by stone outbuildings, gives you a sense of arrival — real arrival, the kind where you exhale and your shoulders drop. Three separate entrances. Two garages. A 70 m² cluster of stone outbuildings that could become a workshop, a studio, a games barn, or simply the best storage you've ever had. And behind it all, a large heated swimming pool surrounded by terrace, with an outdoor shower, a pergola for shade, and a pétanque court set into the lawn. This is the French countryside as it's actually meant to be lived. Inside, the house has genuine scale. The main reception rooms include a large living room anchored by a stone fireplace with a wood-burning stove — the kind of fireplace that becomes the social centre of the house from October through March. There's a separate dining space, a sizeable games room, and a utility room that keeps the practical business of a large household from bleeding into the living spaces. The ground floor has been thoughtfully arranged so that one double bedroom, complete with its own bathroom (both bath and walk-in shower), sits alongside a separate reception room with its own fireplace and independent exterior access. For a visi ... click here to read more

You wake up on a Saturday morning in late September and the first thing you hear isn't traffic or a neighbour's lawnmower—it's the low, rhythmic creak of old stone and timber as the mill mechanism stirs in the morning air. Step to the window and the view is all soft mist lifting off the Tarn-et-Garonne countryside, a dovecote catching the early light, and rows of trees slowly turning amber at the edges. This is what owning a piece of southwest France actually feels like. Not a postcard. A life. This five-bedroom stone watermill in Lacour sits just over an hour's drive from Toulouse-Blagnac airport—close enough for a long weekend, far enough that you'll never hear a flight overhead. The mill itself is a genuine rarity. The original mechanical workings are still intact and fully operational. You can set them turning if you like, grind your own flour, or simply let them stand as the extraordinary conversation piece they are. Either way, the ground floor—where the machinery lives—is unlike anything you'll find in a standard country house renovation. It's part living history, part childhood fantasy. The residential accommodation spreads across the first and second floors, covering 198 square metres in total. Five bedrooms give you space for the whole family, a rotating cast of friends, or a combination of both across a long summer. Two bathrooms, stone floors worn smooth over centuries, exposed beamed ceilings, and a living room built around a working fireplace with an opening wide enough to take serious logs. On a January evening with the fire going and a bottle of Cahors Malbec open on the table, you'll understand exactly why people fall headlong for this part of France and never quite manage to leave. The property sits ... click here to read more

Step outside on a Tuesday morning and you can hear the market vendors setting up in Montaigu-de-Quercy — the clatter of trestles, the smell of roasting garlic and fresh-cut lavender drifting up the hill — and you're only five minutes away by car. That particular detail matters more than you might think. This is the Quercy countryside at its most liveable: genuinely rural, genuinely quiet, but never cut off from the rhythm of a functioning French village life. The property itself is a converted stone barn, originally built in 1867, and it carries that age well. The walls are thick — proper thick, the kind that keep the ground floor cool through a July afternoon without air conditioning. About 45 years ago it was turned into a family home, and it's been lived in and loved since. Today it sits in good condition with some cosmetic updating still ahead of it, which is honestly where the opportunity lies. The bones are exceptional. The scale of the rooms, the exposed timber beams, the traditional tomette floor tiles in the living area — these are things you'd pay a premium for in a newly built property and still not quite get right. Here they're original. At 152 square metres across four bedrooms and two bathrooms, there's genuine room to breathe. The kitchen has the kind of proportions that make sense for a long Sunday lunch — enough counter space, a connection to the covered terrace through a door that you'll probably leave open from May through October. That terrace faces out over the garden and the view beyond it: a broad sweep of Quercy countryside rolling toward the Lot valley, with Roquecor's medieval silhouette visible on a clear day. The living room has a wood-burning stove set into the wall, flanked by exposed ston ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in the Quercy Blanc, and the only sound you can hear is the wind moving through the old walnut trees at the edge of the garden. No traffic. No neighbors. Just the particular silence that rural southwest France does better than almost anywhere else in Europe — the kind that makes city people stop mid-sentence and just listen. That's the daily reality of owning this 18th-century stone house outside Civray, and once you've felt it, a weekend here starts to feel less like a holiday and more like the life you should have been living all along. The house itself has had an exceptional steward. A designer owner poured serious money and craft into the restoration, which means you get the bones of a genuine 18th-century farmhouse — original terracotta floor tiles worn smooth by two centuries of use, exposed stone walls that stay cool even in July, a fireplace that fills the main living space with the particular smell of a wood fire on an October evening — combined with a kitchen that's genuinely modern and bathrooms that don't ask you to sacrifice comfort for character. That combination is rarer than it sounds. Most period properties in this part of France sit at one extreme or the other: either over-renovated into something generic, or authentically historic and functionally difficult. This one hits the balance. At 230 square meters, the layout is generous, and it's been configured with real intelligence. The property currently operates as two interconnected dwellings, separated by an internal doorway that can stay open or closed depending on who's visiting and when. The main section is a one-bedroom home with cathedral ceilings that make the space feel vast, a superb stone fireplace as the focal point, and a mod ... click here to read more

Stand on the terrace on a still morning and all you hear is water. The mill pond catches the early light, dragonflies hover just above the surface, and somewhere in the old dovecote above you, something rustles. This is a property that slows time down—a genuine stone mill house with working sluice gates, wild grounds stretching over two hectares, and a silence so complete it takes a few days to fully settle into. Cordes-sur-Ciel sits about fifteen minutes up the road, its medieval bastide streets rising above the Cérou valley like something out of a fever dream. This 13th-century hilltop town—built by Raymond VII of Toulouse—draws visitors for its Gothic architecture, summer arts festival, and the kind of views that make people cancel their return flights. But you're not in Cordes. You're down in the valley, at the end of a long private driveway, in your own world. That distinction matters more than it might sound. The mill house itself covers 166 square metres of living space, built from the local warm-toned stone that defines Tarn architecture. It's been renovated thoughtfully—nothing stripped out for the sake of modernising, nothing left crumbling for the sake of authenticity. The original millstone greets you in the east entrance hall, and the bones of the building have been respected throughout. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large fitted kitchen-diner with south, east, and west-facing views that stretch across the grounds, and a proper living room with a wood burner that earns its keep come November. The layout splits naturally between two wings. The west side, where the dovecote and barn have been incorporated, is where daily life happens: you enter from a terrace overlooking the mill pond, step into the kitc ... click here to read more

Stand at the French doors of this stone farmhouse on a July morning and the view hits you before the coffee finishes brewing — a rolling sweep of sunflower fields, all turned east, soaking up the early Poitou-Charentes light. Church bells carry from the village center just ten minutes on foot. The air smells of warm grass and something vaguely of lavender from the neighbor's garden. This is not a postcard. This is a Tuesday. Set in a quiet hamlet in the commune of Champniers in the Vienne department, this fully renovated stone farmhouse sits on 3,208 square meters of land and does something rare in the French countryside property market: it genuinely earns the word versatile. Three distinct buildings on one plot. A main house with soul, a ready-to-let gîte with its own wood-fired hot tub, and an independent stone structure currently serving as an art studio — but with serious potential as a second rental unit. For buyers who want a vacation home in rural France that also pays for itself, this is the kind of find that doesn't come around often. The main house is where you feel the bones of the place. Exposed limestone walls, original oak beams overhead, a pellet stove doing quiet work in the corner on cooler autumn evenings. The ground floor opens into a generous living, dining and kitchen space — the kind of layout that naturally pulls people together. Large double-glazed French doors spill onto a south-facing terrace, and from there the garden opens up into fruit trees and countryside views with no other rooftop in sight. Downstairs there's a bedroom with a freestanding bathtub — the sort of thing that stops house hunters in their tracks — plus a separate WC. Upstairs, a second bedroom connects to its own shower room. ... click here to read more

As a bussy real estate agent, I often come across properties steeped in uniqueness and history, but this one in Paussac-et-Saint-Vivien is truly something special. Nestled in the charming region of Aquitaine, Dordogne, this delightful stone house stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of French history. It's not just a home; it's a slice of history just waiting for the right person to come along and make it their own. As you approach this 3-bedroom stone house, the first thing you'll notice is its proximity to a stunning 12th-century church, a real historic wonder. The church provides a sense of timelessness, and waking up with such a view every morning is like stepping back in time. Imagine living across from such history, in a house that's been lovingly restored with attention to every detail. Let's dive inside this 173 square meter beauty. The house has been completely restored 'according to the rules of the art', blending its original elements with modern updates. The living room greets you with an exquisite period fireplace, offering both warmth and a perfect ambiance for cozy gatherings or quiet evenings in. The modern fitted kitchen is a marvelous place for culinary explorations, seamlessly integrating the old with the new. There’s a snug lounge perfect for unwinding after a busy day, whether spent exploring the charming local area or simply enjoying the tranquility of French countryside living. The bedrooms are genuinely something to experience. With a generous ceiling height reaching around three meters in two of the rooms, there's a sense of space and airiness that's often hard to find. Imagine waking up in a room that offers not just comfort but an experience. It’s a place where history meets modern li ... click here to read more

Just picture yourself in the heart of quaint Paussac-et-Saint-Vivien, a delightful blend of history and charm nestled in the mesmerizing Dordogne region of France. This stone house stands proudly opposite a 12th-century church, a piece of history whispering tales of old through its ancient walls. Imagine waking up mere steps from such a distinguished monument, surrounded by the tranquility of this picturesque village. The home itself is a stone beauty, intricately restored with much love and respect for its historical roots. Despite the meticulous restoration work, the delightful balance of old-world charm and modern convenience is evident everywhere you look. This stone residence, boasting 173 square meters, offers ample space for a family yearning to dive into a rich cultural environment. Upon entering the house, you’re greeted by a welcoming living room warmed by a period fireplace. Picture cozying up here during the cooler months, the crackling fire adding to the ambiance. The adjacent kitchen is modern yet complementary of the home's character, fitted with all the conveniences you’d expect without compromising the historical essence of the abode. The lounge area, warm and inviting, provides the perfect setting for intimate conversations or family gatherings. With three generously sized bedrooms, there's plenty of room to stretch out and relax. Two of these bedrooms feature impressive ceiling heights of around three meters, further enhancing the feeling of space. There are two bathrooms, ensuring comfort and convenience for both family and guests. Let's not forget the outside space, a charming courtyard filled with trees and flowers, offering a serene retreat right in your backyard. This courtyard features a smal ... click here to read more

Picture this: it's a Tuesday morning in July, and the only sounds reaching you through the kitchen window are birdsong and the faint hum of a tractor somewhere beyond the treeline. You're standing in a 30-square-metre farmhouse kitchen that smells of strong coffee and old stone, and you have absolutely nowhere you need to be. That's the rhythm of life Saint-Just delivers, day after unhurried day. This authentic 110m² stone country house sits in a quiet hamlet in the northern Dordogne, deep in the Périgord Vert — the greenest, least-touristed corner of a département that the French have long kept to themselves. Priced at €199,500, it represents one of those increasingly rare opportunities to buy a genuinely liveable piece of rural France without the eye-watering price tags that have crept into more famous villages along the Vézère Valley. The house itself reads like a proper working farmhouse that someone has quietly looked after over the generations. Stone walls that stay cool without air conditioning even in August. Ground floor ceilings high enough to never feel oppressive. The kitchen is enormous by any standard — 30 square metres is closer to what you'd find in a Parisian apartment than a rural retreat, and it makes the room the natural heart of the house. Long lunches that drift into early evenings. Friends crowded around a table laden with Périgord walnuts, foie gras from the weekly Ribérac market, a Saint-Émilion opened an hour too early because nobody wanted to wait. That kitchen earns its square footage. The ground-floor bedroom with its own shower room is a practical touch that many older French country houses simply don't have — it means guests, elderly relatives, or owners who'd rather skip the stairs can ... click here to read more

Welcome to a hidden gem in the beautiful French region of Aquitaine, set within the tranquillity of the Dordogne, in the charming village of Chapdeuil. This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom detached house is nestled on a generous plot of approximately 3687m², conveniently located for access to local commerce. It's offered at an excellent value of €175,000. While this home is suitable for immediate residence, it could benefit from some updating. It offers the wholesome allure of a fixer-upper. Existing amenities include double glazing and central heating, ensuring a comfortable living space regardless of the season. On the ground floor, you’ll find an open-concept dining-kitchen area and a cosy living room, as well as a bathroom. The drawn-out conversations over dinner could become treasured moments in this heart of any home. This property also offers a basement workroom in case you need a 'man cave', art studio, or space for your DIY projects. Perhaps it could also serve as your retreat when solitude is needed, or as an interesting feature that could elevate this house's appeal. Upstairs are the two well-proportioned bedrooms and another bathroom. It offers a nice canvas for your decorating inspiration. You can give each room a unique personality that exudes warmth and comfort, characteristics every home should have. The revelation on the second floor is a generously sized room with four windows, currently used as a storage room. However, it has so much potential for transformation. It could be your home office, hobby space, or another bedroom — the possibilities are only limited by your creativity. A particular feature of this home is the extensive range of outbuildings. It includes an attached barn with first-floor storag ... click here to read more

Nestled in the charming village of Lisle, part of the enchanting Dordogne region in France, this lovely property stands as a testament to the timeless elegance that French rural homes exude. It's a place where the lush countryside meets the convenience of modern living, striking a perfect balance for those seeking a serene lifestyle. As a busy real estate agent, I can tell you there's a special something about this property that steals hearts without even trying. The property itself is a combination of a main renovated farmhouse and an independent stone cottage, providing ample space and possibilities for whatever dreams you might have. It's a house with history and charm, yet thoughtfully updated to cater to contemporary lifestyles. The main house, around 140 square meters, offers an inviting living room complete with a traditional inglenook fireplace. Here, winters are made cozy with the warm embrace of a wood stove and central heating, while summers feel delightful thanks to the air/water heat pump. The kitchen, an expansion completed in 2022, embraces a stylish workshop theme, combining stone and metal elements that mirror the rustic allure of the exterior. With three bedrooms, including an en-suite, this house offers privacy for a growing family or a couple who love having guests over. The modern bathroom and two separate toilets ensure everyone’s convenience. Then there are the terraces – places to spend evening dinners or lazy Sunday mornings, offering views that are as attractive as they are tranquil. Scattered around this delightful property are features such as: - Inglenook fireplace with wood stove - Double glazing for energy efficiency - Exposed wooden beams adding character - A new workshop-style kitchen ... click here to read more

Welcome to your potential new home nestled in the heart of the French countryside, in the charming little village of Lisle, located in the picturesque Dordogne region of Aquitaine, France. This property offers an expansive living space of 282 square meters, spread across two houses, one of which has been splendidly renovated while the other retains its traditional allure, awaiting your touch of care and creativity. Imagine yourself living in a quaint stone house that isn't just a home but an opportunity—a stone manor lovingly updated to combine both comfort and character. Currently run as a chambres d'hôtes, it's a perfect spot for those considering entering the hospitality business, or perhaps you’d prefer to transform it into a truly unique family residence. The choice is yours, but the potential here is as vast as the home itself. You’ll find eight spacious bedrooms, five of which come complete with private en suite bathrooms, providing ample space for family and guests alike. Mornings can be greeted with the warmth of sunlight spilling through large windows, while each bedroom provides a peaceful retreat after a day exploring the countryside. For an early morning start or a relaxing nightcap, each room offers private comfort and tranquility. The second house is a vintage gem with three bedrooms. It awaits a modern touch, yet is fully ready to welcome inhabitants as it stands. Stone walls and wooden floors tell stories of the past, while a charming stone fireplace becomes the heart of this home—offering warmth on those crisp winter evenings. Whether you reimagine the space or savor its current authenticity, it’s entirely up to you. Ample storage solutions and few opportunities for further renovation make this pro ... click here to read more

Step into picture-perfect France with a delightful family home nestled in the serene hamlet of La Tour-Blanche-Cercles, Aquitaine, Dordogne region. Aquitaine is one of the famously coveted residential pockets in Southwestern France, with the property offering an authenticity of the French lifestyle at its best. Located in a peaceful setup, the house is magnificently crafted for a comfortable and content living experience. The house plays a perfect host to a family looking to seek solace in a tranquil yet traditional neighborhood. Lock yourself in a picturesque dream with an airy property that boasts a whopping 170sqm living space for residents to relish. Living in La Tour-Blanche-Cercles offers the intriguing charm of small-town living, yet it doesn't compromise on the richness of experience this beautiful region has to offer. Just enough away from the hustle and bustle of the crowded city life, get ready to immerse yourself into a serene lifestyle, surrounded by natural beauty, culture, history, and exceptional cuisine. The property is set in a magnificent stone building. On the ground floor, you're welcomed into a large entrance that streams into a convenient utility room and a separate WC. A large ground floor bedroom enjoys its ensuite shower ensures privacy and comfort, making it suitable for adult members or guests. Apart from this, a spacious living/dining room sets the tone for memorable family dinners and joyous get-togethers. The living room, extending into a whopping 49m², also hosts a warm, wood-burning stove, enhancing your winter experience. The comprehensive layout extends into a generously spaced and well-equipped kitchen leading to the covered terrace areas overlooking the lush gardens, adding a brea ... click here to read more

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Dordogne region, this delightful farmhouse in La Tour-Blanche-Cercles offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of French countryside charm. With its rich history, vibrant local culture, and stunning natural beauty, this property is the perfect retreat for those seeking a second home or a vacation getaway in France. Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of nature, the sun casting a warm glow over the rolling hills and lush greenery that surround your new home. This 261m² farmhouse, set on a generous plot of 12,476m², offers ample space for relaxation, recreation, and creating cherished memories with family and friends. ### A Home with Character and Potential The farmhouse boasts a spacious and inviting interior, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, providing plenty of room for guests or family. The cathedral-style living area is a highlight, offering a bright and open space perfect for entertaining or simply unwinding after a day of exploring the local area. - Spacious kitchen with abundant natural light and adjoining walk-in pantry. - Master bedroom with easy access to the family shower room. - Second sitting room featuring a fantastic fireplace and Godin wood-burner. - Covered veranda leading to two additional bedrooms with terrace access. - Mezzanine ideal for a home office, reading nook, or studio. - Two attic rooms with excellent potential for conversion. - Large boot room with stairs to the mezzanine. - Original features such as a bread oven and fireplaces add to the home's charm. ### Outdoor Living and Exploration The property's expansive grounds offer endless possibilities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Whether you're interested in gardening, beekeeping, o ... click here to read more

Imagine settling into a charming, spacious 5-bedroom house nestled within the serene French countryside of La Tour-Blanche-Cercles in Dordogne, a region celebrated for its enchanting landscapes, distinguished vineyards, and a rich tapestry of history. This property, presented across 270 square meters of living space, offers a primary residence and an ancillary structure with great potential, alongside verdant surroundings that could be your private sanctuary or a delightful invitation for a socially vibrant lifestyle. Property Features: - Main house: Approximately 190 sqm - Ground Floor: A welcoming living room, a formal dining room, a functional kitchen, and a bedroom complete with an en-suite bathroom. - First Floor: A useful landing area, four additional bedrooms, and a shared bathroom. - Secondary structure: Around 80 sqm on the upper floor ready for customization. Below, it houses two convenient garages. - Outbuildings include a quaint dovecote of about 27 sqm and a practical technical room of about 13 sqm. - Resplendent fenced grounds sprawling over 10,505 sqm, featuring: - A securely enclosed swimming pool (8.8m x 4.2m) - A historic well - A variety of fruitful trees providing both beauty and bounty. Amenities: - Potential for furnishing the second house for rental or guest use (subject to planning permissions) - Numerous parking options with garages and ample open space - Outdoor swimming pool for relaxation or entertaining - Fruit trees offering seasonal delights This dwelling’s condition presents a comfortable main house that's well-maintained alongside a secondary structure that awaits your creative touch, ideal for those seeking a project or additional living space. This property suits those who ... click here to read more

Nestled in the quaint village of Grand-Brassac, this charming one-bedroom house is an enticing opportunity for those dreaming of a peaceful life in the heart of the Dordogne region, a corner of Southwestern France known for its lush landscapes and rich history. The exclusive property, priced at €130,000, offers a cozy yet spacious living experience with a distinctive rural appeal that has attracted expats for years. As you approach this delightful home, you will find it tucked into a plot of 937 square meters, providing ample space and the kind of privacy one seeks when escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. The surrounding landscape is typical of the Dordogne - rolling hills, verdant forests, and an agricultural patchwork that changes with the seasons. This part of France is celebrated for its mild climate, with warm summers perfect for those sun-drenched afternoons and temperate winters where the chill in the air is just enough to make a wood-burning fireplace the centerpiece of cozy evenings. The property itself is a one-bedroom house featuring a practical open-plan layout. The living room is seamlessly integrated with a dining and kitchen area, making it an ideal space for both relaxation and entertaining. The kitchen awaits the culinary exploration of its future residents, promising many hearty meals after visits to local markets. The separate bedroom offers serenity and privacy, accompanied by a modest shower room and WC designed with functionality in mind. For those with aspirations of expanding or customizing their living space, this home comes with added potential. Two adjacent barns carry planning permission, paving the way for renovations or extensions that could elevate this quaint abode into a more ... click here to read more

Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft chirping of birds in the heart of the picturesque Dordogne region. Nestled in the charming village of Bourdeilles, this exquisite 5-bedroom house offers a perfect blend of traditional Périgord style and modern comforts, making it an ideal second home or vacation retreat. A Glimpse into Your New Lifestyle As you step into this architect-designed villa, you're greeted by a spacious living area that exudes warmth and character. The exposed beams and large windows invite natural light to dance across the room, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere. The fully equipped kitchen is a culinary enthusiast's dream, perfect for preparing local delicacies with fresh ingredients sourced from nearby markets. The property boasts five generously sized bedrooms, including a luxurious master suite, ensuring ample space for family and friends. With three bathrooms, morning routines are a breeze, even with a full house. The villa's thoughtful design ensures privacy and comfort for all guests, making it a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. Outdoor Oasis Step outside to discover a beautifully landscaped 1.8-hectare park, a true sanctuary of tranquility. The vibrant flora and mature trees provide a lush backdrop for leisurely strolls or quiet moments of reflection. The inviting swimming pool, adjacent to the terrace, offers a refreshing escape during warm summer days, while the expansive grounds are perfect for hosting gatherings or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of the countryside. Modern Conveniences in a Historic Setting While the villa retains its authentic charm, it is equipped with modern amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. A central heating system power ... click here to read more

Nestled in the enchanting landscape of the Dordogne region, in the lovely town of Brantôme en Périgord, stands a property that effortlessly blends tradition with contemporary flair. This charming house, encompassing approximately 253 square meters of living space, beckons those seeking a serene and picturesque lifestyle in the heart of France. As you wander into the village of Bourdeilles, with its medieval and Renaissance roots, you'll immediately feel transported to another era. The air is filled with history and culture, offering countless opportunities for exploration and discovery. And yet, this is a place that has not overlooked the comforts of the modern age, providing an excellent balance for residents and visitors alike. This substantial 5-bedroom house for sale in Aquitaine captures the essence of this unique blend of old and new, maintaining its exquisite Perigord style. Built in 1982, the villa is a testament to fine architecture and thoughtful design. Replete with natural light, it radiates warmth and openness—qualities that are much appreciated by families and couples looking to make a vibrant yet peaceful home in this corner of the world. Property Features: - 5 spacious bedrooms with a master suite - 3 luxurious bathrooms and an additional shower room - Large, welcoming living room with exposed beams - Fully equipped and fitted kitchen - Inviting reception room perfect for gatherings - Central heating system by heat pump, installed in 2021 - Spacious basement with workshop and capacity for 3 vehicles - Beautifully landscaped, fully enclosed 1.8-hectare park - Private swimming pool extending from the terrace - Septic tank compliant with current standards Set amid 1.8 hectares of verdant parkland, dotte ... click here to read more

Set in the picturesque hamlet in La Tour-Blanche-Cercles region of Aquitaine, France, this charming 4-bedroom villa presents an ideal opportunity for those looking to immerse themselves in the tranquil French village lifestyle. This property, spanning 194 square meters of living space, is perfect for families or expatriates seeking a peaceful retreat with the benefits of village amenities nearby. This villa showcases a harmonious blend of traditional architecture and modern conveniences. Natural light floods the space, highlighting the thoughtful renovations that make this home both comfortable and efficient. With features including double-glazed windows, central heating, and connection to the main drains, the villa is well-equipped for year-round living. The interior comprises four generously sized bedrooms, where the master bedroom comes with an en suite small washroom with a WC. Additionally, there are two well-appointed bathrooms providing ample facilities for a family or guests. The heart of the home lies in the spacious kitchen and dining area, perfect for entertaining and family gatherings, complemented by a cozy yet large living room. Property Features: - Four Bedrooms - Two Bathrooms - Spacious Kitchen/Diner - Large Living Room - Central Heating - Double Glazing - Connected to Main Drains - Total Interior Size: 194m2 The outdoor features of this property are equally appealing. It boasts a well-maintained garden laid mainly to lawn, rear and front entries, private front parking with gated entry, and a separate garage/storage space. The recent addition of a heated swimming pool in 2022, complete with a heat pump, chestnut fence, and a new garden shed for the filter and pump installment, adds a luxurious touch ... click here to read more

Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of leaves and the sweet melody of birdsong in the heart of the Dordogne. Nestled in the picturesque village of Tocane-Saint-Apre, this charming country home offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its rustic stone façade and lush, expansive grounds, this property is the quintessential French holiday retreat. A Slice of French Paradise This delightful country home, set on a generous 3,000 m² plot, is a haven for those seeking tranquility and a connection with nature. The property is enveloped by mature trees, providing privacy and a sense of seclusion, making it an ideal second home for those looking to unwind and recharge. Charming Interiors with Modern Comforts Step inside to discover a spacious and inviting living area, where natural light floods through large windows, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The ground floor features a cozy lounge, perfect for relaxing with a good book or enjoying a glass of local wine by the fireplace. The adjacent kitchen is both functional and charming, offering ample space for preparing delicious meals with fresh, local produce. The home boasts two comfortable bedrooms, each offering a peaceful retreat after a day of exploring the beautiful Dordogne region. The upstairs bedroom comes with its own bathroom and toilet, providing convenience and privacy for guests or family members. Outdoor Living at Its Finest The outdoor space is a true highlight of this property. The expansive garden is a paradise for nature lovers, with plenty of room for outdoor activities, gardening, or simply soaking up the sun. A built-in barbecue area invites you to enjoy alfresco dining and entertain friends and family in the op ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Tocane-St-Apre, Dordogne in the charming region of Aquitaine, France, this expansive 9-bedroom manor house presents a prime opportunity for those seeking a substantial family home or an enthusiastic entrepreneur eager to venture into the hospitality industry. Originally built as a hunting lodge, this estate exudes an aristocratic aura and the structural elegance typical of a majestic French Château. Boasting a total living space of 614 square meters, this house is strategically priced at €865,200. The main building itself offers 9 generously sized bedrooms complemented by 7 well-appointed bathrooms, creating a living space that does not compromise on comfort and privacy. All rooms have been thoughtfully renovated, ensuring that quality and style remain uncompromised, with intricate details like walnut flooring, the original decorative tiling in the impressive entrance hall, and a library that adds a touch of sophistication. Two separate living areas offer flexibility; one catches the delightful morning sun, ideal for relaxed mornings at home. The upper floor harbors the majority of bedrooms and includes a versatile large room already renovated which could serve as a studio, gym, or entertainment room, further tailoring to the needs of a bustling family life or a thriving business. The accommodation extends beyond the main house to include a charming guest cottage featuring two bedrooms and a cozy living area, perfect for hosting guests or as a private retreat. Additional on-premise structures include an old coach house and a picturesque orangery, along with an old chapel ready for restoration; ideal for those with a vision to further enhance their estate. Outside, the seclu ... click here to read more

Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of leaves and the sweet melody of birdsong in the heart of the Dordogne region. This charming country home in Tocane-Saint-Apre offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, making it an ideal second home for those seeking tranquility and a touch of French countryside charm. Nestled on a sprawling 3,000 m² wooded plot, this property is a haven for nature lovers. The lush greenery surrounding the home provides a sense of privacy and seclusion, allowing you to unwind and relax in your own personal oasis. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee on the patio or hosting a summer barbecue with friends, the outdoor space is perfect for enjoying the simple pleasures of life. A Home with Character and Comfort Step inside, and you'll be greeted by a spacious and bright living room that exudes warmth and hospitality. The large windows allow natural light to flood the space, creating a welcoming atmosphere that's perfect for both relaxation and entertaining. The ground floor also features a cozy bedroom, a functional kitchen equipped with modern amenities, a well-appointed bathroom, and a practical pantry for all your storage needs. Upstairs, you'll find a second bedroom complete with its own bathroom and toilet, offering privacy and convenience for guests or family members. Additionally, there's a versatile convertible space that can be tailored to suit your needs, whether you envision a home office, a creative studio, or an extra guest room. Modern Amenities in a Rustic Setting This country home seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern comforts. A new roof and an efficient heating system ensure that the property is both energy-efficient and comfortable year-round. ... click here to read more

Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of leaves and the sweet melody of birdsong in the heart of the Dordogne region. Nestled in the picturesque village of Tocane-Saint-Apre, this delightful country home offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. With its charming stone façade and expansive 3,000 m² wooded plot, this property is a haven for those seeking tranquility and a touch of rustic elegance. ### A Slice of French Countryside This two-bedroom country home is a perfect blend of traditional charm and modern comfort. The ground floor welcomes you with a spacious, sunlit living room, where you can unwind by the cozy lounge area. The functional kitchen is ideal for preparing delightful meals with fresh local produce, while the adjacent pantry offers ample storage space. A comfortable bedroom and a well-appointed bathroom complete the ground floor layout. Upstairs, discover a second bedroom with its own bathroom and toilet, providing privacy and convenience for guests or family members. The additional convertible space offers endless possibilities, whether you envision a home office, an artist's studio, or a cozy reading nook. ### Embrace the Outdoors Step outside and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Dordogne. The expansive wooded plot is a true oasis, perfect for leisurely strolls or hosting al fresco gatherings. The barbecue area invites you to savor long summer evenings with friends and family, surrounded by the lush greenery and the scent of blooming flowers. ### A Lifestyle of Leisure and Adventure Tocane-Saint-Apre is a quintessential French village, offering a glimpse into the region's rich history and vibrant culture. Explore the local markets, where you can find everythin ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in the Dordogne has a particular quality to it. The bells from the village church drift through the upstairs windows, the courtyard is already warm by nine, and the boulangerie in Montagrier is just a five-minute drive away. That's the rhythm you're buying into with this five-bedroom village house in Tocane-Saint-Apré — and at €141,700, it's one of those rare finds that still exist in deepest Périgord Blanc. This isn't a polished renovation project with an inflated price tag. It's an honest, substantial village house in good habitable condition, with real bones and real character — stone walls, high ceilings, a generous living and dining room that feels like it was made for long lunches — and a private courtyard just off the kitchen where you'll find yourself drinking coffee long after everyone else has gone back inside. The kitchen opens directly onto this sheltered outdoor space, which makes summer evenings here genuinely easy. No hauling dishes across the garden. Just step out, sit down, let the evening stretch. Five double bedrooms across the upper floors means this house handles a full family or a rotating cast of guests without anyone feeling squeezed. Three bathrooms keeps the morning routine civilised. The large attic adds headroom for storage or, with the right vision and the necessary permissions, something more interesting still. Two cellars for wine — this is the Dordogne, after all — and a utility room with an oil-fired boiler complete the practical picture. Then there's the annexe. Attached directly to the main house, a separate 55m² structure that currently works well as workshop or storage space. With renovation — again, subject to the usual permissions — it becomes a self-contained gîte ... click here to read more