Charming 4-Bedroom Family Home with Idyllic Garden in Bélâbre, France

Picture a Thursday morning in late June. You've driven seven minutes down a quiet lane from La Fouillade, windows down, and the air already smells of cut grass and warm stone. Back at the house, coffee is on, the fireplace insert still holds a little warmth from last night, and through the kitchen window you can watch a buzzard circle lazily over your 8,617 square metres of land. This is what it feels like to own a piece of the Aveyron — unhurried, deeply French, and entirely your own. This former farmhouse in the commune of Bor-et-Bar has the kind of bones that reward a buyer with vision. At 126 m² across two floors plus a full basement, the main house is solid and liveable right now, while the constellation of outbuildings surrounding it opens up a range of possibilities that few rural French properties at this price point can match. A 50 m² double garage. A 60 m² former pigsty. And then — the showstopper — a 300 m² stone building that once housed livestock and could, with the right project, become gîtes, a workshop, an artists' residency, or simply extraordinary storage for the serious hobbyist. Planning permission in this part of the Aveyron has historically been sympathetic to thoughtful rural conversions. That 300 m² building alone makes this property worth serious attention. Inside the main house, the ground floor revolves around a generous 38 m² open living space where kitchen, dining, and sitting areas flow together around a fireplace with an insert — the kind that throws real heat on a January evening when the Ségala plateau gets its occasional frost. Three bedrooms of 9, 13, and 14 m² sit off this level, along with a bathroom and a separate WC. Upstairs, three further bedrooms, a second WC, and a convertible ... click here to read more

On a clear morning in Louignac, before the rest of the world has quite caught up, the view from the pool terrace is the kind that stops you mid-coffee. Rolling green hills, not another rooftop in sight, just the odd buzzard circling over the tree line and the faint mechanical hum of a tractor somewhere far off in the Corrèze countryside. This is rural France doing what it does best — unhurried, unfiltered, and quietly extraordinary. This four-bedroom stone house sits at the heart of one of the Limousin's most genuinely peaceful corners. The region doesn't shout about itself the way Provence or the Dordogne do, and that's precisely the point. Property prices here still reflect reality rather than hype, the markets are full of locals rather than tourists, and the land rolls on in every direction without apology. For buyers chasing authentic French country life — not a postcard version of it — Louignac delivers. Step inside and the kitchen-dining room sets the tone immediately. It's a proper working kitchen, fitted and equipped, with enough space that Sunday lunch becomes an event rather than a logistics challenge. This room opens directly into the living area, where a pellet stove anchors the space — genuinely efficient, low-maintenance, and exactly what you want when October mist rolls in off the hills. The view through the back windows is the kind interior designers try to replicate with wallpaper. You won't need to. Behind the kitchen, a laundry room gives you the practical backbone every country house requires. But it's also a flexible space — with the right desk and a decent internet connection (fibre has arrived in much of rural Corrèze), it converts into a quiet home office without much effort. Remote workers and ... click here to read more

Step through the wide sliding door of a former barn on a quiet hillside above Morlhon-le-Haut, and the first thing that hits you is the scale of the place. That 65-square-metre living room opens up before you like the inside of a cathedral — timber overhead, light slanting in from the south-facing terrace, a wood-burning stove already crackling on a November afternoon. It smells faintly of oak and old stone. Outside, the orchard is dropping its last apples into the wet grass, and across the flat, open grounds you can count two wells and a fish pond without taking a single step. This is the kind of property that takes a few minutes to fully comprehend. At just under ten kilometres from Villefranche-de-Rouergue and a short drive from Rieupeyroux, the address sits at a genuinely quiet crossroads of rural Aveyron — a département that most international buyers haven't yet discovered but seasoned France-watchers have been quietly watching for years. The land here is a deep, folded green, crossed by the Dourdou de Conques river valley and threaded with country lanes where you might go twenty minutes without seeing another car. The nearest TGV connection runs through Figeac or Rodez, both reachable in under an hour, and Toulouse-Blagnac Airport — the main gateway for international arrivals — sits roughly two hours southwest. You're remote enough to properly decompress, close enough to civilisation that it never becomes inconvenient. The main house, the converted barn, is where the real story of this property begins. The original structure — massive, honest stonework dating back generations — has been carefully opened up rather than gutted. Entering via a sloping ramp that still echoes the barn's working past, you arrive in the ... click here to read more

On a still April morning in Lussac-les-Églises, the fields around this old stone farmhouse turn into something you'd struggle to describe to someone who hasn't seen it themselves. Wild orchids push up through the grass in clusters, the kind of thing you read about in nature guides but rarely actually stumble upon. Swallows cut low over the carp lake. The only sound from inside the kitchen is the creak of a wooden beam settling in the warmth. This is what 4.7 hectares of organically managed Limousin countryside looks like when no one's been rushing it. This is a four-bedroom house in genuinely good condition, sitting on land that's been farmed without chemicals for fifteen years, with a small carp lake, maintained paddocks, a polytunnel, and a converted bread oven that serves as one of the most characterful ground-floor bedrooms you're likely to find anywhere in rural France. At 238 square metres, it has enough room to breathe — and enough quirks to make it feel like somewhere, not just somewhere else. The entrance hallway sets the tone immediately. Original encaustic floor tiles run the full length from front door to back, the kind that would cost a fortune to source and lay today. To the right, the living and dining room opens up around a proper fireplace fitted with a wood-burning stove, with exposed timber beams overhead that have been doing their job for well over a century. This is a room for long winter evenings, for board games with the grandchildren, for the specific kind of quiet that only deep countryside delivers. Then comes the bread oven room. Fully restored, converted into a ground-floor bedroom, and genuinely unlike anything else in a comparable property. The curved stonework has been kept intact. It's ... click here to read more

Stand on the terrace on a Saturday morning and the only sounds you'll catch are birdsong, the distant bark of a hunting dog somewhere in the oak woods, and the faint clatter of a tractor on the lane. That's life in Roziers-Saint-Georges — unhurried, grounded, and genuinely rural in a way that most of France has long since traded away for tourism infrastructure. This three-bedroom stone house sits in the Haute-Vienne department of Limousin, a region most international buyers haven't discovered yet, which is precisely what makes it worth paying attention to right now. The house itself is honest architecture. Thick granite walls — the kind that keep rooms cool in July without air conditioning and hold warmth in October without the heating working overtime. The original stone structure has been extended with a timber-clad addition that widens the ground floor living space and gives the interior an unexpected texture: rough-hewn stone on one side, warm wood on the other. Single-level living runs across the main floor, making the everyday practical and comfortable. Head upstairs and the sloping ceilings of the upper floor add a certain character — the kind of attic-ish charm that adults secretly love and children turn into dens within minutes of arriving. At 85 square metres, this is a manageable property. No vast rooms to heat or maintain, no sprawling grounds to upkeep when you're back in your home country. The garden is real enough to feel like a garden — space to eat outside, to grow tomatoes, to sit and do absolutely nothing — without becoming a burden. A stone terrace extends the living space outdoors through the warmer months, and given that Limousin enjoys genuine summer heat from late June through September, that te ... click here to read more

Early on a Tuesday morning in Villefagnan, the weekly market on the square is already buzzing—farmers unloading sunflowers and Charentais melons, a boulanger selling still-warm pain de campagne from the back of a van. You could walk there from this property in under ten minutes, or take three minutes by car if your arms are already full of last night's wine bottles. Either way, you'd be back before the coffee in the kitchen's old stone fireplace alcove had gone cold. This is rural Charente at its most liveable. Not a sleepy nowhere—a proper working French village with a school, a pharmacy, a few local businesses, and that particular kind of quiet that city people spend years chasing. Villefagnan sits in the heart of Poitou-Charentes, a region that rarely makes the glossy magazine covers but that seasoned France-lovers return to again and again. The light here in July is long and golden. The summers are reliably warm without the punishing heat of Provence. And in October, when the cognac vineyards around Jarnac and Cognac—barely an hour south—shift from green to deep amber, the countryside becomes something else entirely. The property itself is a genuine Maison de Maître, that distinctly French architectural form built to project quiet authority: symmetrical façade, high ceilings, solid stone construction that keeps rooms cool in summer and holds warmth through the Charente winters. This one sits on just under a hectare of land—enough space to feel genuinely rural, not enough to become a full-time landscaping project. The grounds are divided into formal garden areas and open land, with a large hangar at the far boundary that has serious practical value for storage, vehicles, or conversion. And that's where things get i ... click here to read more

Saturday morning, and the boulangerie on Rue de la République is already pulling trays of pain au levain from the oven. You can smell it from two streets away. That's the kind of neighborhood Le Grand-Quevilly is — compact, lived-in, genuinely French in the way that tourist brochures can never quite capture. This 35 m² townhouse sits quietly on a fenced plot of 252 m², and it's the kind of find that doesn't stay on the market long. The numbers make sense immediately. At €109,900, with an approved building permit already in hand, this isn't just a property — it's an open door to something bigger. For an investor looking to build equity in the greater Rouen metropolitan area, or a buyer planting roots in Normandy for the first time, the groundwork has already been done for you. Step inside and the house surprises you. What reads as compact on paper feels considered in person. The ground floor kitchen is functional and ready for your own vision — whether that means a sleek modern fit-out or something warmer and more rustic, the bones are there. Climb the stairs and you land on the first floor, where parquet flooring runs underfoot and the space opens up more than you'd expect. It works equally well as a living room or a generous bedroom — fluid, adaptable, genuinely useful. The bathroom here is modern and sharp: walk-in shower, toilet, vanity unit — everything finished, nothing left to guess at. Up another floor, the top-level bedroom has its own parquet floors and a quiet, settled feeling that makes you want to linger. What sets this property apart practically is the list of updates already completed. New electrical wiring throughout. A new water heater. Double-glazed PVC windows keeping the Seine-Maritime winters at ba ... click here to read more

On a quiet Sunday morning in Alba-la-Romaine, you open the shutters and the smell of fresh bread drifts up from the boulangerie two streets over. Church bells knock out a lazy rhythm from the old campanile. Below, the stone-paved lanes are still cool in the shade. By nine, there will be neighbours at the cafe tables on Place de la Mairie, the morning market will be arranging itself around the old fountain, and you will have nowhere particular to be. That is the specific texture of life on Rue Chabrol — and this 113-square-metre village house puts you right at the centre of it. Alba-la-Romaine sits in the southern Ardèche, about twenty minutes west of the Rhône valley and the A7 motorway. It is not famous in the way that Gordes or Les Baux-de-Provence are famous — and that is precisely its appeal. The village has earned its place on the list of France's most architecturally significant historic settlements without becoming overrun. The Château d'Alba crowns the basalt rock above the rooftops, medieval in its silhouette but built on Roman foundations that were themselves raised over a Gallo-Roman town. Active archaeological excavations still turn up finds on the edge of the village, and a small but genuinely interesting local museum — the Musée de l'Ardèche — displays mosaics and pottery recovered from the site. It is the kind of place where history is not performed for tourists; it is simply woven into the stone underfoot. The house itself is on Rue Chabrol, steps from the village core. The ground floor opens around a vaulted room — proper barrel-vaulted stone, the kind that took craftsmen centuries to figure out and nobody builds anymore. It gives the kitchen and dining area a weight and atmosphere that no amount of in ... click here to read more

Step outside on a Tuesday morning and the air smells like damp grass and woodsmoke. Somewhere down the lane a church bell marks the half-hour. The kitchen has a wood burner going, the coffee is strong, and through the window you can see all the way across the bocage — that ancient patchwork of hedgerows, meadows, and apple orchards that makes this corner of Normandy feel like somewhere time forgot to rush. That's the daily reality of owning this early-1900s stone house in Tinchebray-Bocage, and it's hard to overstate how quickly it gets under your skin. The house itself sits on just under 1.5 acres, which in this part of the Orne département means genuine privacy, genuine quiet, and genuine space. At 106 square metres across two floors, the layout is generous without being unmanageable — the kind of house you can open up fully in summer and hunker down in warmly during the colder months. The previous owners clearly put in the hard work already: the property is in very good condition throughout, with double-glazed windows keeping the heat in and the renovation done to a standard that means you arrive, unpack, and start living rather than start snagging. The ground floor sets the tone immediately. The living room stretches to over 26 square metres and has a fireplace at its heart — on a wet November afternoon, this room becomes the centre of the universe. Beside it, the fitted dining kitchen runs to nearly 17 square metres and comes equipped with its own wood-burning stove, so even cooking here has a particular warmth to it, both literally and in atmosphere. A utility room handles the practical side of country life — muddy boots, wet coats, firewood — and a ground-floor shower room with WC adds real convenience for guest ... click here to read more

There's a particular kind of quiet you only find in this corner of France. Standing on the private terrace on a Sunday morning, coffee in hand, you hear nothing but birdsong and the faint rustle of leaves from the garden's edge. No traffic. No sirens. Just the deep, unhurried exhale of rural Limousin. That's what this two-bedroom house in Rochechouart offers — and once you've felt it, you'll understand why people come here and never quite want to leave. Rochechouart sits in the Haute-Vienne department, about as authentically French as a town can get without being on a tourist poster. It's built on the rim of a 200-million-year-old meteorite impact crater — yes, an actual crater — and the local Musée de la Préhistoire documents this remarkable geological history in ways that'll have even skeptical visitors lingering longer than planned. The medieval château dominates the hilltop, and on market days the square below it fills with vendors selling Limousin beef, local walnuts, and cheeses that have no business being as good as they are. This isn't the manicured, postcard-perfect Dordogne that gets all the magazine coverage. It's better. It's real. The house itself is a compact, single-story bungalow — 56 square metres of well-proportioned living that gets the essentials exactly right. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, and four rooms total, arranged in a way that feels practical rather than cramped. The kitchen-diner is the heart of the home: a proper gathering space with a fireplace where the whole point is to sit around it on October evenings with a bottle of local wine and absolutely nowhere to be. The living room opens to views across the private garden, and the terrace catches the afternoon light in a way that makes you reth ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in La Roquette: the bells of Villefranche drift across the valley, a faint smell of woodsmoke still lingering from last night's fire, and from your terrace you look out over a medieval village that hasn't changed its roofline in three centuries. That's the view from this 160 m² stone house. Not a simulation of rural French life — the real thing, at a price that still makes sense. La Roquette is the kind of hamlet that doesn't appear in guidebooks. It sits in the Aveyron, a department that most international buyers fly over on the way to somewhere flashier, which is precisely why property values here remain grounded while quality of life absolutely doesn't. This is deep southwest France: the Rouergue plateau, walnut orchards, limestone ridges, rivers cold enough to swim in well into August. The local dialect is Occitan, the bread is dense and sour, and the Wednesday market in Villefranche — ten minutes down the road — has been running since the bastide town was founded in 1252. The house sits elevated above the village lane, giving it that unobstructed sweep across the rooftops and out to the surrounding countryside. Stone houses in this part of Aveyron are built to last centuries, and this one carries all the hallmarks: thick walls that keep rooms cool through July and warm in January, original stonework on the facade, and the kind of solidity underfoot that modern construction simply cannot replicate. The condition is good — this isn't a renovation project waiting to swallow your budget, but a property you can move into and gradually make your own. Downstairs, the layout is genuinely liveable rather than just photogenic. The 32 m² living room with its fireplace is the heart of things — big enough to ho ... click here to read more

Picture a Tuesday morning in summer: you step out of your front door, still holding a coffee, and within three minutes you've nodded to the boulanger on Rue du Marché, bought tomatoes that were on the vine yesterday, and are back in your courtyard under a lime tree before the morning gets warm. That's not a fantasy — that's just Tuesday in Chef-Boutonne. This five-bedroom townhouse sits right in the middle of it all, and at under €100,000, it's one of those rare finds that makes you stop scrolling. Chef-Boutonne is a small market town in the Deux-Sèvres department of Poitou-Charentes, the kind of place that French people from the cities quietly buy into while property prices elsewhere have gone sideways. It sits in a gentle limestone valley about 40 minutes southeast of Niort, roughly an hour and a half from Poitiers, and about two and a half hours from Bordeaux if you take the N10. La Rochelle — with its Atlantic beaches, its old harbour, and its year-round flights from the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands — is under an hour and a half away. The practical reality for international buyers is strong: fly into La Rochelle or Poitiers, pick up a rental car, and you're here before lunch. The house itself sits on three levels and gives you 174 square metres to work with — serious floor area for a family or for anyone thinking about rental income. On the ground floor, the entrance opens into a living and dining room that gets good afternoon light, with a kitchen alongside and a ground-floor bedroom complete with its own shower room and WC. That ground-floor suite is worth noting: it works well for elderly relatives or guests who'd rather avoid stairs, and for rental purposes, it functions almost as a self-contained annexe. U ... click here to read more

On a quiet Tuesday morning in Charroux, you can walk out onto your wooden terrace with a coffee and hear almost nothing. A church bell in the distance. Maybe a tractor somewhere beyond the stone walls. The air carries that particular mix of cut grass and old limestone that you only get in the Vienne countryside, and the view out over the surrounding hills doesn't have a single billboard, rooftop antenna, or modern intrusion to break it. This is what €130,780 buys you in one of France's most overlooked medieval villages — and once you've spent a weekend here, you'll struggle to understand why more people haven't discovered it already. Charroux sits in the heart of Poitou-Charentes, a region that most international buyers race through on their way to the Dordogne or the Vendée coast without realizing what they're passing. That's your advantage. The village itself is classified as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France — a designation earned by fewer than 160 communes in the entire country — and it earns that status honestly, with its 11th-century abbey ruins, cobblestone lanes barely wide enough for a Citroën, and a Saturday market where the same families have been selling goat cheese and walnuts for generations. The centre is a five-minute walk from this house. Not a vague "close to amenities" five minutes — a genuine, flat, pleasant walk past honey-coloured stone walls. The house itself has been fully renovated and is genuinely ready to move into, which matters more than it sounds in this part of France where "good condition" can sometimes be a generous interpretation. Here, the work has been done properly: double glazing throughout, electric shutters, and — crucially — an air-to-water heat pump system that keeps ene ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in Villecomtal sounds like this: a church bell somewhere above the rooftops, the clatter of a shutter being thrown open two doors down, and the faint smell of bread drifting up from the boulangerie on the square. You're standing on your lower terrace, coffee in hand, and the village is just waking up around you. This is the kind of morning that made you start looking for a place in France in the first place. This house has been here since the 14th century — and it looks it, in the best possible way. The stone walls are thick enough to keep rooms cool through the fiercest August heat. The slate roof, regularly maintained, does what good roofs are supposed to do: nothing dramatic, just quietly keeps everything below it safe and dry. A 19th-century extension added breathing room without disrupting the logic of the original structure, and a recent renovation has brought the whole 150 sqm into genuine comfort without filing away the edges that give the place its character. Walk through the front door and the main living area — roughly 43 sqm — opens up in a way that makes you exhale. The kitchen, dining area, and sitting room flow into each other naturally, and the fireplace with its wood-burning stove anchors everything. On a cold January evening in the Aveyron, that stove isn't a decorative detail. It's the reason you'd rather be here than anywhere else. Three bedrooms occupy the garden level, which sits below the main living floor and opens onto the lower terrace — the more sheltered of the two outdoor spaces, screened from the lane, genuinely private. The master suite runs to around 31 sqm with its own bathroom and WC. The two further rooms, at 19 sqm and 13 sqm respectively, work well as guest rooms, ki ... click here to read more

Step through the heavy oak door on a Saturday morning in October and the smell hits you first — old stone warmed by a wood-burning stove, with just a trace of whatever someone baked in that antique bread oven a century before you arrived. That's the thing about a proper French longère. It carries its history lightly, without making a fuss about it. Valdelaume sits in the heart of Deux-Sèvres, a département that most international buyers haven't discovered yet — which is precisely the point. This isn't the tourist-worn Dordogne or the sun-scorched Côte d'Azur. It's rural Poitou-Charentes at its most honest: rolling bocage countryside, sunflower fields that stretch to the horizon in July, and village life that still runs on its own unhurried clock. Your nearest town, Melle, is just a short drive away, and it punches well above its size — a Romanesque church that's part of the UNESCO-listed pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, a weekly market on the square that's been running longer than anyone can remember, and a handful of decent restaurants where the duck confit is the real thing. The property itself sits at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, which in practice means you hear almost nothing from the road. What you do hear: wood pigeons, the occasional tractor working a field somewhere in the distance, and in the evenings, absolute silence. The fully enclosed plot runs to over 1,700 m², giving you genuine privacy on all sides — no neighbours looking over a fence, no holiday park noise, no compromise. At 165 square metres of living space, the house has real substance. The ground floor flows from an entrance hall into a fully fitted kitchen — the kind of kitchen that actually functions, with proper appliances already i ... click here to read more

Saturday morning in Civray starts with a sound you won't hear in Paris or London — the unhurried clatter of market stalls being set up along the town square, vendors arranging towers of local goat's cheese, bunches of sunflowers, and baskets of walnuts from the Charente countryside. From this house, you can walk there in under ten minutes. That's not a selling point dressed up as a lifestyle — it's just Tuesday. Or Saturday. Or any day you choose. Civray sits in the southern tip of the Vienne department, in a region that most international buyers haven't discovered yet — which is precisely why it still feels real. The Charente River curves lazily around the edge of town, and the surrounding landscape is the kind of unhurried, rolling farmland that makes you slow down involuntarily. If you've been looking at overpriced Dordogne villages or the increasingly crowded Lot, the Vienne is quietly offering something comparable for a fraction of the cost. This house is a proper maison bourgeoise — the kind of solid, high-ceilinged French townhouse that was built to last centuries and very much has. At 103 square metres, it's not enormous, but every room breathes. The ground floor draws you in through a living room lined with decorative wood panelling that catches the afternoon light in a way that feels almost theatrical — warm, amber, like the inside of a French film you can't quite name. That room flows into a lounge with an ornamental fireplace, and beyond it, a fitted modern kitchen that somehow manages to feel at home alongside all the period character. French doors off the kitchen open directly onto the terrace, so summer dinners happen naturally outside — a carafe of Haut-Poitou rosé, the garden going gold in the evening ... click here to read more

Picture this: a Saturday morning in early June, the air carrying the faint sweetness of flowering linden trees, a rooster somewhere in the distance, and nothing but the sound of your own footsteps on old stone as you walk across the courtyard to figure out what this barn could one day become. That's the kind of quiet that Clussais-la-Pommeraie deals in. It's not dramatic. It's not performant. It's just deeply, genuinely peaceful — the kind that people from Paris or London or Amsterdam spend years trying to find and then overpay for somewhere more famous. This is Poitou-Charentes, one of France's most underrated rural regions, sitting right in the soft belly of the country between the Loire Valley to the north and the Cognac country to the south. The Deux-Sèvres department doesn't have the international name recognition of Provence or the Dordogne, and that's precisely why a stone property complex on roughly 2,400 square metres of land with a courtyard, a garden, a 240-square-metre barn, and multiple outbuildings is available for €70,000. Let's talk about what that number actually means. For the price of a decent second-hand car in London or a semester of private school fees in Switzerland, you're acquiring a genuine piece of rural France — original stone construction, exposed beams, a fireplace still intact, an attic that adds another 46 square metres of potential living space above the 90-square-metre ground floor. The property needs full renovation, and that's the point. It's a blank canvas, not a compromised one. Someone hasn't already ripped out the character and replaced it with laminate flooring and recessed lighting. The bones are there, waiting. The barn alone changes the arithmetic of what's possible here. At ... click here to read more

On a quiet Sunday morning in Brie, the kind of quiet that cities charge a premium for, you open the French doors off the first-floor living room and step onto the terrace with a coffee. The Charente countryside rolls out in front of you — pale gold fields in summer, mist-softened green in autumn — and the only sound is a distant tractor and whatever bird has claimed the courtyard wall. That's the morning this house gives you, reliably, every time you show up. Brie is a small commune in the Charente department, deep in the Poitou-Charentes region of southwestern France. It sits in that comfortable middle ground that serious buyers of French property know to look for: rural enough to feel genuinely removed from the pace of modern life, but close enough to real infrastructure that you're never stranded. The commercial hub at Champniers is just a few kilometres away — hypermarket, hardware, the practical errands done in twenty minutes. Angoulême, one of the most underrated cities in France, is eighteen minutes by car to the main station, which puts you on a direct TGV to Paris Montparnasse in under two hours. Bordeaux is roughly ninety minutes south. This is not a remote retreat you'll eventually resent; it's a genuinely usable second home in France. Angoulême deserves more than a passing mention. The city runs on two great obsessions: comics and cognac. The Festival International de la Bande Dessinée, held every January, transforms the old town into an open-air gallery and draws visitors from across Europe. Year-round, the medieval ramparts above the Charente river offer some of the best walking in the region, and the covered market on Place des Halles — open Tuesday through Sunday — sells Charentais melons so ripe in Jul ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque village of Bélâbre, in the heart of the Indre region of France, awaits a promising opportunity for those yearning for a slice of rustic French life. Imagine strolling through the quaint, winding streets where history whispers from every corner, where the local bakery fills the air with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked baguettes each morning, and where the vibrant community gathers for weekly markets. This serene village, located not far from other larger communes, provides just the right balance of peace and accessibility to city conveniences, making it an attractive choice for expatriates and international buyers. For just €57,000, you can set foot on your new adventure with this two-bedroom house, offering not just a home, but a lifestyle steeped in French tradition. This property, seated comfortably on an 88 square meter area, delivers an intimate living experience without overwhelming responsibilities—a plus for busy individuals or retirees looking for a charming retreat. Some key features of the property include: - 2 generous bedrooms - Separate dining room - Cozy living room - Kitchen on the first floor - Wraparound garden - Private garage - Bathroom on the second floor - Additional storage rooms - Mains drains connection - Heating setup requires completion The property is also within easy walking distance to local shops and lively bars, giving you the freedom to explore the local culture right on your doorstep. When you step into this house, you are greeted by a quaint kitchen, perfect for crafting traditional French meals or trying your hand at local recipes. The dining room invites you to enjoy hearty meals with family or friends, basking in the warmth of togethe ... click here to read more

Discover the rustic allure of this charming one-bedroom house nestled in the scenic village of Mauvières, situated in the region of Centre, Indre, France. Ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in French village life, this property offers a great opportunity for customization while enjoying the serene landscapes of rural France. This quaint home, approximately 112 square meters in size, is perfectly poised for a couple or a small family, keen on embracing a quieter lifestyle or even as a peaceful retreat from the bustling city life. The residence currently features a generous sitting room adorned with a cozy woodburner—perfect for those cooler evenings. Adjacent to this is a spacious room, which presents itself as an ideal master bedroom. Additionally, the eat-in kitchen provides a practical space for everyday dining and family gatherings. The bathroom, expansive and distinctively appointed in vibrant blue, adds a touch of character to the home. Positioned within a bike ride from a delightful village center, residents can enjoy various local amenities including a popular restaurant, weekly market, bakeries, and butchers. For outdoor enthusiasts, the property is just a short walk from superb fishing spots and a refreshing swimming lake. The upper level of the house comprises about 21.5 square meters of flexible space, currently divided into three areas. This space offers potential reconfiguration to suit new accommodation needs. Moreover, the vast attic, also located on this level, provides an excellent opportunity for conversion into additional living quarters, subject to necessary permissions. For those contemplating some renovation to personalize their new home, this property presents itself as a promising ... click here to read more

This charming 3-bedroom house, nestled in the serene village of Liglet in the scenic region of Poitou-Charentes, offers a light and spacious atmosphere perfect for a family or anyone looking to immerse in French village life. Boasting a harmonious blend of traditional charm and modern potential, this home spans across three floors and presents a renovating opportunity to infuse personal style and enhance its already strong character. The ground floor provides a cozy open-plan living and dining area conducive for both relaxing and entertaining. There is also a convenient study, perfect for those who work from home, and an adjacent kitchen that leads out to a delightful private terrace. This terrace is a little haven for morning coffees or evening relaxation. Additionally, there is a practical WC on the same level. Moving up to the first floor, you'll find two comfortably sized bedrooms and a shower room. There is also an additional room here that invites creative transformation, perhaps into a walk-in wardrobe or another study, depending on your needs. The top floor houses a large master bedroom complete with an en suite shower. Behind the house, the sunny terrace provides a private outdoor space that extends to a garage suitable for a small car, and a spacious games room that houses an impressive fireplace. This room has fantastic potential to be converted into additional living space, granting further charm and value to the property, subject to the appropriate permissions. _, the property is a delightful fusion of comfort and potential. While it is in good condition, new owners might find exciting opportunities to customize and refurbcuate their dream home in this tranquil rural landscape. Living in Liglet provides ... click here to read more

Located in the serene hamlet of Lignac, within the Centre-Val de Loire region of Indre, France, this five-bedroom Maison de Maitre presents a compelling opportunity for those looking to immerse themselves in the quintessential pastoral lifestyle of rural France, while still having access to modern amenities. With a price tag of €265,000, this detached property offers more than just a home; it is an invitation to embrace a tranquil and authentic French lifestyle. Nestled quietly near the town of Lignac, the property is conveniently located a mere stone's throw from essential local services such as a small supermarket, cafe, and a traditional bakery. A brief drive will take you to the monthly renowned market of Les Herolles, famous for its variety of local goods and vibrant community atmosphere. For those who travel or have guests visiting, both Limoges and Poitiers airports are approximately an hour’s drive away, offering routes to the UK and beyond. This charming residence spans three levels, thoughtfully laid out with family and flexibility in mind. The ground floor boasts a large entrance hallway complete with ample storage, leading to the main living areas which include a spacious sitting/dining room. The kitchen is well-appointed with built-in appliances and overlooks a cozy summer kitchen—perfect for seasonal entertaining. Additionally, this level hosts a bedroom with an attached shower room and toilet, providing ease of access and privacy. The first floor houses three bedrooms; one of which is en-suite, along with a family-sized bathroom equipped with a shower and wash hand basin. The top floor reveals a tastefully converted loft space featuring a large bedroom, an adjacent bathroom, and a separate toilet, all d ... click here to read more

Charming Fixer-Upper Opportunity in Lignac, France Nestled in the scenic village of Lignac within the Indre department of Centre, France, this unique property presents a genuine opportunity for those looking to bring their own vision to life. Currently set as two adjoined cottages, this home spans approximately 52 square meters and sits on a manageable plot with a quaint garden, perfect for personal landscaping or a small vegetable patch. Property Features: - Total area: 52 m² - Number of cottages: 2 (one studio and one with a kitchen/dining/living room and separate bedroom) - Bedrooms: 1 - Bathrooms: 1 (Each cottage has a loo and a separate shower-room) - Kitchen/dining/living area - Studio area - Unconverted attic space with potential for additional bedrooms - Direct garden access from each unit - On mains drainage Amenities Include: - Small private garden ideal for relaxation or cultivation - Potential to renovate and personalize the unused attic space - Central location in Lignac near local shops and community services - Proximity to larger towns for comprehensive shopping and dining options Lignac – A Snapshot: Lignac is a tranquil village steeped in natural beauty, offering a relaxing lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of major urban centers. It is surrounded by lush green landscapes ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, cycling, and nature walks. The local community is tight-knit and welcoming to newcomers, often hosting events and activities that bring the residents together. Climate: Living in Lignac provides a temperate climate with distinct seasons. Summers are generally warm and pleasant - perfect for enjoying the outdoors, while winters can be crisp, with occasional frost adding a pictu ... click here to read more

Welcome to this enchanting piece of rural paradise nestled in Centre, Indre, Lignac, France, a home that offers a taste of French countryside living. You’ll find this delightful property located at the edge of a quaint hamlet, just a short 5-minute drive from the village of Lignac. Known for its traditional charm, Lignac provides the essentials of French village life with a local bakery, bar, and corner shop catering to everyday needs. For those who might be considering life amidst the serene beauty of France, let me take you on a tour through this remarkable opportunity. This property is a traditional longère, a type of farmhouse typical to rural France. It has been lovingly taken care of and features three cozy bedrooms suitable for a small family or retirees who appreciate tranquility coupled with the potential for welcoming guests. Most living spaces are conveniently situated on the ground floor, making it accessible and efficient for daily living. Let's see what awaits you: - Three Bedrooms - One Bathroom - Spacious Kitchen - Comfortable Living Room - Central Heating - Large Attic Space - Boiler Room - Outdoor Garden - Courtyard - Ample Parking The current owner has been invested in maintaining the character of the home while adding contemporary comforts such as central heating to ensure year-round enjoyment. The heart of the property, the kitchen, opens into a welcoming living room, creating the perfect environment for cozy gatherings in winter or leisurely summer dinners. Just imagine sipping your morning coffee with the sun streaming through the windows as you start your day. Set across a generous plot, the property offers a barn complex that includes a basic one-bedroom guest annex. This annex pres ... click here to read more

Discover a characterful five-bedroom Maison de Maitre situated in the serene hamlet of Lignac, in the picturesque Centre region of Indre, France. Nestled amidst the French countryside, this detached property presents a serene escape with ample room for personalization and expansion, offered at an asking price of 265,000 euros. Property Features: - Five spacious bedrooms - Four bathrooms, with en-suite facilities - A generous living/dining area with ample natural light - Fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances - A quaint summer kitchen with a sink - Heating includes electric radiators and under-floor heating on ground level - Sanitation system managed via septic tank - Extensive outbuildings including a large barn with potential for conversion, a garage, and additional stone building - Attached land of about 20,464 square meters ideal for agricultural or recreational use - A charming bread oven and a sunny terrace enhance the outdoor living space As a home that combines historical allure with expansive grounds, this property is particularly suited for those aiming to enjoy rural living with a touch of traditional French grandeur. The attached land presents an excellent opportunity for enthusiasts looking to keep livestock or cultivate a large garden. Local Area and Climate: Lignac offers a tranquil lifestyle surrounded by nature, characterized by mild to warm summers and cool, occasionally snowy winters. Being situated in this part of France, new homeowners will experience the true essence of rural French beauty and the changing seasons. Amenities and Activities: Local amenities include a small supermarket, a traditional bakery, and a nearby café, cultivating a tight-knit community vibe. For monthly shopping and ... click here to read more

Charming 2-Bedroom House in the Heart of Lignac, France If you are seeking a cozy retreat in the scenic French countryside with a realistic opportunity for further enhancement and personal touches, this property in Lignac might catch your interest. At an asking price of 128,400€, this house offers a promising balance of move-in readiness with potential for personalization. Detailed Description: Nestled in the serene village ambiance of Lignac, this delightful bungalow spans approximately 70 square meters of living space situated in a lush garden of about 2,000 square meters. The house is designed optimally for comfort with all living accommodations conveniently positioned on the ground floor. As you enter, you will find a welcoming kitchen that needs some updates but holds great potential. Adjacent to it is a living room that offers a cozy space for relaxation, complemented by a dining room perfect for family meals. The house features two well-sized bedrooms along with a shower room, storage space, and a separate toilet. Above, there is accessible attic space that provides ample storage solutions. The attached garage includes an efficient electric roller shutter, enhancing convenience and security. One of the highlights of this property is its expansive garden that encircles the home, providing a sense of privacy and ample opportunities for outdoor activities and gardening. A large shed in the garden offers additional storage or could be converted into a workshop or creative studio. Property Features: - Single-floor living - Oil-fired central heating system - Attached garage with electric roller shutter - Spacious attic for extra storage - Expansive garden with private areas and a large shed Local Area Insight ... click here to read more

Experience the magical ambiance of French countryside living with this charming "Maison de Maitre" situated in the heart of Centre, Indre, located in Lignac, France. With a tranquil setting nestled in a quiet hamlet, this detached house is within close proximity to the town's alluring amenities including a small supermarket/cafe and a traditional bakery. Further enhancing its desirability, the property is just a short drive away from the much-acclaimed market of Les Herolles, known for its monthly spectacle. The property's location is historical and commercial at the same time. Known for its ancient cities of Limoges and Poitiers, both approximately an hour's drive, offer a blend of rich culture, history, and modern conveniences. Both cities also boasts of airports that provide convenient transportation to and from the UK. As you step into the house, you are welcomed by a spacious entrance hallway equipped with cupboards for organized storage. On your left is the large sitting/dining room that effortlessly opens up to your fully fitted kitchen, complete with built-in appliances adding a modern touch to this traditional home. Peering through the ground floor, you'll also find one bedroom, complete with a fully equipped shower room, and a toilet for your guests. Adding an essence of coziness, a small summer kitchen with a sink is also part of this home. The first floor adds a touch of privacy with its layout. It consists of three serene bedrooms, one of which includes an ensuite bathroom and toilet for ultimate comfort. Additionally, a family bathroom is also made available to cater to everyone in the house. The second floor, transformed from the original loft space, presents a trendy yet relaxing bedroom setting, comp ... click here to read more

Nestled in the charming village of Lignac, within the scenic department of Indre in the Centre region of France, this captivating one-bedroom house offers a unique opportunity for those looking to embrace the French countryside lifestyle. Priced at €91,800, this property, with its inviting rustic charm and potential for customization, makes an ideal choice for overseas buyers seeking a serene retreat or a rewarding renovation project. Property Features: - Total size of 76 square meters - One cozy bedroom - One bathroom - Tiled kitchen (16m2) - Spacious living room (26m2) - Additional versatile room (16m2) - Attic space across the house with conversion potential (subject to permissions) - Large attached barn (78m2) divided into three spaces - Oil-fired central heating Amenities: - Manageable garden space - Attached barn offering ample storage or expansion potential - Less than 10 minutes' drive to the bustling town of Chaillac - Approximately 30 minutes from Argenton-sur-Creuse, featuring extensive shopping options and direct train services to Paris - Around an hour's drive from Limoges International Airport Local Area Description: Living in Lignac provides a tranquil, pastoral setting with the convenience of larger towns nearby. The village is surrounded by picturesque landscapes perfect for nature walks, cycling, and enjoying the peaceful rural environment. The nearby town of Chaillac is lively and offers local markets, cafes, and restaurants, where you can indulge in regional cuisine and culture. Argenton-sur-Creuse, a larger town, brings the charm of a bustling French community with its supermarkets, numerous independent shops, and excellent transport links, including direct trains to Paris. This offers a wonderfu ... click here to read more

Welcome to a warm, inviting 4-bedroom house on the outskirts of the charming village of Le Blanc, situated in the heart of Centre district, Indre, France. If you're seeking an authentic French living experience, look no further. This lovely abode combines comfort, serenity, and potential in a beautifully located, spacious dwelling. The house is a single-storey villa radiating with natural light and an air of openness courtesy of an intelligently designed open floor plan. The heart of the home is a modern, fully-integrated kitchen that seamlessly combines functionality and aesthetics. Adjacent to this space is a generously-sized dining area and living space, promising a welcoming environment for family meals, gatherings or quiet evenings. The house further offers a practical boot/laundry store room for added convenience. In addition, a high-quality modern bathroom boasts a walk-in shower, double sinks, and a separate WC, maintaining functionality while offering a luxurious feel. The residential part of the house includes four bedrooms, each furnished with built-in storage, ensuring comfort for each member of the family. The house has been thoughtfully provided with integrated heating and air-conditioning systems to ensure your comfort all year round. Double-glazing adds a layer of thermal and acoustic comfort that enhances the living experience. Outside the house, the driveway, landscaped with attention to detail, provides off-street parking and is secured by electric gates. Additional exterior features are a separate garage, a camping car carport, and a chicken area/coop. The outdoors offers the perfect setting for relaxation and leisure, with the garden mainly laid out to lawn early games or tranquil evenings. Th ... click here to read more

Nestled on the edge of the charming town of Le Blanc in the picturesque region of Indre, this 5-bedroom architect-designed house offers a blend of comfort and potential, ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in the tranquility of French countryside living. Welcoming you into this inviting abode is an entrance hall that fluidly leads into a well-fitted kitchen. From here, glass doors open to reveal a spacious, open-plan lounge and dining area adorned with a striking stone fireplace that promises cozy evenings with loved ones. The ground floor also houses three bedrooms, each presenting a peaceful retreat and a family bathroom. Ascending to the first floor, you will find two additional bedrooms. One of these rooms boasts ample space and could alternatively serve as a second living area, adapting to your family's needs. This level also includes a WC and a shower room, awaiting your creative touch to become fully functional. The lower ground floor uncovers a vast garage equipped with a wine cellar, alongside two sizable rooms featuring windows that bathe the space in natural light. These rooms offer exciting potential to be transformed into additional living accommodations, subject to the necessary permissions. Surrounding the house, the property extends into serene grounds that back onto open fields at the rear, ensuring privacy and uninterrupted views of nature. The front of the house boasts sweeping panoramic views that capture the essence of the region’s beauty. The house has been recently updated with double-glazing and is connected to mains drainage which simplifies maintenance concerns. Le Blanc is a community that resonates with both the peace of rural life and the convenience of necessary amenities. Loc ... click here to read more

Nestled on the edge of a charming village in Le Blanc, Centre-Indre, this delightful 4-bedroom single-storey villa offers an enticing prospect for those looking to immerse themselves in the tranquil French countryside. With a current asking price set at €207,360, this property showcases a harmonious blend of comfort and modern amenities, making it a viable option for both permanent residences and holiday retreats. Reflecting a thoughtful layout, the home spans approximately 145 square meters and begins with an inviting open plan living area. This central hub of the house combines an integrated modern kitchen with sleek fixtures, a dining area, and a spacious family lounge designed for effortless entertaining and relaxation. The kitchen is well-appointed with contemporary appliances and ample storage, proving both functional and stylish. The residence includes four bedrooms, each featuring built-in storage solutions that help maintain a clutter-free environment. The home accommodates a high-spec modern bathroom complete with a walk-in shower, double sinks, and a separate toilet, providing a spa-like atmosphere designed for ultimate relaxation. Comfort is a priority as the property is fully equipped with double glazing and an integrated heating and air conditioning system, ensuring a comfortable living environment throughout the year. ### Outdoor and Additional Amenities: - Landscaped driveway with electric gates ensuring secure off-street parking. - Separate garage plus a camping car carport, catering to various storage needs. - Dedicated chicken area and coop, ideal for those interested in a sustainable lifestyle. - The garden is predominantly laid to lawn, featuring a rear terrace which serves as a perfect spot for ... click here to read more

For those seeking an authentic French home experience amidst picturesque settings, this 3-bedroom house in Thollet, located in the Poitou-Charentes region of Vienne, France, stands out as a promising option. Nestled just about 20 minutes away from the charming town of Montmorillon, this home offers more than just a place to stay; it provides a profound lifestyle deeply connected to the beauty of rural France. Upon stepping inside, you'll notice that all the living spaces are conveniently located on the ground floor, making daily life straightforward and accessible. Its current owners have maintained it in good condition, but the potential for making it your own is endless. The house features three comfortable bedrooms, a practical living/dining room, and a functional kitchen. It's the kind of place that sparks imagination, perhaps of cozy family dinners or lazy Sundays with friends. Even though the home is ready to live in, it retains the potential for customization. Imagine adding your personal touches, maybe painting the walls or upgrading some fixtures to suit your taste. The bathroom is serviceable, and, while it could benefit from some updating, it's perfectly functional as it is. There's no rush here, and that’s the beauty of it. - House - 3 bedrooms - 1 bathroom - Living/dining room - Kitchen - Attached garage/boiler room - Detached second garage - Features - Ground floor living - Oil-fired central heating - Spacious garden - Cottage-style outbuilding - Proximity to village life Outside, the house boasts a lovely garden, ideal for those who enjoy spending time outdoors or have a passion for gardening. Whether you envision a blooming French garden or a vegetable patch, the space is yours ... click here to read more

Nestled at the end of a quaint, no-through lane in the serene village of Dunet, France, stands an inviting two-bedroom house eagerly awaiting its next chapter. Positioned with only a single neighbor nearby, this property offers the unique combination of tranquility and picturesque views. At dawn or dusk, you might even catch a glimpse of deer or an easy-going rabbit frolicking in the fields behind the house, contributing a touch of nature's charm to your everyday life. The house features an open-plan lounge, kitchen, and diner, a spacious area where you can cook, dine, and relax. With a bit of creativity, this expansive area could be reimagined to include a third bedroom if your family needs it. Ascend into the attic, and you'll discover loft space—another opportunity to craft your dream home environment. The current configuration houses two bedrooms and a shower room with a modern WC, ideal for a small family or couple. Attached to this good-condition house is a large barn and several smaller outbuildings, perfect for storage or hobbies. Though the property is in need of some updating, a keen eye and a touch of TLC could breathe fresh life into this residence. It could be the permanent home or a peaceful holiday getaway you've been searching for. Life in Dunet is delightfully slow-paced and charming. Despite its quieter demeanor, the village is only a stone's throw away from Chaillac, a vibrant commune offering a wealth of amenities just 4.2 km (or about a 4-minute drive) from your door. In Chaillac, you'll find bar-restaurants to enjoy local French cuisine, a bakery for your morning croissants, a supermarket, a post office, a beauty salon, and even an antiques shop for discovering treasures of days gone by. In the su ... click here to read more

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Indre region, this delightful 4-bedroom house in Dunet, France, offers an idyllic escape for those seeking a second home or vacation retreat. With its charming character and modern comforts, this property is a haven for relaxation and adventure, perfectly suited for creating cherished memories with family and friends. Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of nature, sipping your morning coffee on the sun-drenched terrace, and planning your day in this tranquil French countryside. This lovingly restored home, with its exposed beams and rustic charm, provides a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly makes you feel at home. Property Highlights: - Spacious Living: The house boasts a generous 146 square meters of living space, offering ample room for family gatherings and entertaining guests. - Four Bedrooms: With four cozy bedrooms, there's plenty of space for everyone to unwind and enjoy a restful night's sleep. - Modern Amenities: Enjoy the convenience of a fully fitted kitchen, new double glazing, and a heat source pump with electric radiators, ensuring comfort year-round. - Charming Features: Delight in the character of exposed beams, a wood-burning log fire, and a traditional bread oven, adding a touch of authenticity to your French retreat. - Versatile Spaces: A partially completed room offers potential for a fifth bedroom, study, or separate accommodation, perfect for hosting visitors or creating a personal sanctuary. - Outdoor Living: The property includes a large double garage, workshop, and a small outbuilding, providing ample storage and hobby space. - Proximity to Amenities: Just 5 minutes from the vibrant town of Chaillac, you'll find a supermarket, post office, ph ... click here to read more

Nestled in the tranquil hamlet of Tilly, located in the picturesque region of Centre, Indre, France, stands a quaint 2-bedroom house waiting to be transformed into a new home. Imagine the possibilities with this fixer-upper, perfect for those seeking a project that will eventually bloom into a charming (whoops, didn’t mean to use that word!) countryside escape. Offering the gentle hum of opportunity, this property is framed by lush landscapes and steeped in the quietude one can only find in a rural French village. Now, while the renovation work calls, let’s talk about this little abode's potential. The house features three cozy rooms on the ground floor and a loft above, providing ample space for creative minds to redesign interiors that blend modern comforts with rustic authenticity. The property might not have any bathrooms yet, but that’s where your vision comes into play, designing facilities that fit your lifestyle. For those of you who are airy explorers at heart but maybe haven’t heard of Tilly, let me paint you a picture. Even though it feels miles away from the hustle and bustle, the lively town of Chaillac is just around the corner. Chaillac's vibrant locale is peppered with tempting establishments, from local bars and restaurants to serene spots by its stunning swimming lake. After a day’s work on the house, an evening dip in the lake could be your perfect relaxation activity, or perhaps a hearty meal at one of Chaillac's famous bistros. And if your thoughts ever drift to broader horizons, know that the Airport of Limoges is just a leisurely hour’s drive away. Accessibility to the world and beyond, right from your quaint French retreat! Let's not forget the lay of the land here at the house—it’s substantial ... click here to read more

In the heart of Tilly — a charming, serene town nestled in the Indre region of France — awaits an appealing and unique house that effortlessly blends potential and charm. This property is a true diamond in the rough, a renovator's dream that is just brimming with opportunity and potential. This 2-bedroom house can be found in the heart of a peaceful hamlet, a stone's throw from the vibrant town of Chaillac. In Chaillac, you will find a myriad of amenities, effortlessly blending the comforts of modern life with the rustic beauty of rural France. Whether you enjoy a refreshing dip in the town's clear blue swimming lake, sampling fine French cuisine from the local bars and restaurants, or simply enjoy exploring the winding streets and picturesque architecture, Chaillac ensures there is always something to see and do. The house itself seems to embody the very essence of a fixer-upper, showcasing a mighty three rooms on the ground floor with an untouched loft space above awaiting your unique touch. Keen-eyed renovators will appreciate the pre-existing electricity, allowing you to focus on the aesthetics of your design. Moreover, the unique appeal of this property extends far beyond the main house, featuring a petite, adjacent stable block that whispers of a simpler time. Ideal for smaller livestock like goats or donkeys, this stable adds rural authenticity to the property's charm. Additionally, an old-world bread oven offers a glimpse into the past, whilst also providing access to the loft above, a blank canvas for your vision. Two key focal points of this property, these features beautifully accentuate the home's history and potential. Beyond the confines of the house, a vast barn awaits on the opposite side, infused ... click here to read more