Charming 4BR Home with Pool in Charroux, France

Sunday morning in the Charente countryside sounds different from anywhere else in France. The birds start before the light does, and by the time you've made coffee and pushed open the terrace doors, there's nothing between you and a wide green horizon except your own 7,000 square metres of garden, a few oaks, and the distant church tower of Mansle catching the early sun. That's the daily reality of this four-bedroom house just outside Mansle-les-Fontaines — a genuinely well-built contemporary home from the early 2000s that's been looked after with real care, set in a quiet hamlet a couple of kilometres from everything you actually need. Let's talk about the space first, because 160 square metres of living area spread thoughtfully across two floors makes this feel like a proper family home rather than a weekend squeeze. The ground floor revolves around a 40-square-metre living and dining room that gets generous natural light throughout the day. It's the kind of room that naturally absorbs a family gathering — long lunches that drift into afternoons, kids spread across the floor, someone always in the kitchen. That kitchen, at 19 square metres, is large enough to be genuinely functional, not just a gesture toward cooking. Three bedrooms sit on the ground floor too, alongside a bathroom, a separate WC, and a pantry and laundry room that handles all the practical business of a real home. Head upstairs and there's a fourth room currently working as a bedroom or office, with its own private shower room and toilet — ideal for older kids, guests who want independence, or anyone who needs a quiet corner away from the rest of the house. The underfloor heating on the ground floor is worth pausing on. It's the kind of detail that ... click here to read more

Stand on the terrace on a July evening and you'll understand immediately why the French have always built their finest houses on hills. The Aude valley spreads out below in bands of gold and green — sunflower fields giving way to vineyards, then the jagged silhouette of the Pyrenees catching the last of the light. A glass of Blanquette de Limoux in hand, the bubbles still sharp and cold, the smell of lavender drifting up from the garden. This is not a fantasy sequence from a travel magazine. This is Tuesday. This four-bedroom villa sits at one of the highest residential addresses above Limoux, in France's Languedoc-Roussillon region, and the position alone justifies serious attention. But the house itself earns that attention right back. Three levels of generous, well-proportioned living space — around 186 square metres in total — have been laid out with real intelligence. The heart of the home is a single open-plan space that runs to over 60 square metres, pulling together the sitting room, dining area and kitchen into one fluid room without sacrificing any sense of definition between them. Large glazed doors open directly onto the views. On a clear morning, with coffee on the go and those panoramas unfolding through the glass, it's hard to think of a better argument for a second home in France. A bedroom and bathroom sit on the same main level, which matters more than it sounds — it means the house works for guests who don't want to navigate stairs, or for those weeks when you simply want everything within reach. The first floor adds further bedrooms and a second bathroom, giving the layout real flexibility for families or groups. Below, the lower ground floor is the kind of practical bonus that experienced property ... click here to read more

Stand at the kitchen window on a November morning and watch mist roll off the wooded acres behind the stone walls, curling around the old longère like smoke. The fire's already been lit — the cast-iron stove in the living room takes the edge off fast — and the only sound is the distant caw of rooks settling in the tree line. This is Ménéac, deep-green Brittany, and this place is the kind of property that stops serious buyers mid-scroll. Set in a small hamlet just 2.1 kilometres from the village of Ménéac itself, this substantial granite house sits on roughly 6.3 hectares of mixed land, part cultivated, part wooded. It's been divided into two fully independent dwellings — a detail that changes everything about how you might use it. One wing for your family, one for guests, rental income, or an elderly relative who wants proximity without sacrifice of privacy. The arithmetic of that arrangement is immediately appealing for anyone buying a second home in France who wants flexibility without compromising the experience of actually being there. The main dwelling opens at ground level into a living room anchored by an open fireplace paired with a wood-burning stove — two heat sources, which tells you something about how the previous owners felt about Breton winters. Through from there, a fitted kitchen and laundry room keep the practical side of things contained, along with a ground-floor toilet. Head upstairs and you get a bedroom with its own en-suite bathroom, a second family bathroom, a further bedroom, and a room currently used as an office but easily repurposed. The second dwelling mirrors this layout almost exactly: a living room with fireplace and stove, a kitchen-dining room (combined this time, which most families ... click here to read more

On a Sunday morning in Guern, the only sounds are the wind moving through the old oak at the edge of the garden and the distant bell from the village church carrying across the fields. You're standing at the kitchen window of a house that has been standing since 1638, watching mist lift off the Morbihan countryside, and thinking you could get used to this. Really get used to this. This five-bedroom stone property sits just ten minutes from Pontivy, a proper Breton market town with a working canal, a 15th-century château, and Saturday markets where the cheese vendor knows everyone by name. Guern itself is a quiet rural commune — the kind of place where neighbors wave from tractors and the post arrives without fail. At 187 square metres of living space on a landscaped plot of around 2,857 m², this is a genuinely substantial home, not a weekend cottage. It has real scale, real history, and the kind of bones you simply cannot manufacture. The oldest section of the main house traces back nearly four centuries. You feel that age in the best possible way — in the weight of the stone walls, the depth of the window reveals, the massive fireplace that anchors the double-height living room. That fireplace isn't decorative. Light it on a November evening with a bottle of Muscadet and a cassoulet on the hob, and you understand exactly why the French have been doing this for hundreds of years. The living room's unceilinged section creates genuine drama, with the mezzanine above looking down over the space — a reading corner, a desk, a spot for teenagers who want to feel separate without being far away. The ground floor layout is practical in a way old farmhouses often aren't. Two independent entrances give the house real flexibilit ... click here to read more

Stand on the upper landing on a clear October morning and the Pyrenees are right there — not a distant suggestion, but a full wall of snow-dusted peaks running the entire width of the horizon. That view alone stops people mid-sentence. Add a hectare of land, a pool, a barn with real potential, and a five-minute walk to one of the friendliest village squares in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and you start to understand why properties like this one in Laàs don't sit on the market for long. Laàs itself is quietly special. It sits in the heart of Béarn, a region that most people outside France haven't quite discovered yet — which is exactly the point. The village has a genuine rhythm to it. On Sunday mornings, the smell of coffee and warm bread drifts out from the boulangerie before eight o'clock. The château de Laàs, a 17th-century manor house with formal French gardens, stands just up the road and opens to visitors through the warmer months. The restaurant near the village centre — and yes, there's one worth going to, not just one that exists — draws locals from across the valley for long Friday lunches that tip over into the early evening without anyone checking their watch. The house itself is spread across 190 square metres and laid out in a way that actually works for family living. Downstairs, the kitchen connects through to a dining room which opens into the living room — the kind of fluid ground floor arrangement that means nobody's stuck in the kitchen alone while everyone else is gathered around the fire. There's also a separate snug, the sort of small room that ends up becoming everyone's favourite: the right size for a book and a glass of Jurançon wine on a winter evening when the mountains turn purple at dusk. Up ... click here to read more

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

Nestled in the charming outskirts of Charroux, a quaint village renowned for its scenic beauty and historical significance in the Poitou-Charentes region of Vienne, France, this 3-bedroom house presents an excellent opportunity for those looking to embed themselves in French village life. Priced at €130,800, this property stands as a canvas ready for transformation, ideal for enthusiasts ready to infuse life back into its traditional structure. This property, encompassing 107 sqm, rests on a sizable plot adorned with a vast garden and various outbuildings, including a double garage and a large barn, which could serve multiple functions depending on your needs or ambitions. While the house itself requires renovation, its existing framework offers a generous kitchen updated in 2008, a cozy lounge, and a ground floor space versatile enough to become a bedroom, home office, or hobby room with direct garden access. The residence also features a well-designed Italian shower room and a separate toilet on the ground floor. Venturing upstairs, you will find two more bedrooms, with one currently subdivided into two smaller spaces, easily reconfigurable according to one's needs, and an additional toilet with a wash basin. The residence is equipped with a wood burning boiler ensuring warmth during the colder months, supplemented by an electric water heater for the summer seasons. Although the house is in need of some refurbishment, it presents a great scope for personalization and enhancements that could craft a warm, inviting family home. Living in Charroux offers a blend of tranquility and community spirit. The village is adequately equipped with local amenities including shops, cafés and a vibrant weekly market that showcase ... click here to read more

Delight in the French countryside with this incredible 4-bedroom house situated on the outskirts of Charroux in Poitou-Charentes, Vienne. This charismatic abode, steeped in allure and prestige, promises the perfect blend of comfort, exclusivity, and the immersive experience of the world-renowned French lifestyle. Upon entrance, your senses will be greeted by an expansive hallway which further opens up to the heart of the home, the kitchen - generously sized, fully fitted, and even featuring a dedicated space for a breakfast table to enjoy your morning croissants with a hot cup of café. Completing the ground floor is a utility room that ensures practical daily living, a dedicated dining room, and a cozy living room that provides an ideal setting for evenings with loved ones. Also included are a storage room, and two separate toilets for added convenience. As you ascend to the first floor, an expansive master bedroom awaits, complete with its own dressing room and ensuite bathroom, promising an oasis of tranquility. This bathroom is equipped with an independent shower and toilet, to cater for all practicalities of modern luxury. Two other bedrooms grace this floor, each with their own ensuite facilities. An additional living space provides versatility in its usage, serving as an entertainment room or being transformed into a bonus bedroom, depending on your needs. Descending from this floor, we discover a room currently being used as a fourth bedroom, featuring its own direct outdoor access for added privacy or for creating an attached but separate living quarter. Nestled in just under a hectare of magnificent garden grounds, the property offers an al fresco sanctuary with an assortment of fruit trees and breathtaking ... click here to read more

Charming 3-Bedroom House in the historical village of Charroux, Vienne, France Nestled on the edge of the picturesque and historic village of Charroux, this delightful detached house offers comfort, convenience, and a serene lifestyle for a realistic price of €189,000. Perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in French village life, this property integrates the character of its surroundings with modern living necessities. Property Features: - Total size of 110 square meters - 3 well-proportioned bedrooms - 2 bathrooms - Main living floor includes a spacious kitchen and a combined living/dining area with a cozy woodburning stove - Lower garden level potentially serves as self-contained accommodation featuring a kitchen, small living area, and a bedroom with an en-suite shower room - Integral garage and boiler room, enhancing storage solutions - Benefits from oil central heating and double glazing for a comfortable living environment all year round - Mains drainage Amenities: - Electric gates leading to a private driveway - Enclosed garden predominantly laid to lawn with a terrace perfect for enjoying the outdoors - A wooden garden chalet, ideal for extra storage - The property's condition is generally good but with room for personal touches and enhancements Living in Charroux, you'll be part of a vibrant community rich in history and culture. The house is conveniently located within walking distance of local bars, shops, and bakeries, making daily essentials easily accessible. The village not only boasts of its past but also provides a peaceful yet engaging social environment. The local area captures the essence of French rural living with scenic landscapes, traditional markets, and timeless architecture. It ... click here to read more

This delightful three-bedroom detached country home presents a unique opportunity for those looking to embrace the tranquil lifestyle of the French countryside, particularly in the serene area of Charroux, Poitou-Charentes. Nestled in a peaceful hamlet devoid of through traffic, this residence harmoniously combines the allure of rustic charm with the comfort of modern living, making it an ideal retreat or a serene family home. Property Features: - Bedrooms: 3, with ensuite facilities, offering private and comfortable spaces for family and guests alike. - Bathrooms: 2, modern and well-appointed, providing convenience and comfort. - Size: A generous 163 m² of living space, ensuring ample room for family gatherings, entertainment, and personal solitude. - Land: Just under two hectares of pasture land, perfect for those with a passion for horses or looking to keep other animals. - Living Areas: Includes a spacious kitchen/dining area that seamlessly flows into a large lounge, both areas designed for social gatherings and family time. - Additional Spaces: A mezzanine area and a small study, which doubles as a fourth, single bedroom, offering flexibility in usage. - Outbuildings: Attached barn/garage plus several smaller structures for various uses, and additional outbuilding suitable for conversion into stables or animal houses (subject to permissions). Amenities: - Private Terrace and Garden: Ideal for outdoor dining or soaking up the charming country atmosphere. - In-Ground Swimming Pool: Surrounded by space for loungers, perfect for relaxation and leisure. - Parking: Ample hardstanding parking suitable for a camper van or horsebox. - Utility Area: For practical living necessities. Living in Charroux, Poitou-Charentes: ... click here to read more

Welcome to a delightful slice of French living, nestled quietly in the quaint village of Charroux. Here, in the picturesque Poitou-Charentes region of Vienne, lies a charming 3-bedroom semi-detached home that's an ideal match for anyone looking to embrace the relaxed lifestyle of rural France. This property offers a genuine feel of the French countryside, and is poised to provide a wonderful setting for family life or a tranquil retreat for busy professionals seeking a slower pace. Trust me, as a bussy real estate agent, I can tell you this type of opportunity in Charroux doesn’t come around often! Let me guide you through this inviting home where the essence of French village life is at your doorstep. Imagine starting your day by walking through either the side front door or meandering from a sunny morning spent in the sunroom at the rear, leading naturally into a handy utility room—ideal for daily tasks and keeping life organized. The kitchen stands ready to host your culinary adventures, complete with fitted units, a built-in cooker, and a fridge, all seamlessly opening onto a cozy lounge area. It’s perfect for intimate family evenings or small gatherings with friends, offering a charming and relaxed communal space. Both the separate toilet and bathroom, which features a walk-in shower, are easily accessible and well-designed for convenient daily use. Now, about those three spacious double bedrooms, all finished with attractive wood flooring that adds a touch of warmth and elegance—perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring the historic village or perhaps after indulging in the local culinary delights. The home's well-maintained condition means it's immediatly habitable, allowing for an effortless move-in expe ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque village of Charroux, in the scenic region of Poitou-Charentes, this 3-bedroom house presents an appealing opportunity for those looking to embrace village life in rural France. Charroux is renowned for its charming architecture, rich history, and vibrant community spirit—characteristics that promise an enriching living experience for locals and expatriates alike. The property itself is beautifully positioned at the heart of Charroux, allowing residents the luxury of deriving full benefit from a well-preserved medieval village. Encompassing a total living space of 136 square meters, this residence adequately combines the traditional charm with modern conveniences. As you enter the house, the ground floor introduces a modern fitted kitchen which is perfect for cooking family meals or entertaining guests. Adjacent to the kitchen is a spacious lounge, warmed by a cozy wood-burning stove—an ideal spot for relaxation during the cooler evenings. The lounge extends into a dining room that can host family gatherings and celebrations, adding to the home's warm atmosphere. Moving upstairs, the property boasts four well-proportioned double bedrooms each featuring lovely wooden parquet floors that exude a sense of warmth and comfort. The large family bathroom serves these rooms, ensuring functionality aligns with family living. Additionally, the attic space offers potential for conversion into additional living areas, subject to necessary permissions, providing new owners a project to tailor this home further. Property Features: - 3 bedrooms - Spacious lounge with wood-burning stove - Modern fitted kitchen - Dining room - Large family bathroom - Potential attic conversion Outside, the impressive courty ... click here to read more

Nestled in the enchanting region of Poitou-Charentes, in the charming and historic town of Charroux, you will find a remarkable opportunity to own a piece of French history. This Maison de Maître, dating back to 1845, once served as the mayor's residence, a testament to its grandeur and significance. Owning this property is like owning a slice of the past, where every room whispers stories of bygone eras while offering comfort and modern conveniences. This exquisite manor house sits proudly on a generous plot, showcasing its architectural elegance. With ten spacious bedrooms and four bathrooms spread over a generous 280 square meters, this house provides plenty of room for family, friends or guests. It includes a main house and a coach house that has been beautifully converted into a delightful 5-bedroom holiday rental, allowing you an opportunity to capitalize on the thriving demand for holiday accommodations in this picturesque region. As you step into the main house, you'll be greeted by an array of original features that lend it an authentic and timeless charm. The hallways echo the past with their original doors, door handles, and stunning marble fireplaces, especially the one in the dining room, which are true works of art. The original marble floors in the kitchen and opulent opal stone bath surrounds add a touch of luxury to the home. The opal faucets and antique touches bring history alive, yet the house remains bright due to the unique design with its windows on two sides in most main rooms, flooding the space with light. Living in Charroux is a unique experience in itself. This town, steeped in history, was part of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route and welcomed many pilgrims over the centuries. Wh ... 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

Nestled in the heart of the historic center of Charroux, a charming five-bedroom farmhouse spans a cozy 140 square meters, offering a range of possibilities for personalization and comfort. This property, located in the scenic Poitou-Charentes region of Vienne, France, strikes a balance between its enduring heritage features and modern updates, making it an ideal choice for those looking to immerse themselves in French country living. Upon entering the home, you are greeted by a spacious room that could serve a multitude of uses—from an in-home office to a convenient storage space, or even a recreation room for children. Adjacent to this multi-functional area is a room housing the property's new wood pellet central heating system. The heart of the home, the newly installed kitchen, is both sleek and functional, fitted with modern amenities and finished to a high standard. It opens up to a delightful garden and patio area, perfect for outdoor dining or simply enjoying the peaceful outdoors. The living areas include a cozy TV lounge that adjoins another room, versatile enough to be transformed into an additional bedroom or a formal sitting area, equipped with a shower and toilet for convenience. The upper floor hosts four more bedrooms and a large shower room, ensuring ample space for family and guests alike. Characterized by its large, sunny patio, the outdoor space of this farmhouse offers an invigorating view of the local tower and the Abbey Church, contributing to the serene ambiance. The property boasts a luxe wood-burning hot tub, a recent addition that sits on the patio, perfect for relaxing evenings soaking in the picturesque surroundings. Additionally, covered parking space for two to three vehicles, complete w ... click here to read more

Charming Five-Bedroom House in La Chapelle-Bâton, France Set in the serene hamlet of La Chapelle-Bâton, within the picturesque region of Poitou-Charentes, this warm and inviting house stands as a perfect opportunity for those looking to experience authentic French countryside living. Spanning a generous area of 233 square meters, this home delivers a harmonious blend of comfort and practicality aligned with a spacious and indulgent living environment. Property Features: - Total living space of 233m² - Five well-proportioned bedrooms - Two well-equipped bathrooms - Expansive living area incorporating a kitchen, dining area, and two lounge spaces - Additional games area with a pool table - Master bedroom includes an en-suite shower, dressing room, and direct access to the pool terrace - Eco-friendly heating with wood-burning stove and air-to-air heat pump, also reversible for cooling - Supplementary electric radiators in all bedrooms - Basement equipped with a large garage and extra bedroom space - Financially beneficial solar panels Outdoor Amenities: - Private swimming pool with a secure cover - Summer kitchen and spacious patio ideal for entertaining - Over one hectare of land with expansive views of the surrounding countryside Living in La Chapelle-Bâton provides a quaint village atmosphere immersed in the peaceful Vienne department. The area is known for its rolling landscapes, traditional market towns like nearby Civray, and a sense of tranquility that is hard to match. This location benefits those who cherish privacy and a slower pace of life while still maintaining access to necessary amenities and vibrant local communities. Residents in La Chapelle-Bâton enjoy a moderate climate with distinct seasons. Summers ... click here to read more

Stand at the edge of the private lake on a July morning and the only sounds are a wood pigeon somewhere in the oak canopy and the soft lap of water against the bank. No road noise. No neighbors. Just 14 hectares of meadow, woodland, and sky — and a stone estate that has been quietly watching over all of it for generations. This is Genouillé, a commune in the Vienne department of Poitou-Charentes, and this property is the kind of find that makes serious buyers stop scrolling and pick up the phone. The estate is anchored by a substantial main house — proper stone walls, exposed timber beams that have darkened beautifully over the decades, and reception rooms large enough that a gathering of twenty people still feels unhurried. Four bedrooms, each with its own private shower room, mean that a multigenerational family or a group of close friends can arrive for two weeks in August and never queue for a bathroom. The private in-ground pool sits within the grounds of the main house, giving the primary residence its own self-contained world. Completely separate and fully independent, the gîte adds another four to five bedrooms and a second pool. This is where the property starts to reveal its financial logic. Poitou-Charentes draws steady summer traffic — cyclists riding the Vélodyssée, families heading to the Marais Poitevin, history enthusiasts making their way between Romanesque churches — and good-quality rural gîtes in the Vienne book up fast from June through September. The infrastructure here is already in place. You're not building from scratch; you're stepping into a ready-made hospitality setup with genuine income potential. The third structure on the property is a cottage: sitting room, dining space, one bedroom, b ... click here to read more

Stand at the kitchen window on a Tuesday morning in October and watch mist lift slowly off your own private lake. The woodlands beyond it are turning amber. A heron stands perfectly still at the water's edge. There's no traffic, no neighbor noise — just the kind of quiet that city people pay a fortune trying to find for a week. Here, it's yours every day. This nine-bedroom estate in Genouillé, a small commune in the Vienne department of Poitou-Charentes, sits on roughly 14 hectares of meadow, woodland, and water. It's not a property you stumble across. It's the kind of place that takes decades to assemble — the right land, the right buildings, the right bones — and rarely comes to market at anything close to this price point. The main house anchors the estate with the kind of architectural weight that only comes with age. Stone walls that have stood for centuries, exposed timber beams overhead in the reception rooms, and four generous bedrooms, each with its own private shower room. That last detail matters more than it sounds: when you're hosting a family gathering or a group of friends from abroad, nobody's negotiating bathroom schedules. The layout is genuinely sociable. Wide reception areas open naturally for long lunches that drift into evenings, and the in-ground swimming pool just outside keeps things moving between meals and conversation. Separate from the main house — properly separate, with its own front door and its own world — sits a fully independent gîte. Four to five bedrooms, a second swimming pool, and complete privacy from the main residence. This is where the property's income potential becomes very real, very quickly. The Poitou-Charentes region draws steady summer tourism, and well-presented rural ... click here to read more

Let me introduce you to a lovely house located in the picturesque region of Poitou-Charentes in Vienne, Surin, France. This stone-built house presents a wonderful opportunity to embrace the charm of rural French living while enjoying the expansive views and serenity of a hamlet setting. Ideal for expats or overseas buyers lookin' for a tranquil escape, this property offers not only the space you need but also the potential to truly make it your own. Surin is a charming village in the beautiful Vienne department, situated in the western part of France. Known for its peaceful lifestyle, Surin provides an inviting atmosphere for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The village is surrounded by lush countryside, picturesque landscapes, and rolling hills, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. This area experiences a mild oceanic climate, with warm summers and cool winters. Spring and autumn bring a comfortable temperature range and plenty of sunshine, ideal for indulging in all sorts of outdoor activities. As you arrive at the property, you'll be captivated by its rustic allure. It's a two-bedroom house with 110 square meters of living space, a manageable size that’s great for an average family or a couple making their first venture into homeownership in a foreign land. The asking price of €87,000 also makes it an attractive investment for those wishing to renovate and potentially expand. This home does need some work, but think of it as a blank canvas waiting for your personal touch! It already has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and three reception rooms, the latter of which include a stunning galleried living room. The heart of this home whispers of promise; with some renovation, you can ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in Savigné, and the kitchen window is open. The smell of coffee mixes with cut grass drifting in from the meadow out back. Nobody's in a hurry. That's kind of the whole point. This former farmhouse in the Vienne département of Poitou-Charentes has been fully renovated and is move-in ready — no months of waiting on contractors, no difficult decisions about plumbing layouts. Someone has already done the hard work. What you walk into is 130 square metres of comfortable, liveable space that still carries the bones and character of a proper French country property: thick stone walls, outbuildings with real agricultural history, a bread oven that looks like it belongs on a postcard, a barn with a stable, and a former henhouse that has quietly been waiting for someone with imagination to figure out what it wants to be next. The ground floor is practical without being cramped. The kitchen is fully equipped and opens directly into the dining and living area, which means the cook never gets exiled to a separate room while everyone else talks. There's a bedroom on this level too, with its own dressing room — useful if you have guests who'd rather not tackle stairs, or if you want to turn the upper floor into a private retreat entirely your own. A shower room, WC, and a boiler room round out the ground floor. Upstairs, a landing connects three further bedrooms and a second shower room with WC. Four bedrooms in total is a generous count for a French country house in this price range — enough for a family and a couple of friends, or enough to make short-term rental a genuine option during the weeks you're not here. Then there's the land. The enclosed garden is the kind of space where afternoon becomes evening withou ... click here to read more

Nestled at the end of a tranquil lane in the picturesque village of Chatain, this charming 2-bedroom farmhouse offers a unique blend of rustic allure and modern convenience. Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of nature, with the sun casting a warm glow over the expansive fields that surround your new home. This is more than just a property; it's a gateway to a lifestyle steeped in serenity and the simple pleasures of rural France. ### A Day in the Life As the morning mist lifts, you step out onto your terrace, coffee in hand, and take in the panoramic views of the lush countryside. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of wildflowers and fresh earth. Your day begins with a leisurely stroll through the nearby trails, where the only sounds are the rustling leaves and the distant call of a songbird. Returning home, the farmhouse welcomes you with its cozy warmth. The stone feature wall in the lounge/diner adds a touch of rustic elegance, while the woodburner crackles softly, creating an inviting atmosphere. The open-plan layout seamlessly connects the living spaces, making it perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying a quiet evening with family. ### Local Lifestyle Chatain is a village that embraces community spirit. With a small bar and regular local events, you'll quickly feel at home among the friendly residents. The region is renowned for its culinary delights, from hearty stews to delicate pastries, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients. For those who love the outdoors, the area offers excellent horse riding opportunities and scenic walks. The nearby towns of Champagne Mouton, Civray, Confolens, and Ruffec provide all the amenities you need, from quaint shops to vibrant markets. ### Property Features ... click here to read more

Nestled in the quaint village of Bonnezac in Chatain, France, this house offers a unique opportunity for those looking to immerse themselves in a tranquil countryside lifestyle. Positioned in the picturesque region of Poitou-Charentes in Vienne, the home carries a charm of authenticity, dating back to 1890, combined with the conveniences of contemporary updates. This home features a spacious living area of approximately 104 square meters, spread across two levels. On the ground floor, you'll find a large living room, measuring over 45 square meters, ideal for both relaxation and entertaining. The simple yet practical kitchen offers the essentials needed to whip up hearty meals, perfect for savoring local French cuisine with family and friends. The layout continues with a cozy bathroom. Moving to the upper floor, a landing guides you to two comfortable bedrooms, ensuring a restful space to retreat after a day of exploration. Additionally, there is an office space that could serve various needs, be it work, hobbies, or as an extra bedroom, and a bathroom equipped with a sink and WC. Adjacent to the main house is a guest house, a delightful addition that adds value and flexibility to the property. Offering over 20 square meters and divided into two rooms, it's perfect for hosting guests or could be transformed into a creative space or home office. - Property location: Bonnezac, Chatain, France - Original build year: 1890 - Recently renovated home - Total living area: Approx. 104 sqm - Plot size: 1906 sqm - Bedrooms: 2 - Bathrooms: 1 - Guest house with two rooms - Large living room: 45 sqm - Practical kitchen - Office space - Bathroom with sink/WC on 1st floor - Wood stove - Southern exposure - Asking price: €76,000 Li ... click here to read more

Nestled in the charming French countryside, this delightful three-bedroom house in Savigné invites you to step into a quaint village lifestyle—an oasis of peace and tranquility in the heart of Poitou-Charentes. With ample character and a sense of history, this home offers a seamless blend of rustic charm and modern convenience, making it an ideal dwelling for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. As we find ourselves increasingly drawn to spaces that offer solace and comfort, this property certainly delivers on both fronts. Property Highlights: - Renovated old farmhouse - Entrance of 29 m² - Spacious living room 93 m² with integrated kitchen, lounge, and dining area - Ground-floor bedroom of 14 m² - Mezzanine of 38 m² - Two upper-floor bedrooms (15 m² and 21 m²) - Shower room 12 m² and separate toilet - Additional cellar space - Adjoining barns and outbuildings - Generous land with wooded areas Let's embark on a visualization of this lovely home. As you enter, you are welcomed by a generous 29 m² entryway that sets the tone for the expansive and open atmosphere of the entire dwelling. This home has been thoughtfully renovated, preserving the authenticity of an old farmhouse while providing contemporary living spaces. In the spacious living room of 93 m², you'll find the perfect space to entertain family and friends—or simply relax, enveloped by the warmth and character of the wooden beams and stone walls. The open-plan kitchen is designed for convenience, allowing you to cook up French delicacies while engaging with guests seated in the cozy lounge or at the dining table. Descending to the ground floor, a well-sized bedroom of 14 m² provides a convenient and comfortable rest space, ideal for g ... click here to read more

Experience the epitome of French country living in the beautiful scenery of Poitou-Charentes, in the charming commune of Chatain. Nestled in the heart of Vienne, in a tranquil hamlet overlooking the mesmerizing Charente river valley, this French haven boasts of comfort, tranquillity and delightful views. This detached house ticks all the right boxes being a blend of comfort, functionality and a hint of classic French rustic charm. As you enter the home, you will be welcomed by a cozy and well-designed kitchen. Serving as the heart of the house, it seamlessly opens up to an inviting living/dining area. A woodburner takes centre stage in this spacious room, giving it an inviting atmosphere, while doors lead out to the idyllic back garden, providing easy indoor-outdoor living experience. The ground floor also hosts a practical utility area and a separate restroom for your convenience. Ascending to the first floor of this brick and mortar beauty, two commodious bedrooms await. Warm, inviting and designed to assure a good night’s sleep, these rooms emanate an ambience of peace and tranquility. The floor also houses a modern shower room featuring a restroom, alongside a separate toilet, catering to all your everyday needs. The house extends to a well-maintained, lush green garden of just over 1000 square meters, offering you your own private sanctuary. It delivers impeccable views of the captivating Charente river valley and the quaint town of Chatain. Let the stress of a long day melt away as you relax under the covered terrace, entertaining guests or simply enjoying the serene evenings. This home also hosts an outbuilding, offering a fantastic opportunity for a potential extension to cater to your specific needs, subjec ... click here to read more