Renovation Project in Centre with Barn & Land

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

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

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

Saturday morning in La Bazouge-du-Désert sounds like this: a wood fire ticking quietly in the kitchen insert, the smell of coffee cutting through cool Breton air, and birdsong coming in through a window that looks out over 462 square metres of your own garden. No neighbours at your elbow. Just countryside, quiet, and the kind of unhurried morning that most people only manage once a year on holiday — except here, it would be yours whenever you wanted it. This compact stone country house sits in the northern Ille-et-Vilaine, the oldest corner of Brittany, in a rural commune that most visitors driving toward Saint-Malo never bother to slow down for. That's exactly the point. At €54,800, it's one of those rare entry points into genuine French rural property ownership — the kind of deal that doesn't appear often in a department where coastal prices have been climbing steadily and even inland villages are attracting more attention from buyers priced out of Normandy. The ground floor is functional and liveable right now. A kitchen with a wood-burning insert fireplace anchors the space — this is the room you'll be in most, and in October when the temperature drops and the trees turn, it earns its place. The living room flows from there, with one bedroom and a shower room/WC completing the footprint at around 60 square metres of living space. It's honest, not fussy. Good condition means you can move straight in, run it as a bolt-hole, rent it out short-term, or use it as a base while you plan what comes next. What comes next, potentially, is the attic. The first floor is an unconverted space of approximately 65 square metres — structurally there but requiring modifications to bring it into full use. That's a significant canvas ... click here to read more

On a quiet Sunday morning in the hamlet of Saint-Romain, you'd hear almost nothing. A wood pigeon somewhere in the oaks. Maybe the distant clang of church bells drifting over from Charroux, that perfectly preserved medieval village ten minutes down the road where market traders set up their stalls beside the ruins of a Benedictine abbey. That stillness is the point. This is rural Vienne at its most unhurried — and this renovated farmhouse sits right in the middle of it. The property is a former working farmhouse that's been brought back to life without losing its bones. Stone walls, generous room proportions, the kind of building that took decades to settle and now feels entirely solid underfoot. At 148 square metres across two floors, it has real breathing room. The ground floor arranges itself practically: a living kitchen that opens directly onto a covered pergola — your default setting for every meal between May and October — a separate lounge for cooler evenings, and a bedroom with its own shower room and toilet. That ground-floor bedroom is a detail worth pausing on. It makes the house genuinely work for mixed-generation groups, guests with mobility considerations, or owners who want the option to use the upstairs rooms purely as a private retreat. Head up the stairs and the character shifts. The first floor has the slightly improvised warmth you only get in converted agricultural buildings — skylights cut into the roof, dormer windows framing sections of the surrounding countryside, ceiling lines that aren't quite parallel. There's a large double bedroom, another bedroom with its own en-suite bathroom and toilet, an additional room that could easily become a study or a fourth sleeping space, and a separate WC. T ... click here to read more

Picture yourself on a Sunday morning in late September, mug of coffee in hand, standing at the edge of 6,000 square metres of your own woodland in the Landes. No road noise. No neighbours. Just the creak of old oak, the faint whistle of a bird you can't quite name, and a natural spring quietly doing its thing in the corner of the plot. That's what life at this 18th-century Landaise farmhouse actually feels like — and at €119,000, it's not a fantasy. It's available right now. Built in the architectural tradition of the Landes region, this single-storey stone farmhouse carries the kind of bones that renovation enthusiasts dream about. The 76-square-metre interior includes two bedrooms, a living room anchored by a period fireplace that's clearly seen a few hundred winters, a bathroom, and a kitchen space ready to be fitted to your own specification. Attached to the main house is a 37-square-metre barn — sound structure, full of potential — that could become a guest studio, a workshop, a covered outdoor dining space, or simply extra storage for bikes and canoes. The decisions are yours. That's rather the point. The property needs work. There's no dressing that up. Renovation quotes are available on request, and buyers with a clear-eyed view of what's involved will find this an unusually honest opportunity. What you're really purchasing is a historic Landes farmhouse at a fraction of what restored examples in this corridor fetch, a plot of wooded land with a genuine natural spring, and a location three minutes from Saint-Geours-d'Auribat — a village with a grocery store, a bakery, a preschool, and a bus stop. The fundamentals are already there. Poyanne sits in the southern Landes, in the vast Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, and ... click here to read more

Saturday morning. The barn swallows are already busy above the terrace, and through the kitchen window you catch the faint smell of bread baking from the boulangerie down in the valley. You've got coffee on, the garden is drenched in that particular pale gold that only central France does in summer, and you're not in any kind of hurry. That's the daily rhythm this cottage in La Châtre-Langlin drops you into — and once you've felt it, it's very hard to give up. This is a solid, well-kept three-bedroom house that sits on just over half an acre of land in the gentle hill country of the Creuse-Indre border zone, a part of France that still operates on its own quiet frequency. The habitable space runs to 87 square metres across two floors — compact enough to be manageable as a second home, but genuinely liveable for a family. On the ground floor, a 22-square-metre kitchen and a 21-square-metre living room give you real space to move around in, not the cramped layouts that plague so many rural French renovations. There's also a shower room, a storage room, and a 14-square-metre cellar — ideal for wine, naturally. Head upstairs and the landing opens onto three bedrooms of 10, 11, and 10 square metres respectively, plus a bathroom. Nothing is pokey. The proportions make sense. The outside space is the real conversation-starter. 2,354 square metres of land wraps around the property, and to the rear sits a generously divided barn — two separate sections, full of potential. Whether you want to park cars and store garden equipment or eventually convert the space into a studio, games room, or guest accommodation, the footprint is already there. The sunny terrace directly behind the house is south-facing enough to earn its keep from ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in Châteauneuf-du-Faou sounds like this: the church bell on Place de l'Église counts nine slow strokes, a boulanger two streets over pulls fresh kouign-amann from the oven, and the smell drifts right through your open kitchen window. This is not a fantasy. This is an ordinary Sunday at this five-bedroom village property on the banks of the Aulne river, tucked into one of inland Brittany's most quietly remarkable villages. What's on offer here is genuinely unusual — two fully adjoining houses that share a wall and connect internally, sitting side by side in the very centre of the village with everything you'd need within a short walk. Together they deliver five bedrooms, two kitchens, two entrance halls, and flexible living spaces that very few properties at this price point can match. At €123,500, you're not buying a compromise. You're buying optionality. The first house sets the tone. Step through the entrance hall and you're in a living and dining room with a fireplace — the kind of room that earns its keep in October when Finistère mists roll in off the Montagnes Noires. From here, the layout flows into a kitchen with a shower area, and a connected sitting room that links directly through to the second house. Upstairs, two bedrooms sit under the slate roof, quiet and cool even in July. The second house mirrors this logic in its own way: a ground floor with its own entrance, kitchen, shower room, toilet, and a bedroom, then two more bedrooms above. There's also an attic space — unconverted, which means it's yours to shape. A home office, a studio, a guest suite with dormer windows looking out over the village rooftops. The bones are right there. Outside, a landscaped enclosed garden gives you somewher ... click here to read more

Stand in the kitchen doorway on a September morning and the air already smells like pine resin warming in the sun. The woods on your 6000 square metres start just beyond the old stone wall, and apart from a woodpigeon somewhere up in the canopy, nothing breaks the silence. This is Poyanne — a scattering of farmhouses and lanes in the Landes département where the Atlantic forest rolls on so far it starts to feel like its own country. And sitting at the edge of it all, waiting for someone with vision and a willingness to roll up their sleeves, is a proper 18th-century Landaise farmhouse going for €119,000. Let's be honest about what this is. It's a renovation project — the kind that demands decisions, budgets, and patience. But it's also the kind of opportunity that comes along rarely in this part of France, where agricultural heritage properties on wooded plots of this size don't stay on the market long. The single-story layout covers 76 sqm: two bedrooms, a living room anchored by a period fireplace that's the real architectural heart of the house, a bathroom, and a kitchen space ready to be fitted out exactly how you want it. The bones are there. What you're buying is the framework for something genuinely personal — not a developer's idea of a holiday home, but yours. Attached to the main house is a 37 sqm barn. That's not an afterthought. Converted thoughtfully, it could become a guest suite, a studio, a home office, or simply generous storage for bikes and surf gear. Renovation quotes are available on request, so you won't be working blind from day one. The land itself deserves its own mention. Six thousand square metres of wooded terrain with no overlooking neighbours in any direction, and — this is the detail tha ... click here to read more

Step out onto the front terrace with a coffee in hand on a Tuesday morning in September, and the Vézère Valley spreads out below you in that particular golden light the Dordogne does better than almost anywhere else in France. The walnut trees are starting to drop. Someone two streets down is baking. The cliffs behind you still hold the night's cool air. This is what 115,000 euros buys you here — not just a stone cottage, but a specific, irreplaceable foothold in one of the most historically layered corners of rural France. Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil sits at the confluence of the Vézère and Beune rivers, and it carries that geographical confidence like a village that knows exactly what it is. This is the self-styled capital of prehistory, and the claim is not idle boasting — the Cro-Magnon rock shelter is literally at the edge of town, and the Musée National de Préhistoire, rebuilt into the limestone cliff face above the main street, draws serious visitors from across Europe year-round. Walk to the Font-de-Gaume cave with its original polychrome bison paintings (one of the last sites in the world where you can still stand in front of authentic Paleolithic art), and you'll understand why UNESCO gave this entire valley World Heritage status. Living here, even part-time, means all of that is just a twenty-minute stroll. The cottage itself is perched on the hillside with the kind of elevated position that means you catch the morning light early and the evening breeze reliably. Stone walls that have stood for well over a century have been carefully renovated — not stripped and sanitised, but worked with. The character is intact: the rough-cut limestone exterior, the proportions that belong entirely to this part of the Péri ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in Châteauneuf-du-Faou starts with the smell of buttered crêpes drifting from the boulangerie on Rue de la Mairie, and if you crack open the upstairs window, you'll catch the faint echo of church bells bouncing off the stone facades across the square. That's the kind of detail you can't manufacture. It's either there or it isn't — and here, it absolutely is. This is a rare find in the heart of one of Finistère's most quietly compelling villages: two adjoining stone houses, sold together as a single property, sitting right in the village core with everything you need within a short walk. At 80 square metres combined and priced at €123,500, this is the kind of opportunity that makes serious buyers move fast. Five bedrooms spread across two interconnected dwellings, a landscaped enclosed garden, a garage, and a timber-framed attic just waiting to be converted. The bones are solid — natural slate roof, mains drainage, stone walls that have quietly absorbed two centuries of Breton weather. Let's talk about the layout, because it's genuinely interesting. The first house opens at ground level into an entrance hall that flows into a living and dining room anchored by a working fireplace — the kind you actually use from October through April, not just for Instagram. A kitchen with a shower area sits alongside, and a connecting living room links the two houses together. Head upstairs and you get two good-sized bedrooms. The second house has its own front entrance, kitchen, shower room, WC, and a ground-floor bedroom, with two more bedrooms up top. An attic caps the whole structure, unconverted but full of potential — a home office, a games room for the kids, a reading loft. The layout gives you options that most s ... click here to read more

Step out onto the front terrace on a July morning and you'll hear it before you see it — the faint toll of the village bell drifting up the hillside, a pair of swallows cutting arcs above the limestone cliffs, and nothing else. That's the particular silence of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil. Not emptiness — richness. The kind that costs nothing and stays with you long after you've gone home. This compact stone cottage sits elevated against the hillside, looking out over a deeply green valley that hasn't changed much since the Cro-Magnon people found shelter in these same cliffs 15,000 years ago. It's been recently renovated — properly done, not cosmetically patched — and the result is a property that works hard despite its modest 41 square metres. Two levels. An open-plan kitchen and living room on the ground floor where the original stone walls keep things cool without air conditioning even in August heat. A shower room tucked neatly beside it. Climb the stairs and you arrive at a single bedroom that catches the morning light and looks out over the terraced hillside below. Three terraces. That detail matters more than it sounds. The front terrace is where you'll drink your coffee. The side terrace catches the afternoon shade and is where you'll eat dinner — confit de canard from the butcher on the main road through the village, a glass of Bergerac rouge, the kind of meal that takes two hours because that's the pace here. The raised terrace at the upper side has a different quality altogether — quieter, more private, the kind of spot where you bring a book and lose an afternoon. Add a renovated outbuilding that can serve as a studio, office, or extra storage, a stone cellar for keeping wine at the right temperature year-r ... click here to read more

Stand at the edge of the wooded plot on a quiet Tuesday morning and the only sounds are the Auvézère river running somewhere below the village rooftops and a woodpecker working through the oak trees at the far end of your four thousand square metres of land. Ségur-le-Château does not announce itself loudly. It doesn't need to. This compact, deeply old village in the Corrèze département has been quietly ranked among France's most beautiful for good reason — and this three-building stone ensemble sits right inside that living medieval world, priced at just €132,500. The property is a genuinely rare find. Three separate stone structures on a wooded 4,590 m² plot: a traditional one-bedroom house, a barn of roughly 100 m², and a partially renovated bread oven. Each one built from the same warm, grey-gold Corrèze limestone that gives the whole village its unhurried, rooted quality. The main house is move-in ready in the sense that matters most — the bones are solid, the inglenook fireplace is the real thing, and the veranda entrance already sets a tone of rural gentleness before you've stepped inside. The attic, accessed by a wooden staircase from the living room, is the kind of raw space that experienced renovation buyers immediately recognise: open, structurally sound, and waiting to become a second bedroom, a studio, or a reading room that gets the morning light. Yes, there is work to plan. Electricity, heating, plumbing, insulation, and a septic tank installation are all on the list. That transparency matters. This is a project property for someone who wants to put their own mark on something genuinely historic, not a flipped renovation dressed up to hide its history. The purchase price reflects exactly that. For buyers ... click here to read more

Stand at the kitchen window on a October morning and you'll hear it — the wind cutting across open bocage fields, leaves skittering along the stone path to the barn, and somewhere in the distance the faint toll of the church bell from the village of Hudimesnil. This is Normandy at its most honest. No tourist gloss, no weekend crowds. Just raw countryside, salt-threaded air, and the kind of quiet that most people have to drive three hours from Paris to find — except from here, Paris is less than four hours by road and the Normandy coast is a ten-minute drive. The property sits in the commune of Le Loreur, tucked into the Manche department — an area that most international buyers haven't yet discovered, which is precisely why the prices still make sense. At 107,000 euros for nearly two acres of land, a three-bedroom country house, a semi-attached barn, and a convertible loft of 50 square metres, you're buying raw potential at a price point that frankly doesn't exist anymore in the better-known corners of France. Let's be straightforward about what this is. The house needs a full renovation — the energy rating is G, there's single glazing throughout, and the heating relies on electric radiators and two open fireplaces. This isn't a lock-up-and-enjoy situation. It's a project. But for the right buyer, that's the whole point. The bones are good: thick stone walls, proper room proportions, an entrance hall, a generous kitchen and dining room with an open fireplace, a rear kitchen, and a sitting room that measures over 29 square metres — a room that, once restored, will be the kind of space you spend entire winter evenings in, fire going, local Calvados on the table, not wanting to be anywhere else. Upstairs, two double bedr ... click here to read more

Picture yourself stepping through ancient wooden doors into a centuries-old Breton village where morning mist rolls over canal waters and church bells mark the rhythm of unhurried days. This substantial stone property sits in the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Faou, a working Finistère village where authentic Brittany unfolds beyond the tourist trail. Here, two adjoining houses connected by history and stone walls offer 5 bedrooms across 80 square meters of lived-in character, waiting for vision and energy to unlock their considerable potential as your family's Brittany vacation home base. Châteauneuf-du-Faou occupies a privileged position in Brittany's interior, where the Nantes-Brest Canal threads through green valleys and the Montagnes Noires rise to the south. This is rural Brittany at its most authentic: working farms, weekly markets overflowing with Breton produce, and stone villages where everyone still greets neighbors by name. The property sits steps from bakeries, butchers, cafés, and essential shops, making daily life wonderfully walkable while positioning you perfectly for exploring Brittany's dramatic coastlines, medieval forests, and cultural treasures. The dual-house configuration creates fascinating possibilities for vacation home ownership. The first house welcomes you through an entrance hall into a generous living and dining space anchored by a working fireplace, where winter evenings gather around crackling wood and summer doors open to garden breezes. The kitchen includes an integrated shower area, reflecting the practical Breton approach to space, while a connecting living room provides passage to the second residence. Upstairs, two bedrooms offer sleeping quarters under slate eaves. The adjoining second ... click here to read more

Picture yourself awakening to the soft morning light filtering through PVC double-glazed windows as the Normandy countryside comes alive around you. The aroma of fresh coffee mingles with the earthy scent of dew-covered grass drifting through your open kitchen door. Your three-bedroom country house in Sourdeval, nestled in the heart of Manche, offers more than shelter—it provides a gateway to the authentic French rural lifestyle that international vacation home seekers dream about discovering. This 75m² stone house stands on 1,500m² of private land, offering the perfect balance between manageable property size and generous outdoor space for family gatherings, vegetable gardens, or simply enjoying the changing seasons of Lower Normandy. The ground floor welcomes you with an entrance flowing into a living room anchored by a traditional fireplace fitted with an efficient pellet stove, creating that quintessential French country ambiance during cooler months. The separate kitchen provides space for preparing regional specialties using local ingredients from nearby markets, while the ground-floor shower room and WC offer practical convenience for daily living and hosting guests. Upstairs, three generous bedrooms provide flexible accommodation for family members and friends visiting your Normandy retreat. Whether you envision children's laughter echoing through the hallways during summer holidays or accommodating multiple couples exploring the region together, this layout delivers versatility. The landing connects these private spaces, while the attic above offers potential for additional storage or future expansion, subject to planning permissions. The property's outbuildings transform this from a simple house into a compo ... click here to read more

In the heart of the picturesque French countryside, nestled amidst the enduring charm of Tilly, lies a quaint, yet impressively versatile cottage just waiting to welcome you. Whether you're an expatriate yearning for a slice of French provincial life, or an overseas buyer keen on a new adventure, this cottage might just be your hidden gem. Situated in the Centre, Indre region, this one-bedroom house offers a taste of serene village life while still being within reach of essential amenities thanks to its proximity to the larger town of Chaillac. The house stands at a modest 45 square meters, yet it holds a bundle of possibilities. Recently renovated, this space offers a splendid canvas for the imaginative homebuyer. It’s structured all on one level, making it incredibly convenient. Enter the living room, and you’ll immediately notice the fireplace—a charming nod to traditional French cottages. It leads into the kitchen area which is yet to be fitted, presenting the new owner with the perfect opportunity to tailor it to their culinary needs. Peek into the bedroom, cozy and welcoming, perfect for restful nights in the tranquil French countryside. Adjacent is a modern shower room with a WC, newly installed, ensuring that the main necessities are already taken care of. There's an additional room that hints at versatility, perhaps an office or a snug? The choice is yours. Above, a large attic eagerly awaits conversion into bedrooms, contingent on securing the right permissions. Think of what you could create with a little vision and planning! Outside, the cottage continues to offer potential. Extensive outbuildings shadow the main house, ideal for storing caravans or maybe converting into additional living space, studios, ... 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

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Vienne region, this charming 3-bedroom cottage is truly a hidden gem for those seeking a tranquil escape into the French countryside. Located in Coulonges, a quaint village that perfectly captures the essence of rural France, this property offers potential buyers a unique opportunity to experience the authentic and peaceful lifestyle of this beautiful region. As a global real estate agent, I know how important it is to understand what living in a new country might be like, and Coulonges doesn’t disappoint. Imagine waking up to the serene sounds of nature every morning, surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Vienne. The climate here is temperate, with warm summers perfect for enjoying outdoor activities and mild winters that carry their own charm. Trust me, it's one of those places where you wake up and say, "I can’t believe I live here!" The journey into your new French adventure begins with this beautifully renovated cottage that exudes both tradition and modernity. With approximately 140 square meters of habitable space, the home offers ample room while retaining a cozy and intimate feel. On the ground floor, you are welcomed into the spacious kitchen (27 M2), which is a delightful blend of contemporary fixtures and rustic charm. It’s the heart of the home where meals can be easily prepared while chatting with family, a glass of local wine in hand. The living room (39 M2) boasts enough space to entertain guests or enjoy quiet evenings with a good book. Not forgetting the practical aspects, there is a dedicated laundry room (11 M2) and a convenient ground floor WC (1.3 M2). Moving upstairs, the first floor is home to three comfortable bedrooms. The master bedroom (25 M2) fea ... click here to read more

Welcome to the charming village of Coulonges, nestled in the picturesque region of Poitou-Charentes in the Vienne department of France. This delightful corner of the world is a perfect blend of scenic beauty, rich history, and a warm community spirit, offering a truly unique living experience for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. And right in the heart of this enchanting hamlet lies a charming three-bedroom residence that awaits your arrival. This cottage, full of character and potential, offers a comfortable 62 square meters of living space at a remarkable value. The property whispers stories of the past with its timeless design and inviting aura. It's the type of house where you imagine cozy evenings spent by a warm fire, or Sunday mornings enjoying a croissant in the sunlit kitchen. As you step in, you're greeted by a light and airy dining and kitchen area—a perfect place for family gatherings or a quiet breakfast. This heart of the home extends into another flexible space, which can effortlessly transition into a cozy lounge or an extra bedroom, with convenient access to the rear garden. In addition, you find the practicalities of living thought out, with a shower room and separate WC just off the kitchen, ensuring functionality meets this charming setting. One of the three bedrooms is also located downstairs for ease, especially for guests or those preferring ground-floor living. A standout feature of this property is the large attached barn, brimming with possibilities. Whether you envisage a workshop, extra living space, or a studio, the potential to transform and expand is right at your fingertips. Do keep in mind, any modifications would need the go-ahead from local planning author ... 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

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

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

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

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

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

Nestled in the serene village of Lussac-les-Églises in the picturesque Limousin region in Haute-Vienne, France, this charming 3-bedroom house presents a delightful opportunity for those looking to embrace a tranquil countryside lifestyle. With its authentic period charm and a welcoming ambiance, this property is well-suited for a family or individuals looking for a peaceful retreat or a project they can tailor to their taste. Property Features: - Three cozy bedrooms - One clean and functional bathroom - Living/dining room equipped with a wood burner that adds a touch of warmth and comfort - Additional sitting room also with a wood burner, perfect for relaxing evenings - A modest-sized kitchen that awaits customization - Attic space with potential for conversion into additional living areas subject to planning permissions - Sizeable fenced garden, ideal for outdoor activities and gardening - Useful small outbuildings that could serve multiple purposes While the house is in good overall condition, it admittedly requires some updates and renovations to modernize and personalize its spaces. This offers a unique chance for the new owners to infuse their style and preferences into the property, transforming it into their dream home. Local Area and Lifestyle: Living in Lussan-les-Églises offers residents a taste of authentic French village life. Its location in the Haute-Vienne department places it within a landscape rich with lush greenery and sprawling rural vistas. The village itself is quiet and predominantly residential, making it perfect for those seeking peace away from the hustle and bustle of urban centers. For amenities, the village provides the essentials including local shops and services, with more extensive s ... click here to read more

This delightful 3-bedroom country cottage nestled in Lussac-les-Églises, Limousin, truly captures the essence of tranquil living in rural France. Now, as a bussy real estate agent who values your time, let me take you through this charming home and the captivating area that surrounds it. Imagine yourself driving through the serene landscapes of Haute-Vienne, with its sprawling fields and quaint hamlets until you arrive at this welcoming property. Standing proud in a peaceful hamlet, this cottage radiates charm with its lovingly preserved original features like exposed beams and stonework, which give it a sense of history and character. Upon entering, you'll find the ground floor dominated by a spacious lounge stretching from the front to the back of the house. With patio doors opening to the rear, it beckons you to relax and enjoy the gentle breeze that dances through the space. A wood-burning stove, set in a fireplace with an oak mantle, promises cozy evenings during the cooler months. From the lounge, a quirky passageway ushers you into a generously appointed kitchen and dining area, where a feature fireplace adds warmth and charm. Perfect for those who love to cook and entertain, it makes for a wonderful setting for family gatherings. The door to the side terrace invites you to step out and savor the fresh air at any moment. The first floor reveals three well-sized bedrooms, each with its own story to tell. The master bedroom delights with its ensuite shower room, while the other two bedrooms share a thoughtfully designed separate shower room and WC. Exposed stone walls in the bedrooms create an authentic rustic aesthetic that seamlessly blends with the modern comforts of the house. Lussac-les-Églises is a vibra ... click here to read more

Nestled on the fringes of the charming village of Jouac in Limousin, Haute-Vienne, this well-renovated, semi-detached two-bedroom cottage offers an appealing blend of original features and modern conveniences. With a generous allocation of over 5000 sqm of land, including a serene river frontage, this property presents a compelling opportunity for those looking to immerse themselves in the tranquil French countryside while still enjoying the comforts of a thoughtfully updated home. The cottage itself has been lovingly maintained, showing off a myriad of original details such as exposed beams and stonework that bring character and warmth to the space. The ground floor features a cozy lounge complete with a fireplace and wood-burning stove, providing a perfect spot for relaxing evenings. Adjacent to this is a fitted kitchen, equipped with custom-made cupboards and direct access to the lush rear garden, making it both functional and charming. Accommodation includes one comfortably sized bedroom on the ground floor, alongside a practical laundry room and a shower room with a WC. Moving upstairs, the charm continues with another bedroom featuring a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom complete with a bath and shower. The first floor's ongoing conversion within the barn space offers future owners the flexibility to design additional living spaces such as a master suite or two extra bedrooms tailored to their needs. Externally, the property doesn't just stop at aesthetic appeal but also boasts functional spaces like a large workshop, additional barn space recently used as a stable, and a scenic terrace area with a covered pergola perfect for outdoor dining or simply enjoying the surrounding gardens. Living in Jouac, res ... 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

Welcoming your interest in a charming 2-bedroom semi-detached cottage dating back to the 15th century and located in Chaillac, Centre, Indre, France; a residence that's brimming with promise and potential. This characterful home is set within the narrative of France's renowned Brenne National Park. In need of a touch of freshening, it’s a gem waiting to sparkle. Entire sections of the home demand some love and attention, with a particular emphasis given to the large kitchen-diner that bears a set of French doors overlooking a charming garden. A separate sitting room, a bathroom, and a WC constitute the lower level of the residence. The upper floor consists of two comfortable bedrooms and a WC and shower area which needs a finishing touch. There's also the potentiality to maximize the usage of the loft space, subject to obtaining the appropriate permissions. This could serve as an extra living area or master suite, infusing the home with even more functionality and appeal. The house sits on sizeable grounds with sweeping, scenic views. The exterior walls of the home have been skillfully rendered by artisan builders, adding to its aesthetic appeal. Highlighting the outdoor space is an in-ground concrete saltwater swimming pool, which needs a makeover to restore its splendor. The swimming area is fenced but overgrown, hinting at the immense potential that this outdoor space holds. Key Features: - 2 Bedrooms - 1 Bathroom and 2 WCs - Sizeable kitchen-diner - Separate sitting room - Potential to extend into the loft - Extensive outside living area - Saltwater swimming pool - Large, private garden The neighborhood is nestled within a naturally rich environment of the Brenne National Park, harmoniously integrating daily l ... click here to read more

Nestled in the peaceful outskirts of Chaillac, France, this three-bedroom house presents a unique opportunity for those looking to put their personal touch on a traditional French residence. As a fixer-upper in the truest sense, this property offers the chance to restore and reimagine a space that brims with potential. The house spans 182 square meters and encompasses a fascinating layout awaiting revival. On the ground floor, you are greeted by four expansive rooms in varying stages of renovation, which you can mold to fit your lifestyle or family needs. Whether you envision a spacious kitchen, a home office, or additional living areas, the foundation is here for you to build from. The second floor is partially habitable and consists of two bedrooms, a cozy sitting room, and a bathroom, alongside a large space that can be transformed into two or more bedrooms. Moreover, the expansive, floored attic, bathed in natural light, holds potential for additional living space, subject to necessary permissions. One of the highlights of this property is its abundance of traditional features, including beautiful tiling and classic fireplaces, not to forget a quaint, glassed-in verandah that opens out to an inner courtyard and garden. Though currently overgrown, the garden shows signs of previous thoughtful planting, offering a canvas for landscaping enthusiasts. Outside, the property includes several outbuildings, inclusive of two barns and a garage, adding to the scope for extensive renovation and creative utilization of space. For overseas buyers and expats, moving to Chaillac can be a delightful change. The town offers a serene lifestyle surrounded by the scenic French countryside, ideal for those looking to escape the hust ... click here to read more

Experience true French country living in this charming and spacious 5-bedroom house located at the peaceful outskirts of Chaillac, a scenic village nestled in the lush Indre countryside of France. This elegantly renovated home perfectly combines traditional charm with modern comforts, making it an ideal retreat for families or anyone looking for a tranquil lifestyle surrounded by nature. The property is spread over a sizable plot of approximately 4500m2, boasting a fenced garden that offers plenty of space for outdoor activities, gardening, or simply relaxing in the serene environment. The attached garage provides convenient storage and parking options, enhancing the functionality of this countryside abode. House Layout: - The ground floor features a welcoming entrance hall, a spacious living area enhanced by an open fireplace, exposed beams, and stonework, with glazed doors opening out to the lush gardens. - A fully equipped kitchen, inclusive of modern appliances and ample cabinetry, connects to a large dining area with a cathedral ceiling, creating an inviting space for family meals. - Two bedrooms located on this level each offer unique touches such as exposed beams and direct garden access, while a well-appointed bathroom ensures convenience. - Ascending to the upper floor, you'll find a cozy mezzanine sitting area, three additional bedrooms, including a master suite with built-in wardrobes and an ensuite bathroom, and another shower room serving the remaining bedrooms. Local Area and Lifestyle: Chaillac is not just a place to live; it's a community with a heart. The village is a hive of activity with its array of shops, businesses, and the picturesque lake that is popular for swimming, fishing, and taking leisu ... click here to read more