Honestly, with the real estate market moving as fast as it is in France these days, it’s a challenge to keep pace, but I’m pretty excited to have time to tell you about this stone house in Mouleydier that just hit the market. If you’re an overseas buyer or an expat thinking about moving to France, especially this part of Aquitaine, you’re probably wondering what this house (and frankly, this area) is actually like to live in. I’ll try to give you a realistic picture, so you can decide if this is the place and project you’re lookin’ for.
Let’s get one thing clear first – this is not some fantasy-country-movie villa, but a stone-built house that’s been carefully restored. It’s on a big plot – you have over one hectare to work with. That’s enough space for gardens, a few fruit trees, a swing for the kids, and still plenty of land left for those country walks right at home. The property is located just outside Mouleydier, which is a real typical French riverside village. You’re in the heart of the Dordogne valley here, and if you know the area even a little, you know what that means – beautiful rolling hills, those misty mornings, sunflower fields in summer, and vineyards basically everywhere you look.
The main house is all on one level which is actually a really practical layout, specially if you’re thinking long-term or have family members who don’t want stairs. Here’s how the main house is organized: you walk in to a spacious living room – you can actually fit a big old French farmhouse table in the dining area, and the kitchen is open so it keeps things sociable if you like entertaining (and let’s be honest, you’ll get a lot of visitors here if you move from overseas). This main level has a master bedroom with its own dressing room and shower room, which is great for privacy and for guests. Upstairs there are three more bedrooms, all a good size – so you can have children, visiting grandkids, use one as an office, whatever you need.
What makes the property a bit different from the usual is you have a big converted barn attached to the main house – so if you want to run a business from home, or you’re project-minded and plan to set up a gite or event space, you’ve got a real head start. I’ve seen people use these converted barns as game rooms, artist studios, or big family gathering spaces, so there’s loads of potential. There’s also a huge old tobacco barn on the property which hasn’t been renovated yet. It needs work, I’m not saying otherwise – but if you want a project, for holiday lets or even to create a big workspace or garage, it’s a rare opportunity. Outbuildings like this can really add value over time if you put in the effort.
The technical side is pretty solid for the area – you’ve got three different heating systems, including solar panels, so you won’t get caught out come winter. Double glazing is fitted, which really helps keep those heating bills sensible considering how winters can get a touch chilly. The house overall is in good livable condition – you could move in more or less as-is, maybe put your mark on the decorations but you won’t be needing to do any major work on the main house straight away, which is a relief for most people.
Quick bullet list of features:
- 4 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- Over 1 hectare of land (about 2.5 acres)
- Main house on one level + attic bedrooms
- Open kitchen
- Large living/dining area
- Dressing room and ensuite in master
- Guest house
- Swimming pool (nice size, good views)
- Converted barn (multiple uses possible)
- Unrenovated tobacco barn
- 3 heating systems (incl. solar)
- Double glazing
- Countryside views
- Peaceful location yet close to amenities
When people ask what life is like in Mouleydier, I always say it’s real French village life, but not cut-off. You’re about a 20-minute drive from Bergerac, which is a decent-sized town so anything you can’t find locally, like international schools, supermarkets, big cultural events, you’ll find there. The locals are used to seeing expats, especially British, Dutch, and a few Americans, so it’s not hard to make connections if you’re coming from abroad. The region is well known for its food and wine (the Bergerac wine route passes not far from here), weekly farmers’ markets, and there are also a ton of options for outdoor activities – canoeing on the Dordogne, cycling, hiking, horse riding. Winters here are mostly mild and get a bit of rain, but you will still see sun more often than not. Summers are hot, but with the pool and the breeze off the river it’s manageable.
Living in a house like this, you’ll have space – indoors for family life or gathering friends, outdoors for relaxing, growing your own stuff or just watching the deer cross your land early morning. You get peace and privacy, but you’re not in the middle of nowhere. You need a car for sure, that’s life in the French countryside, but you have local amenities: bakery, pharmacy, and primary school are not far, so it’s pretty practical even with kids.
If you’re looking for an authentic countryside experience, and you want a property that doesn’t need total renovation but has potential (especially with that barn), I think this could be a sensible choice. It’s more than just a holiday house – it’s liveable for the long term, for a family or for retirement, or even combined home-and-business.
If you’ve got more questions, or you’re planning a trip to see what life is like in Dordogne, let me know, but one thing’s certain – these houses don’t stick around too long, so best get in touch quick!
