Spacious 4BR Countryside Retreat with Lush Garden in Ambrières-les-Vallées

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

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

Step outside on a Tuesday morning and you can hear the stream before you see it. The water runs along the edge of the land, cutting through the grass with that particular mountain-cold sound, while the Valliers ridge catches the first light above the treeline. This is the daily opening act at this fully renovated 95m² house in Les Bordes-sur-Lez, sitting on a full hectare of private land in one of the Ariège Pyrenees' most quietly compelling valleys. It doesn't shout. It just pulls you in. The Ariège remains one of the least hyped corners of the French Pyrenees, which is precisely why people who find it tend to stay. The department sits tucked between the Haute-Garonne to the west and Andorra to the south, sharing the same dramatic mountain DNA as its flashier neighbors but without the ski-resort crowds or the inflated prices. The closest town of any size, Castillon-en-Couserans, is just 4 km down the road — a proper Gascon town with a Thursday market where local producers bring raw-milk cheese, duck rillettes, and walnuts by the sack. The Saturday morning market in Saint-Girons, about 20 minutes west, is even larger and worth building a weekend around. The house itself sits on roughly 2.5 acres, fully fenced, with its own private access track — no shared driveways, no passing neighbors. The renovation was done with planning permits, meaning everything is above board and documented, an important detail for international buyers navigating French property law. On the ground floor, an 18m² veranda stretches across the front of the building — the kind of covered outdoor space that becomes your default living room from April through October. Through the veranda, the 28m² open living area is generous by Pyrenean village hous ... click here to read more

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

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

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

Saturday morning in Sauzé-Vaussais and the smell of fresh bread from the boulangerie on Rue du Marché drifts through the kitchen window before you've even put the coffee on. The cathedral ceiling above you catches the early light, throwing long shadows across original stone walls that have stood here for well over a century. This is what slow French living actually feels like — not the postcard version, but the real one. This four-bedroom stone farmhouse in the heart of Deux-Sèvres sits on the edge of one of Poitou-Charentes' most genuinely liveable market towns. At 234 square metres of interior space plus multiple stone outbuildings, there's a generosity here that's increasingly rare at this price point in rural France. The property is in good condition throughout — meaning you can arrive, unpack, and start living rather than project-managing. Walk through the entrance hall and the double-height living room stops you. Properly stops you. The open mezzanine gallery floats above, a cast-iron wood-burning stove anchors one wall, and the exposed beams overhead give the room a warmth that no interior designer can manufacture — it just accumulates over decades. On a January evening with the stove lit and rain on the old stone courtyard outside, this room earns its keep in a way no modern open-plan ever quite manages. The kitchen is the other great room. Stone-flagged floors, a traditional range cooker, a fireplace fitted with its own log burner, and a dining area large enough for the whole extended family to argue cheerfully around. It's the kind of kitchen where Sunday lunch becomes a four-hour event. The ground floor also includes a bedroom — genuinely useful if you have older relatives visiting or simply prefer not to c ... click here to read more

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

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

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

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

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

Stand at the back of this house on a quiet Tuesday morning in October and watch the Orne River catch the light through the tree line. The mist lifts slowly off the water. A heron lands on the far bank without a sound. That's the pace of life here, and once you've felt it, a weekend in the city starts to feel like a poor trade. Noron-l'Abbaye sits within the Suisse Normande — a stretch of Normandy that surprises people. They come expecting flat wheat fields and leave talking about the gorges, the river bends, and the ridgeline walks above Clécy. The nickname "Swiss Normande" wasn't given ironically. The Orne carves through ancient rock here, creating cliffs and forests that feel genuinely wild, just a couple of hours from Paris on the A13. This four-bedroom character house occupies a 2,425 square metre plot directly on the banks of the Orne. The setting alone would justify a detour. But what you're actually getting is a property with serious bones — a living room anchored by an original stone fireplace, a fully fitted and equipped kitchen, a dedicated office space, two bathrooms, and a 105-square-metre attic that's ready for conversion. That attic is worth thinking about carefully. Opened up properly, it could become the kind of master suite or open studio that you'd never find in a new-build, all with exposed timber and river views. The plot comes with a secondary house in need of renovation, plus a collection of outbuildings: cellar, garage, workshop, and carport. For buyers who've been burned by properties with no storage or no room to grow, this is the kind of compound that rewards forward planning. Convert the secondary house as a rental unit or a guest cottage for family visits, and suddenly you've got a self-sup ... click here to read more

On a still morning in the Cantal countryside, the only sound is a wood pigeon calling from the oak at the edge of the field. No traffic. No sirens. Just the creak of old timber, the faint smell of woodsmoke still lingering from the stone fireplace the night before, and light coming in slow and gold through windows that frame a landscape unchanged for centuries. This is Bessé — and life here moves at a pace most people have forgotten is still possible. This six-bedroom stone house sits in a quiet hamlet in the Cantal department of Auvergne, one of the least-visited, most quietly rewarding corners of rural France. It's the kind of property that stops you mid-conversation the moment you step through the door. The exposed stone walls have a solidity to them that feels almost geological, and the heavy oak beams overhead give the interior that particular warmth you can't fake with renovation. The proportions are generous — genuinely generous, not estate-agent generous — with a ground-floor living room stretching to around 80 square metres, anchored by a period fireplace fitted with a wood-burning stove. On a January evening with snow on the hills and a Truyère stew on the stove, this room becomes the entire world. The layout works well for a large family or a rotating cast of guests. Three bedrooms on the ground floor, three more upstairs, a shower room, a bathroom, and sensible separation between sleeping and living spaces. The house is in good condition — you're not buying a project that swallows summers and savings. You're buying something that's already liveable, already warm, already itself. Outside, the grounds include a well — useful and evocative in equal measure — plus a collection of outbuildings that opens up ser ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in Melle, and the smell of something baking drifts up from the boulangerie on Rue de Niort before you've even opened the shutters. You pad downstairs in socks, fire up the log burner in the kitchen, and the whole ground floor starts to warm up. That's the rhythm of life in this corner of Poitou-Charentes — unhurried, deeply French, and nothing like the tourist-saturated south. Melle is one of those towns that rewards people who actually look. Sitting in the Deux-Sèvres department, it punches well above its weight: three Romanesque churches dating to the 11th and 12th centuries, a working silver mine that once supplied coins to the Frankish kings (the Mines d'Argent des Rois Francs is genuinely fascinating, not just "historically significant"), a weekly market on Saturday mornings where local producers sell Charentais melon, goat's cheese rolled in ash, and the area's distinctive Pineau des Charentes. It's about 70 kilometres south of Poitiers and 80 kilometres east of La Rochelle — close enough to the Atlantic coast for a spontaneous beach day on the Île de Ré, far enough to feel worlds away from the summer crowds. This four-bedroom, four-bathroom house sits right in the commune and has been finished to a level you don't often find at this price point. At 201 square metres, it gives everyone room to breathe — which matters enormously when you're sharing a holiday home with extended family or hosting friends from abroad. The centrepiece of daily life here is the large eat-in kitchen, anchored by a log burner that turns it into the kind of room where conversations last hours. On grey November afternoons or cold January evenings, when the courtyard stones glisten with rain, this is where you'll want to be. ... click here to read more

On a quiet morning in Villemain, the only sound you'll hear is birdsong cutting through cool air and the distant creak of a wooden shutter swinging open somewhere down the lane. That's the pace of life here — and once you've felt it, the city you came from starts to feel very far away indeed. This four-bedroom stone farmhouse sits on the edge of the village of Villemain, a small commune in the Deux-Sèvres department of Poitou-Charentes, in a part of France that most international buyers haven't discovered yet. That's both an honest observation and, frankly, a significant advantage. Property prices here remain well below those of the Dordogne or the Lot, yet the quality of the landscape, the food, and the way of life is every bit as rewarding. The house itself is in good condition — no project property requiring months of contractors, just a well-built, characterful home that's ready to live in from the first weekend you arrive. Pull through the iron gates onto the broad gravelled driveway and the house announces itself properly. The full stone frontage stretches the width of the plot, and there's room to park four or five cars comfortably — useful when family comes down from Paris or friends fly in from London through Poitiers-Biard airport, barely an hour's drive north. Step through the front door and the entrance hall does something that very few rooms manage: it makes you want to slow down. Original terracotta tiles underfoot, a fireplace for the cooler months, and a wooden staircase that curves upward with the kind of confidence that only comes from being built to last. This is not a house that was thrown up quickly. The lounge runs wide across the front of the building, wooden floors worn smooth with age, a stone ... click here to read more

The wood-burning stove in the kitchen is already lit when you picture yourself here on a grey November morning, a pot of something slow-cooking on the range, the smell of oak smoke drifting through the ground floor, and nothing outside the window but your own seven thousand square metres of French countryside. That's the pull of this place. It doesn't try to impress you. It just quietly gets on with being exactly what rural France is supposed to feel like. Set in the village of Messé in the Deux-Sèvres département of Poitou-Charentes, this three-bedroom house sits on a generous plot that extends well beyond 7,000 m² — land that includes a large barn ripe for conversion, several outbuildings, a workshop, and a wood store. For buyers hunting a proper second home in France with room to grow, this is a rare find under the €200,000 mark. The property is in good condition and liveable right now, but the real story here is what it could become over time. Walk through the front door and the entrance hall opens into a kitchen that makes you want to cook. Not open a packet — actually cook. It's fitted, it's generous in size, and it has both a range-style cooker and a wood-burning cooking stove that doubles as the heart of the home on cold evenings. The living and dining area flows from here with its own wood-burning stove, creating the kind of ground-floor warmth that central heating alone never quite manages. A shower room with WC completes the downstairs layout, practical and neatly arranged. Upstairs, a landing connects three comfortable bedrooms and a family bathroom with WC. The heating system is cleverly thought through: the stoves handle the ground floor, while an air-to-air heat pump covers the upper level — a mixed sys ... click here to read more

Imagine waking up on a Saturday morning to the faint toll of church bells drifting across the rooftops of Brux, pulling on a linen shirt, and walking two minutes to the local boulangerie for a still-warm baguette before the rest of the village stirs. That's the pace of life here. Quiet, unhurried, and real. This four-bedroom renovated stone house in the Vienne department of Poitou-Charentes isn't just a property — it's a doorway into one of rural France's most genuinely liveable corners, at a price that makes it one of the smartest second home opportunities in the country right now. The house itself pulls you in from the street. The traditional stone façade gives nothing away — you have to step through the front door to understand what's been done here. Whoever renovated this place clearly loved it. Exposed stone walls run through the open-plan living and dining room, where timber beams cross the ceiling overhead and wide wooden floorboards run underfoot. A wood-burning stove anchors the room, and on a cool October evening with the fire lit and a bottle of local Charentais Pineau opened, you'll understand exactly why people fall for French country houses and never quite recover. The kitchen is the kind that makes you actually want to cook. A central island, generous worktop space, well-thought-out storage, and a direct door out to the courtyard — so you can hand plates through to guests without navigating a corridor. The materials are authentic: stone, wood, solid fittings. Nothing feels like a shortcut. On the ground floor, there's a bedroom with its own modern shower room. For families with older parents or guests who can't manage stairs, this is genuinely useful. Upstairs, three further bedrooms hold onto the build ... click here to read more

Nestled in the serene, picturesque area of Ambrieres-les-Vallees in the Mayenne department of France, this charming stone house is an appealing choice for those considering relocation or seeking a secondary residence in a less discovered part of France. Boasting a rich historical heritage and surrounded by lush, panoramic landscapes, Ambrieres-les-Vallees is ideally positioned at the crossroads of Brittany and the more inland Loire regions, presenting a tranquil yet accessible rural retreat. This inviting house, with a footprint of 113 sq. meters, sits amiably on a generous plot of approximately 1,800 sq. meters. Constructed originally with local stone, the house was renovated in 1998, blending traditional aesthetics with modern comforts. The accommodation is well-laid out, beginning with an entrance hallway that leads to a fitted kitchen complete with a dining area, providing a warm space for family meals. Adjacent to this is a spacious 28.80 square meter living room offering a cozy environment for relaxation and social gatherings. The upper level consists of a corridor that gives way to three well-proportioned bedrooms, ranging in size to cater for both double and single occupancy. These are complemented by a bathroom and an additional toilet, ensuring convenience for all house members. Above, the attic provides additional storage space or could be converted to further living space subject to appropriate planning permissions. A significant advantage of this property is the abundant auxiliary space it provides. The basement includes an oil boiler and imparting substantial storage or workshop potential. Furthermore, the attached garage, additional independent garage, and stables are ideal for those with vehicles or in ... click here to read more

Imagine waking up in the serene yet vibrant little spot of Oisseau, located in the picturesque department of Mayenne, France. This countryside dwelling makes for a warm and inviting family home, ideal for those seeking peace, a slower pace of life, and an authentic taste of French rural charm. Situated in the heart of Oisseau’s lush surroundings, this home is an opportunity to embrace nature whilst remaining connected to the broader cultural experiences of north-west France. This 4-bedroom house, priced attractively at 128,280 Euros, offers a blend of practicality and potential for customisation to fit any family’s needs or aspirations. With a countryside view that’s sure to captivate your heart, imagine spending days in a region imbued with the untouched beauty typical of the Pays de la Loire. Let's delve into this property’s attributes. The house is in good condition, spread generously across 135 square meters, and offers both spacious and intimate environments for family life: - Ground Floor Kitchen: 18.96m² — Your culinary oasis. - Utility Room: 10.65m² — Essential for a busy household. - Dining Room with Fireplace: 22.66m² — A cozy spot for family dinners. - Bedroom: 15.7m² — Ensuite options for visitors. - Office Space: 6.39m² — Your study or home office. - Storage Room: 10.74m² — Accessible space for all your essentials. - Upper-Level Bedrooms: 13.88m², 14.32m², 11.07m² — Comfort with viewing pleasures. - Bathroom: 6.04m² — With contemporary fittings. - Attic — Potential to build upon. The plot includes a concrete-built garage of 17.03m² and ample land surrounding the house, just waiting to host barbecues, gardens, or just relaxing afternoons in the sun. Mayenne’s department radiates a natural, understated ... click here to read more

Tucked away on the outskirts of the quaint town of Mayenne lies a lovely, detached house waiting for its next owner. France, renowned for its rich history and exquisite landscapes, offers hidden treasures like this one, at a value you might not expect. Just 139,646 euros and this solid family home could be yours—set amongst some of the most picturesque scenery in the Pays de la Loire region. The moment you step inside, you'll be greeted by the typical charm of a 1970s design, balancing comfort and practical features. The home offers a total of three bedrooms, a bathroom with a sophisticated Italian shower, and a separate WC. The kitchen links seamlessly to the spacious living room, providing the perfect spot for family gatherings or cozy evenings in. With some effort, there's a chance to shape a larger unified living space of 44m² by blending the kitchen with the living room and perhaps adding a veranda to the terrace. For those of you with a penchant for tinkering, this property boasts a substantial basement. Here, you'll find a practical laundry room and an additional room perfect for conversion into another bedroom or a hobby space. The cellar and impressive garage—equipped with an electric door—bring practicality into the mix, providing ample storage or workspace. Features of the House: - Detached family home with mature garden - Situated on a 640m² plot - Basement with laundry and additional room potential - Garage with electric door - Raised living area with terrace - Double-glazed PVC windows with electric shutters - Electric heating via radiators - South-facing exposure - Built in 1975 Living in Mayenne is a blend of peace, culture, and community spirit. This less-traveled, yet charming part of France gives y ... click here to read more

Nestled in the quaint village of Chantrigné in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region, this charming 3-bedroom stone house presents an inviting opportunity for those looking to immerse themselves in the tranquil French countryside. Priced at €98,900, this property not only offers a peaceful retreat but also the potential for personalization and upgrades to truly make it your own. This delightful home spans a comfortable living area of 106 square meters, situated on a generous plot of 1,011 square meters. The ground floor boasts a welcoming entrance leading into a cozy kitchen equipped with an insert fireplace, perfect for preparing family meals while enjoying the warmth during cooler evenings. Additionally, there is a room that can serve various functions, whether as a home office or a guest room, alongside a bathroom with a toilet. The upper level features a landing with built-in cupboards for storage, facilitating organization. Three bedrooms varying in size ensure ample personal space for all family members or guests. A practical shower room with a toilet complements the upper floor, providing convenience and privacy. Adjacent to the main house, a secondary structure spans approximately 40.53 square meters on the ground level, including a workshop and a relaxing room at your disposal. An attic above offers extra storage or could be converted into additional living space, making it ideal for a recreational area or creative studio. Outdoor space is abundant, with land adjoining the garden offering possibilities for landscaping, gardening, or simply relaxing outdoors in the serene environment. The essentials of the property include: - Three bedrooms - Two bathrooms - Kitchen with fireplace - Spacious ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque village of Oisseau, in the heart of the Mayenne region, this delightful pavillon house offers a unique blend of modern comfort and traditional French charm. Perfectly suited for those seeking a second home in France, this property promises a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, while still providing easy access to essential amenities and vibrant local culture. Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of rural France, with the aroma of freshly baked baguettes wafting through the air from the local boulangerie. This is the lifestyle that awaits you in Oisseau, a quaint village that embodies the essence of French countryside living. With its close-knit community and welcoming atmosphere, Oisseau is an ideal location for expats and overseas buyers looking to immerse themselves in the local culture. Property Highlights: - Location: Situated in Oisseau, a short drive from the bustling town of Mayenne, offering a perfect balance of tranquility and convenience. - Property Type: Pavillon house, a classic French architectural style known for its elegance and functionality. - Size: 134 square meters of habitable space, providing ample room for relaxation and entertainment. - Bedrooms: Two spacious bedrooms, with the potential to convert additional space into a third bedroom. - Bathrooms: Two newly renovated bathrooms, designed with modern fixtures and finishes. - Kitchen: A state-of-the-art kitchen, fully equipped with brand new appliances, including a dishwasher and extractor fan. - Additional Rooms: Versatile spaces that can be used as a game room, gym, or office, catering to your lifestyle needs. - Garden: Over 500 square meters of well-established garden, perfect for outdoor activit ... click here to read more

Immerse yourself in the serene, intimate beauty of the quaint village of Saint-Mars-sur-Colmont, located in the lush region of Pays de la Loire, Mayenne, France with this quaint semi-detached house. Boasting a welcoming ambiance and rich authenticity, this beautiful home is waiting for its next owners who value peaceful, village living. The property offers a total living space of 49m², creating an ideal sanctuary for those yearning for tranquillity and solitude. With the potential of converting the attic, you have the opportunity to transform and design the space according to your unique lifestyle. The ground floor welcomes you with a spacious main living room adorned with a cozy kitchen area, a comfortable WC, and an inviting stairwell. Climbing up to the first floor, you are greeted with a functional landing that directs you to a WC, a fully-equipped shower room, a relaxing bedroom complemented by a built-in cupboard, and an expansive attic space. This underutilized space offers you the potential to enhance the comfort of your charming sanctuary. The house presents a sun-dappled garden at the rear, a tranquil haven perfect for lazy afternoons, enjoyable meals, or even for developing your green thumb to create a lush, personalized, oasis. Property Features: - 1 Bedroom - Fully-equipped Shower Room - Functional Kitchen Area - Spacious Living Room - Potential Convertible Attic Space You'll also enjoy the following amenities: - Ample Garden Space - Central Village Location - Nearby Shops and Services This distinctive house presents an alluring opportunity for investors looking for a solid investment, or for those who simply appreciate the charm and allure of quaint village life. Living in Saint-Mars-sur-Colmont is a ... click here to read more

Welcome to the enchanting village of Couesmes-Vaucé, nestled in the heart of the stunning Mayenne and Pays de la Loire region in France. If you're looking for a unique investment opportunity or simply a tranquil place to call home, this exquisite 3-bedroom detached house might just be what you’ve been looking for. Let me take you on a journey through this lovely property and the beautiful area that surrounds it. First, let's talk about the house itself. This charming residence has been flawlessly renovated in the past 18 months, ensuring it remains in excellent condition for new residents. The property offers more than just a home; it provides potential. Whether you're interested in pursuing a bed and breakfast venture or seeking to divide personal and business accommodations, this house is perfectly arranged to cater to such needs. The ground floor boasts an independent entrance, which is ideal for utilizing the space as a separate unit. It features a compact kitchen for culinary creativity and two large, serene bedrooms, each with its own ensuite facilities. Imagine waking up to the lush greenery, visible from the generous windows and patio doors that face the meticulously landscaped gardens. The airy rooms with high ceilings and tiled floors breathe life into your daily routine, making it feel like resort living. Meanwhile, the upper living area, currently accessed via an outer stairway, presents a cozy yet spacious retreat. The well-appointed kitchen here comes with fitted units, appliances, and a charming breakfast island, making it a delightful space for family gatherings or casual meals. The sitting room is nothing short of breathtaking, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, wood burning stove, and original firepl ... click here to read more

Tucked away in the picturesque countryside of Couesmes-Vaucé in Mayenne, Pays de la Loire, France, this charming stone house awaits new owners to make cherished memories within its timeworn walls. For those seeking a new chapter in their life in an enchanting location, this property may very well hold the key to the relaxed, rural lifestyle you're dreaming of. As you approach the property, a private driveway guides you to this cozy abode, flanked by a lush lawn on either side. This stone-built house sits in a quaint hamlet with just a handful of neighbors, offering a peaceful lifestyle yet the comfort of a friendly, supportive community nearby. The home has a plot size of approximately 6000 square meters, providing ample outdoor space for tinkering in the garden or letting your imagination run wild. Inside this home, you'll immediately notice the rustic lounge, prominently featuring a large stone fireplace that's bound to be the heart of the home during the cooler months. This area breathes warmth and invites you to cozy up with a book or enjoy an intimate gathering with friends and family. Across the way, the spacious kitchen/diner, boasting its own stone fireplace fitted with a wood burner, offers a delightful place to prepare meals while exchanging stories of the day. Always a benefit, the ground floor provides versatility with an office space complete with wall storage, perfect for those working from home or needing extra room for their hobbies. Completing this floor is a handy utility/boiler room and a shower room with a WC. Venture upstairs to discover two generously-sized bedrooms, one showcasing built-in storage and a lovely mezzanine that adds character to the space. These spaces are bathed in natural light, ... click here to read more

This charming villa nestled in the tranquil village of Couesmes-Vaucé in the picturesque region of Mayenne, Pays de la Loire, France, presents a unique buying opportunity for overseas investors or expats seeking a serene country lifestyle. The property is situated within a community-oriented environment, perfect for those desiring a quiet retreat from the bustling city life. Spanning approximately 100 square meters, this historically rich residence has been thoughtfully updated and offers dual living possibilities with its two independent cottages. Both cottages boast private entrances, making them ideal for use either as additional family quarters or potential letting opportunities, enhancing their investment potential. The main house exhibits a blend of modern facilities and rustic charm, radiating warmth and comfort throughout. As you enter, you are greeted by a cozy entrance hall that opens into a spacious, bright open plan living area. Here, recently installed kitchen units complement the ambiance, while a wood-burning fireplace in the sitting area adds a touch of traditional charm, complete with white painted exposed beams enhancing the room's brightness. Adjacent to this lies a versatile room with an ensuite shower facility and French doors that frame picturesque front views, offering flexibility as either an additional bedroom or a private study. Upstairs, the villa features three generously sized double bedrooms, each maintaining the original wooden flooring underfoot, concealed partially by carpets. A convenient shower room and additional WC complete this level, while an accessible attic promises potential for further living space expansion. The secondary stone cottage serves as an enchanting guesthouse or ... click here to read more

Nestled in the tranquil heart of Normandy, away from the bustling city sounds, is a delightful haven waiting just for you. Imagine a charming house not far from the welcoming village of Ceaucé — a place that beautifully balances the serene country vibe with the warmth of a small town. Living here means waking up to peaceful surroundings every morning, where the air feels a little fresher, and life moves at a gentler pace. Ceaucé is a particularly quaint town steeped in history and culture, making it a lovely backdrop for a life well-lived. The property itself is a testament to classic French heritage, dating back to the mid-1800s. With three spacious bedrooms sprawled over 120 square meters, this house retains its character through exposed beams and crafted wooden elements. The house doesn’t just serve as a home; it also opens up countless opportunities for creativity and personalization. It's in good condition, making it an immediate candidate for settling down, but there's always room for personal touches! Let’s take a glimpse into your future abode. Upon entering, you step into a cozy living room, exuding warmth from its traditional fireplace and fitted wood burner. This is the kind of room that invites you to curl up with a book on chilly Normandy evenings. Adjacent to it is the dining room, perfect for hosting family dinners, with its doors opening onto a picturesque covered terrace. There's no better place to enjoy a leisurely breakfast as you listen to the gentle rustle of leaves in your expansive garden. The kitchen, fitted and equipped, is spacious enough for culinary adventures and shares the continuity of tiled floors with the dining room. On the ground floor, you also benefit from a family bathroom and a u ... click here to read more

Delight in the pastoral charm of this captivating three-bedroom stone farmhouse nestled in Ceaucé, Orne, Normandy in the north-western region of France. This property is a unique find, offering a great mix of authenticity and comfort coupled with the opportunity to enjoy the tranquil lifestyle in the French countryside. Surrounded by the divine magnificence of nature, apart from the main farmhouse, it also features a separate guest cottage, plus other additional outbuildings and paddocks. The property is steeped in a serene environment, yet rich with endless possibilities. It has ample spaces that are ideal for an array of purposes whether for business ventures, equestrian activities, or accommodation for large families. As you journey through the property, you will find paddocks, marked out within the land for various livestock, contributing to the countryside ambiance. In addition to this, the resplendent views, the calming atmosphere, and the convenience of rural walks directly from the property can be savored. The main dwelling is fashioned from stone, renovated carefully by skilled craftsmen, ensuring top-notch quality with corresponding guarantees. It comes with a contemporary kitchen fitted with appliances, a cozy sitting room with exposed beams, and an original fireplace. One of the property's highlights is a spacious room over 40m², adorned with A-frame work and stone feature walls, which can be transformed according to your preference. The detached guest cottage offers privacy without compromising on space and style. This stone-built abode consists of an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area and a spacious bedroom. The kitchen is equipped with a new working space, a range cooker, and display units. Addi ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque town of Ceaucé, within the lush region of Normandy, this charming 5-bedroom house presents itself as a captivating home for families and investors alike. The dwelling provides ample room and character, ideally structured for those looking to immerse themselves in French culture and the peaceful provincial life. This expansive property, boasting a habitable area of 203 m², is enveloped by a generous 0.81-acre garden. The presence of additional outbuildings, including garages and original structures like a quaint bread oven, adds practical value and a touch of historic charm. Prospective homeowners will appreciate the blend of authenticity and functionality that this estate offers. Internally, the house is thoughtfully laid out. The ground floor features an inviting entrance hall that leads into a capacious sitting/dining room adorned with wood-paneled walls and a classic marble fireplace, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. An additional sitting room with an open fireplace offers a cozy retreat. The spacious kitchen, equipped with modern amenities and an open fireplace, opens directly onto the garden, ideal for alfresco dining and entertaining. On the first floor, four well-proportioned double bedrooms provide tranquil spaces for rest, alongside a convenient study area with a small balcony. The floor also includes a bathroom complete with a heated towel rail, alongside a separate shower room and an additional WC for convenience. Ascending to the second floor, a sizable fifth bedroom can be found, offering extensive views over the surrounding countryside. Notable is an attic space offering potential for additional storage or conversion, subject to the necessary consents. The property bene ... click here to read more

Presiding at the borders of two picturesque departments, Mayenne and Orne in the Western area of France; this enchanting, detached 5-bedroom house resides on the edge of the exuberant village of Saint-Fraimbault. Known for its beautiful summer flower displays and home to a leisure lake within its heart, residents of this property can experience both the lively charm of the village life accompanied by the tranquil rhythm of countryside living. This distinctive property comes with an expansive garden, completely enclosed with two separate entries allowing individual access when the home is being used by two parties. The primary dwelling encompasses five bedrooms, all of which are spacious. The grand lounge promises bright natural light, a comforting fireplace, and French doors that lead you onto a tranquil terrace. The well-sized kitchen delivers the convenience of pre-fitted units along with a pantry, and the property offers three toilets and two bathrooms. The house facilities include electric heating along with an open fireplace, mains water, and a telephone line with internet. Further enhancing the comfort factor are the PVC double glazed windows equipped with roller shutters, and mains sewage. Adjoining one side of the main dwelling, you will find a traditional stone garage that contributes not just as a valuable storage space, but also accommodates a utility area. Two floors are situated above the garage and are practically insulated, which makes them versatile enough to be used for various purposes. Adjacent to the garage lies a rustic cottage that possess a predominantly solid structure, but is in need of a full internal renovation. The ground floor is divided into two rooms, one with an original stone fi ... click here to read more

Welcome to the charming and idyllic village of Saint Fraimbault in the picturesque region of Normandy, France. Nestled within this serene countryside is a wonderful stone-built house that beautifully combines traditional French architecture with modern comforts. This lovely detached home, sprawling over a spacious 200 square meters, sits proudly on a generous 4,396 square meters of land, surround by nature's serenity and whispers of the past. As you step into this beautifully renovated home, you are immediately greeted by the warm and inviting ambiance of the property. With four generously-sized bedrooms, this house is an ideal choice for families looking to settle in a peaceful, yet vibrant community. Much effort and care have gone into the renovation over the past few years, ensuring that the property provides both aesthetic charm and functional practicality. The ground floor beckons with a circular room filled with natural light from the large bay window and five additional windows that welcome in the beautiful outside views. Exposed stonework adds to the character, while the tiled floor and several electrical sockets ensure convenience and style. Imagine unwinding here with a book in hand or hosting a gathering for family and friends, with a bar area complete with sink and low-level cupboards for all your hosting needs. In the dining room, elegance meets functionality. The wood paneling on the walls adds a touch of classic charm, while the tiled floor ensures durability. Though the fireplace is currently not in use, it serves as a beautiful focal point, with a staircase gracefully leading up to the first floor. An open kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining room, perfect for both everyday family meals and specia ... click here to read more

Welcome to the charming and idyllic Saint Fraimbault! Nestled within the heart of the Normandy region of France, this stone-clad retreat sophisticatedly combines history, character, and tranquility in its unique structure. Overlooking a stunning riverside valley, it promises serene views and a sense of peace that permeates every corner of the property. From sun-bathed terraces to fruit-laden orchards, this is both a home and a lifestyle not to be missed. Constructed around hundred of years ago, the main house stands proudly tracing its lineage back to several generations. It comprises of a welcoming south-facing entrance which leads into an elegantly fitted kitchen. Tiled floors blend perfectly with rustic exposed beams, evoking an atmosphere of timeless charm. The sitting room enriches this atmosphere further with its high ceilings, accentuated by more exposed beams and a cosy fireplace harboring a wood-burning stove. Here's what awaits you within this 95 square meter property: Three spacious double bedrooms on the first floor. Well-lit shower room featuring modish appliances. Additional storage/utility room. Double glazing ensuring energy efficiency. Fresh water supply from a well in addition to mains water. Renewably-sourced hot water via an air heat pump and solar panels. The external spaces feature a picturesque courtyard housing a stone bake house with a new roof and a preserved oven. Once serving as a traditional bake house, this structure now functions as a workshop. An adjacent stone barn also ensures ample storage and offers space for a garage. At the back, facing the countryside is the sun-soaked terrace and BBQ area. The land includes various paddock areas—one bearing fruit trees and the other occ ... click here to read more

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Norman village of Saint Fraimbault, only 2 hours from Paris, sits an elegantly arranged stone property that once proudly served as the village schoolhouse. It now offers an opportunity for a revival, bringing new life and renewed vibrancy to its grand rooms and historic details. This 4-bedroom house stands tall over an area of 130 square meters, offering ample living space to create your bespoke home. The house carries a powerful aura of old world charm that unfolds the moment you step onto the property. The structure of the house is sound and solid. Its condition, while good, is ripe for modern embellishment and personal enhancements. Original features include high ceilings, double windows, stone walls, and a classic staircase spiralling to the upper floors which add a touch of vintage elegance. Its main features are: - Four spacious bedrooms, one of them with a handy washbasin. - A sturdy cellar housing the central heating boiler and generous storage space. - A vibrant side garden to grow your favourite blossoms or sit down for some fresh air. - Central heating that keeps the house pleasantly warm. - The house is also equipped with some double glazing. The interiors are a canvas waiting for the touch of an inspired hand. They do require some updating to meet contemporary living standards. Beneath the lino floors, the original parquet floors rest, offering a chance to restore their historic charm. Some rooms also host fireplaces providing the warm aesthetics that resonate with countryside living. What sets this house apart from its peers is its location. Saint Fraimbault is not just another village; it's a vibrant, socially active community. Celebrated for its breathtaki ... click here to read more

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Pays de la Loire region in Champéon, France, sits an inviting property that holds immense promise for those looking to embrace the serene life of the French countryside. Here, in this corner of Mayenne, you're presented with not just a home, but an opportunity to experience a lifestyle steeped in history and the quiet rhythm of rural France. Imagine starting your mornings with fresh air, surrounded by rolling fields, and the gentle hum of village life in Champéon as your backdrop. This property consists of two adjoining houses, each with its own story to tell. The main house is a comfortable and ready-to-move-in abode, boasting three inviting bedrooms and a tastefully fitted kitchen where you'll delight in crafting culinary wonders inspired by local produce. The charm of this residence lies in its simplicity and functionality, providing a solid infrastructure for those seeking comfort without excessive frills. It's perfect for family living, with a cozy sitting room offering a place to gather after a day of adventure. The adjoining house is a canvas waiting for your creative touch. Though in need of total renovation, envision transforming this fixer-upper into a charming gite that could serve as a quaint getaway for guests or perhaps a project that could yield income potential in the thriving vacation rental market. There's plenty of potential here to create something truly special, allowing your imagination to transform existing spaces into functional beauty. Surrounding these homes is an expansive 0.86-acre garden. The ample outdoor space provides endless possibilities—whether it’s for children to play, gardening enthusiasts to cultivate, or simply enjoying leisurely afternoon ... click here to read more

Nestled in the heart of the charming village of Châtillon-sur-Colmont, this versatile 3-bedroom house presents a unique opportunity for dreamers looking to immerse themselves in the picturesque French countryside. Whether you're envisioning a cozy family home or pondering the potential of a local business, this property's rich history as a former shop, bar, and restaurant brings a distinct character and charm that beckons for new life and creativity. From the outset, the journey of discovering this house feels like stepping into the pages of a local story. The facade of the building carries a sense of time honored tradition with its classic stonework and the welcoming hint of what could once again be a lively community spot. The ground floor tells tales of bustling trade and warm gatherings, featuring a former butcher's shop complete with its original cold storage facilities. Just next door, the bar area—with its loyal wooden serving counter—whispers of evenings spent in laughter and camaraderie. An adjacent restaurant room and restroom fulfill the practicalities for any aspiring entrepreneur. VENTURING UPSTAIRS, you're greeted by a practical layout that holds potential for thoughtful renovation. The first floor houses three comfortable bedrooms, backed by a modest bathroom and WC, making it perfectly sufficient for a small family seeking tranquility in the laid-back village lifestyle. Rising further up within the property, the attic offers expandable space for those keen on lending their own touch to the home, perhaps transforming it into a loft or a quiet snug for retreat. The property doesn't end here. Step down into the inviting coolness of a cellar—a space ripe for storage or perhaps even a creative venture like ... click here to read more