Spacious 4BR Stone House with Pool in Serene Pons Village

Sunday morning in Beauville starts with the smell of bread. The boulangerie on the main square fires up early, and if your bedroom window is open—which it will be, because the air here in July is warm but never stifling—the scent reaches you before your alarm does. That's not a selling point you'll find in any brochure. It's just what life is like in this particular corner of Lot-et-Garonne, and it's the kind of thing that turns a holiday home purchase into one of the best decisions you ever made. This four-bedroom village house sits right in the heart of Beauville, one of the most intact bastide villages in Aquitaine. Built to a medieval grid plan in the 13th century, Beauville has the kind of architectural coherence that planners in other towns spend millions trying to recreate. The covered arcades around the central square, the honey-coloured stone, the church tower that chimes the quarter-hours—it's all still here, and this house is part of it. From the front door, the market square is a two-minute walk. From the top-floor living space, you can watch the whole village go about its business. The house covers around 190 square metres across three floors, and what strikes you first is how much space there actually is. Village properties in the Lot-et-Garonne often look compact from the street and reveal themselves slowly. This one does exactly that. The ground floor has a bedroom that works perfectly for guests who don't want stairs, or for owners who eventually want single-level living as a practical option. The first floor holds three more well-proportioned bedrooms and two bathrooms. And then there's the top floor—converted, bright, sitting under the original roof timbers—currently used as a family room and home of ... click here to read more

On a Sunday morning in Guern, the first thing you notice is the silence — not emptiness, but the full, textured quiet of deep Breton countryside. Then a woodpigeon somewhere in the old oak at the garden's edge, and the smell of damp stone warming slowly in the early sun. This is a house that has been standing since 1638, and it feels it — in the best possible way. Set on a landscaped plot of just under 2,900 square metres, this five-bedroom stone property sits about ten minutes outside Pontivy, a proper Breton market town with a canal, a Napoleonic street grid, and a covered market where you can buy andouille sausage, buckwheat flour, and raw-milk butter before nine in the morning. The house itself is the kind of place that makes you rethink what you thought you wanted from a French property. Forget the neat and the newly renovated. This is something older and more serious. The oldest section of the main house dates to 1638, and the stonework shows it — thick walls that keep rooms cool through July, a majestic open fireplace beneath a soaring unceilinged section of the living room that turns even a grey November afternoon into something you want to linger in. The living space is generous and genuinely characterful, with an oak-floored mezzanine overhead that looks down over the room and gives the whole space a scale you rarely find in this price bracket. Below, the kitchen connects through to a back kitchen and laundry room — the kind of practical layout that makes a big house actually liveable, not just impressive to photograph. There are two independent entrances to the main house, which opens up real flexibility. One side handles the social, day-to-day flow — kitchen, back kitchen, living room with the fireplace — ... click here to read more

Step out of the garage in the early morning and the first thing you notice is the silence — not the hollow kind, but the full, layered quiet of deep rural France, where the only sounds are wood pigeons in the oaks and the faint trickle of water from the pool filter kicking on. This is Troche, a hamlet in the folds of Corrèze, and life here runs at a pace most people only experience on holiday. Which is exactly the point. Built in 2022 and sitting on nearly 3,000 square metres of open countryside, this three-bedroom house punches well above its modest footprint. At 94 square metres, every centimetre has been thought through. The living room opens directly into a fitted kitchen — no awkward corridor, no closed-off cooking — so whoever's at the stove is still part of the conversation. French doors from this space lead straight to the heated swimming pool. That detail matters more than it sounds. On a July afternoon in the Limousin, when temperatures climb into the low thirties and the air smells faintly of warm cut grass, being three steps from the water is everything. The three bedrooms are calm, well-proportioned spaces. Two come with built-in wardrobes, practical for families who actually want to live here rather than just visit twice a year. The bathroom has both a bathtub and a walk-in shower — again, small choices that reflect considered design. There's also a dedicated storeroom, which international buyers often overlook until they're trying to figure out where to keep pool equipment, bikes, and the extra firewood they didn't expect to use. Then there's the technical spec, and this is where the property genuinely stands out in its price bracket. An air-to-water heat pump handles heating and cooling. A thermodynami ... click here to read more

Stand on the upstairs terrace of this place on a clear morning and you'll understand immediately why people drive three hours south from Paris just to breathe this air. The Corrèze countryside rolls away from you in every direction — deep green, almost shockingly quiet, broken only by the occasional church bell drifting up from Troche below and the sound of wind moving through the oak trees at the edge of the property. This is not a backdrop. It's the whole point. The property itself is genuinely unusual — two separate stone houses, each with its own character and floor plan, joined together by a custom-built glass veranda that has become the heart of the home. That veranda is where you'll end up spending most of your time. It pulls in light from both sides, looks out onto the wooded plot, and has this wonderful in-between quality: sheltered enough for a rainy afternoon with a book, open enough in summer that you barely feel indoors at all. It's the kind of space that takes a moment to understand and then becomes impossible to give up. The first house is anchored by a generously sized fitted kitchen with a wood-burning stove — the sort of stove that makes the whole room feel like somewhere you actually want to be from October through March. A ground-floor bedroom and shower room sit adjacent to it, keeping things practical for guests or for those who'd rather avoid stairs. Head up and the mezzanine living room opens directly onto that terrace with its long countryside views — this is the view you'll be photographing every season, watching it shift from the pale green of April to the amber and rust of late October. A second bedroom and a full bathroom with toilet complete this upper level. The second house runs on its ... click here to read more

Step out of the veranda on a June morning and all you can hear is the low hum of bees working through the meadow grass. The Corrèze countryside rolls away in every direction — soft hills, oak stands, not a rooftop in sight. This is what 2.82 hectares of your own land feels like. The house itself is a proper Limousin stone farmhouse, the kind built to last centuries and the kind that actually has. Slate roof, thick walls that keep the interior cool through August without any air conditioning running. It was renovated in 2003, which means the bones were kept honest while the living spaces were updated enough to move straight into without a renovation project hanging over you. At 131 square metres across two floors, it's genuinely liveable for a family — not so sprawling it becomes a burden to maintain, not so compact you're bumping into each other. The ground floor has a flow that makes sense. You come in through an entrance hall, move into a fitted kitchen that opens directly to the dining and living room — a fireplace at one end, a wood-burning stove doing the heavy lifting in the winter months when the Corrèze hills get properly cold and the idea of curling up with a book and a local Brive-la-Gaillarde walnut cake sounds genuinely appealing. A bedroom and shower room sit on this level too, which means the whole house can function single-storey if needed. But the real surprise is the veranda — large, full of afternoon light, opening straight onto the grounds and the swimming pool. That pool was built in 2025, a traditional 7m x 3.5m format, so it's fresh, clean, and ready for the first summer. Upstairs, three more bedrooms with sloped ceilings give the house that classic French farmhouse character, accompanied by a sho ... click here to read more

You wake up to no particular sound except a wood pigeon in the pear tree and the faint clang of a bell from the village down the lane. The kitchen smells of last night's fig jam still cooling on the counter. Through the window, the farmland rolls out golden in every direction, and by the time your coffee's done, you've already decided you're not going anywhere today. That is exactly the pace of life this three-bedroom stone house in Dolmayrac delivers — and once you've had a taste of it, ordinary weekends will never quite measure up again. Dolmayrac sits in the Lot-et-Garonne département, one of those quietly extraordinary corners of southwest France that doesn't appear on postcards but absolutely should. The Lot Valley cuts through the landscape a short drive away, and the market town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot — with its Saturday farmers' market spilling across Place Lafayette — is close enough to be genuinely useful without intruding on the rural quiet. This is Aquitaine without the tourist crowds, without the inflated prices of the Dordogne, and without any sense that you're following a well-worn expat trail. It feels discovered rather than packaged. The house itself is built in the stone that defines this region — thick walls that keep the interior cool through July and August without air conditioning, and which hold the warmth of a log fire well into November. Inside, exposed beams run the length of the generous living and dining room, where two wood-burning stoves sit at either end like old friends. The stonework throughout is honest and unhurried, the kind you simply couldn't replicate today without serious money and serious patience. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms across the main house give you room to host prope ... click here to read more

On a quiet Sunday morning in the Périgord Noir, you open the kitchen door onto the terrace and the air smells of woodsmoke and damp stone. A church bell somewhere down the lane counts out nine strikes. That's life in this hamlet just outside Salignac-Eyvigues — unhurried, rooted, and quietly extraordinary. This three-bedroom stone house sits in a small hamlet in the Dordogne département of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, one of the most coveted second-home destinations in all of France. It's a proper working property, not a renovation project or a holiday shell. At 137 square metres spread across three floors, it has the kind of bones that took generations to build and the kind of condition that means you can arrive with a suitcase rather than a skip. The ground floor sets the tone immediately. The main living room stretches to nearly 34 square metres, with exposed stone walls that stay cool in July heat, original beams overhead, and terracotta tiles underfoot that have absorbed a century of footsteps. The fitted kitchen-dining room at just over 20 square metres opens through French doors onto the terrace — which is where summer evenings actually happen, with a glass of Bergerac rouge and the sound of swallows cutting overhead. There's also a ground-floor shower room with WC, practical for anyone coming in from the garden. Upstairs, the first floor reveals the house's most generous room: a 34-square-metre sitting room with a working wood burner tucked into a stone fireplace. On winter evenings — and Dordogne winters are mild but damp — this room is the whole world. Exposed beams run the length of the ceiling, and the stone walls are the same here as on every floor, giving the house a remarkable thermal consistency. The main bedro ... click here to read more

Step into the kitchen of the converted barn on a Saturday morning in October, French doors flung open, the smell of woodsmoke drifting in from the garden, and you'll understand immediately why someone spent years restoring this 1778 farmstead with such patience. The Limousin countryside rolls out in every direction. Nothing but birdsong, the faint trickle of a natural spring feeding an old stone washing basin, and the knowledge that Paris is three hours north and you'd rather stay exactly here. This is a property with real bones and a real story. Built in 1778 and sitting on just over 10,000 square metres of mature gardens, terraces, and lawns in a quiet rural hamlet near Coussac-Bonneval in Haute-Vienne, the estate comprises three separate living spaces — a 173 m² converted barn serving as the main residence, a 124 m² original farmhouse restored as a two-bedroom gîte, and a 29 m² studio apartment currently generating income on short-term rental platforms. That's 325 square metres of habitable space across the full property, plus a workshop, the old pigsty (ripe for conversion), an above-ground pool, and a working well. For a second home that pays for itself, or for two families who want to share a slice of rural France without actually sharing a kitchen, this configuration is genuinely rare. The barn conversion is where the architectural confidence shows most clearly. Downstairs, a 30 m² kitchen anchors the space — big enough to actually cook in, with French doors that open onto two separate terraces so you can chase the shade or the sun depending on the season. A 54 m² living room with fireplace. A laundry room, a WC, and a ground-floor bedroom with en-suite shower, useful when knees or houseguests become a considera ... click here to read more

On a still Tuesday morning in Vignols, the loudest thing you'll hear is a wood pigeon calling from the oak tree at the back of the garden. No traffic. No sirens. Just 3,800 square metres of fully fenced green, a stone-quiet lane, and the kind of rural France that most people assume no longer exists. This is where you find it. Set roughly halfway between Pompadour and Objat in the rolling hills of Corrèze, this solid detached house was built in 2009 — meaning it has the bones of traditional French countryside architecture with the practical advantages of modern construction: proper insulation, up-to-date electrics, and no decade-long renovation list waiting for you on arrival. At 117 square metres, it's not trying to be more than it is. It's a house that works. A proper home, calm and well-proportioned, that a family can walk into and immediately start using. Step inside and the living room anchors everything. The fireplace becomes the heart of the house from October through April — and in Corrèze, those evenings come early and cool quickly, which makes it genuinely useful rather than decorative. The fitted kitchen is generous by French rural standards, with enough room to cook a real Sunday meal: a confit de canard slow-braised from market-bought legs, a tarte aux noix made from the walnuts that grow everywhere in this part of France. Three bedrooms give the layout real flexibility — a master, a room for kids or guests, and the third that quietly becomes whatever you need it to be: a study, a studio, a reading room with the window cracked open to the garden air. The pantry is one of those features that sounds minor until you own it. In a rural vacation home, it's transformative — somewhere to store the cases of Cahors ... click here to read more

Stand at the upstairs mezzanine window on a still Tuesday morning and you'll understand immediately why people come to Corrèze and never quite manage to leave. The rooftops of Saint-Sornin-Lavolps spread out below, and beyond them, the sweeping grass of the local racecourse catches the early light. No traffic noise. Just birdsong, possibly a distant tractor, and the kind of quiet that city dwellers pay a fortune to find. This four-bedroom house sits on an elevated cul-de-sac — genuinely the kind of position where neighbours are close enough to wave to but far enough that you'd never hear them. The elevated plot gives you those racecourse views without any effort, framed from the living room, the garden, and that mezzanine perch upstairs that could be a reading room, a studio, or the best-connected home office you've ever had the pleasure of working from. The ground floor is practical in the best French sense: nothing wasted, everything considered. A proper entrance hall greets you — not a corridor you squeeze past, but a hall that sets the tone. The fitted kitchen leads naturally into daily life here: morning coffee before the market run, long lunches that drift into afternoon, the kind of cooking that happens when you're not in a hurry. The living room anchors the social heart of the house with a fireplace insert — and if you've never spent a Corrèze winter evening with a fire going while rain taps the windows and something slow-cooked on the stove, that's an experience you've been missing. Four bedrooms sit across the ground floor, one of which has its own shower room en suite — a small detail that makes a significant difference when you have guests. A separate shower room and two toilets handle the morning rush for ... click here to read more

The morning light in the Landes hits differently. It comes in low and golden through the pine trees, and by the time you're drinking your first coffee on a 2,500 square metre flat plot with no neighbours in sight, you start to understand why people who discover this corner of southwest France rarely leave. This four-bedroom house in Saint-Geours-de-Maremne is one of those rare finds that gives you something increasingly hard to come by in the region: genuine space, serious potential, and a price that actually makes sense. Saint-Geours-de-Maremne sits in the heart of the Landes, that vast, pine-forested département that stretches between Bordeaux and the Basque Country. The village itself is quiet, unpretentious, and exactly the kind of place where locals still nod at strangers on the street. But don't mistake quiet for remote. Dax, with its thermal baths, covered market, and weekly Saturday feria buzz, is less than fifteen minutes away. Bayonne — home to the famous Fêtes de Bayonne in August, arguably the wildest five-day festival in all of France — is under forty minutes by car. And the Atlantic coast? The surf breaks at Hossegor and Capbreton are a twenty-minute drive, where in September the Quiksilver Pro brings world-class competition to waves that churn year-round. The property itself is 200 square metres of living space, made up of an original older house of around 100 square metres combined with a substantial 100 square metre extension already built across two levels. The extension is structurally complete — the shell is there, the bones are good — but the interior fit-out is yours to define. That's not a flaw; that's the opportunity. Anyone who's tried to buy a finished, move-in-ready house in the Landes at thi ... click here to read more

Step out onto the terrace on a Saturday morning and the first thing you notice is the silence — not the dead kind, but the alive kind. Birds in the walnut trees, a faint breeze off the Dordogne valley, and the faint scent of woodsmoke from a neighbouring farm. That's Saint-Avit. And once you've stood here with a coffee in hand, watching the mist lift off the rolling Lot-et-Garonne hills, it's very hard to imagine being anywhere else. This three-bedroom stone house sits in one of the quieter, greener corners of Aquitaine — a region most people think they know from Bordeaux wine routes and the Périgord truffle markets, but which holds far more than that in its folds. Lot-et-Garonne is sometimes called the "garden of France," and it earns the name. Orchards line the roadsides in spring. The weekly markets in Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Monflanquin spill over with strawberries from the Garronne plain, foie gras from local farms, and cheeses you won't find behind supermarket glass. Life here runs at a pace that feels deliberate rather than slow. The house itself has the bones of something built to last centuries — because it was. Terracotta floor tiles throughout the ground floor, thick exposed stone walls, and chestnut ceiling beams that have absorbed decades of firelight from the wood burner in the main living and kitchen space. That open-plan room clocks in at nearly 28 square metres, big enough for a long Sunday lunch with family but intimate enough to feel genuinely cosy on a January evening when the burner is doing its job. The dining room opens directly onto the terrace through double doors — the kind of detail that becomes central to daily life from May through October, when you'll eat outside more often than not. The g ... click here to read more

On a clear morning in Vienne-en-Arthies, you open the French doors off the living room and the Vexin countryside rolls out in front of you — soft hills, open sky, not a rooftop in sight. Coffee in hand, the only sound is birdsong and the distant rhythm of a tractor somewhere beyond the tree line. This is rural Île-de-France at its most honest, and it's just 70 kilometres from Paris. Vienne-en-Arthies sits in the Parc Naturel Régional du Vexin Français, a protected landscape of limestone plateaus, wheat fields, and stone villages that feels like it belongs to another century. Five minutes down the road is Vétheuil, the riverside village that captivated Claude Monet before he ever reached Giverny — and you can see exactly why when you walk the Seine bank at dusk. The light here does something extraordinary in the late afternoon, the kind of golden slant that makes even a grain silo look like a painting. The house itself sits on around 1,500 square metres of land, and at 104 square metres of living space it strikes that rare balance — enough room for family and friends without becoming a maintenance burden. The ground floor revolves around a 29-square-metre living and dining area with an open-plan kitchen at one end and a fireplace with an insert at the other. In January, when the Vexin frosts bite, that insert earns its keep. Come July, the glazed doors fold back and the terrace becomes the de facto dining room, the garden stretching away toward open countryside. Upstairs, two generous bedrooms sit under partially mansard rooflines — the sloped ceilings give them a tucked-in quality that guests tend to love. The garden level adds real versatility: a third room currently configured as an additional bedroom, with an adjo ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in Bouquetot moves slowly. The smell of fresh bread drifts up from the boulangerie in Bourg-Achard five minutes down the road, church bells carry across flat green fields, and beyond the tall hedgerows that frame this property's 4,580 square metre plot, there's almost nothing to hear but birdsong and the occasional tractor on a distant lane. This is rural Normandy at its most genuine — not the postcard version, the real one. Built in 1960 and kept in consistently good condition by owners who clearly cared about the details, this 103 square metre house sits on a fully enclosed, tree-lined lot that feels more like a private park than a garden. Step outside on a June evening and the light stays golden until nearly ten. The flat lawn is wide enough for a game of pétanque, a badminton net, or simply a table long enough to seat the extended family for a Norman spread — think camembert straight from the market at Pont-Audemer, a terrine from the charcuterie in Bourg-Achard's Wednesday market, and a bottle of local Calvados to close things out. The entrance through the veranda-style extension sets the tone: this is a house that has been lived in and loved. The 26 square metre living room faces southwest, which matters enormously in Normandy — afternoon sun floods the room, and you earn every one of those winter hours around the fireplace insert. The tiled floors are easy to maintain, practical in the way that a proper country house should be. The fitted kitchen is ready to go from day one, no renovation project standing between you and your first summer here. Three bedrooms give the property genuine flexibility. Use it as a family holiday home and everyone gets their own space. Rent it out during peak summer we ... click here to read more

Step out onto the terrace on a Saturday morning in Riantec and you'll hear it before you see it — the low hum of fishing boats heading out across the Rade de Lorient, the calls of gulls cutting through salt-sharp air, and somewhere down the street, the mechanical clatter of a boulangerie shutter rolling up. This is not a postcard version of Brittany. It's the real thing. A working coastal town where the rhythm of the tides still shapes daily life, and where a five-bedroom house with this much space and this much potential doesn't stay on the market long. Built in the 1970s in a style typical of solid Breton residential construction, this 147-square-metre house sits in Riantec with a full basement, an attached garage, a proper garden, and a terrace that asks you to sit down and stay a while. The bones are good. The layout is generous. And the renovation opportunity here is exactly what buyers who know this part of Morbihan have been waiting for. The garden level does something rare — it allows genuinely comfortable single-floor living if you want it. An entrance hall opens into a bright living and dining room, there's a functional kitchen, two bedrooms, a family bathroom, and a separate WC. Come summer, with the terrace doors thrown open and the garden spilling light through the windows, this floor alone becomes a complete holiday retreat. Upstairs, a landing leads to three more bedrooms, two of which come with dressing areas — a detail that matters enormously when you're hosting family for an extended August stay. The second bathroom has both a bath and a separate shower, which anyone who's coordinated a full house of guests will appreciate immediately. The full basement is the kind of space that gets people thinking. ... click here to read more

The church bells from the village of Ménéac carry just far enough on a still morning to reach the kitchen window — but you'd have to open it first, and by then the smell of coffee and woodsmoke from the stone fireplace has already pulled you firmly into the day. This is the kind of place that resets your clock. Six hectares of Breton countryside, two independent dwellings carved out of a grand old granite longhouse, and a second stone longère waiting in the wings. At €292,000 for the whole estate, it's not a fantasy — it's a real opportunity that doesn't come around often. Let's start with what's here right now. The main property is a large traditional Breton stone house, divided into two fully functional dwellings. Both are in good condition and ready to live in, which matters more than people realize when you're buying remotely from abroad. No months of waiting on contractors before your first stay. The first dwelling runs across two floors. Ground level gives you a living room anchored by a fireplace with a wood-burning stove — the kind you'll actually use from October through April — plus a proper kitchen, a laundry room, and a toilet. Upstairs, one bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom, there's a second bedroom, a family bathroom, and a room currently used as an office but flexible enough to become a third sleeping space when the cousins arrive in August. The second dwelling mirrors this layout almost exactly: a living room with its own fireplace and wood-burning stove, a kitchen-dining room (slightly more sociable in its configuration), a laundry room, a toilet downstairs, then an en-suite bedroom, another bedroom, a family bathroom, and an office upstairs. Two complete homes. Same stone walls, same slate roof, s ... click here to read more

Step outside on a Saturday morning in late June and the air carries two things simultaneously: the cool, resinous breath of the Camors forest drifting across your garden, and somewhere down the lane, the faint clang of a neighbour closing a gate before heading to the weekly market in Auray. This is life in one of Morbihan's most quietly compelling corners — and this four-bedroom house on a generous 2,800m² plot sits right at the heart of it. The house has been fully renovated and kept in genuinely good condition. Not the kind of "good condition" that means you'll spend your first summer replacing boilers and re-grouting tiles. The previous owners invested properly — in a contemporary aesthetic that feels coherent from room to room, in recent drainage infrastructure, in the kind of upkeep that only comes from people who actually love a home rather than simply occupying it. At 146 square metres of living space across two floors plus a complete basement, there's real room to breathe here. Ground floor life revolves around a fitted kitchen that opens directly into a glazed veranda — the kind of space that makes March genuinely liveable in Brittany. On grey days you're still sitting in light. On sunny ones you slide the door and take your coffee to the covered terrace, where a retractable awning lets you stay outside even when the Atlantic decides to remind you who's boss. The main living room has a fireplace with a wood-burning insert, and on December evenings, with chestnuts from the forest and a bottle of Muscadet sur Lie from a producer near La Chapelle-Hermier, you'll understand why people come to Brittany and never quite leave. A master suite on this level comes with its own shower room — genuinely useful when guests ... click here to read more

Sunday morning in Elne moves at its own pace. The market on the Place de la République is already alive by nine — vendors stacking fat Roussillon peaches, wheels of aged sheep's cheese from the Pyrenean foothills, bottles of Banyuls and Maury that catch the light like dark garnets. You walk back up the hill with a baguette tucked under one arm, push open the gate, and drop everything beside the pool. The water is that particular shade of blue you only ever get under a southern French sky. This is what owning a house in Elne actually feels like. Set in one of the most historically layered towns in the Pyrénées-Orientales, this three-bedroom house spans 130 square metres on a 463-square-metre plot — enough garden and terrace space to feel genuinely private without becoming a weekend maintenance project. The property is in good condition and move-in ready, which matters enormously if you're buying from abroad and can't oversee a renovation from another country. The ground floor revolves around a single, generous living space of around 50 square metres. Open-plan kitchens tend to sound better on paper than they live in practice, but this one earns its footprint — the dining and lounge areas flow naturally into each other, and when you throw the doors open in July the distinction between inside and outside more or less disappears. There's also a separate WC on this level and a 22-square-metre garage that international buyers often find more useful than expected: storage for bikes, a surfboard for trips down to the coast, garden furniture through winter. Upstairs, three proper bedrooms — not the shrunken secondary rooms that often get dressed up with that description — sit alongside a dedicated office that works equally wel ... click here to read more

Situated amidst the gentle rolling hills of Charente-Maritime and enclosed by lush vegetation, this charming farmhouse in Poitou-Charentes near Pons, France, invites you with its quintessential rustic allure and spacious interior. Perfect for those looking to immerse themselves into the tranquil French countryside, while still being conveniently located just a mere 40km from the pristine sandy beaches that the region is famed for, this property offers a unique blend of seclusion and accessibility. This farmhouse, priced at a prudent €198,000, provides considerable space and versatility spread over 214 square meters. Its design is quite unique, featuring two distinct staircases that lead to separate living spaces, potentially making it suitable to be subdivided into two individual homes, pending the necessary permissions. This could be an excellent feature for those considering future rental opportunities or needing an annex for extended family. The ground floor comprises a generously sized kitchen, perfect for family gatherings and home-cooked meals, and a cozy living room adorned with a pellet stove which ensures warm evenings amidst cooler countryside nights. The adjoining room, currently used for storing gardening tools, could very well be converted into additional living space or a workshop for those inclined towards creative projects or DIY. Upstairs, the layout is equally appealing with three bedrooms accessible via one staircase, followed by two more bedrooms through another, offering a great degree of privacy and space management. Also upstairs is an additional room that is already plumbed, presenting a perfect opportunity for setting up another bathroom or shower room. The substantial garden space that surr ... click here to read more

On a still Sunday morning in Saint-Grégoire-d'Ardennes, the only sound you'll hear is birdsong cutting through the cool air and the faint creak of a shutter as light rolls across the garden. That's not poetry — that's what the mornings actually feel like here, in this former farmhouse on the edge of the Haute-Saintonge, where the rhythm of life runs about three speeds slower than anywhere you've lived before. This is a 230 m² stone house with five bedrooms, sitting on more than 4,700 m² of fenced, wooded grounds between the market towns of Pons and Jonzac. It's priced at €422,000. And while those numbers are useful, they don't begin to explain what makes this place worth serious attention. Step inside and the floor plan immediately makes sense. The ground floor is laid out for living — not for showing off. A wide living room flows into a dining room with a working fireplace, the kind that you'll actually use from October through to March when Charente evenings cool fast and the region's oak forests start smelling like autumn in a way no candle has ever managed to replicate. The kitchen has its own dining area, so morning coffee happens here, not in some separate formal room nobody uses. A utility room keeps the practical mess out of sight, and also on the ground floor: a bedroom, a shower room, and a full bathroom — meaning this house works completely on a single level if that's ever needed. Upstairs, three more bedrooms with original hardwood floors that have the satisfying solidity only old timber gets with age. A quiet study that faces the garden. Two large attic spaces that are currently unconverted — and this is where the real opportunity sits for international buyers. The bones are already there to add guest roo ... click here to read more

Nestled in the serene hamlet of Marignac, France, lies a spacious 210 square meter house that beckons for inhabitants. This isn’t just a home; it's a gateway to the picturesque landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of Poitou-Charentes, in the stunning region of Charente-Maritime. As a busy real estate agent for a global real estate network, I often come across intriguing properties, but this one's unique position and advisability stand out to me. So, let’s set the scene. Imagine waking up in a quiet neighborhood where the air is fresh and life moves at a more relaxing pace. The town of Marignac is characteristically French, exuding a warm and welcoming ambience. It is surrounded by country areas dotted with vineyards, which perfectly encapsulates the calm and inviting spirit of rural France. Just ten minutes away, you can also find Jonzac, a market town known for its historic Renaissance château. Here, locals and visitors alike frequent its famous thermal spas and water park. Living here means being just a stone's throw from warm waters inviting relaxation and charming medieval streets asking for exploration. Now let’s step inside the house. Presenting not just one, not two, but four roomy bedrooms, this house is perfect for families or for those desiring extra space for relatives and friends. The ground floor opens into two generously sized reception rooms, where natural sunlight from the south-facing windows floods in, creating a delightful place to host gatherings or unwind after a long day. For those who work from home, two comfortable offices provide the ideal space for productivity, far away from any urban distractions. There's also a smaller reception area that doubles up perfectly as a snug TV room or, if need ... click here to read more

Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft chirping of birds in the heart of the picturesque Charente-Maritime region. This delightful 4-bedroom house in Jarnac-Champagne offers not just a home, but a lifestyle steeped in the rich tapestry of French countryside living. Perfectly suited for those seeking a second home, this property is a harmonious blend of traditional charm and modern comfort. Nestled in the serene hamlet of Chadenac, this house is a stone's throw away from the vibrant towns of Jonzac and Pons. Here, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the tranquility of rural life and the convenience of nearby amenities. The property is a testament to the timeless allure of Charentaise architecture, with its exposed stone walls and timber beams, lovingly preserved to maintain its original character. Key Features: - Spacious Living: With 206 square meters of living space, this house offers ample room for family gatherings and entertaining guests. - Bedrooms & Bathrooms: Four generously sized bedrooms and three well-appointed bathrooms ensure comfort and privacy for all. - Modern Comforts: Oil-fired central heating provides warmth during the cooler months, making it a cozy retreat year-round. - Outdoor Oasis: The beautifully landscaped gardens and raised timber terrace offer breathtaking panoramic views, perfect for relaxation or hosting summer soirées. - Secure & Private: Electric gates open onto a private driveway, enhancing security and seclusion. - Potential for Expansion: An attached barn offers ample storage or the potential for further development, subject to necessary permissions. Local Lifestyle & Activities: Living in Jarnac-Champagne means embracing a lifestyle rich in culture and leisu ... click here to read more

Welcome to the charming commune of Gémozac, nestled in the southwestern part of France, a region renowned for its captivating landscapes and rich historical tapestry. Here, we offer you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the serene lifestyle this area has to offer, with a property that seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern convenience. As a busy real estate agent, I’m thrilled to present this 3-bedroom house located at 17260 Gémozac, where comfort meets classic appeal. Let’s step right into the heart of this beautiful home. The property is composed of two delightful residential houses, standing gracefully on a quiet dead-end street, shielded by nature's lush green embrace. From the moment you cross the threshold of the first home, you're greeted by an ambiance that is both cozy and bathed in natural light. An impressive renovation has married original stone work with sturdy beams, creating a seamless flow throughout the home. Imagine entertaining family and friends in the inviting dining room, where the semi-open kitchen with a mezzanine adds a touch of elegance. The large, warm living room will become your sanctuary, equipped with a stunning cathedral ceiling that rises above a 44 m² area. With two bedrooms offering ample spacing of 13 m² and 11.65 m², everyone in the family will find their perfect spot. The bathroom – complete with a shower and bathtub – combined with two separate toilets, accommodates your every need over a span of approximately 133 m² of living space. The second home, tranquil and fully independent, spans 76 m², featuring a generous living room and an expansive area perfect for a future bathroom. It’s here the potential shines through – you've got a blank canvas to infuse your perso ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque village of Saint-Germain-du-Seudre, this expansive 7-bedroom stone house offers a unique blend of rustic charm and modern comfort, making it an ideal second home for those seeking a tranquil retreat in the heart of France. With its proximity to the vibrant town of Gémozac and the charming port village of Mortagne-sur-Gironde, this property promises a lifestyle rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of the French countryside, with the sun streaming through the windows of your beautifully renovated farmhouse. This property, with its 300 square meters of living space, is not just a house; it's a gateway to a new way of life. ### A Home with Character and Comfort The main house, spanning 217 square meters, has been thoughtfully renovated to preserve its historical essence while incorporating modern amenities. As you step through the door, you're greeted by a spacious entrance hall that sets the tone for the rest of the home. The dining room, with its fully equipped kitchen, is perfect for hosting family gatherings or intimate dinners. The cozy 35m² living room, complete with air conditioning and a pellet stove, offers a warm and inviting space to relax after a day of exploring the local area. On the ground floor, two large suites each boast their own private bathrooms, providing comfort and privacy for guests. Upstairs, the bright and airy space includes two additional bedrooms, an open sleeping area, and a bathroom with a separate toilet, ensuring ample room for family and friends. ### Independent Living with a Touch of Luxury The property also features an independent 83m² gîte, perfect for hosting guests or generating rental income. This charmi ... click here to read more

On a Sunday morning in Saint-Germain-du-Seudre, you open the kitchen window and catch the smell of damp grass in the park below, still cool from the night. The heated pool catches the early light. Somewhere beyond the stone walls and the old bread oven, a church bell marks the hour. This is the pace of life the Charente-Maritime has always kept — unhurried, rooted, quietly extraordinary. This 19th-century residence sits in a wooded, landscaped park between Gémozac and Mortagne-sur-Gironde, right in the green corridor that runs toward the Gironde Estuary. It's a proper estate: a main house of 280m² of living space, a fully independent 150m² guest house, outbuildings with barns and a workshop, a 12x6m heated swimming pool, and a tennis court. Nine bedrooms across the two buildings. A property on this scale, at this price point, in this condition — it doesn't come around often in the Saintonge region. The main house carries its century well. On the ground floor, a grand entrance hall with cloakroom and WC opens onto two generous reception rooms and a private office. The proportions here are old-house proportions — high ceilings, thick stone walls, rooms that feel like rooms rather than corridors with furniture in them. The ground-floor suite runs to 30m² and has its own shower room, toilet, and dressing room, which makes it ideal for guests or for anyone who'd rather keep the stairs optional. The fitted kitchen connects directly to a laundry room and cellar, and opens out onto terraces that look over the park and the pool. In summer, dinner happens out there. That's just how it works. Upstairs, the layout breathes. The master suite exceeds 30m² and has a shower room finished in mahogany and quality ceramics — a detail th ... click here to read more

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of Chaniers, this traditional Charentaise stone house offers a unique opportunity to own a slice of French countryside charm. Perfectly suited for those seeking a second home or a holiday retreat, this property combines the allure of historical architecture with modern comforts, all set against the backdrop of the serene Charente-Maritime region. Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft chirping of birds, as sunlight filters through the mature trees of your south-facing garden. This is the daily reality for those who choose to make this house their second home. Located just a short five-minute drive from the bustling town of Saintes, Chaniers offers the perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility. Key Features: - Traditional Charentaise Architecture: Experience the timeless beauty of stone walls and original fireplaces, meticulously restored to maintain their historical charm. - Spacious Living Areas: The bright living room, complete with a wood-burning stove, provides a cozy atmosphere for family gatherings or quiet evenings. - Modern Kitchen: A fully fitted kitchen serves as the heart of the home, ideal for preparing meals with fresh local produce. - Heated Pool: Dive into relaxation with a private heated pool, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring the French countryside. - Master Suite: The impressive master bedroom features a cathedral ceiling and an ensuite bathroom, offering a luxurious retreat. - Outdoor Dining: Enjoy al fresco meals in the pre-eau area, complete with a small cooking space. - Convenient Location: Walking distance to local shops, a school, and a doctor's surgery, ensuring all essentials are within easy reach. - Ample ... click here to read more

Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Jarnac-Champagne, in the heart of the beautiful French countryside, awaits a house that promises both charm and convenience. Whether you're dreaming of relocating or seeking an investment in the picturesque terrains of France, this property captures all the allure and character that makes living in this region a delightful experience. Upon entering the village of Jarnac-Champagne, you're instantly greeted by its friendly atmosphere and quaint, welcoming community. Located just 14 kilometers from the historic town of Pons and 18 kilometers from the renowned Cognac, this residence is perfectly placed for those who wish to experience the gentle pace of French rural life. This location offers the perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility to vibrant local towns. Let’s take a tour through the home which spans across 134 square meters—split over four accommodating bedrooms and two well-designed bathrooms. The heart of the house is a charming living room that spans 35 square meters, where each corner whispers warmth, urging you to settle down and enjoy those intimate family moments. The living room opens onto a covered terrace that overlooks a well-maintained garden spanning over 2000 square meters, offering an oasis of calm where you can relax after a busy day or enjoy gatherings with friends and family. Living in Jarnac-Champagne means enjoying a moderate oceanic climate, with warm, breezy summers that are ideal for outdoor activities and mild winters that let you appreciate the cozy warmth indoors. The nearby vineyards that surround the area are a testament to the fertile land and perfect weather conditions present here. Moving back to the home, you find a modern open kitchen, ... click here to read more

Nestled in the heart of France's stunning Charente-Maritime region, this unique farmhouse on Route de Fontseche in Chérac promises an authentic experience blended with the comforts of recent renovations. Offering glimpses of its former life as a wine estate, this property combines history with the chance to create your own story. Let me walk you through this promising farmhouse - a hidden gem in the countryside. Set on a sprawling 3,681 m² plot, the estate unfolds with a main house of spacious 254 m² living area. Inside, you'll be greeted by 10 rooms, cleverly designed to optimize both space and function. Perfect for a large family or those needing room for guests, the home features 5 cozy bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and for extra convenience, there are 3 additional shower rooms and 4 toilets available across the property. A centerpiece of the home, the 35 m² living room, is equipped with a classic fireplace ideal for warming the chilly evenings. Parquet flooring adds a touch of warmth to the kitchen and dining area, which opens up to dual terraces—perfect spots for sipping morning coffee or enjoying al fresco dinners. The mezzanine offers a wonderful play area above the living space, while an airy vestibule connects you to the sleeping quarters and plumbing facilities. What truly sets this property apart? The opportunity for expansion. The outbuildings await your personal touch, equipped with features like new PVC windows in a wood finish and sturdy double glazing for insulation. Stone walls in these structures keep the rustic ambiance alive. Use them as storerooms, workspaces, or turn them into gîtes for holiday rentals, with Chérac being a pleasant stopover for tourists exploring the Saintes and Cognac regions. Speaking ... click here to read more

Situated in the picturesque region of Poitou-Charentes, Charente-Maritime, this charming farmhouse in Jonzac, France, offers an exquisite blend of rustic charm and modern convenience. Boasting three bedrooms and two bathrooms, this large property, perfectly set in one of the most beautiful spa towns in France, is ready to become your ideal retreat or a savvy investment for rental income. Upon arrival, the welcoming spirit of French countryside living is immediately evident. The farmhouse is accessed via new secure gates, leading to extensive gardens that are fully enclosed and meticulously maintained. The garden, predominantly laid with grass, is adorned with mature trees, shrubs, and flower beds—creating a scenic view that's hard to match. Imagine sipping your morning coffee on the large paved terrace, overlooking the heated swimming pool and the surrounding verdant landscape—a perfect start to your day. Let’s step into the main house. The ground floor boasts a very large double living room, seamlessly connected to a generous kitchen. Equipped with a cozy fireplace, the kitchen is not just for cooking but becomes a gathering place for family and friends, with plenty of room for a substantial kitchen table. The lower level is further enriched by an additional living area featuring a double-height ceiling and a grand fireplace, enhancing the open layout and providing a warm, inviting atmosphere. Upstairs, the spacious mezzanine-style landing offers additional possibilities. Easily convertible into a third bedroom with a large bathroom (subject to permissions), it currently leads to two double bedrooms. The master bedroom features a walk-in wardrobe with ample space for an en suite. Completing this level is a convenient ... click here to read more

This charming three-bedroom house located in the scenic Poitou-Charentes region, in the quaint town of Jonzac, France, flawlessly combines the appeal of country living with proximity to modern conveniences. Having been recently updated, this spacious property presents a unique opportunity for those who appreciate the intrinsic value of both privacy and accessibility. The peaceful surroundings, complete with a heated swimming pool and breathtaking country views, make this a desirable haven for families, especially those relocating from abroad. The main house features expansive living spaces, including a grand double living room which connects effortlessly to a commodious kitchen. Here, the presence of a robust fireplace sets a warm, inviting ambiance, while ample space allows for a generous kitchen table, ideal for family gatherings. The thoughtful layout continues on the lower level, where a striking fireplace accentuates a second high-ceiling living area, enhancing the home’s open and airy feel. On the upper level, a mezzanine-style landing offers potential space for an additional bedroom and large bathroom, with existing permissions considered. Two well-appointed double bedrooms provide peaceful retreats for residents; the master bedroom includes a walk-in wardrobe and designated space for an en suite, optimizing convenience and privacy. An additional shower room with a WC is also accessible from the landing, ensuring facilities are close at hand for all household members. Further enhancing its appeal, the property encompasses a fully renovated, self-contained guest apartment. This space, complete with its own living, dining, and kitchen areas, is perfect for hosting guests or could even serve as a rental unit. Give ... click here to read more

Discover a delightful bungalow nestled in the scenic region of Poitou-Charentes, Charente-Maritime, Jonzac, France. This property offers the perfect blend of rustic charm and convenient proximity to local amenities, catering especially to those looking to immerse themselves in the tranquil French countryside while retaining easy access to essential services. The location in Jonzac is particularly appealing for overseas buyers and expatriates seeking a serene lifestyle surrounded by nature. The house itself boasts practical living spaces, including a kitchen that opens to a spacious living/dining area, providing a warm gathering place for family and friends. A corridor leads to the private quarters of the home, featuring three well-sized bedrooms and a bathroom, along with a separate toilet for added convenience. Each room is designed to maximize comfort and functionality, making it an ideal setting for both daily living and entertaining. One of the unique aspects of this property is the expansive attic space, which presents an excellent opportunity for conversion into additional living areas or storage solutions, subject to obtaining the necessary permissions. It is the perfect project for those with a vision to tailor a home to their specific needs and tastes. Set on a large plot of approximately 8941 square meters, the property is adorned with a beautifully landscaped garden and diverse vegetation, promising a perfect backdrop for outdoor activities and relaxation. Various annexes and a garage complement the main structure, providing ample storage and utility space. A closer look at the house reveals it as a fixer-upper, presenting an engaging project for those keen to infuse their personal style into their new hom ... click here to read more

Nestled in the picturesque countryside just a stone's throw away from the vibrant spa town of Jonzac, this unique 7-bedroom property in the heart of the Charente-Maritime region offers a remarkable blend of rural tranquility and modern convenience. Spread across an expansive 1.5-hectare estate, bordered by a gentle river and featuring its own serene small lake, this property promises a slice of the idyllic French countryside lifestyle. Ideal for those overseas buyers and expats yearning for a serene haven, this house awaits its next chapter with open doors. Let me take a moment to introduce you to this property—it's not just a house, yet it's a canvas for dreams. As you enter the main house through the welcoming entrance hall, you're greeted with a warm atmosphere. The main house is equipped with central heating to ensure your comfort during the cooler months. The heart of the home, the spacious kitchen, flows seamlessly to a covered terrace at the rear. Imagine enjoying your morning coffee here or entertaining guests with al fresco dinners while gazing at the wildlife that frequently visits. The home boasts a generous double aspect living room, perfect for cozy evenings or social gatherings. On this ground floor, you'll also find a convenient WC, a practical store room, and a utility room providing essential space for daily life. One of the seven bedrooms is also located here alongside a well-appointed bathroom, making it convenient to accommodate guests or perhaps even a slower-paced lifestyle. Headed upstairs, you'll discover four more bedrooms. The largest among them has been creatively utilized as a study—a versatile space that could easily serve as a personal retreat or a bustling home office. A shower room and ... click here to read more

On a warm Tuesday morning in Jonzac, you open the terrace doors off the sitting room and the air smells faintly of mineral water and cut grass. Below you, the garden runs downhill in long, generous sweeps — through a canopy of trees, past a woodland patch that filters the light into something almost theatrical — until it reaches the quiet banks of the River Seugne. A heron stands perfectly still at the water's edge. You can hear the church bells from the old town center, just five minutes away on foot. That's the daily reality of owning this five-bedroom geothermically heated house in the heart of one of Charente-Maritime's most quietly compelling spa towns. The property sits less than 500 meters from Jonzac's center, which puts you close to everything without sacrificing the sense of space that defines life here. The upper floor holds three well-proportioned bedrooms, a bathroom with a separate WC, and a triple-aspect living and dining room that catches light from three directions. That room connects directly to the south-facing terrace — the kind of terrace you end up living on from April through October, drinking Pineau des Charentes in the early evenings while the swallows dart over the garden. The kitchen is bright and practical, also opening onto the terrace, so cooking here in summer means constant movement between inside and out. What makes this house genuinely unusual is the lower floor. Two independent guest accommodations sit completely self-contained on that level, each with private access. For a family wanting multi-generational space — grandparents, adult children, close friends who visit for weeks at a time — this layout is hard to find at this price point in France. For a buyer thinking about income gen ... click here to read more

Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft chirping of birds in the heart of the picturesque Charente-Maritime region. This is not just a dream but a reality waiting for you in Chaniers, France. Nestled in the serene Poitou-Charentes area, this charming 4-bedroom house offers the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort, making it an ideal second home for those seeking a tranquil escape or a lucrative investment opportunity. ### A Home That Tells a Story This authentic Charentaise house, thoughtfully renovated in 2000, exudes warmth and character. As you step inside, you're greeted by a spacious living area that seamlessly combines traditional elements with contemporary amenities. The ground floor hosts three cozy bedrooms, each offering a unique view of the lush surroundings. The fourth bedroom, located upstairs, provides a private retreat for guests or the perfect space for a home office. ### Modern Comfort Meets Timeless Charm - Renovated in 2000: Blends old-world charm with modern conveniences. - Double Glazing: Ensures energy efficiency and comfort year-round. - Heat Pump: Provides sustainable heating and cooling solutions. - Spacious Living Area: Perfect for family gatherings and entertaining. - Four Bedrooms: Ideal for families or hosting guests. - Two Bathrooms: Offers convenience and privacy. ### A Haven of Peace and Privacy Set on over 5700 m² of partially wooded land, this property offers a sanctuary of peace and privacy. The expansive grounds are a canvas for your imagination, whether you envision a lush garden, a playground for children, or a serene spot for meditation. - Large Outbuilding: Potential for conversion into a workshop, garage, or gîte. - 10x5 Swimming Pool: A pr ... click here to read more

Stand at the tall windows of the first-floor salon on a Tuesday morning and you'll understand immediately why people have been coveting this address for centuries. The Charente River slides past below, catching the light in that particular way it does in late spring—silver and slow—while the bell tower of the Abbaye aux Dames marks the half-hour with a sound that drifts through the open glass and settles into the room like it belongs there. This is the Saint-Pierre quarter of Saintes, one of the most quietly distinguished addresses in southwest France, and this five-bedroom Hôtel Particulier has occupied its corner of it with serious, unhurried confidence for generations. The property spans 471 square metres across a generous footprint that reveals itself gradually—you push through the courtyard gate, cross the stone-flagged entrance, and only then begin to understand the scale of what you're dealing with. Rooms that are genuinely large, not estate-agent large. Ceiling heights that make you stand up straighter. The kind of proportions that were built when space wasn't a luxury but an expectation. The original features are extraordinary in their survival. Wood panelling—the real thing, full height, painted in the muted tones of old French interiors—lines the principal reception rooms. Ceiling roses of elaborate plasterwork crown each main space. The spiral staircase at the heart of the house is the sort of architectural gesture that stops people mid-sentence when they first see it; tight, precise, built from stone that has worn smooth in exactly the right places. Herringbone parquet runs through the upper floors; period encaustic tiles handle the ground level. None of this is reproduction. None of it has been ripped out ... click here to read more

Nestled in the serene and inviting village of Saint-Martial-de-Mirambeau, located in the picturesque southwest of France, lies a cozy two-bedroom house awaiting its next residents. Situated at 17150 St-Martial-de-Mirambeau, this dwelling serves as a wonderful opportunity for those seeking a peaceful yet vibrant lifestyle amid the verdant landscapes of the Charente-Maritime department. As a busy real estate agent with a global touch, let me guide you through the essence of this property and what living in this delightful area has to offer. First, let's explore the house itself, which is aptly suited for a small family, couples, or even individual expats looking to settle in France. The property spans approximately 200 square meters, with 90 square meters immediately habitable space spread over two levels. As you access the house, you’re greeted by a warm living room measuring around 36 square meters, perfect for unwinding after a long day or hosting intimate gatherings with friends. The separate kitchen, covering almost 12 square meters, leads to an outdoor terrace — imagine having your morning coffee while listening to the gentle sounds of a small stream nearby. Upstairs, you’ll find two modestly sized bedrooms, each providing a cozy retreat for peaceful slumbers. The main bathroom, more than 5 square meters in size, along with a convenient WC on the main level, offers comfort and practicality. An adjoining utility room/laundry room, more than 3 square meters, adds to the functional aspects of the home. The inclusion of double-glazed wood windows ensures adequate insulation, though a couple of windows remain single-glazed, offering room for future enhancements. - 2 bedrooms - 1 bathroom - Living room (36 m2) - Separat ... click here to read more