Alright, just squeezing this description in between a showing and a virtual call, so bear with me—here’s a property I think will interest a lot of you looking internationally, especially for those expats and buyers wanting a real slice of rural France, but not too far out in the sticks.
So first off, to be up front—this is not one of those untouched mansions; it’s a house that’s 215 square meters, and overall, the condition is good. Not a fixer-upper, not run down, but it’s not pristine-straight-from-the-magazines either—good, solid place that’s been renovated over time. Some rooms have a bit more character than others, but everything works and you’re absolutely ready to move in from day one. If you’re looking for perfection, well… might have to add your own finishing touches, but the groundwork’s all here.
This property is in Bergerac, Aquitaine, in the Dordogne department, and for those of you not familiar with this part of France, it’s almost like living in a postcard—think vineyards, rolling hills, little rivers winding through the countryside. Bergerac is a real gem for international buyers because it’s a proper town but easy going, nothing too hectic, great food—duck, foie gras, truffles and incredible local wine (Monbazillac, if you’re into dessert wines). The airport here has EU connections, and you’re just a couple hours from Bordeaux. The weather is generally mild, long summers, spring comes early and autumn can be really beautiful. Winters aren’t too cold but you might get some fog—especially in the mornings. There’s a kind of calm vibe; life moves slower, people chat at markets, and neighbours say hi.
Living outside Bergerac means you’re only 10 minutes by car from the center where you’ve got everything you need—shops, markets, schools, restaurants, doctors. Also, you’re super close (about 3 minutes) to a smaller village that covers day-to-day basics like the bakery, small supermarket, pharmacy and a couple cafés (important if you love morning croissants and people-watching). For those of you needing to travel or still working abroad sometimes, the SNCF train station is 5 minutes away, so connecting to the rest of France and Europe is easy.
Now, if you’ve got kids or need space for guests—this house really is a family home. You’ve got 5 bedrooms, with two downstairs (ideal, by the way, if maybe parents or grandparents come to visit and stairs are an issue), and 2 bathrooms as well so no endless waiting. The living space is nicely spread out, big open living/dining area with a wood stove—classic touch, but also makes winter nights a lot more cozy—and there’s a separate TV room which is good if you want quieter areas for kids or for movies. Kitchen’s all kitted out so you can just walk in and start using it.
For practical stuff, you have:
- 215m² living area
- 5 bedrooms (2 on ground floor)
- 2 bathrooms
- Equipped kitchen
- Large living & dining area
- Wood stove heating
- Separate TV room
- Laundry room
- Dressing room
- Cellar/basement
- Double glazing
- Oil fuel central heating
- Enclosed, wooded park garden
- Private terrace
- Swimming pool
- Double garage
- Orchard
- Well for water
- 18,300m² land (about 4.5 acres)
- Quiet setting, not isolated
- Quick access to shops, train and airport
The outside really sets this property apart. You’re surrounded by your own bit of parkland—wooded so you’ve got actual privacy and it’s full enclosed so you don’t have to worry about kids or pets running off. There’s a pond in the garden—some people would love that for a bit of wildlife or maybe you set up seating for summer evenings. The swimming pool’s perfect for those long, hot summers we get here, and there’s plenty of flat space for eating outside, BBQs, that sort of thing. The orchard’s a nice bonus—apples, pears, whatever’s growing; a little taste of countryside living.
The double garage is a life saver, especially for people bringing cars from overseas or just for storage (bikes, kayaks, tools—you name it). You’ve also got a full basement, and a well on the property, which is pretty useful for the garden especially with long dry spells.
About living in this area: It really is all about enjoying the slower pace. Saturday markets in Bergerac are a must, riverside walks, all sorts of wine tours nearby, and a surprising amount of live music and cultural stuff year-round. Great public and private schools in the area, and easy for families—lots of parks and little festivals, and the river Dordogne is close which is great for canoeing, fishing or just sitting with a glass of wine at sunset.
If you want a house that doesn’t need serious work, has genuine “France” vibes, and space all around without being cut off from life—this is it. You can live pretty easily in this house, and with space for all the family, it’s ideal for permanent living, holiday getaways, or somewhere to settle as an expat. Any more info you need, just get in touch—just be quick, as I’m getting a lot of interest from overseas buyers in this part of France, and with this amount of land, these go faster than you’d think.
