As a busy real estate agent working with clients from around the world, I know how important it is to find a property that matches your lifestyle and meets your expectations, especially if you’re relocating internationally. Today I want to tell you more about an interesting house that’s just come up for sale near Bergerac in the Aquitaine region of France. This one stands out because it’s a spacious, 5-bedroom stone house that’s ready to move into, sitting right on the banks of the Dordogne river. I'll do my best to give you a real sense of what day-to-day life could look like here, what the local area has to offer, and what to expect.
First things first, let’s talk about Bergerac. If you’ve never been here, Bergerac is a pretty well-known town in southwestern France, part of the bigger Aquitaine region (which is famous for its vineyards and rolling hills). The town itself is lively enough for most everyday needs – you’ve got multiple supermarkets, banks, a handful of international restaurants, weekly markets selling fresh local produce, and even a few English speakers if your French isn’t great yet. Bergerac is an attractive spot for expats and overseas buyers because there’s a real mix of French and international residents here. There’s a distinct relaxed vibe but plenty to do, and you’re about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux if you want big-city shopping or connections to international flights.
As for daily living, Bergerac has a mild climate by French standards. Summers are hot and sunny, often reaching over 30°C but rarely feeling too oppressive thanks to the breeze from the river. Winters are mostly mild and rarely dip much below freezing, so you don’t have to worry about hard winters if you’re coming from the UK, northern Europe, or even parts of North America. The region is lush and green for much of the year – so there’s a lot of opportunity to enjoy gardens, kids can play outside, and you can get involved in outdoor activities almost year-round.
Now, the house itself. It’s located just 15 minutes from Bergerac by car, so you’re close enough for convenience but far enough out to enjoy some peace and quiet. Bordeaux, with its international airport and TGV high-speed rail station, is about an hour away. The house sits on approximately 1 acre (that’s around 4,075 square metres of garden), with plenty of space around you compared to the average home in town. Access to the river is direct, so if you like fishing, canoeing, or just watching the water in the evenings you’ll appreciate this spot.
The home is constructed from local stone, and although it’s been renovated with modern touches, a lot of the early 1900s features remain—like terracotta floor tiles and exposed wooden beams. It’s been kept up in good order by the current owners and doesn’t need major work, so you can move in right away. That said, as with any property of this age you might want to personalise some of the décor or update things like paint colours or garden landscaping to your own taste.
Here’s a short list of the main features:
- 5 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- Heated swimming pool
- Riverside location
- 1 acre fenced garden
- Terrace for outdoor dining
- Equipped kitchen, semi-open to living room
- Scullery and wine cellar
- Dining room and separate study
- Town gas central heating
- Reversible air-conditioning
- Mains drainage
- Workshop and tobacco barn
- River access
- Private driveway
The way the house is laid out works really well for either a large family or possibly for people who want guest rooms or to use part of the house for home-working space. Downstairs you’ve got a large kitchen (it’s modern but not the latest designer style) that opens into a lounge with a fireplace—great for relaxing in the winter. There are also two ground-floor bedrooms and two bathrooms, which is handy if you don't like stairs or expect older relatives to visit. Upstairs, there are two more bedrooms and a study, plus a bathroom and a dressing room. The fact that a couple bedrooms are downstairs makes it flexible for all ages.
Living here, you’d have lots of space to make the most of the outdoors. The garden is private and fenced, good for pets or young children. During spring and summer, the pool is going to be very popular. The view is mainly of the river and countryside, honestly it’s very peaceful, though remember in high summer the odd mosquito can show up this close to the water. There’s also an outbuilding that could be used as a workshop, or maybe one day you could convert it to more accommodation or a studio if you like.
The area is known for outdoor activities—walking, cycling, exploring vineyards, and river sports are all really popular. Bergerac has several well-regarded schools, medical facilities, and some of the best markets in the region. Weekends you can potter into town for a coffee, or visit one of the local châteaux for wine tasting (there’s loads—trust me).
Overall, it’s a roomy, practical house with an authentic French feel, but also with quite a lot of updates so you won’t need to start renovating on day one. Great for year-round living or long family holidays. If you’re interested in French countryside living but want amenities nearby, this might be right for you. Reach out if you want more info or have any questions—I’m almost always on the phone or email, but I’ll get back to you as quick as I can!
