Okay, so I’m going to be straight with you, as a busy agent working in global real estate, I get that overseas buyers and expats are looking for homes with some honest info, both about the property and the area. You probably have a million questions, so I’ll try to cover as much as I can without drowning you in estate agent lingo. I’m working on so many properties lately, so let me just dive right in before my phone starts ringing again!
So, we’re talking about a stone house located in Berg, which is right near Bergerac in the Aquitaine region, postal code 24100, France. If you’re looking for a place that’s already good to go – not a full-on project or major fixer-upper – but maybe a few tweaks here and there depending on your taste, then this could work for you. It’s a roomy house, big enough for a family or even someone needing that extra space for guests, remote work, or just liking a bit of distance!
The house is set in a proper old hamlet, which means you’re not in a noisy town. It’s pretty peaceful, and most of the neighbours are locals, mixed with a few British expats who got lucky with the timing. You’ll be only a few minutes’ drive from all the main shops, services, and good restaurants – honestly the food scene is fantastic around Bergerac, with proper markets, cafes, the bakery. There’s that real French way of life, which is laid-back but not lazy, and things tend to run at a slower pace here, which can take a bit of getting used to. But once you’re here, you realise the perks – fresh produce, local wine (can’t beat the Bergerac reds!), and just an overall safe and family-friendly vibe.
Let’s talk about the house itself for a sec. It’s traditional stone, typical for this area, with six actual bedrooms. That’s not a typo, there are really six, so it can handle a big family, lots of friends, or home-office setups if you want to work from home (the internet’s decent but do check the speed depending on your provider!). There are two bathrooms, so no morning queues, and the ground floor has a layout that works well for families or entertaining: entrance hall, living room, dining area, kitchen (good space for a kitchen, but if you’re big on cooking you might want to tweak some things), and even a laundry room. There’s a bedroom downstairs with its own en-suite, which is handy if you’ve got someone not wanting to deal with stairs.
Upstairs you’ll find three more bedrooms and another bathroom. The upstairs could do with a bit of personal touch, maybe a lick of paint or a new floor in a bedroom – nothing drastic. The property has a cellar, a boiler room and an extra basement room, so storage isn’t a problem and there’s loads of potential for making a wine cave, games room, or just dumping all the stuff that doesn’t fit elsewhere.
It’s a practical house, but not flashy. The heating runs off a heat pump which is more eco-friendly and should keep the running costs okay, but always wise to get a local estimate on utility bills, as old stone houses can get a bit cool in winter if you’re not used to them. In terms of outside space, this house delivers: the land’s around 7,000m2 (so, 1.7 acres or so), with a nice garden that’s already got some trees for shade, and there’s a swimming pool – not Olympic sized but perfectly good for family splash-arounds, cooling off in summer or even doing a few laps if you’re disciplined (I’m not, but you might be!).
The climate here in Aquitaine is actually one of the reasons so many people move out this way. Winters aren’t usually very harsh – you might get a cold snap, but it’s rare to see snow. Summers can be hot but not overbearing, often between 25-33°C, and spring/autumn’s quite mild, which means you can enjoy the garden or pool for a good chunk of the year. Being slightly away from the coast, humidity is manageable and you’re not facing the tourist rush you get nearer the sea.
Day to day, you’ve got loads of options: exploring Bergerac with the old bridges, wine châteaux, and the Dordogne river if you’re into canoeing, fishing, or just lazy picnics by the water. There’s golf, cycling routes, scenic little villages with summer markets, and you’re just a train ride from Bordeaux if you fancy a bigger city or want an airport for trips back home. Local schools are decent, and for healthcare there’s a hospital in Bergerac, plus private clinics and English-speaking health professionals due to the expat community here. It’s also a dog-friendly area, with cleaner air, nice walks in the woods or alongside vineyards.
Living in a house like this means you get a genuine sense of space and privacy, but you’re not isolated. Perfect for families that want to put down roots, or anyone seeking that work-life balance with enough room for hobbies, guests and just being able to step outside and hear the birds instead of traffic. If you’ve lived in apartments most of your life, be ready – there’s always a bit of maintenance with rural property (trimming hedges, cleaning gutters, occasional plumbing glitches). But honestly, compare that to the upside of fresh air and your own pool, and most find it worth it.
Main features below for quick reference:
- 6 actual bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- Ground floor bedroom with en-suite
- Approx 308m2 living space
- Stone construction
- Quiet historic hamlet location
- Separate dining and living rooms
- Laundry room
- Cellar and boiler room in basement
- 7,000m2 of land
- Private swimming pool
- Heat pump heating system
- Mature garden with trees
- Close to shops/services/restaurants
- Quick drive to Bergerac center
- Space for parking
As you can see, it’s got a lot on offer for the right buyers and a fantastic base to enjoy the best of French country life. If you’re thinking of moving to France or investing for family holidays, it’s well worth considering, but as always, come and see for yourself – photos never tell the whole story! And if you’ve got more questions, just shout, but apologies if I’m a bit slow on replies (it’s busy time here).
