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Property Summary

Gorgeous property in perfect conditon, full of character with fireplaces in nearly every room, magnificent views and set in a small village in the South Charente/Dordogne border in the countryside.

Property Description

Live the dream... this beautiful old stone farmhouse with 2 additional barns, one converted and 1.5 acres of mediterranean style garden and paddock with stable, idyllic location with spectacular views. Only 20 mins south of Angouleme (airport, Ryanair). 10mins Villebois Lavalette. Elevated position on edge of sought after hamlet on border between South Charente and Dordogne. It really is a house that could be a picture postcard. This house was for 15 years the country home of the Mayor of Angouleme and is totally private, surrounded by high laurel hedges and hedgerows, and is often described by visitors as the best house and location they have ever seen! If you are looking for the ' real French dream' this could be it.....! Situated on a very quiet country lane, no traffic, but very convenient for fast road to Angouleme and new airport. Over the past two years a great deal of sympathetic restoration and improvement has been lovingly carried out retaining all character features. The oldest part of the house to right of photo with balcony dates to mediaeval times and houses a large farmhouse kitchen, 25m², in provencale style, part fitted and part freestanding, with solid oak worktops, exposed stone walls and beams, pantry, display shelves, door to garden and sheltered patio. Attractive stone archway leads into large living room, 35m², with huge original stone fireplace, exposed stone walls, beams, ancient character features such as old stone evier/ sink, wall alcoves, french door and window to south facing garden which contains several olive trees, parasol pines, oleanders, italian cypresses, fig tree and large walnut tree. Feature staircase leads up to 3 of the 4 bedrooms in main house, all with character features, including large master bedroom 25m² with door to exterior ancient stone balcony and steps down to garden. This balcony is a special feature of the property not only for historical reasons but for its stunning far reaching views. This bedroom is spacious with another old stone fireplace, beams, character bookshelves, large mirrored wardrobe, new carpets and two windows with fabulous views. Main bathroom and wc are next to both this and second bedroom, 20m², which has a lovely feature window overlooking the garden and landscape. Stairs up to attic 3rd bedroom, 20m² with large velux window, deep storage shelves and hanging space. 4th bedroom 12m² is on ground floor so may be useful for occasional visitors or various other purposes. Door to newly renovated barn, 160m² additional accommodation which has effectively doubled the size of the house and has spectacular huge old beams, a mezzanine, exposed stone walls (pierre apparent), lovely tiled floor on ground floor and chesnut floorboards on second floor with velux window and feature window with superb view of mature olive trees in garden. This open plan area on two levels is currently flexible as 5th (or more) bedrooms, living areas and/or studio space but potential buyers could adapt it further for their own requirements. Newly fitted shower room and 2nd wc on ground floor. A second barn totally separate from the house has been partially converted and with some additional work would make a very pretty cottage or gite. It currently has an upstairs flat or studio space with downstairs workshop and storage or garage space. Plans to complete this conversion were delayed as it now houses our lovely rare breed chickens! Outside is a grape vine, plum tree and mature climbing roses. A 3/4 acre paddock with stable (previously used for 2 donkeys) has really stunning views and is edged by a very pretty woodland of acacias (robinia frizia trees) providing masses of scented hanging blossoms in May. Ample space for tennis court or swimming pool if required. This land also has planning permission already granted for a 170m2 house in a truly outstanding location, thus adding additional value as a building plot. Easy links back to the UK via TGV or air at Angouleme, local market town nearby, supermarket, schools, restaurants only 5 mins away. Well worth a view.

Location in France

The Charente department is home to over 340,000 inhabitants and is located in the south-east of Poitou-Charentes. The countryside offers a unique and varied environment for walkers and mountain bikers from rolling hills in the east to a flatter landscape in the west. The northern area is wild with deep forests and peaks reaching to over 1000ft. The Charente has long relied on agriculture to fuel its economy. In the 18th Century, however, the department started mass producing its infamous Cognac drink, which proved extremely popular with people from all over the world.
The department is very well situated for expatriates looking to purchase French property here, with great roads down to the Charente and the Channel ports just a short days drive away. The department has access to Poitiers, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bergerac and Limoges airports, all within 2 hours. Furthermore, in the centre of the department you will be able to fly from either Gatwick or Stanstead direct to the Angouleme Champniers-Brie airport .
Angouleme is a small yet cosmopolitan city, with a fairly dynamic feel about the place when compared to the neighbouring Dordogne or Haute Vienne. It hosts a lot of events such its vintage car racing (the Circuit des Remparts) which takes place in September , the cartoon festival in January and a great music scene which just seems to get better every year . Both Cognac and Confolens have annual festivals which attract tourists to the area.
The Charente has an immensely varied countryside bordering 5 departments, famous for both its Cognac vineyards in the west, and its Limousin beef production in the east, which in terms of scenery are worlds apart. The valley of the Charente River meanders down from Ruffec in the north through Angouleme onto Jarnac and Cognac. Confolens in the East of the department is situated on the banks of the majestic River Vienne, this area being known as the Charente Limousine, and is extremely popular with expatriates because it looks and feels like the UK. The south of the county which borders the Charente Maritime has a much better climate but less undulating scenery.