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Property Summary

Extended south-facing charentaise house, offering 4 spacious bedrooms, fitted kitchen, large 20m² wine cellar, 2 sitting rooms, lovely pool, land, stone built barn/workshop, walnut orchard, gas central heating and small campsite.

Property Description

Entering this property from the sunny south facing courtyard, the house is double fronted and well balanced. The property was thoroughly restored and expertly extended some years ago to a high standard, and the current owners have added modern bathrooms and converted what was a grape pressing barn into an impressive summer salon (40m²), which leads out to a covered terrace, and the stunning in-ground heated pool (10 by 5 metres) with a beam triggered alarm system, and surrounded by a sun-bathing area. This salon also leads out to a second terrace with a bubbling fountain, which enables one to follow the sun for an evening drink. The main front door leads to the kitchen to the left, the winter sitting room to the right, and flows through to the extended part of the house. The kitchen (20m²) is well fitted and bright, with windows to 2 sides and room for a monastary dining table. The winter sitting room (20m²) is extremely comfortable with period woodburning stove and again with windows to 2 sides. This pretty room is full of charm with a revealed stone wall, and attractive local stone fireplace, as well as attractive wood panelling around the window and door recesses. The internal hallway leads through to a large laundry room, as well as a useful downstairs WC, walk-in larder, and cloakroom. The summer sitting room/salon is at the back of the house, and is extremely large with french doors leading to the terraces and gardens. A beautiful curved wooden staircase leads upstairs to the large landing area, which has plenty of room for a sofa and large bookcase; to one side the family bathroom, with balneo/jacuzzi bath, a large room which is luxurious and dedicated to relaxing, just the place to unwind after a long hard day by the pool! A useful separate WC is here too. To the other side of the landing, the first bedroom (20m²), again a lovely light room with windows to 2 sides. The hallway retreats back into the extended part of the house, and we glide easily into the large office/library (25m²), with wall-to-wall fitted cupboards/wardrobes. From here are spread bedroom 2 (20m²), bedroom 3 (18m²) and bedroom 4 (15m²), as well as an additional shower room. The house benefits from an easy-to-use gas central heating system with radiators throughout, broadband internet connection, and double glazing throughout. All the windows are in hardwood.The property has been damproofed and has a high level of insulation. To the outside is a large garden, complete with walnut orchard, and other fruit trees, a rainwater recovery system (citerne) and a large detached stone built 2 storey workshop. Complete privacy in this small and well spread out hamlet, with lovely walks in the woods accessible from the property. The entire property is protected by an electronic security system. The campsite, which has permission for 8 pitches, covers a level area to the rear of the garden, with covered kitchen and 2 shower blocks, with laundry facility. Rather than running the campsite as a business, the current owner runs it part-time as a hobby. The income generated from the campsite could be increased by dedicating more time to it. More details on request. All this within 2km of a village with all amenities-very convenient for towns and schools too, with the market town of Mansle a mere 10 minutes drive and Chasseneuil approximately 8 minutes The RN10 is approximately 10 minutes drive and the large ramparted city of Angouleme, with its cobbled streets and a new airport offering budget flights to the UK, is approximately 15 minutes drive. In addition to the airport, high-speed trains (TGV) run from Angouleme station to Paris and the UK.

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.