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Property Summary

An opportunity to acquire an imposing detached residence in a stunning, mature and private setting, many features and adaptable accommodation. Internal viewing is essential in order to appreciate. The accommodation briefly comprises Sitting Room, Dining Room, Snug, Fitted Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms, Utility Room, Studio / Office, Garage and much more.

Property Description

This superb villa is set in the most idyllic location in the southern Charente, just 1100 metres from the pretty market town of Chalais with its impressive château. Inside, the property has a bright atmosphere and the layout is ideal for entertaining, both inside and out. The property has been renovated with style and taste using the finest materials (the current owner is an interior and garden designer and the mother of a succesful Paris artist ). Offering around 155m² of living accommodation on the main floor and a wealth of charm and character including stone fireplaces and marble tiled flooring. The attic has ample scope for development as does the ground floor area which is presently used for storage and utilities. Outside, there is a sunken garden, large patio with barbecue, ideal for alfresco summer meals. The garden has been designed and planted by the owner in a traditional manner to highlight the existing mature trees and shrubs, about 3400m². Less than an hour from Bordeaux and only 30 minutes from Angouleme and its airport which is serviced by Ryan Air. The villa was constructed in 1964 and the recent refurbishment features new electrics, plumbing, oil-fired boiler and new roof. The fossee septique (independent sewage system) has been checked and maintained.

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.