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Property Summary

Only an hour to the coast this pretty gîte complex near Melle in south deux Sèvres, comprises three 2 bedroomed houses, each with their own private terraces, covered parking and access to the pool. Quietly situated in an unspoilt village and river views.

Property Description

This is a lovely property and has been run as a successful business for the past ten years. The location is private, yet in the heart of a rural village. Set in the heart of the Deux Sèvres countryside at its rolling best in this area, as it meanders along, and around a river valley. Driving through the gateway, the drive leads to the 3 separate houses on this site. There is ample parking for all the properties and each house has its own under cover parking area. 3 properties all set into an elevated position with great views of the river valley. Outbuildings provide access to a games room a very popular area for paying guests. In greater detail the 3 properties comprise; House 1 (owners accommodation) entrance into dining room which makes the most of the river and garden views, having windows to 3 sides. Large kitchen with oak fitted units and tiled floors, which leads through to the spacious country style sitting room, with woodburning stove. Upstairs are 2 large bedrooms, each with en-suite facilities. Underneath is a cellar area-ideal for your wine collection! This property benefits from oil fired central heating too and so is very cosy all year round. House 2 is the 1st of the two letting units, and comprises large living room with dining area and corner kitchen, woodburning stove in the hearth which heats the entire property. There are 2 bedrooms and a shower room. This house is very comfortable all year round and ideal for winter lets too. There is an individual patio area for this property. House 3 is in fact a recent barn conversion and comprises a very large open plan living room with dining area and kitchen. Upstairs are 2 large bedrooms with en-suite facilities. Modern, roomy and airy, this is extremely popular with summer visitors and has direct access to the rear to the pool area. The gardens meander between the properties and are mature and very attractive with many different ‘garden rooms’. The pool area is fenced and being above ground is popular with young families who will normally play and cool off in our lovely hot summers, and then retire to their own patio area for the evening. There is an orchard area in which to relax or even enjoy a family picnic. The current owners are providing satellite TV and wi-fi internet access for all their guests, and the gîtes will be sold furnished and ready to let. The area is very pretty with plenty of walking and cycling routes from the village. The nearest amenities are in the pretty market town of Melle only around 5 minutes drive which boasts several excellent restaurants and a great Friday market. The coast is around an hours drive at La Rochelle, and the nearest airports include La Rochelle, Poitiers, Bordeaux.

Location in France

Deux-Sevres is the next departement inland from the Vendee and below the Loire, in the region of Poitou Charente in Western France. It is so named because of the two rivers running through it, the Sevre Nantaise in the north and the Sevre Niortaise in the south. The climate is very similar to that of the Mediterranean with long hot summers, although the winters can be very cold with temperatures dropping below freezing during December and January.
Niort, the department capital, was a Roman town which did extremely well under the Plantagenets, who granted the town a charter and built a stronghold, completed by Richard the Lionheart. In the 18th century the town specialized in tanning skins imported from Canada to make chamois leather for gloves, and it is also known for its angelica. More recently Niort has attracted several large mutual insurance companies, which has bolstered its economy and attracted young people to work there.
Bressuire is known for its major cattle markets, and is the centre of some rich and picturesque scenery used for cattle breeding and rearing, and the landscape is similar to that of rural England or the Dordogne! Melle is a green and florally decorated town that hides its origins as a centre for lead and silver mining, as well as minting coins. Melle was on one of the main routes for pilgrims heading for Compostella in Spain. Parthenay, to the north of Niort, was founded in 1020 on an outcrop above the river, and the medieval town has kept its character.
Poitiers and La Rochelle airports provide easy access to the Departement, with Ryanair flights from Stansted. British Airways offer flights from Gatwick to Nantes, a 2-hour drive away. Cross-channel travelers can reach Deux-Sevres within a comfortable 4 hours' drive from Caen and St Malo, or just over 5 hours from Cherbourg.