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Property Summary
Situated close to Chef Boutonne in the Deux Sèvres this delightful property which dates back to the18th century is set in lovely grounds of approximately 2 acres, with four extremely well equipped gîtes offering a sound business opportunity.
Property Description
This lovely property offers an ideal opportunity for someone to continue the already excellent gîte business, but also offers the chance to expand the business enterprise by way of extending the current letting season or creating bed and breakfast rooms. The current owners operate a letting season between the end of May and the beginning of September from their four fully equipped and comfortable gîtes, which comprise as follows; Gîte 1 This property has been renovated by the current owners and has access and facilities for disabled clients. On the ground floor the large entrance door leads from the front terrace into the well equipped and fitted kitchen/dining room, wet room fitted with shower, wc and wash basin, bedroom with double doors leading out to the rear courtyard, bedroom with double doors leading to the front. On the first floor there is a light and airy mezzanine living area, cloakroom with wc, bedroom and a bathroom. Gîte 2 Front terrace area and double doors leading into the living room which also has double door access to the rear courtyard. Well equipped and fitted kitchen, shower room. To the first floor there are two bedrooms and a bathroom fitted with bath, wc and wash basin. Gîte 3 Access from the front terrace into the living room with double doors to the rear courtyard and well fitted kitchen/dining room on the ground floor, whilst to the first floor there are two bedrooms and a shower room. Gîte 4 This property has a side and a front terrace area and double doors lead from the front into the large living room with fireplace and wood burning stove, twin bedded room overlooking the side terrace area. Kitchen/breakfast room with a door leading to the front terrace, cloakroom with wc. To the first floor, two bedrooms, shower room, wc and a bathroom fitted with a corner bath, shower cubicle and wash basin. The gîtes are set around a large walled and shady courtyard area with a feature water fountain, which is situated to the front of the main house. The entrance gates lead out to a tree lined driveway with grassed areas to both sides for visitor parking. The main house is thought to date back to the 18th century and was originally a maison de maître. All floors to the property are of polished oak floorboards, apart from the lovely stone floored kitchen and utility/laundry room. The large entrance doors lead into a splendid hallway with feature oriel window, cupboards, large door to rear garden and the coup de coeur has to be the original and beautiful oak staircase. Doors lead from this hallway to the principle rooms of the property as follows; Drawing Room (50m²) with large window overlooking the rear garden, glazed door to front courtyard, fireplace with wood burning stove. Study (20m²) window to rear garden, fireplace. Dining Room (25m²) overlooking the front courtyard, fireplace, door to; Breakfast Room (18m²) with flagstone floor and large stone fireplace, opening to kitchen, door to utility/laundry room. Fitted Kitchen (15m²) with beamed and vaulted ceiling, door to front courtyard. Utility/Laundry Room (21m²) with flagstone floor, large stone table, stone sink, well fitted with pump. To the first floor there are four bedrooms (26m²), (20m²), (24m²) and (16m²) two with en suite shower rooms. Family bathroom with bath and shower. The original staircase continues to the second floor attic space which would be possible to convert into additional accommodation. There is a large dry cellar which can be accessed from inside the house or by way of a stone staircase in the large attached open fronted barn to the side of the property. The rear gardens are well designed to provide two distinct areas, one for personal use by the owners and the other for the use of the guests. Both areas are mainly laid to lawn with trees and shrubs. Each garden area has its own in ground heated swimming pool and pool house. There are shower and toilet facilities, poolside bar, stone barbecue. To the end of the garden there are two sets of double gates which lead out onto the village lane and from here it is possible to walk or cycle to local amenities.
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.
