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Property Summary

This is a lovely house-just what everyone's looking for-lots of lovely revealed stone and original features-beautiful fireplaces, lovely level gardens, plenty of room for a pool, and also the chance to creat extra accommodation if needed in the barn. 5 minute drive from Chef Boutonne with it's colourful market.

Property Description

This property offers the best of both worlds, with a nicely restored stone house, very comfortable to move into straight away, as well as a partially converted gîte-enough work to put your own stamp on for some extra accommodation. When done, the gîte accommodation is of 2 up 2 down, with a barn in between the house and gîte-retaining some privacy and interior soundproofing if needed. The interior of the house is tastefully presented, with nicely pointed revealed stone walls in lovely golden limestone and fossils. The entrance is into a formal entrance hall with old sink and attractive staircase. There is a large well-fitted sized kitchen/dining room with original fireplace as well as separate spacious living room again with original fireplace. Upstairs, there are 3 good-sized bedrooms and family bathroom with bath. There are exposed beams and character throughout with a gorgeous light hard-wood floors upstairs. Outside are lovely level gardens parkland style with mature trees, including lots of fruit trees and plenty of parking. This property benefits from gas central heating and there is broadband Internet available. South Deux Sèvres location, only 1h15 from the coast at La Rochelle Chef Boutonne is less than 5 minutes drive and is a large market town with bars restaurants surrounding the large central market place. There is a good mix of locals and ex-pats ensuring there is always something going on. Regular budget flights to the UK are available at Poitiers, La Rochelle and Angouleme airports all around an hours drive. Swap possible for property in UK or Normandy-please ask for details

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.