Live the dream with this beautifully restored 16th century Gites and B&B complex

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live and work here in Brittany?  Away from all the hassles and frustrations of your current life in a region where the pace is slower, the food is better and the wine is wonderful.  Where family is more important, new friends are easy to make, and the sun shines but is rarely suffocatingly hot.  Then, maybe, our beautiful 16th century complex set in lovely gardens is just what you could be looking for. It offers you the opportunity for a lifestyle change whilst giving you an excellent income in one of the best places in France to have a gite business. Why choose  Brittany? There are so many reasons for its popularity as a holiday destination:   three beautiful but very different coasts, glorious sandy beaches, stunning historic castles, chapels and churches, the fascinating towns and villages of this lovely region never disappoint, and of course, its accessibility.  We are approximately an hour and a half from the ports of St Malo and Roscoff, and also from the airports at Brest, Dinard, Lorient and Rennes.  Brittany is steeped in history, essentially rural and lives life at a gentle pace.  It is also the most visited region in France by the French!

This is an established business for sale comprising a 16th century manoir, currently used for Bed & Breakfast, which is a large 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom country house with 2 reception rooms (approx 220m²); a 2 bedroom cottage (approx 74m²); 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottage (approx 90m²); plus large heated swimming pool and large gardens. Also included are an attached barn (approx 24m²), a small playbarn, and a ruined barn which could be converted to provide a third 2 bedroom cottage.

All the houses have new double glazed windows and doors, new plumbing and wiring, English satellite television, and the farmhouse also has full oil-fired central heating, French satellite television, and all its ground floor is wheelchair accessible (there are removable ramps where necessary).

The business provides an excellent income from a very successful business which is already established and fully operational in a highly desirable location being only 10 minutes from Lac de Guerledan in central Brittany.  The holiday cottages are fully booked for this season and are also already booked for weeks in May and June 2009. 

This beautifully restored 16th century Breton  complex is built of schist and granite with slate rooves in a courtyard setting surrounded by lovely gardens including a large heated pool and children's play area. It is situated in the rural heart of Brittany very close to the wonderful Lac de Guerledan in one of the prettiest parts of Brittany, and easy driving distance from the beautiful Pink Granite Coast to the north, and the Gulf of Morbihan to the south, not forgetting the superb surfing beaches to the west.  It is within walking distance of the nearest town, Gouarec, which has supermarkets, doctors' surgery (English speaking), dentist. schools, pharmacy, bakeries, banks, post office, newsagents, hairdressers, garages, pizzeria, creperie, bars, campsite, river and a park.

You can find more information and lots more photos by going to www.livethedream2.squarespace.com

The FARMHOUSE  is entered through a granite arched door way into the spacious sitting room (19'x17'/5.8m x 5.2m) which has a magnificent granite fireplace with a large Villager log burner, original slate flagstoned floor, large beams, feature stone walls, radiator and French doors leading through a granite gothic arched door way to the rear garden.

'Breathtaking scenery, friendly atmosphere, very relaxing, almost like stepping back in time - so stress free - the Clarkes and Galbraiths of Inverness'

A door leads to ................

'We have thoroughly enjoyed staying in your house.  It has everything we wanted or needed and the pool has been a superb entertainment for the children (and a very pleasurable experience for the adults).  You have both been the most welcoming and helpful hosts (thank you John in particular for rescuing my fire making attempt!) the Gethyn Family from Anglesey'

Currently 3 bedrooms are being used for the B&B business at prices ranging from 40€ per night for one person in low season to 105€ per night for a family of four in high season.  Alternatively it would sleep 12 comfortably and could be let as a gite for around £1,800 per week in high season.  

COTTAGE 1   was completely renovated in 2007 with new plumbing, wiring, plastering, decorating, kitchen units, sanitaryware, etc.

'We had a great time in Brittany - everything we needed, especially for the kids was provided.  The pool is a great facility, the area is really beautiful and quiet.  We had a really relaxing time - no pressure.  Thanks very much Lesley and John - we can recommend your cooking skills anytime. Slainte,  The O'Brien Family of Ireland'

The rental rates for this cottage in 2008 range from £180 in low season to £650 in high season, and it was let for 24 weeks in 2007.

COTTAGE 2 was a ruin until 2004 when it was completely renovated. It is an early 16th century stone cottage in typically Breton style.

'We have had a super week here - we have enjoyed the house, pool and surroundings and feel as though we have had a proper holiday (not always the case with 5 children!)  This is a delightful spot, a part of France we've not visited before, and we have had lots of lovely days out.  The Mathers of Bristol'

The rental rates for this cottage in 2008 range from £230 in low season to £890 in high season, and it was let for 20 weeks in 2007.

EXTERIOR

The property is approached through large double wrought iron gates to a beautiful south facing courtyard which is gravelled, with a prolific peach tree as its centre piece, and surrounded by flower beds. Each house has exterior lighting at its entrance.

There is a large barn which is used for storage and can be accessed via the courtyard and the utility room, and also allows access to the boarded loft area over the farmhouse kitchen.   Subject to planning permission this could also be developed as further accommodation.

There is also another small barn which is used as a play barn for the holiday guests during the summer, and for storage during the winter. Both these barns have light and power.   There are the walls of another barn, known as ‘the roofless barn’ which could be rebuilt as another holiday cottage but which is currently used for additional parking.

There is a very old and deep stone well in the courtyard which is used for watering the gardens but is unsuitable for drinking, plus 3 ancient granite troughs (one is around 2 metres long) currently filled with plants.

There is a second entrance to the courtyard again with double wrought iron gates which is used by guests staying in ‘cottage 2’. The garden area for this cottage is to the front with a large slate patio area, lawn, shrubs, flowers, stone barbecue and a set of children's swings.

Leading from here is a gate to the swimming pool area which is completely enclosed and accessible only by lockable gates as required by law. In 2004, the swimming pool was built of concrete, which is painted, and it measures  about  12m x 4.5m/37'x15'.  It has wide Roman steps at one end, which are ideal for toddlers to play on, and is surrounded firstly by paving and then lawn which is itself surrounded by roses and shrubs. The swimming pool has a summer solar cover and a winter cover, and it is heated via a heat exchanger connected to the central heating boiler which is located in a small boiler/pool house in the garden to the rear of ‘cottage 1’.  The swimming pool is also accessible by a lockable gate from the garden of 'cottage 1' and by a lockable gate from the garden of the farmhouse which is used by B&B guests.

Five years ago, when we bought the property, there was no business but, due to continuous development and re-investment, it is now very successful and turnover and occupancy rates are increasing year on year.  Our customer base for the gites is primarily from Great Britain, but the B&B business is truly international with bookings from all over Europe, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. The business is run as 'a micro bic' at the moment and turnover figures are available on request.

All advertising and promotional materials including the web site and its name are included in the sale price, together with initial support/training if required. The web site ranks highly ie page 1/2 on Google and brings in the majority of our bookings although we also have a presence on a number of other letting web sites. 

There are currently 36 weeks already booked for 2008.  We are selling after five happy years to indulge in a well earned retirement.

Running a business will also entitle you to healthcare in France as you will be registered and in the system for paying social contributions. This is important as due to a new French ruling, any non French nationals will no longer have access to free healthcare unless they are working/running a business, or retired.

We have broadband telephone connection and wi-fi is available throughout the property for the benefit of our guests.

The ‘fosse septique’ has its certificate of conformity.