Les Volets Blues

• Three connecting cottages. Ideal gite or large residence
• Pool
• Barn with stabling for two.
• CH, completely renovated in recent years.
• Walking distance to village with shops, school, medical centre etc

• Bedrooms: 7
• Rural
• Village
• Golf
• Outbuildings
• Swimming pool
• River
• Wood

• Condition - Restored / Habitable
• Roof - Good Condition
• Drainage - Septic tank
• Water - Mains
• Heating - Central heating
• Electricity - Mains

These are our  three cottages which have been  available to rent for the parts of the year. They are in a small hamlet about half a mile from a village between Riberac and Aubeterre, Dordogne/Charente, France - peace & tranquility without isolation.  After 37 years we have, regretably, decided to sell.  For any couple retiring to France, they could provide an additional income as there is the possibility of living comfortably in just one part while renting the rest.  Two of the lofts, one very spacious could be converted to provide even more accomodation - easily 2 large bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  The cottages have the `feel' of an old coaching inn.  One of the lower rooms was the school room for the hamlet in  times past.

The hamlet  has two resident French families (one of these acts as our caretakers) and four other family-owned holiday cottages, one French and three British. There is a renovated mill house straddling the hamlet stream, which used to serve power and water to one of the ancient paper mills of France. There were about 300 such mills until recent times. 

This one only stopped producing its specialised paper in 1969.  The millstream is about 100 yards downhill from our cottages and there are gentle walks along its banks and across the fields to a small river where paddling and limited swimming are possible. There is excellent river and lake swimming - all with sandy beaches - at several places nearby. More details of these and other activities (riding, golf, tennis, canoeing and fishing, for example), plus information on nearby places of interest and good restaurants are in folders in the cottages.

All cottages have full and efficient central heating, and cottages 1 & 2 have open fires as well.  The open fires need only be used for their traditional, cheering effects. All cottages in their individual terrace/gardens have garden furniture, parasols and simple barbecues. There is  about an acre of grass garden and woodland - complete with “Victorian” summerhouse. The cottages are simply but adequately furnished for family holidays. The weather from April through until mid November is usually a delight. July and August can be very hot indeed. Our central heating makes even a visit in December and January comfortable.  Our caretakers, either M or Mme Planet, will show you around.  They only speak French though. We have a local English friend who could also do so, if you prefer.   The local village provides for most needs. There is a small supermarket, another food store, a pharmacy, two good butchers, a bread shop, a hairdresser, a newsagent, two cafes, a post office and a hotel which does good meals and snacks.   There is also a good primary school in the village. The market town of Riberac is about 7 miles east, and market day (Friday) is an experience not to be missed. The stalls pack up at midday so get there early. About 5 miles west is Aubeterre, a medieval hilltop village, officially classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. It has a fascinating monolithic church built into the hillside. Aubeterre also has river swimming with a good sandy beach, very safe for children. About eight miles south there is a large freshwater lake - Lac Jemaye. This also has sandy beaches and the water is usually very warm. Windsurfers and pedalos can be hired there. Angouleme, the nearest city, is 25 miles north. The sea at Royan, with its sandy beaches, is an easy day-trip and en route you pass through Cognac where you can tour the brandy distilleries. Bordeaux Airport is a ninety-minute drive, and on the way you can visit the best winemaking districts in France and sample their produce. Poitier and Bergerac airports are, respectively, two and one hours away by car. There are many  interesting and historic places to visit within easy reach - for example, the prehistoric caves with their wonderful paintings and stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the chateaux of the Dordogne valley. Or you can simply relax and enjoy the peace and serenity of the surrounding miles of unspoilt countryside.   

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