Detached 3 Bed House with Views over Wooded Valley & Close to Estuary

Chez Pichaud is a delightful detached house , oozing with charm and full of outstanding features, and situated in a delightful wooded valley. The house is located in a hamlet of 4 houses close the top of a hill and is near to the villages of St Bonnet sur Gironde and St Thomas de Conac. There are bakers, butcher, small supermarkets, bars andnewsagent in these villages, just a few minutes away.

Chez Pichaudis conveniently situated 5 miles from the market town of Mirambeau, which is close to junction 37 on the A10 Paris-Bordeaux autoroute. Mirambeau has all shops & facilities, including supermarkets, car repair and maintenance businesses, garden centre, plus many other shops, as well as bars and restaurants.

La Rochelle airport is 90 minutes drive to the north, and Bordeaux airport about the same to the south. Bordeaux can also be reached from London by Eurostar (via Paris or Lille), then transferring to the high speed TGV.

The surrounding region, on the banks of the Gironde estuary, is a haven for many types of wild life, including numerousbirds of prey. Large areas are given over to growing grapes for the wine and cognac for which the area is famous, and many farms still have their own stills.

The Bordeaux vineyards are to the south, including famous names such asMedoc, St Emilion, and Pomerol. To the north, 30 minutes drive away, are the stunning beaches around Meschers and St Georges-de-Didonne, Royan and its marina and hectic nightlife, and then on to the unspoilt wildernesses of the Cote Sauvage.

The property was completely and tastefully restored by the previous owner, and all internal woodwork, beams, staircase etc, were replaced at that time. The roof tiles were renewed completely in 2004. The roof is fully insulated, with 4 separate layers.

There are exposed beams throughout the ground floor, and the staircase is of elm.

On the ground floor, which is completely tiled throughout,is a fitted kitchen, with solid oak units and built in electric cooker andfour-ring hob, together with built -in dishwasher and washing machine. Additional storage is provided by wall cupboards. The kitchenadjoins the entrance hall, which doubles as the main dining area, and off which lead the stairs, door to the lounge, and the beautiful fully tiled bathroom. The bathroom is fitted with high quality toilet, shower cubicle, washbasin and full size bath.

Drainage is by septic tank, and gas for central heating & hot water is supplied from a tank concealed by trees and shrubs a shortdistance from the house.

The lounge features a large stone fireplace with a wood beam mantlepiece, and a freestanding green enamel wood/coalburning stove.

Upstairs comprises 3 bedrooms: two of the bedrooms are good-sized double rooms, and the third, central bedroom will accomodate 2 single beds at a pinch, but is best considered a single bedroom or office/ workroom. The first floor has wooden floors throughout, and one double bedroom is carpeted. There is also an attic storage area accessible via a door in one of the bedrooms.

At the rear of the house is a substantial room containing the central heating boiler. This provides unlimited amounts of hot water on instant demand. This area also provides ample storage for tools, lawnmowers, garden furniture etc.

The property is approached via a driveway into the garden; the whole propertycovers around 4000 sq metres. The garden near the house is lawned. The main area is grassed and has many fruit trees, including quince, several large fig trees, apples, plums, pears, etc.

There are numerous wild orchids of at leastfour species, including bee orchids and long tongued orchids.