Outstanding 8-bedroom farmhouse in rural setting

DESCRIPTION Charentais farmhouse (18thC) wth separate Pigeonnier (dovecot) and Grange, renovated in 1991 to a high standard and set in the middle of 8 acres (3 ha) of meadows and trees. 8 bedrooms. Three kilometers from the village of Montmoreau – good shopping facilities. Twentyfive kilometers to the south of Angouleme, an ancient walled city of considerable charm. From there the TGV gets to Paris in two hours and fifteen minutes (by 2012 this will be reduced to less than two hours). No agency fees.

KEY FEATURES

ð 8 bedrooms, of which all but one are on the ground floor

ð double garage, office and playroom

ð situated on the highest point in the district – superb views

ð two salons – the largest measuring approximately 48feet by 20feet (105m2) with local stone mantelpiece and large open fire

ð three bathrooms and four WCs

ð swimming pool 11 x 5ms

ð full central heating – oil and solar panels

ð elegant cobbled courtyard

ð Montmoreau has a first class medical practice

ð the area is quiet with little motor traffic

FULL DESCRIPTION

There are three buildings– to the north, the Grange built 10 years ago some 4ms from the house : to the south, the Pigeonnier ms from the house, all forming a compact block of buildings overlooking a walled courtyard.

The main house has five double bedrooms – 5.8x5.1ms, 5.9x4.2ms, 5.7x3.4ms, 5.0x3.2ms and 5.3x3.7ms.

There are two salons– the largest, approx 15x7ms, a truly impressive dining and sitting space with a kitchen area at one end. There’s a large open fire place. The other (40m2) has a wood burning stove and is used as the sitting room with TV and hifi.

The Pigeonnier (literally a dovecot) has a hall and bathroom and three double bedrooms – 4.0x4.0ms, 4.6x4.6ms and another 4.6x4.6ms, the latter is on the first floor and reached by stone steps from the hall.

In all there are three bathrooms and four WCs. We had in mind to convert one of the bedrooms in the main house to a further en suite bathroom. This is not an unduly complicated project.

The floors are all of large square earthenware tiles except the small salon and all the bedrooms which are laid with seasoned chestnut wood. The bathrooms are white ceramic tiled.

There is a small garage attached to the main house which is used as a wood store. Also a good sized workshop with cement floor, and next to it a wine cellar – there are no outside walls to this and thus it keeps a reasonably stable temperature.

The central heating system was completely renewed two years ago. At the same time the fuel was changed from gas to oil to run an entirely automated system by Buderus (German). Solar panels were incorporated which have significantly reduced costs. From late May to september the boiler rarely lights up, thus domestic hot water is provided by the sun’s heat.

The Grange on the north side of the house has two substantial garages with separate entry doors. It includes a room 3.3x6.4ms (currently a children’s playroom) and an office of the same size. These could be subject to conversion ie a single bedroom with a bathroom en suite. Both rooms have up to date insulation and double glazing.

Pigeonnier ms from the house, all forming a compact block of buildings overlooking a walled courtyard.

The main house has five double bedrooms – 5.8x5.1ms, 5.9x4.2ms, 5.7x3.4ms, 5.0x3.2ms and 5.3x3.7ms.

There are two salons– the largest, approx 15x7ms, a truly impressive dining and sitting space with a kitchen area at one end. There’s a large open fire place. The other (40m2) has a wood burning stove and is used as the sitting room with TV and hifi.

The Pigeonnier (literally a dovecot) has a hall and bathroom and three double bedrooms – 4.0x4.0ms, 4.6x4.6ms and another 4.6x4.6ms, the latter is on the first floor and reached by stone steps from the hall.

In all there are three bathrooms and four WCs. We had in mind to convert one of the bedrooms in the main house to a further en suite bathroom. This is not an unduly complicated project.

The floors are all of large square earthenware tiles except the small salon and all the bedrooms which are laid with seasoned chestnut wood. The bathrooms are white ceramic tiled.

There is a small garage attached to the main house which is used as a wood store. Also a good sized workshop with cement floor, and next to it a wine cellar – there are no outside walls to this and thus it keeps a reasonably stable température.

The central heating system was completely renewed two years ago. At the same time the fuel was changed from gas to oil to run an entirely automated system by Buderus (German). Solar panels were incorporated which have significantly reduced costs. From late May to september the boiler rarely lights up, thus domestic hot water is provided by the sun’s heat.

The Grange on the north side of the house has two substantial garages with separate entry doors. It includes a room 3.3x6.4ms (currently a children’s playroom) and an office of the same size. These could be subject to conversion ie a single bedroom with a bathroom en suite. Both rooms have up to date insulation and double glazing.

The kitchen area includes a Rosier range (Paul Bocuse) with two electric ovens (with a rotary roasting spit) – four gas rings. The gas comes from a one ton LPG tank buried behind the grange. There is a washing up area made from African hard wood and equipped with two large butler’s sinks.

Sanitary drainage is via two septic tank systems, last emptied and inspected by the Council authorities two years ago.

The cobbled courtyard has a stone fish tank and a BBQ. It is surrounded by a wall and once the gates are shut, young children can be put out to play without risk of their escaping. It is pleasantly planted up and with four small squares of grass (see pix). A real sun trap.

The pool is some 12ms to the south of the courtyard and measures 11x5ms. In the winter it is covered by a thickish plastic tarpaulin. It conforms to EU regulations in being adequately fenced against of children up to 5 years old gaining entry. At one side is a pergola covered by wisteria to make shade in high summer also a stone tank with water pumped through a carved stone head – a pleasant sound when relaxing on a pool lounger.

The surrounding countryside is truly beautiful, rolling hills thickly covered by chestnut and oak. It is a place of great peace and calm yet close to the small city of Angoulême (it has a handsome cathedral), and within easy train access to Paris. It is an are of deep country now much sort after by Parisians who have an eye on the new TGV line in 2012 bringing the big city within less than two hours of travel.

PLEASE ASK FOR FLOOR PLAN with MEASUREMENTS and SATELLITE PHOTO of the WHOLE PROPERTY from bhl2@wanadoo.fr