TOTALLY RENOVATED SUNNY PROPERTY - TRANQUIL YET CONNECTED

• family house
• excellent links
• fully modernised
• close to airports
• no work to do

• Bedrooms: 3
• Rural

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

Our house, which is set in delightful walking or cycling countryside on the borders of the Deux Sevres and the Charente, provides perhaps the ideal combination of true classic French country style and the best of modern amenity. This is reflected in the mix of families in our hamlet of La Rochonniere. There are both British and French families ranging in age from about seven years old until way past - perhaps I should not say! Whatever it is an excellent opportunity to practice your French and also chat in your own language, when you feel the need . This is typical of the general area, where British families have chosen to relocate and earn a living - so that many local services now cater for those without 'perfect' french.

In the nearest town of Chef Boutonne, there is a whole range of shopping, cultural and sporting activity. There are two large supermarkets as well as schools, doctors, chemist's, hairdressers, bakers as well as many other useful services including a popular weekly country market and a specialist wine store ! There is also a large multi-purpose sports hall, where every year they hold an international Table Tennis competition (bet you didn't know that!).

The area is very well served for transport links. Within roughly an hour and a half, there are three airports serving the UK-namely at Poitiers, La Rochelle and Limoges. Just an half an hour further there is the very large international airport at Bordeaux. There are main TGV train stations at Ruffec, Poitiers and Angouleme - between 30 minutes and an hour away.

We came to live in this area because of its climate, which is the second sunniest in France after the Riviera. But obviously also because of the excellent quality of life in a countryside location comparatively free of pollution in all its aspects, which also provides all the convenience of modern living – not least being the indispensable broadband connection!

Our house has proved very suitable for our needs. In a plot size of about three quarters of an acre (0.302 ha) and set in about two thirds of an acre of easily managed garden with fruit trees, it has been extensively renovated and modernised a few years before we moved in. It consists of a main L-shaped house, which is south facing over its main garden and benefiting from externally shuttered picture windows giving a very light and airy feel. The internal of the house needed absolutely nothing doing but during the time that we have been here we have installed a new drive and substantially created a new courtyard garden, which incorporates a boules court. We have also had installed an 'in line 'mains water softener (2000 euros!), which saves replacing all the white goods every five years or so. The house benefits from mains electricity, telephone and water supply and like virtually all of rural France relies on its own gas (bottles) and sewage (fosse septique).There is also a range of substantial outbuildings all of which are in excellent condition, including a large barn, a separate store room and a laundry room. The laundry room contains the oil fired central heating boiler which provides for radiators throughout the house, which is supplemented very cosily throughout the winter by a log burning insert fireplace in the lounge, with increased energy efficiency provided by double glazing virtually throughout.

ON THE GROUND FLOOR
(Room dimensions are approximate)

LOUNGE

6.06m x 5.58 m (approx 3.25m high). Substantial beamed ceiling. Feature stone wall to one side. Two large double glazed side windows and double glazed patio doors leading to garden terrace. Two central heating radiators. Modern insert enclosed wood-burning fire providing alternative heating to the ground floor and upper floor. Tiled floor. Substantial wooden open tread staircase leading to the first floor.

STUDY

3 m x 3m with traditional French panel window overlooking courtyard garden and central heating radiator. Carpeted.

DINING ROOM

3.9m x 4.15m with traditional French panel window overlooking courtyard garden and central heating radiator. Stained wooden floor.

KITCHEN

4.68m x 4.13 m overall. Double aspect over both gardens with two large double glazed windows. Traditional French upper glass panelled door. Central heating radiator. Fitted Bosch electric oven. Gas (bottled) hob. Extractor hood. Fitted country style cabinets with wall and floor units and traditional tiled work surfaces and splash backs. Tiled floor. 10+ electric sockets.

SMALL CORRIDOR

With storage cupboard and separate fully tiled WC leading off.

Leading to

DOWNSTAIRS BATHROOM/SHOWER ROOM

Consisting of fully tiled walls and floors, Bath, separate shower, wash hand basin with storage unit under. Vertical central heating radiator and double glazed window.

BEDROOM 1

4.95 x 3.81m ( including full length wall to ceiling sliding door wardrobes). Double glazed picture window with superb views over main garden. Fully tiled floor. Central heating radiator.

Substantial wooden staircase leading to:

ON THE FIRST FLOOR

Open landing area, fully carpeted with a Velux window

FIRST-FLOOR LIVING AREA (Flexibly used as additional living space, hobbies area and occasional bedroom).

2.73m x 5.85m. 2 Velux windows, Double glazed feature window. Central heating radiator. Fully carpeted. Featured half stone wall.

SHOWER ROOM

Approx 5m2 . Consisting of WC, wash hand basin and matching shower cubicle. Central heating radiator and Velux window.

BEDROOM TWO

3m x 5.5 m Double glazed window. Central heating radiator. Featured stone half wall.

BEDROOM THREE
3m x 3.5m Velux window. Central heating radiator. Inbuilt storage area.

IN THE GARDENS

As you enter through the newly refurbished gates and restored main drive, you pass through the main garden to the south of the house. This main garden is approximately 0.272ha. It contains numerous trees and shrubs including apple, pear, fig, cherry and walnut. It contains one of two wells, which are very useful for watering in the long dry summers!

This drive leads you under a very attractive pergola to the 'courtyard garden'. This courtyard is enclosed by the eastern side of the house, the large barn (10m x 6m), the cave, a storeroom and laundry room. The courtyard provides parking for several cars if you choose not to use the barn for that purpose. All these outbuildings are in an excellent state of repair.

SOME DETAILS

TAX FONCIERE (2010) 891.00 euros

ENERGY RATING

Property economy: D (182)
Emissions: E (41.6)

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