A Glorious Farmhouse in Gironde

Property Description

This lovely stone 4-bedroomed farmhouse nestles in its own private gardens and includes a lovely self-contained gite with both an internal and an external access via a spiral staircase from the terrace below, all with lovely views over the surrounding countryside and the river Garonne.

The Canal du Midi is within easy walking distance and the whole area offers wonderful walking and cycling opportunities with abundant wildlife. Although rural, the property is on the edge of the village of Barie and 3 km from Castets en Dorthe with its local shops, doctor’s surgery and pharmacy. There is also a pizza place and an excellent restaurant with bar and fine dining set on the Canal below the village. Castets is where the canal meets the Garonne at its most westerly point. The larger towns of Langon and La Reole (both with main railway stations) are within easy driving distance (approx. 10 km) where you will find larger shops and weekly markets for all your needs. The stunning UNESCO city of Bordeaux is 45 minutes away. Other places to visit include St. Emillion, Duras and the old Bastide towns of the Entre deux Mers region with numerous chateaux and vineyards. Some of the more local villages are charming, for example medieval St Macaire with its cobbled streets, ancient priory, cafes and restaurants. Other places for a day out include the Arcachon Basin, the Medoc region, Bairritz and maybe even St. Sebastien.

THE ACCOMMODATION

In the main house there are 3 large airy double BEDROOMS overlooking the Kiwi Orchard and distant countryside. The master bedroom is 19 m² and the two further bedrooms are 18 m² each. The 3rd bedroom can be en-suite with its own shower room, as both are off a small lobby on the landing. The French window on the landing has a 'Juliet' balcony with stunning views over the Garonne and you may glimpse buzzards, hawks and heron gliding along it. There are 2 BATHROOMS, one with a bath, separate SHOWER, wc and basin, the 2nd is a SHOWER ROOM (shower, wc and basin).

DOWNSTAIRS

The HALL is large and airy and has dual aspect doors, one to the drive and double doors to the south facing terrace. There are doors to the KITCHEN and SITTING ROOM and a timber staircase to the 1st floor. The KITCHEN (29 m²) has been decorated in farmhouse style with fitted cupboards, double sink unit and work surfaces, a dishwasher, gas cooker with hood and central island with cupboard and storage drawers, a pine dresser and fridge/freezer. The fireplace houses a Jotul wood burner. Off the kitchen is a lobby with washing machine, door to the Gite stairs and door to the CLOAKROOM. The SITTING ROOM (26 m²) is bright and airy with triple aspect windows and has a large fireplace with another Jotul wood burner for the cold winter months.
All the floors have traditional tiles and the whole house has shutters to keep it cool during the summer months.

THE GITE

The gite comprises a large airy SITTING/DINING ROOM (26 m²) room with KITCHENETTE, sink with drainer and hob with fridge under and combi microwave oven. Double French doors from the sitting room area and a single French door from the kitchen area lead onto the balcony with steps down to the terrace (below the balcony) and gardens. (There is a staircase down to the main house from the kitchen area). From the sitting room area there is a door to a small lobby with fitted storage cupboard and doors to the pretty DOUBLE BEDROOM [large wardrobe deleted as now in house] and separate spacious BATHROOM with shower over the bath with glass door, wc and basin with mirror and light over and fitted shelving to the side.
All the floors are timber and openings have shutters.

The GRANGE (part below the Gite) is accessed from the drive with table tennis table, gas point for the (main house) cooker, washing machine (for the Gite), tumble dryer, small freezer and small fridge. There is a door to a further storage area at the back of the Grange with 3 cupboards for storage, pool chemicals etc.

OUTSIDE

In the garden there is an enormous TOBACCO BARN WITH ATTACHED STONE HOUSE (DERELICT), both used at present for wood storage, garden equipment, pool covers etc. There was planning permission for a 1st floor apartment in the barn area which lapsed about 10 year ago.

The pretty gardens are mainly lawn with fruit trees, mixed borders with flowers, herbs, lavender and shrubs and a small vegetable patch.
The house terrace has a shaded area for eating with lovely views over the kiwi orchard and surrounding area. The landscaped SWIMMING POOL (8m x 4m with oval ends) has access via steps at the shallow end and there is plenty of space around it for sun bed sunbathing. It also benefits from a shaded area for eating. The pool area can be gently illuminated from a flood light on the house for a relaxing evening dip. There is security fencing with gate as required under French law.

The Gironde is a wonderful area in which to relax and unwind and there is a lot to do and see locally. Golf, tennis, horse-riding, bicycle hire and canoeing are a short drive away. Spend a day at Arcachon with its sandy beaches, water sports and, of course the famous Pyla Dunes. Slightly further afield are the lovely sandy beaches on the Cote d’Argent and nearer to hand there are lakes with beaches for swimming and more water sports.

OUR VIEW

This very comfortable and charming property is situated in such a desirable location and has the added benefit of its proximity to Bordeaux and its excellent transport links worldwide. For those who wish to, extra income can be derived from the gite. The house has been in the family for the last 30 years and the present owners have in previous years successfully let the house during the summer months and, more recently since living in the house, have been successfully letting the Gite.


INTERIOR DETAILS

Condition: Renovated and ready to move into
No. of floors: 2
No. of rooms: 8
Living rooms: 2
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3 (2 in main house, 1 in Gite)
Habitable size: 200 m²
Living room size: 26 m²
Living room apartment: 26 m²
Kitchen: Fully fitted and equipped
Heating: Electric, 2 woodburners
Hot Water: Electric
Broadband: Yes
Taxe Fonciere: 725 € pa

EXTERIOR DETAILS

Property type: Farmhouse
Condition: Fully renovated
Construction: Stone
Date of construction: 1800's
Roof type: Roman tiles
Outbuilding: Attached barn (39 m²) and store (20 m²); Tobacco barn (200 m²)
Land: Garden
Land size: 2978 m²
Drainage: Septic tank (Conforms to norm, inspected 2016)
Mains water and electricity
Swimming pool: Size 8m x 4m