I’m Andy Portsmouth, the local agent for this renovated stone cottage located in the heart of the historic village of Saint Martin l’Ars, with two café-restaurants, a grocery store, and only a 45-minute drive to the university city of Poitiers. All he furniture is included, modern electrics/plumbing, double-glazing, mains drains, fibre internet is available.
On the ground floor, there’s a large lounge with a wood burning stove, and a fully-equipped newly fitted kitchen which opens onto a sunny courtyard that’s large enough for a 4-person table.
On the first floor, there’s a large landing with storage, a shower room with toilet, and a good-sized bedroom.
On the second floor, a second bedroom (with a low beam).
The village has a magnificent 15th century château, a 12th century abbey, and an 11th century church, which you’ll visit in the video.. it’s hard (for me) to comprehend that this church was already over 400 years old when Columbus set-sail and found America..
But life here goes far further back than that, as attested to by the dolmens built nearby, dating from around 7-10,000 years ago.
The village itself takes its name from Saint Martin, apostle to the Gauls, from the 4th century.
The abbey was founded by one of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s husbands, either Louis VII or Henry II Plantagenet, nobody seems quite sure which.
During the Second World War, from 25th June 1940, the border between occupied France and free France ran through the village. The Germans’ sentry box still stands.
Next to the village centre, is a large and beautiful park, with a wooded area and a lake. A restaurant sits on the lake where you can enjoy its terrace for a meal or a drink.
The village centre also has a second bar-restaurant, that’s very pleasant too, plus a grocery store, antiques shop, and a garage. The nearby town of L’Isle Jourdain (10 minutes) has a large supermarket, six café-restaurants and most other services.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information.