This 4-bedroom quintessentially Charentais house has many original features yet has been modernised by the current owner to create a country idyll. It’s in a lovely tranquil spot, yet only 5 minutes away from Nanteuil-en-Vallee, which is dubbed one of the prettiest villages in France, and has a popular bar, two well-regarded restaurants, a tea shop and several other shops. The house is also just an 8-minute drive from Ruffec for all amenities and access to the N10 to head north to Poitiers and the ports or south to Bordeaux and beyond.

Downstairs you enter into a large lounge with a flagstone floor and cosy seating area around the woodburner. Next door is the kitchen, which needs some updating, but is perfectly usable as it is. It has authentic coeur de demoiselles tiles on the floor. Next to this is the laundry room and WC. Off the other end of the lounge is the downstairs double bedroom and en suite bathroom.

Upstairs, which is currently rented out as seasonal gite accommodation, there’s a large lounge with basic kitchen equipment to one side. Off one end of this is a double bedroom with woodburner, and off the other end a landing with plenty of storage, two double bedrooms and a shower room.

Outside to the rear is a lovely sunny terrace off the downstairs lounge, and a raised terrace above this for the upstairs accommodation. To one side of this is a large square pond with a plethora of Monetesque water lilies and rear vehicular access if required. Beyond the terrace is the in-ground swimming pool with far-reaching countryside views. To the side of the house is parking for two or three cars, an open barn, two stables, the paddock and fields beyond. To the other side of the house are some ancient stables which would make good garden storage.

All in all this property has so much going for it – it would make a lovely family home, has income potential with the gite upstairs (a future owner may need to reapply for the necessary permissions and business registration) and the almost 2.5 hectares of land could provide yet more income as a campsite (subject to necessary permissions). Otherwise the land protects your view from the terrace, pool and garden or can be used to keep horses and other animals.

This is truly a dream home, so don’t let someone else beat you to it and book your viewing today.