French Properties, Property in France, Gites, Gite Complexes, for Sale

Within walking distance of a fishing lake and local bar/restaurant and boulangerie

This superior property, often mistaken for a grand hotel, is presented in immaculate condition

This is a superior self catering leisure complex comprising a grand detached 4 bedroom Owners house with large rooms and high ceilings, 4 luxury cottages sleeping up to 22 guests and two quality heated pools, in a tranquil rural setting near to the river Boutonne, within easy walking distance of a Chateau with park and fishing lake, local bar/restaurant and Boulangerie and only 2 km from local amenities including shops, doctors, banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, a small library/cinema and schools for all age groups in the very popular rural market town of Chef Boutonne. There are good transport links. 1 hr drive to airports at La Rochelle, Poitiers and Angouleme, 7 hrs Calais and 4/5 hrs south of St.Malo /Caen/Cherbourg.

This period character property was originally built in the mid 18th Century as a Gentlemen's residence in the Maison de Maitre style. Over the last century it has been a private vineyard and working farm until in 1991 it was converted to create what is currently this superb self catering leisure complex. This private estate is set in about 2 acres of landscaped grounds with 2 quality heated swimming pools and a large open barn used as a games room. Approached along a private chestnut tree lined avenue and approached through imposing gates, the property is set around a walled circular courtyard with central fountain and obscured by two 300 yr old Yew trees.

WHY CHOOSE THIS PROPERTY ?

Enjoy the benefits of living in an oceanic climate
Within walking distance of boulangeries, local bar & restaurant and chateau with park & lake
Located near to a rural market town with excellent amenities
Close to schools for all ages
Local facilities for fishing and horse riding
Only an hour away from Atlantic beaches and islands, famous for oysters & mussels, pineau & cognac
Near to quaint villages steeped in Romanesque history
Surrounded by sunflower fields & vineyards, set against terracotta roofs of Charentaise stone houses
Picturesque riverside settings for picnics and water activities
Cycling & walking by river and surrounding woodlands, country lanes and quaint villages
Abundance of wildlife
Excellent road & ferry links & budget flights to local airports
Traditional French country food restaurants & Atlantic seafood

THE MAIN HOUSE - The large, very spacious Owners house retains many original features including polished wooden floors, flagstones and log fires. The entrance is through double oak doors from the main courtyard into an imposing hall, with sweeping wooden staircase, opening into a drawing room with log burning fire, study and a formal dining room with ornamental fireplace. There is a large fitted kitchen with open plan breakfast room with a feature stone fireplace, separate laundry room and a door opening onto the Owners' private rear garden. Upstairs on the same landing there are 4 large double bedrooms (2 ensuite) and a tiled family bathroom. The staircase continues to the second floor with a door to an attic with floorboards (approx 120 square meters) full beamed height with windows. Below the ground floor the former wine cellar, which can be accessed from both inside and outside the house, is full headroom and has been partly converted to provide ample storage space with cupboards, a large workshop and boiler room for central heating.

THE COTTAGES - The four luxury cottages have their own private gardens and are furnished and equipped to a high standard with every modern convenience for a self catering holiday, including dishwashers and washing machines, satellite TV/DVD and shared wifi internet access. The cottages have independent heating, two have existing telephone points and all are separately metered to the main house making them suitable for long term winter lettings. There are two adjoining 2 bedroom cottages each sleeping 4 guests and two further 3 bedroom cottages each sleeping 6/8 guests.

THE POOLS - The two quality heated swimming pools are located in the south facing communal gardens. The first pool is 10x5m with Roman steps to a shallow end of 1m sloping to a deep end of 2m. The second pool is 8x4m with Roman steps and a uniform depth of 1.5m. They are both fenced with self-closing gates to comply with French safety regulations and surrounded by large sunbathing terraces. Each pool has separate pumping, heating and filtration installations. There is a pool house with wc, wash basin and shower and a bar area beside one of the pools, offering shade.

THE GROUNDS - Two sets of double gates at the end of the communal gardens open onto a quiet country lane leading to the river Boutonne, a fresh trout farm, local restaurant and bar. The surrounding countryside of woodland and fields is ideal for walking and cycling.

SERVICES - The owners' house and the gites are connected to mains drainage. There is a separate electric meter cupboard between Gites 2 and 4, which also holds the water tanks for Gite 4. All the cottages are separately metered, which is ideal for winter lets. Both pools are also separately metered from the Owners house.

THE BUSINESS - This business has been established since about 1991. The present owners have lived in the property for 7 years. Two previous owners still live in the locality. The business is ready to walk into, offering a lifestyle change in lovely surroundings, with a good existing income, lots of leisure time and a magnificent house to live in. The sale price includes all internal and external furniture, fixtures and fittings and equipment in the cottages, linen and towels and pool/garden furniture and games equipment as seen, together with a few items of furniture in the Owners house.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT - Further development is possible, subject to formal consents, to convert the existing attic space in the main house into 4 further en-suite bedrooms for chambres d’hote or for use as conferencing/studio facilities for running speciality holidays such as residential cookery, art or language courses. There is also the possibility, subject to formal approval and consents, of building another 3 bedroom + 2 bathroom house or bungalow at the end of the communal gardens with its own private access. Draft specimen plans are available.

For further information or to arrange a viewing ....

.... call Margarete Isherwood at Jacwood Estates French Properties

UK tel: +44 (0)1926 883714 Website: www.gitecomplexes.co.uk

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