French stone house in small quiet hamlet

Our house was originally a barn at the end of a terrace of other barns and converted into a house many years ago. The attached barns have not been converted. Although plain from the outside our house is warm and comfortable inside and has a large kitchen where most people like to sit when they visit. Consequently there is a large farmhouse table with seating for up to 10 people (at a squash) or 8 comfortably. The sitting room is cosy with a seperate t.v. area and office area and doors leading on to the rear patio. There is an insert log burner for chilly nights. The house is centrally heated.

The attached garage/barn is full of man stuff and garden equipment including a sit on mower. The mezzanine level, which is approached from the landing, is for storage. There is a small library on the landing level.

There are two double bedrooms with ample storage and a single. The single room is currently used as an art room.

There are three bathrooms. One on the ground floor with shower/sink and wc. and two upstairs. One ensuite with shower and one with sunken bath. There is a seperate laundry and freezer room on the ground floor.

The one acre mature garden has many areas for relaxing and dining either in the sunshine or shade. The garden opens to the public each year to raise money for charity. There is a purpose built barbeque area under a large oak tree and an elevated area overlooking the valley for sunbathing. There is also a vegetable plot and poly tunnel.

The amount of wildlife in the area is stunning and many varieties of birds visit our garden regularly. We have permanent residents including Nuthatch, Tree Sparrows, Blue and Great Tits as well as visiting Finches of all kinds, Woodpeckers, Redstarts, Hawfinch, Robins and many more. Buzzards and Kites fly above. We have three hedgehog houses and a bug hotel.

We have an adorable labrador/retriever named Alfie. He is now 12 years old and we prefer not to drive long distances with him anymore. He can either stay at home and be looked after by our swappers or he can go to friends for the duration of the swap - or a mixture of both.

About the location

Our home is in a small hamlet of just 50 people and is only 5km from the nearest small town of Nantiat where there are all amenities, including bank, doctor, dentist, supermarket, pharmacy, gendarme and a sports stadium. Limoges is 20km south and the airport is only 20 minutes drive.

From the hamlet there are lovely nature walks and cycle paths, well signposted, as well as many which are off the beaten track. It is possible to walk anywhere you wish in France so long as you follow the country code and do not disturb animals or break down fences.

The area is mostly farmland and in August the commune comes alive with its annual Le Buis Blues Festival. This one day event attracts people from all over France and takes place just 15 minutes walk away but cannot be heard from the house. Entrance is free for Commune residents (including house swappers).

Limoges is a beautiful city full of character with excellent shopping and cultural, sport and leisure activities.

Just 10 minutes drive is the beautiful Lac St Pardoux with its three beaches and numerous watersports.

Haute Vienne is very similar to parts of Scotland with numerous lakes and mountains. There is even bracken - thankfully no midges.

Conditions of exchange

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