Luxury Country Cottage Close to Lively Village

This is French country living at its best with all the charm of traditional character but within light, open and uplifting spaces – brand new and designed especially for you by the architect owner! Access to the property is through a covered walkway which presents a first tentative glimpse of the shady half acre wood beyond the garden. The two storey cottage, with open plan living spaces on the ground floor, leads to an extensive shaded verandah facing south over the 9m x 4.5m salt water heated swimming pool. The master bedroom and en-suite bathroom at this level (designed to be wheelchair friendly, see below) also gives access to the verandah. The luxury kitchen with its breakfast bar facing the open plan dining and lounge is fully equipped to a high specification. A Harmony wood burning stove provides a focus and comfort through those winter evenings. Upstairs are two delightfully furnished double bedrooms which share a second luxury bathroom. Bedrooms are dual aspect with wonderful views across rolling countryside. Bliss!! The architect owner has pursued his passion for the design of residential and vacation developments over a forty year period in various parts of the world. This property is the distillation of all of that, purpose designed to provide exactly what you want to find on your holiday to the French countryside. The site has been chosen close to a quintessentially French village which has shops and restaurants set around a tree lined square. Its lake, even closer to the site, has boating, tennis and a café, a place where the kids would be happy all day long. It is, however, firmly in the country, up a little winding lane, quite secluded. It slopes gently down to the south east allowing extensive views from the verandah beyond the pool across open countryside. Half an acre of woodland offer endless opportunities for childrens’ play and maybe too for those a little older that quiet doze in the hammock out of the sun’s glare. A natural circle in the trees is the site for King Arthur’s round table which seats up to 12 and with the portable gas bar-B-Q not far away. The tree house is also to be discovered hiding n the undergrowth and we have carved out a badminton court between the trees. Internally, living spaces are designed open plan, interconnected and sociable. The island induction hob in the kitchen faces the dining area so that the cook doesn’t need to miss out on the conversation! Appliances include dishwasher, double eye-level fan oven and full height fridge / freezer. The dining area leads out onto the shaded verandah from where steps lead down to the pool terrace. Bedroom 1 also opens out through French doors onto this verandah. The wooden stair leads up from the lounge to the other two bedrooms and shared bathroom above. Everywhere there is daylight and views over quiet countryside. All rooms are furnished and equipped to a high standard. Externally the property is finished in stone, timber and clay tiles in traditional style including it’s own pigeonnier. It is full of French character but within has bright open spaces designed for modern living. A winter holiday here would be spent warm and cosy in front of the roaring log burner without all those nasty draughts old properties find it impossible to get rid of. Everything of course is brand new and supplied to a high standard to include all of those little things for the baby that you don’t want to have to squeeze into the suitcase. Wheelchair Access: The property is designed to be as wheelchair friendly as possible without commitment to full 'disabled' access as defined by UK Building Regulations. A one metre wide level path leads from the driveway across a level threshold at the front door into the open plan living spaces. Wider doors allow wheelchair access from the Lounge into the ground floor bedroom (Bedroom 1) and to the ground floor Bathroom (door opens out) with walk-in shower enclosure (30mm high lip to the shower tray). There are no wall-mounted grab bars. Level thresholds lead from the Dining Area and Bedroom 1 onto the wide shaded Verandah with its view across the pool terrace to open countryside. While access to the pool terrace from the Verandah is via steps there is separate ramped wheelchair access (assistance may be needed) from the parking area across the lawn to the pool terrace. (See reviews Philip H.July 2014; Anonymous August 2013) This part of France excels at all times of year, not just in the hot summer months. Winters are predominantly dry and sunny with crisp, clean air, perfect for a walking holiday in the low season. there are many hundreds of trails through wooded valleys and over open hills, all clearly waymarked and described in booklets available from tourist offices. (See reviews Anonymous(2 No.) March 2014).