Country house with pool, annexe, outbuildings and garage

A Rare and Rather Wonderful Stone Farmhouse near Lauzerte

Just five minutes from the historic and thoroughly thriving town of Lauzerte, this charming 19th-century stone country house sits proudly in its own small hamlet. It has been restored by its current owners with a great deal of love, care and (we suspect) a fair amount of patience. The result is a home that has lost none of its old-stone character but has gained a great deal of comfort.

Set behind a gated entrance and enjoying an elevated position, the house looks out over rolling countryside that seems to go on forever. Your neighbours will be few, your views unobstructed, and your only real commute will be from the terrace to the pool.

The House

Inside, the interiors are stylish and tasteful. The open-plan living space centres on a comfortable sitting room with a log-burning stove. The modern fitted kitchen, with its integral appliances, is beautifully appointed and opens onto the sitting room, so the cook is never far from the conversation or the fire. Travertine flooring runs throughout, and the three bedrooms are served by two stylish bathrooms, one lined in travertine and the other elegantly tiled. Double glazing and oil-fired central heating keep things snug when the weather turns, and there are numerous store rooms for anyone who has ever said, “Where on earth will we put all this?”

Outside

A substantial covered terrace is made for long, lazy al fresco lunches that turn into dinner without anyone quite noticing. The swimming pool comes with its own covered terrace, summer kitchen and sunbathing terrace, all with fabulous views. Beyond lie the established gardens and a slice of private woodland, where you can happily lose an afternoon (or a teenager).

Extras Worth Mentioning

• Guest cottage: a one-bedroom retreat for friends who stay just long enough to be welcome, or an appealing option for holiday lettings
• Workshop, stores and garage: easily converted should you ever need more living space
• Cellar and well: for the wine and the water, in that order of importance

In Summary

Charming, elegant and quietly confident, this is the idyllic French country house you have been picturing. The only question is whether you will spend the first morning by the pool or the first evening on the terrace. Either way, you’ll be very hard to find.