Village house with garden

Lacour de Visa: A Stone House with Impeccable Manners

Upmarket village living, a pinch of wit, and a pool arriving as you read this

Perched in the historic hilltop village of Lacour de Visa, this beautifully restored 19th-century stone house is the sort of property that makes viewers go quiet, then ask whether the sellers are open to a quick exchange. Fabulous views, handsome historic buildings and a cluster of splendid bastide villages surround you. The excellent local restaurant is within strolling distance (and, crucially, strolling home distance). Bourg de Visa, with its shops and everything else a civilised person requires, is a mere five minutes away by car.

The Setting

The house sits on a quiet lane within the ancient village, enjoying breathtaking views across the surrounding countryside. Arrival is easy, with off-road parking at hand. A large raised front terrace offers a seating area for sundowners and a covered terrace for those moments when the weather has other plans. To the rear is a lawned garden with its own terrace, and a brand new 6 x 3 metre swimming pool, being installed as you read this. (Please do not read this and then turn up with a towel. Yet.)

The Interior

The current owners are blessed with excellent taste, and it shows in every room. This is a very old house with a very new interior: the stone walls, exposed beams and period features have been lovingly retained, while everything else has been completely restored to a stylish, quality finish. Travertine flooring runs throughout, and the decoration looks as though it was lifted straight from the pages of an interiors magazine (we checked, and it wasn’t, though it could be).

The open-plan living space flows into a cosy new fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, and it boasts the coolest fireplace in town. We have been to a great many towns, and we stand by this.

Accommodation

• Two principal bedrooms, one with its own dressing room
• A third bedroom/study on a mezzanine level, ideal for guests or for pretending to work
• A stylish, modern bathroom

The Practicalities

Brand new aluminium windows and a pompe à chaleur (heat pump) system keep things comfortable all year round, so the character is all on the outside and in the walls, and the comfort is entirely modern.

In Summary

Charm, views, a pool and a very good restaurant, all wrapped up in a house that has already had the hard work done to it. There is nothing left to do but unpack, open something chilled and accept the compliments.

Viewing is strongly recommended. Resistance is not.