Village house with garden and garage

A Village House with Manners

Tucked behind a gated entrance in the heart of historic Saint Maurin, this beautifully restored 19th-century stone house sits well back from the road, in a quiet, private setting that suggests the neighbours have all agreed to whisper. A large lawned garden and views over the surrounding countryside complete the picture, which is more or less what you imagined when you first said “I’d like to live in France.”

The House

Presented in immaculate condition, the house has been restored with a light touch and a rendered facade over its original stone. The modern comforts are in place where it counts: a reversible heat pump (cool in July, cosy in January) and part double glazing.

The super stylish, modern kitchen has integrated appliances and travertine flooring, and a door opens directly onto the terrace, which is the only logical place for your morning coffee.

The sitting room has two pairs of French doors opening onto the garden, an open fireplace, a beamed ceiling and tiled floors. It is the sort of room that makes people say “we could just stay here all evening,” and then do.

Accommodation

Ground floor: a cosy snug, equally happy as a fourth bedroom, and a stylish modern bathroom lined in travertine.

First floor: three charming bedrooms, a second travertine-lined bathroom, and the vital dressing room or study. Vital, because every household needs somewhere to retreat to, whether to organise clothes or to pretend to answer emails.

Outside

A wrap-around tiled terrace sits within established gardens, with a pergola and a further terrace for al fresco dining. There is a large garage workshop with a roller door and ample off-road parking, so the car, the bicycles and the ambitious DIY projects all have a home.

The Village

The excellent local shop is a very short walk away. It sells everything you could possibly need, doubles as the village café when you can’t face making your own coffee, and on certain evenings turns into a restaurant. It is, I’ll admit, my go-to shop.

Saint Maurin is steeped in history, with its old abbey among the highlights. Agen, with its fast TGV link to Paris, is just twenty-five minutes away, and Toulouse airport is around an hour and a quarter. The surrounding countryside is dotted with historic bastides and is some of the most beautiful you could wish for.

All that remains is the unpacking, and the enjoying.