Village house with garden and outbuildings

Behind the Gates: A Village House with Hidden Depths

Tucked away behind a gated entrance in a quiet corner of South-West France, this 19th-century stone village house is rather larger than she lets on. She has been well looked after structurally and would simply appreciate a little refreshing to bring her back to full glory. The hard work is already done: double glazing is in place, along with a pompe à chaleur reversible heating system that keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer.

Inside, charm and character are everywhere you look, with exposed stonework, original beams and tiled flooring throughout. The fitted kitchen comes with its own open fireplace, which is the sort of feature that makes guests linger long after they were meant to leave. The open-plan living space is crowned by a spiral staircase, because every good house deserves a little drama.

Accommodation includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of them particularly stylish, and there is ample scope to create more should the need arise. Several store rooms provide plenty of room for all the things you will swear you’ll sort out one day.

The later extension is a real bonus. With a full-height ceiling and sliding glass doors, it makes a wonderful artist’s studio, a light-filled sitting room, or a guest annexe for friends and family who might otherwise outstay their welcome in the main house.

Outside, the established gardens extend to 590 m² and include two small outbuildings, ideal for tools, bikes or the occasional hideaway.

The setting is a fabulous corner of South-West France, all rolling valleys and bastide villages. Local amenities are a short drive away, and Agen, with its fast TGV link to Paris, is just thirty minutes by car.

Equally suited as a holiday home or a permanent residence, this is a house with a great deal of heart, and room to make it your own.