a house to fall for

It's the weekend, a nice moment in the week to dream a little.  Just look at this pretty presbytery up for sale near the coast in Normandy.

18th century,  wisteria around the window, box bushes outside the door, brick walls and white shutters.  Perfect.

The property is not very big.  With just three bedrooms and two bathrooms it is just right for a small family, although there is the top floor to be renovated where more rooms could be created.  

I love this light airy sitting room.

You can just tell from the light streaming in through the windows that the house is probably facing south.

The grounds are only 1400 square meters, so easy to maintain and there is a small outbuilding.   How much do you need for this little bijoux to be yours?  The asking price is 660,000 euros and it is advertised here .

Just one request, if you do go ahead and pull out your cheque book - please can I come to tea?

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dreaming of the smaller french house for sale

A couple of readers have kindly written to me explaining  that while you enjoy seeing the properties I show for sale, many would prefer some smaller less expensive houses to dream over. 

So today let's pretend that we have maximum 200,000 euros to spend on a property in Normandy.  We prefer an old house with character, and we don't mind if it needs a little restoration, and total redecorating!  Do you agree with these criteria?  Good, then here is my selection for you to carry around in your mind this weekend    .......

I am showing you one of my favourites first of all, comes complete with a stable, chicken house, pond, large garden, wine cellar and huge attic to renovate

These properties are mostly further west in Normandy than us, often in the traditional Normandy style, that is long and narrow, rooms leading from one into another, usually with several fireplaces.

The beams showing through the structure is also typical of the region, on this house I love the exterior staircase

From the so sweet to the more imposing!

 Voila!  I have to add that I am not an estate agent, and the agencies have not paid me to show these properties, it's just my pleasure for an in-between-season weekend.  If however you want more details on any of the houses, just drop me a line and I'll give you  the link.

Happy dreaming! 

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dreaming of a house in Normandy?

Have you ever dreamt of changing lifestyle and heading out to the deepest French countryside to do up an old house and run your own B&B ?    I may have the place for you......

This beautiful house is 250 years old , it was originally a Fuller's mill.  Its 2.5 acre garden  backs onto a nature reserve, and has its own spring supplying fresh water to the whole property;

The house is to be found down a tiny lane in a beautiful little valley.  Among the numerous outbuildings, is this stunning old barn that could be converted into further living space.

The main house is not enormous but has an open plan living area with a huge fireplace, a cellar and five bedrooms.  There is a tiny maison d'amis with a bedroom and a bathroom plus another barn with 5 more bedrooms and a large work studio upstairs.  The property has been run as a seminar centre for several years. The structure and layout are fantastic but there is still scope for improvement and embellishment.

These pictures show the back of the main house, overlooking the grassy slope leading down to the stream.  It would be great to add a raised wrap around porch to this side of the building and enjoy the views and sunlight.

This is the side of the house that people arrive to.  The garden is well planted and very attractive.  The terrace is a great place to eat alfresco.

The extensive grounds are as quiet as they are beautiful.  The soil is rich, the garden grows well.

The large barn close to the house was built with five bedrooms on the ground floor and two huge studios above.  The property can sleep over 20 people so this space is useful when welcoming groups.  With its wooden beams and wood clad walls it is warm and welcoming.  Again the potential is enormous.

Back in the main house, the living area with its large wood burning stove feels relaxed and inviting.  The windows on the left look out towards the stream.

This long corridor in the main house  upstairs serving the bedrooms and bathrooms gives a feel for the overall size of the property.  I love the use of the oriental rugs, and the way that antique furniture and paintings can be displayed so effectively.

The bedrooms upstairs are charming, they feel warm and cosy

The sweet little maison d'amis lies directly opposite the entrance to the main house.

vaulted ceilings in the cellar

Today the kitchen is compact and functional, with a walk in larder and storage area behind.

The property is a couple of hours drive from Paris, in the heart of the cheese country.  Camembert, Livarot, and Le Pont l'Eveque are just a couple of the famous cheeses made locally.   The university town of Caen and the pretty seaside town of Deauville are an hour away, the landing beaches too.

I know this property well.  It is up for sale furnished and equipped at around 450,000 euros, I believe there is some room for negotiation.   If you would like any other details don't hesitate to get in touch, I'll happily answer your questions or put you in touch directly with the owner.

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a french country house to love and care for

If you've ever dreamed of packing up and moving to France, to a truly authentic region, full of history and natural beauty then you'll want to know about this house.  Not just a house actually, a former presbytery, dating back to the 18th century and beautifully restored to create a 4 bedroom/4 bathroom home, with room for more on the top floor.

The house is in the Cotentin,  a  protected area of outstanding natural beauty.   The subtle grey stone of the building is typical of the region and will look wonderful with roses climbing up the walls and over the gate.   Within walking distance to the sea, the house is near St Mère de l'Eglise, made famous during the D-Day landings.

The person who acquires this lovely property will be starting with a clean palette, as inside everything has been very tastefully restored without changing the essential character.   I love the double opening doors, the huge fireplaces and the soft tones of the walls and floors.

The outbuildings give that essential French feel to the property and will prove useful for creating summer rooms or storing garden furniture.  The property lies within easy reach of Paris by train, and close to the port of Cherbourg, making it ideal for anyone thinking of creating a B&B.

The garden is perfect because it's not too big an area to handle, but being surrounded by green fields there's the feeling of size.    I can see this laid out in a potager and parterre, complimenting the strict façade of the house.  The land is rich here, trees and garden grown well, and the property could go from beautiful to stunning in quite a short time.

If you would like more details and other photos, you are welcome to drop me a line and I'll tell you what I know or put you into contact directly with the owners.

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