3 Bedroom Limousin Cottage / Gite with pool
In 2005 my husband Jeff and I sold up and moved from our home in the North of Scotland to Chassagnas, a small hamlet deep in the heart of rural France. Seven years on we have a lovely home as well as a 3 bedroom LImousin Cottage/Gite with pool. Regrets? None at all.
The property became ours in February 2005. It comprises of a small cottage and several stone built barns set in two and a half acres of pasture. We have converted the old hay barn into a four bedroomed home and now our first house, the 3 bedroom Limousin cottage/gite with pool, is available for holiday or longer term rental. Converting the buildings has been hard work but we have both really enjoyed the experience.
Now that we are settled we keep some chickens and have a large vegetable plot. We both enjoy the outdoor life and work as part time gardeners in the summer months. The latest addition to the fold in September 2009 was a springer cross brittany spaniel called Molly.
The 3 bedroom Limousin cottage/gite accommodation comprises of a small open plan kitchen/ sitting room, dining room, a large downstairs bathroom, three bedrooms and an upstairs toilet/shower room. There is a woodburner in the living area. The house is equipped with satellite tv, DVD player, CD player. The well equipped kitchen has a fridge freezer, microwave cooker, electric coffee maker, washing machine, large gas cooker, essential kitchen utensils and a small safe. WIFI and direct access to the internet are both available.
Extras like washing up liquid, toilet rolls, cleaning materials, bin bags etc are included in the price of short term lets.
Having lived in the gite for a year we know it is comfortable. The woodburner warms the whole house in winter and the stone walls keep the living area cool in summer. More photographs of the property can been seen in the picture gallery.
Outside the gite there is a covered eating area with BBQ and an above ground swimming pool - 6m x 4m x 1m deep - with solar heating and a decked sunbathing area. For a small fee, visitors can also make use of our sauna or have a relaxing massage from a trained sports massage therapist.
If the gite is not being rented as holiday accommodation, medium term rental is offered for those wanting to experience what living in France is really like before committing to buy a property or for those house hunting in the area; much more comfortable than living in a caravan especially in winter!
Should the weather turn particularly hot, an air conditioning unit can be hired. A cot is available free of charge.
The Gite
The top photograph shows the 3 bedroom Limousin cottage/gite. It looks small but is surprisingly spacious with two double bedrooms, a single bedroom, a bathroom and a shower room, both with wc, a dining room and kitchen/living room.
Below this is a photograph of the gite and yard, with the stone built barn/garage on the left and the bread oven terrace to the right.
The third picture down shows the gite on the right and our home, the renovated barn, on the left.
The Limousin Countryside
The gite is situated 500 metres above sea level and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Some photographs of the area are included in the picture gallery.
The Swimming Pool.
The pool is made 'toddler proof' by raising the steps. Prickly plants dissuade youngsters from venturing too near the terrace wall.
