Poitou-Charentes, Charente, Confolens, France

Our local agent Andy Portsmouth is pleased to present this gorgeous château, with an elevated position and unspoilt countryside views, peaceful and private, with no close neighbours and surrounded by its gardens.

Built in 1854 by one of Napoleon III's generals, its elegant Moorish style was inspired by his time in north Africa. You will love the way the elegant château emerges through the trees as you approach up the long driveway.

During the last war, the house played an active role: being at the limit of free France it became a safe refuge for hundreds, organised by a Dutch painter and supported by the Dutch government - photos hang in the hallway. The blend of such a tranquil setting, and such a rich history, gives this chateau an uplifting character.

You enter a wide hallway, with a living room (28m2) on your left, and another reception room (28m2) on your right, leading to a study (13m2). There is a large bright kitchen/dining room (43m2) that opens to the garden. Also downstairs, two bedrooms (14m2, 13m2), two bathrooms, and a WC.

High ceilings and large windows make the interior bright throughout, the sun enters the front of the house in the mornings, and the rear in the afternoons. There's a large area for outside dining, next to the kitchen.

Upstairs, a second kitchen/dining room (28m2) with logburner, a living area (18m2) with logburner, and a large room (56m2) used as a yoga hall, plus three more bedrooms (28m2, 16m2, 15m2), and a bathroom. The upstairs, which has been well insulated, can be used as separate accommodation. ADSL internet available.

Crossing the garden, there's a beautiful stone building with a tower at each end - one tower is the bread oven, the other the pigeonry, and in-between is the stable.

Then, the pretty coach house (179m2), has a kitchen/dining room with logburner, living room, three bedrooms, bathroom, and a garage, central heating (wood or oil) - the current owners live here and rent-out the château as a holiday home for up to 14 people, with workshops and a yoga retreat, providing a good living.

Another section of the gardens, bordered by stone walls and overlooking open countryside, houses the pool (11.5mx4.5m, new liner in 2021).

The coach house and château have separate septic tanks, up to regulations. The water supply is from the property's own source. Nobody has a right of way on the property.

The village of Lessac (6 minutes) has a a café-restaurant-grocery shop, a post office, a hairdresser, or you can drive 10 minutes to the historic town of Confolens with supermarkets, hospital, restaurants, market, and a wonderful week-long festival of world music every August. There are some lovely villages and restaurants around here, only a short drive away. The city of Limoges is under 1 hour. Limoges airport (Gatwick, Stanstead, Manchester, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Bristol, Southampton), 45 minutes.