Poitou-Charentes, Vienne, Charroux, France

I'm Andy PORTSMOUTH, the local agent for this fabulous house with views in Charroux, a small town dating back over 1000 years to the foundation of the abbey, the tower of which still stands. The house itself dates in parts to the 14th Century, and part to the 18th Century. The current owners have lived there for 22 years, beautifully renovating the property with its exposed stone walls, beams, tower and even restored 18th Century windows.

Downstairs a large kitchen with logburner and underfloor heating opens to a spacious and bright dining area - both opening to the garden.

Worn stone steps lead down from the dining area to a lounge with logburner, with what may be abbey stones, and a place in the wall designed for storing salt. From here a trap-door opens up to an amazing cellar - real caves (with electricity) that used to connect the houses, and which now with a year-round temperature of 13 degrees, make a great wine cellar.

The 18th Century oak stairs lead up to a 1st floor living room, two bedrooms (one is currently used as another lounge), and a shower-room with WC.

Then on the second floor, a study area, two bedrooms, and a shower room with WC.

Most of the windows have unobstructed elevated views over the town.

Outside, the garden also has those views, and of the abbey tower, but the garden itself is not overlooked. Across the garden, the orangerie is converted into a garden kitchen, utility room, shower, and WC with washbasin. Also, there is a section of the garden suitable for a vegetable garden, there's also a well, and sheds.

The house has well-insulated walls (except for where the stonework has been exposed of course) and roof. The roof was replaced in 1997, the house was renovated in 2004. This is an amazing historic house in fabulous condition full of original features.