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A superbly historic Dordogne house for sale on the edge of the Double forest, with the river Isle a few minutes drive away - well renovated with respect for all the original features
€399,000
The Double forest is a vast and little-known expanse of wild countryside stretching to the south of Ribérac, down to the valley of the river Isle, about 25 kilometres away. The architecture of the Double houses is characterised by an abundance of half-timbering and steeply sloping or sometimes stepped roofs. Often tucked away out of sight, the older houses often make decorative use of thin red bricks.
The Dordogne property we offer for sale here is typical of the Double in its architecture. It began in the fourteenth century as a simple square, 6m50 by 6m50, probably surrounded by lean-to stables and sheds. In the early seventeenth century a room was added on to the west. Then in 1831 barns and outhouses were added or changed on three sides.
The present owners of this fascinating house have taken great care to preserve all the original features. The original fourteenth-century space is now a spectacular timbered living-room, while the seventeenth-century addition is a comfortable bedroom overlooking the garden, with an ensuite shower-room. The remaining rooms have been well-fashioned so as to give ample space and headroom, making for comfortable modern living in a historic context.
The house is in a group of four, on a semi-private road, off a side road. Entrance from the road is across a broad covered porch that can be used as a sitting area in the hot weather. The hall, 6m50 x 3m30, with its tiled floor and abundance of beams, was originally a hay-barn. To the left is a study, 3m75 x 2m45, with a raised window to the east. To the right, a ground floor bathroom, equipped with corner bath with shower attachment, wash-basin, WC and bidet. The tiles are handmade and there is also a handmade medicine cupboard.
From the hall, a step leads through to the spectacular living-room, 6m50 x 6m50, a superb space with a wealth of timbers, brickwork and exposed stone. There is an open fireplace, a tiled floor and a glazed door and window opening on to the garden to the south.
Through the living-room to the west is Bedroom 1, 4m x 3m80, also with a tiled floor and window to the south. Although the room has a wonderful period feel, it is made practical for modern living with a mirror-fronted walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite shower-room, with large tiled shower cubicle, WC, bidet and wash-basin.
On the eastern side of the living-room is the kitchen, 4m70 x 3m20, also with a window over the garden to the south. Wood-fronted upper and lower units, with tiled worktops, a five-burner cooker with antique bronze hood, and a double sink. Behind the kitchen is a compact utility room, with a second sink and double stainless steel drainer, built-in dishwasher and an airing cupboard. A door leads from the utility room to the area beside the house to the east.
From the hall a wooden open-tread staircase leads to the first floor, which is carpeted throughout in order to provide sound insulation as well as comfort. Here there are:
- Bedroom 2, 5m60 x 3m10, with a window to the east - an adjoining space is ready for conversion into an ensuite bathroom;
- Bedroom 3, 5m x 2m70, with a dormer window to the south;
- Bedroom 4, 5m40 x 2m70;
- WC with washbasin.
On the attractive landing, with its wealth of beams, there are excellent storage cupboards as well as a door into a storage area under the eaves on the northern side of the house, which houses the hot-water boiler.
On the far side of the upstairs WC a door opens onto a staircase that leads down into a magnificent double-height space, currently used as a workshop, 9m60 x 5m, but which could easily provide further living accommodation if desired.
The garden, which extends mainly to the south of the house, has been well-landscaped and has the original feature of a cleverly-designed nine-hole golf course.
Beside the house on the west there is a garage/storage area beneath the workshop, while there is also parking space on the east.
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