Villa for sale in Saint-Fraigne, Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

A wonderful 5 bedroom property, secluded with no immediate neighbours, this former watermill has a lot to offer. The home is well established, comfortable yet with modern comforts. The pool (10x6 with liner) has been well planned and landscaped.

Flexible accommodation, there are 3 or 4 bedrooms in the main part of the house, all with bathroom facilities, as well as 2 annexes interconnecting if required, meaning that friends and family can stay and enjoy your company without encroaching on your space.

Approaching across the river, this substantial property has a large graveled parking area.

Once inside, the house comprises entrance hall, large living and dining area, kitchen with breakfast area, and conservatory overlooking the rear garden. Upstairs large mezzanine/sitting area, and 3 bedrooms all with en-suite facilities. A further bedroom is accessed from the corridor.

A doorway leads to the annex which comprises 2 bedrooms, shower room and large open plan living/dining/kitchen area.

Downstairs a further annex comprises studio style L shaped bedroom and living/dining area kitchen and shower room.

The property has an integral garage which is ideal for one car. There are various outbuildings including bread oven and wood store.

The property benefits from a mixed heating system of oil and wood with some parts having underfloor heating and others radiators. This comfortable property benefits from an idyllic location, set alongside the beautiful Osme river, which joins the river Charente.

The history of the property which may be of interest to the discerning client, is that this house was owned by the Mitterand family up until 2002, and Mr Mitterand the former French president took his summer holidays here himself. Having been born in the Charente he delighted in taking his holidays here. Locals in the area remember the presidential helicopter landing in the garden and special protection officers hiding in the bushes with their guns trained on any passing vehicles! The bread oven in the garden was apparently where Mr Mitterand once cooked 700 snails for a family lunch! Another piece of history, uncovered only recently, dates from the late 19th century. Hidden in a bedroom over the garage, a beautifully written piece from a mill worker staying at the property proclaims the amorous talents of the miller’s wife – this ancient graffiti is now on show for us all to see.

Airports available at Limoges, Poitiers and La Rochelle, and railway stations at Angoulême and Ruffec, with the new lgv line to Bordeaux and Paris then onto the train to London.