House in Saint-Hilaire-les-Courbes, Corrèze

This architect designed, recently converted granite barn offers spacious, comfortable and flexible accommodation. Retaining the traditional character of the region, yet light and airy, the barn has been sympathetically and thoughtfully converted. Built into a slope it has access to the exterior on both levels. The ground floor with its main entrance to the house also has the main entrance to an independent adjoining apartment, currently used as a gite. The lower ground floor is accessed internally via stairs and additionally, externally around the side of the house.
The main entrance opens to a large double-height living room, with a vaulted ceiling and exposed beams, highlighting its original characteristics. The stone walls are apparent on the south side, the ancient oak ‘A’ frame carpentry displayed against the white walls and ceilings. Rural views to north and south extend to the forests and hills beyond.
Leading from the living room, along the hallway, there is a large double bedroom, with a family bathroom opposite. This has a bath incorporating a shower, toilet and sink and a useful storage cupboard. An office space is situated next to the bathroom.
The interior access to the apartment is situated at the far end of the hallway.
Above, the light and airy mezzanine master bedroom has a dressing area leading to a bathroom with shower, wash basin and toilet.
The triple aspect independent apartment/gite, has an open plan kitchen, with integrated appliances, and ample space for eating and sitting. A bifold door opens to a secluded terrace affording expansive views to the south and west. Steps lead down from the terrace to a gravelled courtyard garden below. A ground floor bedroom and shower room with toilet and wash basin and a second bedroom on the mezzanine also having its own shower, toilet and wash basin complete the accommodation.
From the living room stairs lead down to the large open plan kitchen on the ground floor below. Two sets of double doors lead to the terrace with a slate pitched roof pergola with plenty of room for shaded outside dining. Herb beds and decorative planting with stone walls surround the terrace.
The Rayburn wood-fuelled range cooker both heats the room in colder months and can be used for cooking. A large kitchen island, with granite worktop, accommodates the sink, hob, electric oven and breakfast bar. There is ample space for a generous dining area and corner sitting room.
This lower level further comprises a large utility room with linen cupboard and wet room (douche italienne) with shower, toilet, wash basin. There is a sink and worktop, cupboards and plumbing for a washing machine and dishwasher. An extra-large vintage ceramic sink and high-level storage cupboards complete this room. Double doors lead to the terrace outside.
Leading on through a door the lower level continues into a flexible open plan space currently used as a workshop and gym, and to store bicycles, gardening equipment and firewood.
The plant room situated to the rear accommodates the efficient wood-fuelled gasification boiler and two thermal heat storage tanks. This boiler heats the water for the underfloor heating over the two levels throughout the entire house and is fuelled by wood from the forest. The domestic hot water tank is heated by both the boiler and 6m2 of solar panels on the roof.
Two further double doors here give level access to the garden and woods beyond. Under the terrace is a large open storage area with an upper story.
Across the garden there is a large, fenced vegetable plot with a fruit cage and a polytunnel with piped water supply. A small shed with a fenced paddock is situated adjacent to the vegetable garden.
A further field beyond the garden, suitable for grazing or cutting for hay leads to the forest, which consists of both Douglas fir and ancient woodland. It is bordered by a lane/bridleway leading to the lake. The field, woods and a small orchard are also accessible by vehicle through a large gate from the bridleway. These woods are completely private with no public access. It will take only 15 minutes to walk through your woods to a quiet upper part of Lac de Barriousses, for swimming and relaxing!

Opposite the house is an additional small field with a wire fenced enclosure and small wooden shed which has been used for poultry. A further shed is used for logs and garden machinery.
Situated in the tranquil region of Corrèze on the western edge of the Massif Central, surrounded by the rivers, lakes and forests of the ‘Parc naturel régional de Millevaches en Limousin’ the moorlands, meadows, woodlands and rivers here remain totally unspoilt. Perfect for all outdoor activities; hiking, biking, lake swimming, fishing, horse riding and even paragliding, it is a haven for wildlife, and those seeking a peaceful life.
The area offers the historic villages of Treignac, Bugeat Eymoutiers and all the shops you need to start the French way of life: bakeries, butchers, restaurants and bars. Treignac is 11 minutes away and is served by a primary and secondary school, a wine shop (with wine, spirits and giftshop) a supermarket, bakeries, a vet, garage, garden/decoration shop, sporting activities and one of the best lakes around for swimming, fishing, relaxing and canoeing.

Nearest train station is Lacelle (± 9 minutes by car) with a connection to Limoges or Uzerche in about 35 minutes, which connects you to the train stations of Limoges. Limoges also has an airport with regular flights to London Stanstead, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester and Bristol and East-Midlands

Going by train to the South you will find Brive-la-Gaillarde (also with an airport) -Toulouse and further. Paris can be 'done' in a day from Limoges: leave at 08.00h (or 06.00h!), arrival at 12.15h (or at 10.00h!), sightseeing up until 18.30h and back home at 23.00h!
Limoges is at ± 60 minutes by car, Brive-la-Gaillarde is at ± 60 minutes.

Why wait..? Start your French dream!
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Information about risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website : https://www.georisques.gouv.fr