Secluded Xv-Xvith Century Country House, South Facing Terrace Overlooking the Tardoire Valley

Property Description

Summary
The house main features are dated 15 to 18 c. Le Petit Mas probably had a defensive role as it overlooks the Tardoire valley. There used to be two small turrets at the Southeast and Northwest side of the house. The round doors on the North side and inside the house are 15 / 16th century. The 69 Sq.m living room –with its imposing 16 c. fire-place, has exposed beams and paved stones called 'petit pavés Charentais' or 'pisés' or 'cœurs de demoiselles', with different patterns –Lily flower, hearts, circles.-. The whole house floors, beams, doors and wooden panels are either solid oak or chestnut wood.
From the 16th to the 18th century, noble families owned le Petit Mas: the Corlieu, the Durousseau, as well as Etienne Chérade, mayor of Angoulême and owner of the county of Montbron, who died at Le Petit Mas, in 1714.

Location
Although the house is in a peaceful surrounding, it is at a small distance of all amenities, from local markets (la Rochefoucauld, Montbron, Piégut), shops, bakeries (the nearest is 1 km away), good butchers, restaurants, doctors etc.
North of le Petit Mas, are Saint-Sornin vineyards and a wine merchant.

La Rochefoucauld castle is indeed most splendid but the whole area is also well known for its lovely roman churches and water mills. The Tardoire valley is famous for its first human settlements.

The hills above le Petit Mas are the first foothills of the Massif Central. This gives very interesting geological patterns to the whole area, from the hills granitic formations on the North-East to the Karst and limestone going South-West.

Montbron is the immediate gate to Limousin and Dordogne areas, 5 or 10 min away.

Access
The easiest and most pleasant airport is Limoges-Bellegarde, 78 km away from le Petit Mas, with cheap flights to the UK. Most roads to the airport are pleasant and not stressful.

Bordeaux is 155 km away. la Rochelle 170 km.

Angoulême railway station has regular trains to London via Lille or Paris (the journey takes 6 to 6,1/2 hours).

Paris is only 1h45 from Angoulême with the fastest trains.

Dover is a 9 hours drive from Le Petit Mas.

The tourist office provides maps for walks, trails and cycling routes in the area. A lot of easy walks with loops can start from le Petit Mas.
Eurovelo 3 ("scandibérique") goes through the Montbron area.

Interior
The Ground floor opens on the paved entrance, stone staircase and toilets plus the technical room (boiler, laundry). On the left is the 69 sq.meters living room, on the right the 45 sq.meters kitchen.
On the first floor, spread 2 bedrooms on the left hand side (the 'big yellow room' is 45 sq.meters and the 'small yellow room' is 18 sq.meters) they can be 'ensuite' through double doors or opened independently. On the right hand side is the 47 sq.meters 'blue bedroom' with its bath tub with lion feet and sink. The shower room can be reached through the small yellow room or an independent door.
On the the second floor, on the left side is the 71 sq.m 'Big attic room' with its bathroom and toilets. A safety staircase leads to the big yellow room downstairs. It can be a children bedroom or game room or TV room.
On the right hand side is a 47 sq.m bedroom with its own bathroom and toilets.

Exterior
A long woody public lane leads from the D6 to le Petit Mas barn and house.
The barn is 18 meters long and 9 meters long.
The house North yard is secured with a wall and a big iron gate. There are buxus all aroud.

The 15X6 meters pool is fenced with an iron gate and proper lock. It has a pool house followed by the technical room, the pool house plus technical house is 5X18m. The pool can be heated (fuel boiler).
There is a huge sand pit for young children.

Along the house is a paved terrace perfect for luncheons, particularly with the shade provided by small trees and Cypress trees.

On the South side, the house has a paved terrace with a garden overlooking the Tardoire Valley. The view, the Wisteria, lilac, lavenders, flowers and birds make it the perfect place to breakfast, rest or dine.

On the East side, the garden has a swing, buxus and and trees

Additional Details
Le Petit Mas has been used as a setting for two movies, 'le Mariage à trois' (available on YouTube), Jacques Doillon, 2010 and 'Vivace', Pierre Boutron, 2011.

Sports: within a 15 minute drive: Go-Karting, Tennis, Canoeing, Bicycle hire, Horse riding, 18 holes Golf with its restaurant, Fishing,

INTERNET: ADSL and 4G

Revenue Generation
The property has been rented as a seasonal Meublé de tourisme for more than 20 years till 2023. It has been largely promoted by Simpson travel. Weekly price for high season was 3600 euros.