About the property

L'hirondelle, 11 la Vernede, 23420 Merinchal, Creuse

L'hirondelle is an old detached farmhouse situated in the middle of France, on the western edge of the Massif Central. It is half way between Limoges and Clermont-Ferrand, six hours drive from Dieppe, and accessible by air via Limoges. The volcanoes of the Auvergne are about half an hour away, and there is skiing at Mont Dore, 1 hour away. Many lakes for fishing, boating and swimming are in the local area. Discover a very peaceful, tranquil way of life in this part of "forgotten France"

The property is in the small rural hamlet of la Vernede, and is about 1km from the nearest village of Merinchal which has facilities including pharmacy, doctor, post office, general store, news agency/tobacconist, garage, garden machinery engineers, butcher, restaurant/bar, electrical retailer. Larger towns with supermarkets etc. are within 15 to 20 minutes by car. The house has been renovated over the last 5 years, and now has a new septic tank, new double glazed windows, and has been rewired. It has been redecorated throughout, and comes fully furnished. Access to the front of the house, the barn and the gardens is by a small loop road off the "main" road to Merinchal which serves this property and three others.

The house is of stone construction on two floors and has large kitchen/dining room, lounge, 4 double bedrooms (one en suite), 2 family bathrooms, utility room and cellar. It has oil fired central heating and stands on 2200m2 of land. There is a barn suitable for conversion overlooking one large garden. The second large garden has a 10m x 4m in ground pool with removable solar gain covers, set amid a large decked area. There is a small Jacuzzi, a pool/garden shed, a children's play house and a stone purpose built BBQ.

The kitchen/dining room measures 6.6m x 5.0m (21' 6" x 16' 3") max. and has radiator, wood burning stove, TV, large built in storage space which includes the central heating boiler, telephone point, and large dining table with chairs. The fitted kitchen has cooker, fridge, fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave, and plenty of storage space.

A door leads to the cellar/cave which houses spare gas cylinders and plenty of storage - ideal for wine!

Through another doorway at the other end of the kitchen/dining room area is a lounge measuring 4.9m x 3.6m (15' 11" x 11' 8") max. with radiator, imitation (gas) wood burner, suite, dresser, and widescreen satellite TV with DVD player.

Off the lounge a door leads on to a bathroom measuring 3.5m x 1.9m (11' 5" x 6' 2") with radiator, toilet, washbasin and bath with shower over. A further door through this bathroom leads into a utility room with radiator, washing machine and drier. Behind these is the oil storage tank.

A staircase leads from the lounge to a large landing with radiator, storage cupboards, and a bookcase, off which lead 4 double bedrooms and a bathroom.

Bedroom 1 measures 6.4m x 3.4m (20' 10" x 11' 1") including en suite shower room with heated towel rail, toilet, and washbasin and corner shower cubicle. The bedroom has a radiator, king size bed, bedside tables, chest of drawers, and wardrobe.

Bedroom 2 measures 4.0m x 3.1m (13' 0" x 10' 6") max. and has a radiator, double bed, bedside tables, chest of drawers, and wardrobe.

Bedroom 3 measures 4.0m x 3.1m (13' 0" x 10' 6") max. and has a radiator, double bed, bed side tables, and wardrobe with shelf space.

Bedroom 4 leads off a small ante room which has a radiator, wardrobe and cot. The bedroom measures 4.0m x 3.1m (13' 0" x 10' 6") max. has radiator, twin beds, bedside table, and wardrobe.

The bathroom measures 3.6m x 3.1m (11' 8" x 10' 6") and has radiator, bath, toilet, wash basin, and large shower cubicle.

All dimensions are approximate.