Castelnaudary, Languedoc-Roussillon 11400

A characterful dwelling with a 700m landscaped garden, nestled in the heart of a village in south-west France's Aude department. The property dates back to the 17th century. It lies in the centre of the quaint village. From the narrow street that runs alongside it, you can admire the house's stone facade coated with rendering and you can pick out its three levels and five evenly spaced bays. This facade was redesigned in the 18th century. It faces east and is plain in style, punctuated with arched windows set in ashlar surrounds and fitted with painted wooden shutters. A double-row gnoise cornice underlines a gabled roof of barrel tiles. On the other side of the dwelling, the west side, a 700m landscaped garden offers a remarkable view of the beautiful surroundings. The house has kept all its original features, including the floors, which, on the ground floor, are adorned with cement tiles that vary in shape and colour from room to room, adding an elegant touch of creativity to a home with fine ornamentation. Upstairs, the floors are covered with original square terracotta tiles. A workshop and garage adjoin the home, offering handy annexes. And a little house with a first floor lies higher up in the garden and needs to be entirely renovated.