Cormatin, Burgundy, Address available on request

The quiet village North of Cluny is made up of various hamlets, with many ancient buildings. This substantial property, discreetly hidden by high walls, is in the centre, and dates back to the 18th century for the main house, with a second separate house being added half a century later. The principal, original house is preceded by a wrought-iron entrance gate and a square courtyard round which buildings are grouped. The entrance hall serves also as salon, with to one side a bedroom in the corner tower with access to the gardent at the rear, and to the other side a corridor leading to two fine bedrooms sharing a bathroom. At the end of the corridor a splendid reception room with stone fireplace and exposed ceiling beams. In the upper part of the tower, a double bedroom. A long connecting building houses the kitchen and pantry, a large dining room and a bathroom. From this building the finest part of the garden is entered, with mature parkland trees, a lovely place to assemble friends. Meanwhile the second house, which also has access to the grounds, is sober in character, with a living room, kitchen, bathroom/WC and a large bedroom with a terrace paved with flagstones. In one corner a staircase leads up to the enormous attic which could become a good three extra bedrooms with private bathroom - which would really increase the capacity significantly. At ground level, below all the living area, is a series of cellars of varying dimensions, some of them very fine. The walled garden has a charming outbuilding, in need of repair, alas! and at the entrance from the public road is a caretaker's lodge consisting of two rooms, an outbuilding and a garage. The garden is enhanced by large surrounding fields, making the grounds over five acres in total. This extensive property, two separate but connecting houses with all the other buildings, would suit a large family or else could inspire a large-scale project, perhaps of a touristic nature. Some investment will yet be required, but the result will amply repay the effort, for properties of this size and character are rare enough.