This impressive property was a coaching inn (relais) on the original Paris to Madrid Route Royale during the 17th century. The first written reference to its role as an inn dates to 1623, and the property retains many architectural features from that period. The house has been sympathetically restored over the past 40 years, with living space of approximately 250m2 (2700ft2) and an additional 100m2 of internal space comprising a wine cellar, large workshop,utility room, mezzanine and games room. The total plot is approximately 1400m2, with two stone terraces, a kitchen garden, a covered hangar with woodstore and parking for two vehicles, several other outbuildings, including a large detached barn for which the current owners have architects drawings for an all -weather swimming pool. The house is situated in a friendly hamlet in the north of the Charente, northwest of Ruffec, which is on the N10 linking Paris to Bordeaux. The area is well served by airports at Poitiers, Limoges and Bordeaux.