MELLERAN, Charente 79190

Nestled discreetly behind a gate and accessed via a beautiful tree-lined driveway, this charming stone property enjoys an exceptionally intimate setting in the heart of a lively village. The house and its traditional stone barns are set around a delightful central courtyard with a covered terrace for dining, while to the rear mature landscaped gardens surround a beautiful swimming pool and sun terrace. Despite its peaceful and secluded atmosphere, the property is ideally located just a short walk from the highly sought-after village of Melleran, which has amenities such as a bar-restaurant, post office and school. The house opens into an expansive entrance hall with original tiled floors, exposed beams, an elegant original staircase and a practical toilet on the ground floor. To the left is a French style kitchen full of character, with an original fireplace housing a wood burning stove. A door leads directly to the covered terrace 'Au Vent', ideal for alfresco dining and entertaining. To the right of the hall, double doors open into a spacious double exposure lounge with patio doors to the front and rear gardens, exposed stone walls, an original cupboard, exposed beams and a fireplace with wood burner. A further door leads into an office, which could also be used as an additional bedroom, with patio doors to the front garden and access to the attached barn and boiler room. Also on the ground floor is a practical utility room and a large family bathroom with double vanities, bath, walk-in shower, bidet and exposed beams. The first floor offers a large landing and five bedrooms. The master bedroom benefits from fitted wardrobes and an en-suite shower room. Three further bedrooms overlook the front of the property, while a fifth bedroom overlooks the rear gardens; The current owners had planned to convert this room into an additional bathroom if required. A separate toilet completes the first floor. Attached to the house is a large barn of approximately 80m2 with cellar, mezzanine and large double doors opening onto both the courtyard and the rear garden. Opposite the house stands a second stone barn of approximately 84m2 with mezzanine, offering excellent potential for workshops, storage or other developments, subject to obtaining the necessary permissions. An open hangar provides a wonderful shaded area for summer meals and entertaining. The mature gardens feature well-established trees, red fruit shrubs, pretty hedges and a 10m x 5m swimming pool with a surrounding terrace. Additional terraces around the house create several peaceful corners for relaxing outdoors. The property also benefits from a well, oil fired central heating and mainly double glazed windows. The market towns of Chef-Boutonne and Sauzé-Vaussais are both within 7 km and offer supermarkets, restaurants, bakeries, cinemas and leisure facilities. Niort is about 40 minutes away, Poitiers, with its international airport and TGV station, can be reached in 45 minutes, while the beautiful Atlantic coast at La Rochelle is about 1 hour 20 minutes away.