The House,
Room by Room

With the abbey across the road, the entry sits right in the heart of Cadouin — the bakery is a little further along the lane. The house has its own road-side garage, rare in a village this old.

Terracotta floor tiles, gingham armchairs and a corduroy sofa beneath a large beaded portrait. The light comes from the lane through a deep stone window.

A table for eight with comfortable chairs under pretty lighting. This is where the evening happens when it is too cold, or too warm, to eat outside.

Open to the room and set on the street side of the house: oak cabinetry, induction hob, oven, microwave, a large fridge, and modern coffee and tea makers.

Two small rooms do the practical work. A wash room with washing machine, tumble dryer and drying rack, where the beach bags and the muddy boots can live out of sight — and beside it a separate guest toilet, a wall of bare stone above the same patterned cement tiles.

A beautifully appointed and spacious living area for lounging, watching television or playing games. Several skylights and windows bring in the light by day — and the stars at night.

A stone-faced area at the immediate back of the house, with a dining table and access to the garage, leading on into the garden behind — grass, oleander, a hammock and a parasol for the afternoon.

More than fifty square metres on the garage roof, with comfortable lounge seating, a table, and the abbey straight across the road. Watching the swallows play around the bell tower in the afternoon sun is the greatest of natural pleasures.

The smallest of the four bedrooms: a double bed, a built-in bookcase in pale sky blue, and a window over the garden.

Spacious and tastefully appointed, with an antique desk and built-in cabinetry.

Essentially the master bedroom of the house: a futon day bed, generous clothing storage, and a fine view of the abbey across the street. Leave the French windows open and you will hear the abbey clock strike the hour.

The last bedroom, on the top floor: spacious, with its own shower and basin, and the quietest of the four.

A modern bathroom serving the three bedrooms on the first floor: a generous shower and a separate bath on navy star tiles, with a window onto the greenery of the garden.

Simple but roomy, with a shower and a basin. It serves both the top-floor bedroom and the living area beside it.