La Principale gite - The lounge	La Principale gite -The kitchen

La Principale gite -The kitchen fireplace	La Principale gite -The kitchen (Who let the cat in?)

ACCOMMODATION:
Access: La maison Principale is approached by a long driveway through the grounds and parking is about 10 metres from the front door.
The terrace: The terrace is elevated and has an impressive balustraded surround. It is in two parts with a table, chairs and sun parasol to one side and hardwood reclining chairs on the other. The terrace is south-facing with panoramic views over the vines.
The hallway: The heavy oak front door leads to a small hallway with a coat cupboard and doors leading off to a toilet, the lounge and the kitchen.
The kitchen: First impressions are of the classic tiled floor with it's decoratice inserts and also the heavily beamed ceiling. The massive stone fireplace houses the Godin wood-burning cooker and one entire wall has exposed stonework. The kitchen itself is easily large enough for the table and chairs at one end and the coffee table and chairs at the other. The fitted kitchen has a microwave, built-in electric oven, dishwasher, fridge, gas hob with an extractor hood, toaster and coffee-maker. The washing machine is downstairs in the utility room via a staircase off the kitchen. There are windows at the front and back with views to the south over the vines and to the north over the millraces at the rear of the mill into the woods.
The lounge: Here too one is impressed at first glance by the oak-strip flooring and the beamed ceiling. At the far end of the lounge is the Charentais stone fireplace which was rescued in pieces from an outhouse and which now belts out heat in the winter from a wood-burning stove. To the left is the lovely sweeping Charentais staircase leading up to the first floor. Three windows overlook the river and the millpond and a fourth has southerly views over the vines. There is a comfortable seating and a tv with French terrestrial channels and free-to-view satellite channels. There is a hifi system, a DVD player and a video too.

La Principale gite - The main bathroom with separate shower	La Principale gite - The Charentais curved staircase

The landing: As with so many French houses, the first floor area of La Maison Principale was never really designed as living accommodation. The original timber roof beams and trusses were so low that you had to limbo to get under them! These roof beams have been specially and expertly modified to allow the first floor area to become completely usable so that there are now three bedrooms, a bathroom and a landing area. The floors at first floor level are all varnished pine floorboarding with rugs.
The main bathroom: The bathroom has a both a bath and a shower together with a vanity unit and toilet. This bathroom is used by bedrooms two and three which are adjacent.
Bedroom one - ensuite: Bedroom one is the largest bedroom and has a double bed with space for another single bed. As with all the bedrooms there are lots of exposed beams and character stonework together with the typical low-level windows which you can see in the exterior photos on this page. There is an ensuite shower-room with a toilet, bidet and vanity unit.
Bedroom two: This bedroom is fairly small but has a double bed and built in wardrobe as well as a drawer unit.
Bedroom three: Bedroom three has a double bed (or two singles) with enough room for another single bed. There is also a large built in wardrobe and a drawer unit.
Additional information: La maison Principale has full oil-fired central heating as well as the wood-burning stove and cooker. All the windows and doors are hardwood double glazed. There is a large folder with leaflets and information about places to see and things to do in the area.

La Principale gite - The south-facing terrace	La Principale gite - The front (the nearest building)

La Principale gite - The east side overlooking the river

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