Restored house with private pool and views to the wooded hillside and small lake

This is a privately owned second home in France, completely refurbished and redesigned. It is in an elevated position, overlooking its own large, private floodlit swimming pool, and small lake. It is beautifully designed and landscaped for outside living and furnished and equipped to a high standard as a home, not as a gite. It faces due south for all day sunshine. Set in the tiny hamlet of Bariats, it is an eight minute drive from the picturesque 13th century bastide town of Villereal, with its full shopping facilities, good restaurants and weekly markets. Monpazier and Beaumont bastides are fifteen minutes away and the wonderful sites and activities of the Dordogne valley are only a half hour drive away. The immediate area is fascinating to explore, with its medieval towns, such as Issigeac, villages and castles. Splendid local restaurants provide regional specialities and range from simple family style to French Gourmet cuisine. The property provides a private paradise. The house has been completely refurbished and continues to be attentively maintained. It is fitted out to a high standard as the owners' second home. It has an open plan Kitchen with good and plentiful crockery, cutlery, glasses and kitchen equipment, including cook books for inspiration so you can take advantage of the wonderful local produce.There is a Dining Area to seat six and a comfortable sitting area with a fireplace and log burner. Should you need respite from outdoor living you will find a range of books, DVDs, CDs, TV with digital channels, games, land-line and free WiFi. The Kitchen and dining area both open onto the Covered Terrace. The Covered Terrace looks down over your pool terrace to the small lake and the thickly wooded hillside beyond. This is a true “outdoor room”, 25 square metres in size, with an additional dining table and chairs together with a relaxing sitting area. The terrace has glazing and blinds at one side to protect from the elements so that whatever the weather you can enjoy outdoor living for your entire holiday. There is a constantly changing view over the lake, with its resident moorhen family and other visitors - herons, mallards, jays, occasional deer- (binoculars provided!), and a great view of the sunset down the valley. There is gentle lighting for when the sun goes down, together with candle holders if you want to create a romantic setting! You can tell we are a little in love with our terrace - we think you will be too. The two double bedrooms with king sized beds have french windows opening onto the ground level terrace and pool area. Both bedrooms have good storage space and for occasional use there is electric heating throughout. In addition there is a small bedroom/dressing room with a double bed. Quality bed-linen and luxury towels are provided, and a change of linen is available mid way through a 2 week stay. Outside, you have a choice of landscaped areas in which to relax; the mellow terracotta garden terrace, the pool terrace, the decked terrace to one side, shaded from the afternoon heat; and even a “boules” pitch! There are abundant herbs in the garden for cooking and in season, figs for the picking. The 11 x 5 metres swimming pool has in-pool lighting for evening dips. There is a pretty Pool House to one side providing a summer kitchen with washing machine, fridge for poolside drinks and adjacent barbecue, plus the second shower/wet room. A lavender bordered path leads to the meadow and lake which is private to the property. An evening stroll round the lake is recommended to take in the sunset and views down the valley. From the lake you can follow the “chemin rural” up into the woods. Here is said to be sited a ruined medieval castle – we confess we have never discovered the remains! Two minutes walk away there is a large reservoir/lake, providing delightful walks and further bird watching opportunities. You have complete privacy, with no sharing of the pool and no resident owners. The caretakers are just a phone call away if you have any queries or problems. Both pool and garden are maintained regularly.