Bouglon, Aquitaine 47250

A 45-hectare forested estate with a stream and a house in a glade, tucked away in France's Lot-et-Garonne department. From a secondary road lined with woods and meadows, a track of sandy soil, wide enough for one vehicle, cuts through thickets and then a forest. The whole estate is enclosed. Once you have gone through the property's gate, the track snakes between broom thickets with ferns and through woods of pines, oaks and maples. Even after heavy rain in winter and spring, the track stays dry and passable. It stretches 900 metres. The dwelling lies in a glade at the end of this track. This forest clearing lets in much sunshine. The house was probably built in the 18th century. It is a single-storey building that faces north and south. Later developments have left their mark on it. The dwelling is well built, partly with burrstone. It is crowned with an asymmetrical two-slope roof of barrel tiles. The building has had different roles over its long story: it has been a sheep shed, a forest lodge and a resin worker's dwelling. Yet it has always remained simple. Modern touches of comfort have been added to the refuge over time. There is no outbuilding on the estate. But remnants of an old construction that is near the dwelling and is on France's land register gives you the possibility of building an annexe on the property.