Villefranche-du-Périgord, Aquitaine 24550

A country home with a barn, swimming pool and guesthouse, tucked away in a forest clearing on a hillside in France's beautiful Prigord Noir area. From a public road, a private lane leads through a forest. Over a course of 350 metres, it snakes through the forest before turning towards the property 100 metres lower down. A gate marks the property's entrance and forms a break in the outer fencing. The main purpose of this outer fence is to ward off four-legged animals that come from the surrounding forest. There is a parking area where you can leave your vehicle before you venture further into this property where all you can hear is birdsong and the rustling of leaves. To the west, a first edifice comes into view: a guesthouse flanked with a closed double garage, the doors of which face the driveway. The building is made of ochre dry stone. It bears the characteristics of the local region's traditional architecture. It is crowned with a roof of terracotta barrel tiles. The plain lines of its ashlar window and door surrounds, which contrast with the rubble stonework, underline the charm of the characterful elevations. From inside, you can look out at the natural surroundings through a glazed portion of the south end wall. From this guesthouse, your gaze is drawn down over the valley, the slopes of which are covered with trees of different varieties. These slopes form a spectacular vista that changes with the passing of the seasons. Further down and set back somewhat, the main house stands out. The house's design is typical of the Prigord area, with its ochre stone elevations and its roof with different slopes, covered with flat tiles and punctuated with dormers. A square tower with a pyramidal roof recalls the grand houses of yesteryear. This tower was doubtless once a dovecote, added to give the dwelling's first owners a certain high status. Today, this tower still adds to the picturesque appearance of the property. Further downhill, there is a swimming pool set in a terrace with a view down the valley. Further away, there are two other dry-stone buildings: a huge barn with an open side and a garden shed, which is handy for storing tools. There is also a traditional dry-stone hut, set back. This dry-stone hut is typical of the Prigord area and bears witness to the property's rural soul.