La Ripaudière

Walk in to an open-plan living room and kitchen, a sociable setup with lovely views over the garden. Find a big stone fireplace with a wood-burner, comfy seating and plenty of board games and books. Mostly you’ll be in the lovely pool room relaxing on a lounger or pitting yourself against the ‘resist mode’ of the large pool followed by a sauna.

The kitchen is spacious and modern with a well-stocked batterie de cuisine: plenty of pots and pans, eye-level oven, big fridge and freezer, all the basics for cooking and a few treats including local cider and wine. On warm days you can eat poolside at a wicker table with dining chairs, or in the garden. A half-hour walk along beautiful sunken lanes will take you to the nearest town, Hambye, for boulangerie, butcher, two bars and a supermarket.

Return to peaceful bedrooms, two on the first floor and one in the eaves, all light and bright with views over the garden or a quiet country lane.