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inspiration from readers’ stories


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“On the fourth exhausting day of viewings, the magic button was hit and has shone brightly ever since”


local attractions within an hour of Bordeaux, like Cognac, La Rochelle, Medoc, St-Emillion and the coast; and we’d be living in one of the world's most signifi cant wine regions.


GAME ON We made numerous trips to the region, spending two or three days at a time. Eventually we stumbled across an agent immobilier who, unlike UK agents, said she’d help us fi nd our perfect property. This culminated in us taking a week away from the hotel and booking in 12 house viewings. We played a game with the


Le Manoir du Mûrier, which Robert and Victoria instantly knew was 'the one' the moment they saw it


agent, suggesting she listed what she thought would be our top three properties in advance and place them in a sealed envelope – we would see how right she was at the end of the week. By the fourth exhausting


day of viewings, in the afternoon, the magic button was hit and has shone brightly ever since. They say in life when


something is right, be it a partner, pet, business opportunity or house, you know instinctively and run with it. Well, that was Le Manoir du Mûrier (as it was to be named by us due to the mûrier or mulberry trees in the courtyard in front of the house). As soon as we approached it from the top of the drive, we felt a warm glow. The Charentaise-style house


had been in one French family for over 30 years, used as their summer residence andwas certainly not confi gured to accommodate gîtes. Luckily, we love a challenge! The owners had lit the four


enormous log fi res prior to the 4


Local chef Xavier Souletis did the catering for the couple's wedding


The property sits in 15 acres


and has a swimming pool and a lake for guests to enjoy


Petit Mûrier is the smaller gîte FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: January/February 202471


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