Have you ever wanted to experience life in a traditional French village?

There are hundreds of gites dotted around the French countryside. What is harder to find is a house and garden in the heart of a charmingly unspoilt French village. But a restored coach house in central France offers one just such an opportunity. It’s the perfect base to appreciate the pleasures of village life and explore the surrounding countryside.

Saint Benoit du Sault is a medieval village on the border of the Berry and Limousin, 300km south of Paris. It has been designated one of the 150 “Plus Beaux Villages de France”, an accolade that seeks to protect “the outstanding heritage of these exceptional villages” at a time when the the traditions of the French countryside are under threat. The pace of life in Saint Benoit is blissfully slow. There is little traffic and noise pollution tends to consist of a dog barking across the valley or the bleating of a young goat. The rhythm of life is determined by the changing seasons, local feast days and the French determination to live well rather than fast.

The Old Coach House allows one to participate in village life – everything you need from the butcher and the baker to the Post Office and chemist is a couple of minutes walk through the narrow, winding streets. The house itself is simply furnished but comfortable, sleeping up to nine people in two bedrooms, an attic and a landing area. Outside a large sun terrace is where meals are taken during the summer months. Below that a small garden runs down towards the wall of the old cité.

Round about there are lovely walks, swimming lakes, the Futuroscope theme park, churches, castles and rustic local restaurants.

The Old Coach House is available to book by the week and outside high season for long lets. Please browse the site for more information using the headings at the top of the page. For specific enquiries, email tomdecastella@yahoo.com

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Words copyright Tom de Castella

Site by Ben de Castella

Photos courtesy of Tom de Castella, Hubert de Castella, Ollie Overschoyle and Steve Unsworth