All images
More info
Read the New York Times story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/02/greathomesanddestinations/02gh-france.html
House Description
This exquisite 16th century farmhouse was beautifully renovated and enlarged in 1994. It sits on 9 ha/22.5 acres and has 2 ponds, a forest, and rolling green pastures. The house itself is surrounded by manicured gardens and a magnificent terrace that leads to a large, serpentine pool. Located just 45 minutes from Bordeaux, it is the perfect home or second home for those seeking a private retreat close to a major economic/cultural center.
The interior has been very well appointed and has wonderful features such as high ceilings, numerous windows, a beautiful entry gallery and an oversized stone fireplace in the living room. This house is perfectly equipped and well located for large or small gatherings of family and friends.
The house is approximately 480 m2/5160 sqft and is divided into two separate and private wings. The extra large Master Suite includes a vast Library/Office (43 m2/463 sqft), a Bedroom (18 m2/194 sqft) and Bath (16 m2/172 sqft), and a spacious Dressing Room (17 m2/178 sqft) with built-in closets made of French cedar. In addition to the Master Suite, there are 3 other bedrooms, 2 of which also have en-suite baths.
For casual or semi-formal entertaining, there is an extra large open space Kitchen and Dining Room (48 m2/517 sqft) that overlooks the terrace and pool. Outside a flower covered trellised veranda is perfect for summer dining. The kitchen is professionally equipped and has a salamander oven for the gourmet chef in your family. For larger parties, an Auxiliary Kitchen is located just behind the main Kitchen with an additional 4 gas burners.
The focal point of the adjacent Living Room is the stately oversized stone fireplace, making it the ideal spot for spending cozy winter evenings or entertaining during the holidays. The Living and Dining Rooms (as well as three of the Bedrooms) are southern exposured.
Features:
- Large Entrance Hall/Gallery
- Spacious Living/Dining area with stone fireplace
- 2 Kitchens, one is professionally fitted (including a salamander)
- Master Suite with Library/Office, Bathroom & Dressing Room
- 3 additional Bedrooms, 2 with en-suite Baths
- Guest powder room
- Large Office
- Equipped Photo Lab
- Attic (can be transformed into additional rooms)
- Wine Cellar (cave)
- Storage Rooms
Features
- Heating Under floor, central heating
- Primary water supply New, very deep well; excellent water quality
- Secondary water supply Municipal water line; used as a backup system
- Sewage Septic tank
- Windows & Doors Double glazed
- Stove/oven Gas
- Swimming Pool Uses well water; continuous circulation
- Automatic Sprinkler Uses water from small pond
Grounds
- Perfect for relaxing strolls, the property (9 ha/22.5 acres) contains 2 ponds, a wood and rolling green pastures. There is also a large variety of fruit trees - including figs, walnuts, wild plums and hazelnuts.
There is a fully functional well which supplies water to both the house and the pool. The garden has an automatic watering system which uses water from the small pond.
Location
La Pradelle is located in southwestern France in the legendary Aquitaine region, known for its rich wines, gastronomic pleasures, and fascinating history. Just 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Bordeaux, the property is located in the heart of wine country, not far from where the world-famous Pomerol and Saint-Emilion wines are produced.
Surrounded by farmland and vineyards, the property feels very peaceful and private without being isolated. The closest village of Maransin is just 2 km away, and the lovely market town of Libourne is only 15 km (9 miles) away, where you can find fresh produce, cheese, meat and seafood from the region. Wine tasting is possible in the many vineyards close by.
For ocean lovers, La Pradelle also offers convenient access to the Atlantic Coast. It is just 1 hour and 15 minutes to the famous beaches at Lacanau, where a portion of the World Surfing Championship is held every year. This part of the French coastline, known as the Cote d'Argent (Silver Coast), is approximately 250 km (155 miles) long and is the longest sand beach in Europe. The region benefits from the Gulf Stream which contributes to the warm climate year round. Average temperatures range from 25°C (77°F) in summer to 10°C (50°F) in winter.
Just south of Bordeaux, the ‘Parc Naturel Regional des Landes de Gascogne’ offers a wide variety of sporting activities including hiking, horseback riding, and canoeing. For cycling enthusiasts, the region also has hundreds of kilometers of well developed cycling paths.
Access by Train
There are high-speed trains (TGV) from Paris to Bordeaux several times a day. The journey lasts 3 - 3˝ hours - the property is then just a 45-minute drive away.
Access by Air & Road
Bordeaux International Airport, a 45-minute drive from La Pradelle, has daily domestic and international flights within Europe (London, Geneva, Madrid, Paris....) and to North Africa. Flights to the US or Canada connect through Paris. Bergerac Airport is the base of RyanAir and FlyBE and services the East Midlands, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Stansted and Southampton.
Jeff Steiner's Americans in France.
![](javascript:OpenImages("26859","26859.jpg"))
![](javascript:OpenImages("26859","26859_1.jpg"))
![](javascript:OpenImages("26859","26859_2.jpg"))
![](javascript:OpenImages("26859","26859_3.jpg"))
![](javascript:OpenImages("26859","26859_4.jpg"))
![](javascript:OpenImages("26859","26859_5.jpg"))
| 
| 
| What is RSS? | 
