luxury mill for sale Bourg-Charente, France

An old watermill to be restored with a two-hectare lake, a fishery and three hectares of woods in France’s Charente department, thirty minutes from the town of Angoulême. From the secondary road through the hamlet, a tarmac lane leads east and quickly takes you to the watermill, edged with water on its north side. Beyond it, a stream flows from north to south across the property, between the house and a lake surrounded by dense woods. A small island in the middle of the lake becomes a peninsula when the water is at its lowest level in the summer. The enclosed lake can be supplied with water from the north. On the south side, a sluice gate leads to a fishery where fish can be caught by draining the lake.

From the very first glance, its charm is undeniable. The estate comprises two separate buildings: * An authentic three-storey mill offering approximately 260 sq m of living space, featuring a spectacular cathedral-style reception room with a magnificent château fireplace, a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, a riverside conservatory, a study, and four bedrooms, including a ground-floor principal suite. * An independent 112 sq m guest house, ideal for welcoming family and friends in complete comfort. There is a particular sense of serenity here: the gentle murmur of the river, the peaceful sight of swans and ducks gliding across the water, and the ever-present nature that invites you to slow down. A property imbued with tranquillity, yet steeped in a rich history, with every stone seeming to hold a memory — and inviting you to uncover its secrets. Set within 2,250 sq m of beautifully landscaped grounds bordered by the river, the property also boasts a large swimming pool with its pool house, a private island home to a beehive maintained by a local beekeeper, a garage and a workshop. A haven for local wildlife, it offers exceptional tranquillity and the opportunity to enjoy nature in its purest form. Accommodating up to twelve guests, this historic property also offers outstanding potential for family gatherings, corporate seminars, private receptions or exclusive events. Ideally located just 5 minutes from local amenities, 10 minutes from Pons, 20 minutes from Saintes and Cognac, and 45 minutes from the beaches of Royan, this exceptional estate perfectly combines heritage, authenticity, unspoilt nature and the French art of living. A truly private and inspiring retreat, as rare as it is restorative. Information and viewing on request. Contact: Laurence Picherit - +33 (0)6 82 34 11 85 Maxwell-Baynes Christie's International Real Estate

A manor house with a mill, outbuildings and 3-hectare grounds, planted with centenary trees, not far from the spa town of Jonzac. Ensconced in a bucolic setting, the property includes three dwellings, several outbuildings, a millrun, a pond and a swimming pool. As for the manor house, built in 1912, it is currently operated as a bed & breakfast, while the former mill from 1864, fully refurbished in its own right, has now become the owners’ private residence. In addition, a small farmhouse awaits its turn to be renovated, whereas the outbuildings include a dovecote and a former wine storehouse, the latter of which, featuring approximately 120 m² of floor area as well as sturdy wooden rafters, could be transformed into an event space.

A 17th-century mill, with water rights, on two hectares of grounds including one kilometre of riverbanks, nestled within the Green Périgord region of Dordogne. At the end of a tarmacked lane that winds its way up a gentle slope and through a forest of chestnut trees, the hamlet includes the miller’s house, a barn and a stately mill typical of the 17th century, built on a granite rock from the Jurassic period, and once under the purview of the fiefdom of Jaubert de Nanthiat. The site’s unspoilt and beautiful natural environment, perched on the banks of the Isle River, provides opportunities to observe otters, herons and kingfishers from it many patios, while, once past the property’s entrance and at the end of a parking area, the mill's large water wheel, four metres in diameter, and its locks leave a lasting impression. As for the grounds, of approximately 2 hectares and planted with many trees, it runs alongside private riverbanks for more than a kilometre, while the mill, with its beaches of golden sand, acts like a balcony over the river. Lastly, a garage and a wooden shed, appearing on the land registry and used for storage and as a painter’s studio, respectively, could easily be converted for other purposes.

An 18th-century former watermill with outbuildings in 1.5-hectare grounds, 20 kilometres from Bordeaux, in the Gironde area. This former watermill was built around 1770 and has been owned by the same family for approximately fifty years. The property covers around 1.5 hectares of wooded land, through which flows the stream that used to power the mill, which still possesses the water rights over it. It is made up of two adjoining dwellings with a total surface of approximately 200 m², as well as an around 185-m² barn and a swimming pool. The various buildings are made of light-coloured stone, topped by a roof of barrel tiles and stand near to each other, either side of a gravelled drive. Its facades are punctuated by windows with stone surrounds as well as wooden doors and shutters, while wisteria climbs along part of the house. The twofold purpose of the place, both domestic and functional, is borne out in its architecture. Inside, the period materials have mostly been preserved, such as stone walls, floors paved with terracotta tiles or stone slabs, exposed beams, original frames and fireplaces. The waterwheel is today concealed but can still be seen in a small room. The buildings are surrounded by lawns, flowerbeds and trees, while a small bridge crosses over the stream providing access to the different parts of the grounds.