This is a special edition of my blog, for a very special reason. Click on the link and take your time to enjoy this lovely home for sale. Then read on for how WE became involved in all this, and why WE haven't bought her.
http://www.maisonsuperbe.com/
Nearby (half an hour) is Guingamp. Here you can see the ancient cathedral that occupies the center of the Historic town square.
Paimpol, the lovely coastal town, is a short 50 minutes north east.
On our way through Cote d'Amour, northern Brittany, we came across a sign on a lovely fence: A Vendre. For Sale.
We did some quick parking, exited the car in a hurry with cameras in hand, and as we were looking for such a place, with quickening hearts.
Our spirits soared, the further we investigated, finally poking our noses through the gorgeous rear gate, and spying someone painting the kitchen windows, I did what any good kiwi with terminal curiosity would do, and yelled out "HELLO!!!".
The very gracious owner waved us around the front of the house, and invited us inside.
First impressions: WOWOWOWOW!!!! This was everything we could ever have dreamed of owning in France.
After the normal and obligatory greetings and get to know you on the spot, we were invited to take THE TOUR!
Eidin (Aye deen) is the charming and very down to earth owner of this gorgeous property. Being Irish, she is also extremely practical and straight forward. We were shown all four floors, including the basement or sous-sol, where Waz drooled over the space available for workshop and I could think of so many other things *I* might do with it.:)
The previous owner had conducted his business out of the property, so it has a private side entrance with rooms that would be perfect for (the annex mentioned) renting.
Eidin has previously rented rooms BnB style, and been the consummate host. We could well imagine how wonderful that would be, as she loves to entertain and is a wonderful cook (as we later found out).
After our extensive tour, we chatted for a long time, enjoying each other's company, before moving on our way back home.
Some time later we received an e-mail from Eidin, inviting us to stay for a couple of days. We gladly accepted the opportunity to enjoy our charming and intelligent hostess and the home we would love to purchase, (but it isn't quite the right time for us).
Our three days with her were delightful, and her cooking is second to none...with Irish Soda Bread for breakfast in the mornings....oh! I forgot to say that she had scones with jam and cream, and a stunning Queen of Sheba chocolate cake sitting on the table for us when we arrived!!!We decamped to the living room, in front of the fire, with the afternoon sun pouring in through the tall double French doors and enjoyed cups of tea along with the food.
Our assigned bedroom was on the 2nd floor and a lovely space looking out through tall windows which let in so much light. We slept like babies!
Much of the furniture will be sold with the house, we are told, so please enquire of that. It is all well cared for, and obviously much thought has gone into furnishing this lovely home. Eidin and her husband have lived in many parts of the world, and they have a fine collection of art and furnishings as reminders. Eidin is an artist, so the home has been furnished and adorned, with an artist's eye.
While 8 bedrooms sounds a lot, the home is still very homely, and doesn't feel huge, at all.
Please take a look at the website, and share this advertisement with those who might be interested.
Click on the link.
http://www.maisonsuperbe.com/
Callac is a large enough town to have it's own railway station that connects to the TGV line in nearby Guingamp (Garn gamp) which is a fabulous place, with extensive 16th century buildings around it's historic town square.
Callace has it's own lovely town square, is hilly (not steep) with lovely views of the surrounding countryside. All the necessary services are here, and there are many.
Eidin tells us that it didn't get below about 8C last winter, which sounds positively tropical, compared to most places further towards the northern coast. She catches the Ferry to Cork, Ireland (also Plymouth, UK) from Roscoff, just 1 1/2 hrs north, or the TGV to Charles de Gaulle airport, no more than 2 1/2 hrs away.
The major center of Carhaix-Plouguer is just 20 mins down the road through gorgeous countryside. Here you will find a hospital, University, stunning churches, ancient Roman Aqueduct system, still in use today, and so much more.It is a busy small city.
We have extensively travelled these parts, and find that you are really very close to most services, and enough wilderness, coastline etc to take care of all your wants and needs.
An hour away, going north east, was Paimpol, a coastal town with a large Pleasure Craft Port which I imagine to be an absolute zoo in summer, lol. It is a stunning place!!
Living outside of the major tourist spots is definitely a plus, and a normal life can be had while having easy access to coast, forest and all other natural beauties, and for BnB clients, prices are less.
Well, that's my plug for this stunning home, and the lovely area it rests in. We are just sorry our own circumstances don't allow us to take advantage of the sale of her.
About an hour south west is the stunning town, with large lake, called Heulgoat (Earl go at). These rocks are amazing! that is a mill house...formerly. I don't think it runs any more.
A Bientot.
