In pursuit of potential homes in France, I have hit a bit of a snag. Only two property summaries have come through from my agent, and neither has quite captured my heart enough to justify a trip across the ocean. Patience is key, especially as we wait for the heart of the spring season when more homes are expected to hit the market. In the meantime, I have been scouring various websites, comparing homes from different agencies and locations, hoping to find something that resonates with me. Today, I have decided to explore the distinctions between the Maison de Maître found in the countryside and the cottage farmhouse nestled in rural France.

So, what truly sets these two types of homes apart?

Let’s start with the Maison de Maître in this two-part story. These grand residences, often belonging to individuals of wealth or social standing, boast impressive architecture, spacious interiors, and elegant design elements. They’re the epitome of luxury living in the countryside, typically featuring sprawling grounds that may include manicured gardens, lawns, and sometimes vineyards or orchards. Maison de maîtres are characterized by their size, classical architectural style, and rural location. They are somewhat less available for purchase and warrant a higher price tag.

On the other hand, cottage farmhouses in France offer a more modest alternative. They are quaint dwellings, often associated with rural life, and exude charm with their rustic architectural style, featuring exposed timber beams, stone walls, and functional design elements. While they may sit on larger plots of land, the focus is often on agricultural or livestock activities rather than ornamental gardens. Cottage farmhouses are typically found in rural areas, surrounded by fields, forests, or other pastoral landscapes.

The key differences between these two types of homes lie in their size, architectural style, and location. Maison de maîtres are grand, elegant residences associated with wealth and status, whereas cottage farmhouses offer a cozier, more rustic living experience in rural settings.

Recently, I stumbled upon a village Maison de Maître that stole my breath away. Despite needing significant restoration work, its charm was undeniable, making it a tempting prospect. From the English country cottage garden at the front (yes, English!) to the grand entrance with its intricate ironwork, every detail spoke to me. As I explored the interior virtually, I envisioned the possibilities, from soirées in the salon to lazy mornings in the breakfast room, which if in my possession, would eventually become the butler’s pantry/wine tasting and bar.

This Maison boasts wood front shutters for the front door enabling a lock-up and leave property, high ceilings, and spacious rooms flooded with natural light. The grandeur of the residence is evident from the moment one steps through the ornate iron and wood doors with functioning windows to allow air to circulate through the house. Once inside, the entrance hall has high ceilings and double doors closing the staircase at the back of the house with the front doors. The staircase appeared to be a mix of wrought iron and wood and had the benefit of natural light from a window in the stairwell.

The lounge, with its wood-panelled walls and ceiling rose, offered a retreat with views of the countryside beyond. Across the hallway, a second living room awaited, its lofty ceilings and wood floors exuding warmth and character, currently used as a music room by the owners.

Beyond another set of double doors, lies a second spacious living room with wood floors and high ceilings. Across the hallway is the dining room, currently used for guests as part of a B&B setup. This airy and bright room connects directly to the kitchen and breakfast area. The kitchen features free-standing furniture and space for a washing machine, with views extending to the accompanying studio at the back of the home.

Ascending to the first floor, there is a landing, a storage room, an office, and a double bedroom at the front of the house, complete with an ornamental fireplace. Most rooms boast two windows, providing ample natural light. The family bathroom requires complete renovation; however, it was plumbed for a shower, toilet, bath, and hand basin. Only the wood-burning stove on the first floor is in operation; all the other fireplaces are decorative.

Continuing on the first floor, another large bedroom awaits, boasting two windows and another ornamental fireplace. The view from this room overlooks the garden and the village. A toilet is bizarrely located on the landing, next to an en-suite shower room. The floor plan takes an interesting turn with a double bedroom that must be accessed through the bathroom. Moving up to the second floor, is another bedroom, a loft space with the potential for additional bedrooms or living accommodations, and a studio/office with a sink.

There is an outdoor outhouse requiring renovation but it comes with 2 rooms, offering plenty of light and high ceilings, making it ideal for use as a gite.

Outside, the property features double iron gates for vehicle access at the front. However, the garden may need adaptation to accommodate this. Additionally, there’s an enclosed area suitable for raising chickens—a charming addition to this historic residence.

Despite its need for restoration, this Maison de maître held endless possibilities. The property is listed at 225,000.00 € (approximately, 330,000.00 Canadian dollars) and includes the agency fees of 14,500 €. In addition, the taxes foncières are 1,640 € per annum and the purchaser will have to pay the Nortaire’s fee of 16,400 € upon signature.

The services are mains water, telephone and electricity connected, mains drainage, oil-fired central heating with radiators, double-glazed PVC windows with shutters and broadband internet connection (monthly contract fees for oil, electricity and internet are unknown).

While this home may seem excessively spacious for just 1 or 2 occupants, its capacity to serve as a successful B&B business warrants considering a higher budget. This is due to its dual function as a residence and a commercial enterprise.

For renovations, expenses would encompass updating one toilet and two full shower rooms to meet current building codes, making adjustments to certain spaces such as the bedroom access through the en-suite washroom, installing new kitchen cabinets and updating all appliances, conducting extensive painting and decorating (the home is quite in disrepair), refurbishing the loft space with new floors, walls, and insulation, undertaking a complete renovation of the gîte/outhouse, and possibly upgrading the electrical panel. These estimates do not include any unexpected issues like mould or structural problems during demolition and assuming the plumbing and electrical systems have received moderate updates over time.

Stay tuned for my comparison of a farmhouse in a rural area, coming up next.

A bientôt.