Bergerac, Aquitaine 24100

A 17th-century residence with over two hectares of grounds and monastic overtones in France's Dordogne department, half an hour from Bergerac airport. The home, mentioned as early as 1691 under the name Monfrouilloux, comes into view at the end of a driveway that begins with two old square pillars of local pale limestone. This drive takes you to a vast esplanade that overlooks the surrounding countryside. It leads to the different parts of the property. There are three buildings of beige stone, crowned with tiled roofs. They form a U shape around a French formal garden. Annexes lie at the edge. This layout recalls old enclosed farm complexes, where each edifice had a precise purpose, whether for residence, service or work. From the esplanade, your gaze is drawn to a landscape that alternates between open spaces and woods. The place's silence, the neat arrangement of the buildings and the presence of a stone calvary dating back to 1835 recalls a monastic tradition that influenced the spot a long time ago. In the garden, shrubs - neatly trimmed and cleverly placed - create pleasant views and line gravel driveways. The evenness and straightness of this landscaping is softened by foliage and the patina of time of the elevations. Beyond the main house, the property extends towards a swimming pool with a pool house and a vegetable patch, brought together in an enclosed space that enjoys absolute privacy. One of the outbuildings houses a caretaker's dwelling and a large workshop. Woods extend all the way around the grounds. Oaks, chestnuts and pines form a thick canopy. Majestic trees, clearly over a hundred years old, tower over the undergrowth and mark the edges of the woods.