Chinon, Centre-Val de Loire 37500

This elegant property offers a unique opportunity to live in an exceptional historic monument, transformed into a very comfortable home. The property was originally a convent built in the Middle Ages to house the monks of the magnificent church nearby. It sits on the western flanks of a pretty historic town in the Loire Valley.All the amenities of the town centre are within walking distance, but the feeling once you are inside the property is one of being in the countryside as the views overlook the peaceful countryside, accessible in a few minutes' walk from the house. All the important original architectural features have been carefully preserved, including the monumental stone fireplaces, stone staircase, mullioned windows, magnificent roof and ceiling beams, part of the cloister, the wine cellars and the remarkable carved stone well. The exceptionally high ceilings create spacious, high-ceilinged rooms that remain cool in the height of summer, but the sophisticated underfloor heating keeps the house very warm during the winter months. On the ground floor is a series of large, stately reception rooms: kitchen, living room, hallway and dining room. Large windows overlook either the French gardens to the west or the cloister to the east. On the first floor, there are 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. At the top of the remarkable 16th-century staircase is one of the jewels of the property, a huge, beautifully restored attic, which has been used as a painter's studio. Owning a listed historic monument in France is both a privilege and a unique opportunity to become the guardian of the country's rich cultural heritage. These exceptional properties offer unparalleled architectural character. Living in a historic monument means living in history. This picturesque town, located just a 15-minute drive from the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, in the heart of the Loire Valley and major cultural centres such as Saumur, Chinon and Poitiers, offers a rare combination of rural tranquillity and easy access to modern amenities, including shops, schools, services, healthcare and transport. Paris is accessible by TGV from Tours in 55 minutes and international airports are found within 1 hour's drive. This area is exceptionally rich in cultural events, fine dining, food and antique markets vivid with colour and impeccable products year-round.