Maison Stirling

The house sits on top of a hill with a fine view over fields with grazing Charolais cattle and the medieval village of Saint-Julien-de-Civry, a quiet place with a good bakery so it’s just five minutes for your morning croissants. You’ll spend lots of time outdoors, doing lengths or simply floating in the long pool, eating on the terrace, sunbathing on the lawn or snoozing in a hammock.

Inside is happily authentic with the original clay tiled floors covered by rugs, a grand stone fireplace in the comfy sitting room with a wood-burner, antique furniture and a good mix of old prints and colourful modern art. Bedrooms (one downstairs with an en suite bathroom and doors to the garden) are all a good size and some have the wonderful view.

The kitchen is compact but there are plenty of pots and pans and all the basics for cooking up a storm. In grim weather you can eat indoors at a convivial wooden table. Revel in the peace and quiet.