Le Petit Mas is a 15th century farmhouse with 5 bedrooms in a beautiful hilltop setting. The Tardoire River for canoeing is just five minutes away, and several walking trails start nearby. The villa is less than a mile away from the picturesque village of Vouthon and in an area known for historical Romanesque architecture, priories, castles, and churches. This traditional farmhouse is an ideal base for extended families on vacation together. As well as four double bedrooms, there is a converted attic room with four singles beds – a dream for children who want a den, bedroom, and pajama party all in one – and every floor of this three-level building is an attractive combination of antique furnishings, rustic homely touches, and contemporary art, all offset by exposed beams and solid stonework. An airy living room complete with baby grand piano and a traditional well-equipped farmhouse kitchen help make this the perfect villa for large families, who may have brought grandparents along. On the south-facing terrace, an evening meal is a sunset-lit affair and with two other terraces and over 30 acres to explore, this 15th-century farmhouse gives everyone room to roam, whether that’s around the property or out into the countryside. The local area The Tardoire River is just five minutes away and is a great spot for canoeing, while several walking trails start near the villa. The closest villages are St-Sornin (0.6miles) and Montbron (2 miles). From Montbron, you can hire bikes and follow the riverside walk to see the castles of Ferriere, Chabrot, Menet and the mills of Menet an Chabrot: paper mills, stone, flour mills being a feature of the region. Sophisticated Angoulême lies 15 miles to the east with its two places of worship: a magnificent cathedral and a chocolate factory. There’s also a Museum of Cartoons, sailing, squash courts and an 18-hole golf course if neither history nor confectionary are calling. Le Petit Mas is very well located on the borders of the Dordogne, Limousin and Charente, allowing you to explore the beautiful villages of the northern Dordogne such as Piégut and the diverse landscapes of these very different areas. The Charente is cognac country, for many the very epitome of French life, where the great houses of Courvoisier, Hennessy, Martell and Rémy Martin distil their magnificent brandies. Cognac itself has far more to offer, grand houses and narrow winding streets; and more festivals than there are months in the calendar. To the east stands Angoulême, its very name a sign of sophistication, a prodigious cathedral the strongest hint of its affluent past. The Charente River gathers momentum near Saintes but it is never much more than a quiet waterway for those who delight in messing about in boats. Sleepy little towns like Jarnac seem to float by, followed by proud Romanesque abbeys and priories, silhouetted against the lush undulating countryside. Make sure you visit the churches at St-Amand-de-Boixe, Bassac and Conzac. Smoking - not allowed