I had recently gotten divorced and had 2 very young children. I wanted absolutely for them to have some country life and exposure to France and french culture.
It seemed mad to drive all the way form London to the north of Burgundy - but I was not very sensible in those post divorce days! I had friends here and was charmed by the simple life I saw.
The house had potential - in fact it was 2 houses around a courtyard facing a pretty church. What is not to love?? I was seduced despite the fact that the little house was flooded at the time of my visit.
Practicality was not my strong suit then I guess - Of the 2 houses, the barn was the most modern but being modern meant it was charmless: Access through a dingy garage to a hideous breeze block constructed corridor decorated with sky blue tiles: UGLY but serviceable. There were 2 rooms in the barn; one a living room with crazy paving on the floor and painted stone walls, the second, upstairs was a very spacious white bedroom with 3 windows. We could not all live in this house - it had no kitchen! This would do for the boys and the nanny/au-pair.
The little house was a one up/one down. I put a bath in the bed-room and found some pretty glass doors with lace inserts to divide the space. The loo was seperate and under the eaves - better for a girl to use than a man! This house was all charm but was short on practicality. We struggled on happily this way for years until I finally decided to renovate the barn 4 years ago. The barn is now the main house (long and low farm house) and the little one serves as guest-house/office. We have now achieved charm and practicality.
