Overview of our property

The property we bought, as the blog title is a giveaway, is the Chateau de Firbeix, located in a very small village (called Firbeix) on the northern edge of the Dordogne department bordering Haute-Vienne, 40 minutes south-west of Limoges on the N21 to Perigueux.

Firbeix is in the Périgord Vert region and the area has a long history with Richard the Lionheart and is on one of the routes of Santiago de Compostela (Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St James in England). Richard the Lionheart actually was injured and died at the Chateau de Châlus-Chabrol, 4km away in the year 1199.

The chateau dates back to the 14th century with the remaining buildings from the 18th century. It is set in very established gardens of 1.1 hectares (2.7 acres).

It comprises of three buildings. The main building is the main property and comprises part 14th and 18th century parts divided up into 3 dwellings.

Primary Property

The left most dwelling is a 3 bedroom gîte in a modern style which we have called Les Arbres (trees). Next to it is the principal dwelling which also has three large bedrooms and a box room, which we have called Les Fleurs (flowers). At the far end is the 14th century dwelling which requires significant renovation but has huge potential. This we have called Les Etoiles (stars). The top floor of this building is a roof space which will be converted to 3 B&B en-suite bedrooms.

Roof Space for B&B Rooms

To the left of the main building is a 70m2 barn which will become the events room, which we have called Grange de Soleil (sun barn)

Barn

Barn

Behind the main building is another 3 bedroom gîte, which we have called Les Papillons (butterflies) next to a workshop, storage rooms and a large games room. These will be converted to another gîte which we have called Les Oiseaux (birds). This gîte will be fitted out for disabled visitors, known in France as PMR (personne à mobilité réduite), which is a requirement once you exceed potential occupancy of 15. 

Back Dwelling

In addition there is a 11x6m swimming pool as you come in through the main entrance,

and 3 cellars

Cellar under 18th building

Grotte in back garden

The cellar under the 14th century building is huge and has many rooms, but no photos yet.

We gave names to the properties as between us, the architect and the structural engineer we all had different naming/numbering conventions. The genre of the names reflects how close to nature, peaceful and tranquil you feel when there.

To summarise:

• Barn - Grange de Soleil
• Gîte next to barn - Les Arbres
• Central gîte and B&B rooms - Les Fleurs
• 14th century building - Les Etoiles
• Disabled (PMR) gîte - Les Oiseaux
• Far back gîte - Les Papillons

The 14th century building is named Les Etoiles not because you can see the stars though the roof (to quote Dick Strawbridge) but because on a clear night you can so many stars; no street lights, big city lights, smog, etc to block the stunning view.