France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Haute-Vienne · PS0482290
A historic French home. A château on your doorstep.
Townhouse · Permanent property exchange
Owner’s listed value: €200,000 – €225,000
A historic French home. A château on your doorstep.
Dream the life. Live the dream.
Imagine life at Le Presbytère, an elegant former presbytery in the picturesque Limousin village of Coussac-Bonneval. Here, days unfold at a gentler pace, with time to explore, savour local flavours and enjoy the pleasures of rural France.
Discover foie gras from nearby Thiviers, hearty cassoulets, orchard apples, cider and flognarde, the region’s traditional fruit dessert. Take a leisurely drive to Périgueux, renowned for its food and markets, through countryside scattered with wildflowers and dotted with grazing Limousin cattle.
History is woven into the landscape. The Richard the Lionheart Route links villages, castles and historic sites across the region, with Coussac-Bonneval among its most enchanting stops. Dominating the village is the Château de Bonneval, which has remained in the Bonneval family for more than 600 years. Its origins lie in an 11th-century fortress, destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War and rebuilt in the 15th century, with later alterations in the 17th and 18th centuries. It brings a touch of fairy-tale grandeur to everyday village life.
Completed in 1780, Le Presbytère stands beside the 15th-century Church of Saint-Saturnin and served as the home of the village priests until the end of the 20th century. Its original architectural plans, drawn up in 1777 by Limoges architect Martial Chateau, survive in the archives of the notary Maleyx—a rare connection to the house’s beginnings.
The surrounding countryside invites exploration on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. History enthusiasts, writers and painters will find inspiration in every direction, while home offers a welcoming place to share the day’s discoveries over a bottle of wine. Known locally as “the Big House”, Le Presbytère combines a peaceful retreat with the convenience of village life. Restaurants and everyday essentials are close at hand, along with the Thursday market in Place aux Foires and further farmers’ markets and supermarkets nearby.
Connections are convenient, too. Limoges Airport is approximately 45 minutes away by car, with further options at Brive, Bergerac, Clermont-Ferrand and Bordeaux. Regular trains connect Limoges with Paris Austerlitz in around three and a half hours.
At the heart of the oldest part of the village, Le Presbytère offers the opportunity to shape a historic home around your own style. Much of the essential infrastructure work, including plumbing and drainage, has already been completed, bringing the house to an inviting stage for creating a bespoke interior.
A generous entrance hall sets the tone, with a beautiful original curved staircase leading to the two upper floors. To the left, an intimate dining room is decorated in Chinese red. To the right, the well-appointed chef’s kitchen pairs sage-green panelling with washed-oak cabinetry, Beckton work surfaces and stainless-steel appliances, including a Bosch dishwasher, cabinet refrigerator and large range.
Straight ahead, the spacious living room enjoys light from large windows at either end. A substantial fireplace forms the centrepiece of an exposed-brick feature wall, while distinctive double doors lead back to the kitchen.
Each upper floor offers two bedrooms and space for two bathrooms, with one bathroom area large enough to accommodate a laundry and utility space. Bathroom fittings and laundry appliances are already on site, ready for installation. Beautiful original floors and elegant doors lend character throughout, while an efficient heat-pump heating and cooling system provides comfort across the seasons.
Outside, two private walled courtyards offer tranquil settings for morning coffee, leisurely lunches and dinner under the stars. The house also benefits from a new roof. An adjacent barn presents further potential for a one-bedroom gîte or self-contained apartment, subject to the necessary permissions.
Le Presbytère is a home with history, presence and room for your imagination. With its understated 18th-century charm and foundations for modern comfort, it offers the chance to create a French address that is entirely your own.
Dream the life. Live the dream.
