Centre, Loir-et-Cher, Montoire-sur-le-Loir, France

Character home for sale in Loir et Cher department, in the heart of the popular village of Troo on the banks of the Loir river.

This 255m2 character property offers comfortable accommodation for a family and guests. The village has 3 restaurants and is just a short drive (or cycle ride) to the local market town of Montoire sur Loir, 20 minutes drive into Vendome or 40minutes to Tours both with their TGV links to Paris and beyond.

This unconventional property, part troglodyte part house provides an opportunity for a unique lifestyle in harmony with the village that surrounds it. Located on a single no-through access lane, a short walk up from the mayor's office and a choice of restaurants.

The property consists of 2 main buildings linked with part troglodyte accommodation with a central courtyard.

With access from the courtyard is the main living room, a double aspect 56m2 room with double fireplaces, quarry-tiled flooring, exposed oak ceiling beams and original tuffeau stone alcoves. To the rear of this living room is the first staircase, an original wooden spiral around a central carved column. A wc is conveniently located across the rear section.

Following on is the Eleventh Century "chapel" of 18m2 with vaulted ceiling cut into the rock. Today used as an art studio by the current owner benefitting from plenty of natural light with the large wooden door to the courtyard open.

Completing the troglodyte part of this property is the kitchen of circa 16m2 also vaulted with quarry-tiled floor, original stone stove and a storage cellar 7m deep to the rear.

The kitchen is well equipped and opens to the second living room/dining room. A 35m2 double aspect room with direct access to the courtyard as well as the lane in front. This room also houses a second staircase with access to the master bedroom above.

First floor part 1:

Above the second living room/dining room is the master bedroom. 30m2, double aspect with private balcony overlooking the valley. En-suite bathroom with wc and access to the upper terrace and garden above.

1st floor part 2:

The original wooden spiral leads from the ground floor to the upper two floors in this section. The first floor has been divided into 1 small (10m2) and 1 large double aspect bedroom (25m2) with balcony and shower room/wc between and connecting dressing room behind. This was originally one large bedroom and could be easily converted depending upon requirements.

On the floor above there is a corridor with access to a bathroom, wc and large double aspect 4th bedroom (24m2) with pitched ceiling and "bulls eye" window.

The corridor also has access to the upper terrace and garden above.

Outbuildings : In the lower garden is a single car garage providing storage space or secure parking as required.

The property benefits from 3 distinct outside areas. The first a charming courtyard with access to the ground floor of all three aspects of this property. Ideal for alfresco dining and entertaining.

Above the buildings, accessed via a hidden terrace from either the upper corridor or one of the bedrooms is a natural area of around 200m2 with commanding views over the village and river valley below.

The third outside area is below the buildings, a good sized 300m2+ garden with garage.

A gated stairway opposite the house leads from the upper level down to the garden below.

The unusual layout is made up of tiered terraces, caves, paths and staircases, is highly unusual. It is all about

• , whether chateaux, manor or winegrowers cottage each property offers a certain lifestyle to those who have the opportunity to live within.

With no real streets or centre, it's curiosity that makes you want to explore it further. The most common interpretation of its name is "trou", an allusion to the caves that hollow out the hillside. Troo would be the old English or Angevin spelling. Its troglodytic dwellings give an idea of how people lived in the past, and the underground network of caves and galleries is a reminder that turbulent periods in our history led people to take refuge here Troo's history swings between glory days and decline: a privileged geographical location, a territory coveted by the kingdoms of England and France, a resentful Henry IV, a wealthy town of 5,000 souls, religious links, a population involved in the political process. The peaceful 21st century has seen the emergence of a village where life is good, appreciated by tourists, second homes and residents alike.

REFERENCE: 251157