Sept Fonts is a magical place where you can cut off from the world. Set on 3 acres, with lakes and vestiges of a 16thC priory. You take a walk or bike ride, swim in the huge pool, chill in the jacuzzi, create a family barbecue, stargaze.. The place is steeped in history- King Louis 13th slept here in 1631. The house has large rooms with plenty outside areas for relaxing. The town of Aulnay is 2km with supermarket, restaurants etc 2 markets a week.
The house is part of an old farm and previously a priory. The part you rent is attached to an unrenovated part that is not lived in currently. There is an enclosed back garden facing east and a more open south facing front garden area with grassed area, terrace for eating, barbecues etc, and a huge parking area with shade options for your vehicles. The house is cool and airy with thick stone walls and shutters in some rooms to keep the rooms cool on hot days. The rooms are large with high ceilings. We have been renovating ourselves so there are many hand built wooden features, especially in the kitchen which has been built by Dave from wood sourced on the site. There are two large bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, one with a bath and both with walk in showers. The two smaller bedrooms share a bathroom. The largest bedroom (35m² approx) has a sofa bed option, a desk, and a travel cot can be provided that will fit in any of the rooms. We can also provide a high chair and stair gate if needed.
You will have access to the house, your own private back garden, your own terrace, and front garden open space. The latter we will also be using to access our camper van where we are living. We will be able to give you a tour of the farm, and you can access the large lake but if you have children and or a pet, they will need to be under supervision here at all times. The water levels are rather low in summer. The lakes are so beautiful the rest of the year. But we still see kingfishers, herons, woodpeckers, golden Orioles, coots…
We are as environmentally friendly as we can be here- the water you use is sourced from a spring (filtered and treated), and heated by solar panels. The water in the pool and jacuzzi is also solar heated. The temperature of the pool will depend on the weather but we usually have it between 24-28 degrees. The jacuzzi can be heated to your preference.
We try to minimise waste, so have a system of sorting bins to make that straight forward. We request that you use an environment friendly sun cream to protect the pool, jacuzzi and water course. We can advise you on this or can sell you some at cost price.
History- dating back to 1070, shelter for monks and kings!
We found this information on a local historical website-
The land was gifted to the monks in 1070 to build a priory. You can find vestiges of the ancient chapel- for example the stained glass windows that date from the 17th century. There is a plaque ( created in the early 20th century) that commemorates that King Louis 13th stayed here in 1621 during the siege of Saint Jean D’Angely. Next to the old priory, sarcophaguses (stone built coffins) have been found, that were cut into stone blocks. The stone tower was built in the early 19th century. The older house, which was the priory, is yet to be fully renovated. It has a lovely old stone fireplace, a bullseye window, an old stone sink and some stone carvings on the exterior. The previous owners built the bar and are said to have had some raucous parties in there. There are no neighbours to complain after all! Outside you will find a stone built bread oven. It is beautifully crafted when you look inside, but takes several days to heat up! They would have been firing it up once a week, I would imagine and baking for a large community.
Since we moved here, we have discovered a stone cross window in the sitting room. This was not mentioned in the historical records and was completely rendered over and hidden. We loved it so much that Dave built a replica cross into an old window in the kitchen.
Our project-
There were originally at least 3 houses here plus a farm workers cottage. The buildings had been uninhabited for 13 years when we arrived due to an inheritance battle. The priory needs major work done on the roof. The small cottage has deteriorated since we moved here with the roof completely falling in. We would ideally like to renovate the priory and the small cottage. We also dream of making the large barn into a yoga studio overlooking the lake through large glazed openings. We would like to install a sauna in here where guests will be able to get hot before jumping into the la
ke for cold water therapy! There are also stables overlooking the first lake you see as you arrive which we would love to convert also. Watch this space! (Subject to lottery wins and Dave’s patience and energy!)
We have been renovating the farmhouse around ourselves since we moved in in 2016 and Dave has done everything himself, so it has been slow going!
He has hand built all the kitchen cupboards from wood that we have found in the outbuildings. We have also been doing ground works and installing the pool and decking, so hopefully there will be faster progress for the next phase! Visit us regularly and you can chart the progress!
The farm
We keep sheep and chickens. We also periodically keep geese, ducks and rabbits. You can look at the photos and videos of our animals- the lamb ones are particularly cute! We plan to put up videos and live webcams of the animals with hatching and birthing news throughout the year. Watch this space! Maybe you will get to experience a lamb being born or a chick hatching if you are here in the spring. You will certainly be able to collect the eggs from the chickens, and we may have spare organic vegetables to share with you especially in the autumn. Our ethos here is to protect the environment, to be as self-sufficient as we can, to reduce, reuse, recycle.. We have our own spring water and the water is heated by solar energy. The pool and jacuzzi are also heated by solar pipes.
Amenities
Essentials
Cleaning products
Cooking basics
Dedicated workspace
Dishes and silverware
Hair dryer
Heating
Hot tub
Kitchen
Pool
Washing machine
Wifi
Bath
Hot water
Outdoor shower
Bed linen
Clothes storage
Clothes drying rack
Extra pillows and blankets
Hangers
Iron
Mosquito net
Books and reading material
Ethernet connection
Ping pong table
Baby safety gates
Board games
Cot
High chair
Travel cot
Indoor fireplace
Carbon monoxide alarm
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Barbecue utensils
Blender
Coffee
Dining table
Dishwasher
Freezer
Kettle
Refrigerator
Stove
Toaster
Wine glasses
Lake access
Private entrance
Waterfront
Garden
BBQ grill
Hammock
Outdoor dining area
Outdoor furniture
Patio or balcony
Sun loungers
EV charger
Free parking on premises
Long-term stays allowed
Luggage drop-off allowed
Neighbourhood description
The 3 acre Farm is set in quiet countryside. The nearest neighbour is a 10 minute walk away. It is not overlooked, with views of open countryside. It is lovely to walk and cycle here. You can walk and cycle into Aulnay as it is 2km away from the property.
Getting around
There is plenty of space to park cars. You will need a car but you can get to Aulnay on a bike or by walking as it is 2km away. I would recommend a car for site seeing though.
Scenic views
Garden view
Lake view
Pool view
Rooms and spaces
Bedrooms: 4
Beds: 5
Bathrooms: 3
Additional areas: 7
All areas are just for guests
Languages
English (Default)
Français