Ancient, fully restored, 13th century medieval village house with garden & patio

About John

We are a South African couple with two adult 'children' who, together as a family, have been incredibly fortunate to travel extensively, both in our own beautiful country, as well as Europe. Being fortunate to live and bring up our family in what must be one of the most beautiful places on earth - the little seaside village of Hermanus, in the Western Cape region of South Africa - the seed for owning a second home in another country and culture was firmly planted in our brains in the early 2000s. Our passion for property is unbounded and after a hard working career in retail building materials supply, we decided to indulge our passion. The two of us once enjoyed a romantic barging trip in the Burgundy region of France and using our bicycles to explore the little villages along the way down the Canal du Nivernais, we were struck by the beauty of the French countryside and the textures and colour palettes of the ancient and often crumbling village houses – many of which were deserted and for sale! Always being on the lookout for property for sale, our interest was sparked and the internet research began in earnest. Initially, our thoughts turned to Italy and the beautiful Tuscany in particular, but having explored it on the three different occasions, we decide to revisit the French countryside again. Obviously the French countryside is huge and the time and resources to travel limited, so we read everything we could about France and where the ideal spot would be to indulge our fantasy. Having narrowed it down to the Dordogne, our first family holiday in France was booked and…….the rest is history.....we were HOOKED!

John purchased this Villa in 2014

Why John chose Issigeac

On our first family holiday in this region, we spotted an idyllic little water mill and although our initial interest in purchasing it did not produce results, a few years later, we became the proud owners of that beautiful spot. The problem was that we had completely underestimated the enormity and cost of turning it into what we dreamed of, especially from the Southern tip of Africa. After another two years of dilly dallying, we also came to the conclusion that, from a vacation point of view anyway, life in one of the little villages would be really enjoyable – provided we could find something that looked after our needs of privacy, peace and tranquillity. In August 2014 we visited the area again, and having always been attracted to more remote country properties, this time we decided to try the little medieval village of Issigeac which we had fallen in love with on our first visit to the region. As they say in the classics…we were hooked and hopelessly in love with this little village and having done the critical LOCATION, LOCATION and LOCATION test Issigeac it was and we proceeded to look at everything that was available – but alas – returned to South Africa empty handed. Late last year, it was back to Issigeac again, this time armed with our kids who joined us for our annual get together. Having rationalised our thoughts and having had the benefit of some less emotional input from the kids, we decided to raise our sights and look at a property that had been so tempting to look at on our earlier visit, but seemingly out of our reach. Well from the moment we crossed the threshold, on that cold and rainy mid-winters day, we were smitten – every one of us! In the process of buying this property, the ownership of which became ours officially, just a month or two ago, we not only found ourselves with a spiritual home in Fance, but made our first good friends in Issigeac, in the lovely couple from whom we bought it. This was just meant to be

What makes this Villa unique

WHY ARE WE SO KEEN TO SHARE MAISON DE LA PAIX IN ISSIGEAC? Issigeac - surely one of the most interesting little villages in the Perigord? Issigeac - an unspoiled authentic French medieval village - survivor of the trials and tribulations of a troubled, violent, sometimes peaceful, but always colorful evolution and history. Built, plundered, burned, sacked, rebuilt, again and again throughout it and France’s fascinating history, the modern day Issigeac has survived as a beautiful and unspoiled example of a classic medieval French village. Issigeac’s roots in the modern history of mankind are literally set amongst and on top of ruins from various periods dating right back to Gallo Roman times - when the Roman villa of Sedius was first built here in the 4th century. Some of these high or low lights, depending on one’s view, include: During the Frank Period, the early 6th century monastery of Sediacum gives root to the name – “Issigeac” – to which it eventually evolved. The 12th century monks of the Benedictine Order coming under the protection of the Abbey at Sarlat during the Capetian Period in 1153. The sacking and destruction by the Lord of Bergerac - Renaud 4th de Pons and 600 of his men in 1300 and the subsequent order of compensation that he was compelled to pay. The 100 Years War with the eventual ‘taking’ of the town from the English in 1437. Infamously known as ‘The Prince of Ruffians’ - the Spaniard Alexandro de Villadrando a Lieutenant of King Charles 7th, King of France – and 10,000 of his toughest soldiers, virtually destroying the town, once again, in the process. The building of the late Gothic church 1449 - 1527 during the Renaissance Period and the rebuilding of the Chateau on the remains of the old one during the Sun King Period around 1660.