The House and Surroundings
Bel Air is a little hamlet on the outskirts of St Bonnet de Bellac, an attractive village with a boulangerie, local shop and two bar/restaurants. One restaurant, the English owned L'Etape, is also a Tabac. Bel Air, with its own micro brewery, is less than 10 minutes from Bellac, the local market town. Bellac, with its supermarkets, restaurants, shops, theatre, cinema and banks, as well as the scenic old town and river walks, provides all the facilities one could wish for. Ideally situated as a base to enable the surrounding area to be discovered and enjoyed, Bel Air, centrally placed and with its excellent road access in all directions is also a perfect stop off for those travelling farther afield. Limoges airport is less than 40 minutes away, and Poitiers less than an hour's drive.
Built around 1850, probably for the local chateau, the house has undergone many changes since then, and has now been brought up to 21st century standards whilst maintaining its character. Wherever possible, original features have been retained, the old hardwood floors on the first floor have been fully renovated, the original hand hewn ceiling beams and the fireplaces restored. Furnished in the French Provincial Style, the house now combines modern spacious and comfortable accommodation with a distinct French accent. The sunny courtyard, with its large original bread oven and covered veranda, provides private seating and dining facilities. As the house is non smoking this area is available to those who wish to smoke. The gardens and orchard are undergoing a major revamp to allow for further seating areas, and guests are welcome to use it at all times.