How did we two Aussies end up with a home in France? Let alone in the little known Haute-Marne? It’s a dream really!

Imagine an impossibly sunny Saturday morning in June, with us in our hire car navigating through increasingly smaller, and more isolated roads to find what will soon be our new home.

As towns are left behind and lanes appear, we are quietly getting more and more excited at the approach of our destination. We have been hunting for over two years with little success and many dislocated expectations up to now, so still trying to keep a poker face.

As heartbeats increase, we cross the tiny bridge into the hameau and make a sharp right at the rose-covered stone walls of the manoir that links our property. The small gravel lane passes chickens and ends in a massive tilleul tree amid green, green grass.

Ahead, more green on a hillside bare except for grazing white Charolais cattle and a smattering of prune and walnut trees. Above, it is topped with thick woods.

Poker is forgotten as our eyes now turn to what will be our very own slice of France .. the farmhouse walls are mobbed with roses of blood red and mixed shades of pink. Wisteria tumbles in a purple haze above. A grape vine we later learn is 100 years old climbs up, up and around the stone façade.

We are in love before we even step inside to find décor to dream of .. downstairs with stone floors worn smooth by centuries of feet, light pouring in through windows thrown wide to let in bumble bees and petals, antique yet comfy furniture, soft furnishings of heavy linen, not one but three ensuite bedrooms with satisfyingly modern fittings and more and more .. oh my .. we are in heaven!

We grabbed and hold this beautiful property in our hearts. May you also experience the joy it gives us when you visit!

Bienvenue!