Exchange Zones

Large 1930s 4-storey townhouse, in quiet and secure neighborhood, right in the center of Bordeaux. Private south-facing garden, surrounded by neighbouring gardens. Walking distance to historical center of Bordeaux (museums, restaurants, sights). Enjoy great food. Take day trips to visit the wine countryside or to relax at the beach. Plenty of cultural events during summer. Bordeaux is a pedestrian and bike-friendly city.

The house entrance corridor, paved in colourful traditional "pierre de Gironde", lit by a Venitian-glass lamppost, leads to the stairway. On the first floor are the "séjour" rooms : first the strategic room, a large and bright kitchen, with all modern appliances, plenty of cupboards and cookery books, and a table for 8, then en suite dining room and lounge, allways with a mix of design furniture, little treasure from all over the world, and traditional details like the wooden floors, the chimney. The lounge has 2 french windows opening onto a wooden terrace, overlooking our private garden. Eating or lazily reading on the terrace is almost a year-round treat. Our very own vine is growing on the pergola I built on one side of the terrace, next to the stairway down to the garden. But let's go back inside and up the main stairway.
Every now and then are paintings. On the second floor are the master bedroom, a large bathroom, an office with side pc-room, and our eldest daughter bedroom with her ensuite bathroom. The master bedroom is 20 sqm, with the same modern-traditional spirit, featuring two windows overlooking the grass-covered reservoir of the city. The bathroom has a bathtub, a separate shower booth, and two washbasins. There is, as everywhere in the house, plenty of room and cupboards, and books. On the landing are an antique service furniture full of books, a modern glass cupboard full of fragrances and cosmetics (my trade), and a small andaluz-style patio.
On the third floor are our second daughter's bedroom, a bathroom with washer and dryer, another bedroom doubling as a playroom, another office/sewing room, and the "buanderie" (for drying out clothes, and ironing).
On the ground floor, ie all the way back down and below the first floor, are our son's studio (27 sqm of bedroom, separate kitchen and bathroom), a vast cellar with undescribable paraphernalia including bikes, roller skates, beach, ski, hiking gear, and diy stuff. Ah, of course, there are lavatories on every floor.
A corridor on the ground floor is an alternative way to reach the garden. The garden feature 120 sqm of south facing grass, surrounded by a variety of trees and flower plants. There is a hammock for 2, a folding table tennis, and a large "trampoline".
The house if equipped with unlimited high-speed internet. There are several computers, a full-fledged hifi equipment with plenty of CDs, records and audiotapes. There are several TVs, with a main flatscreen, DVD, Wii console, cable, etc. All the stuff demanding modern children and teenagers require.

The area is very quiet. Within walking distance of baker, and other convenience stores. The heart of Bordeaux is a 15' walk of 5' bike ride. The characteristic limestone of the region has been the main building material during centuries. And the unique concentration of it, together with the renovation of the quayside area, has helped Bordeaux secure its status of part of Unesco's mankind patrimony.
As the largest Southwestern french city, Bordeaux bestows all kinds of attractions for everyone, from musems and galleries, to theaters, restaurants, parks, shops.

Foie gras, magret: duck-based food is a must in the region, but there are also lots of other specialties to discover. And for the wine lover, it is paradise !

Around Bordeaux, visits to Saint Emilion, to Arcachon and its Europe-highest natural sand dune, to Cap Ferret and its oyster farms, to any of the ocean beaches, are musts.