After viewing thousands of houses online, reaching out to dozens of realtors, and visiting 20 houses all over France, we signed a contract!

It turns out that our “unicorn” has a name – La Maison de l’Amiral (The Admiral’s House). 

It’s better than anything we could have ever imagined. 

It sat vacant for 25 years before a hotelier found it and fell in love. She completely redesigned it and restored it into a luxury bed and breakfast. 

The attention to detail is next level. It’s got all the charm and character of a house built before the signing of the Declaration of Independence – gorgeous tiles, a stone staircase, and working fireplaces. But the plumbing and electricity are completely updated (and hidden!) – and there’s even air conditioning in all the main rooms. The property also includes a separate 1-bedroom apartment with a terrace overlooking the river, and a bedroom suite on the ground floor in the event that stairs become overwhelming someday. At the garden level, there is a two-story vaulted cellar begging to be renovated and a natural spring that feeds into a tiny pond. Plus, while reading the contract I learned there’s a pantry and dressing room that we still haven’t seen yet!

While those features are amazing, the best part is the jaw-dropping view from practically every window. It’s directly on the Dordogne River, with a view of an iron bridge designed by Gustav Eiffel. It’s also a stone’s throw from the Mairie (the town hall). I can see us gazing out the window with our morning coffee, or lounging on the balcony with glasses of wine as the sun sets. How could it ever get old?

One of our major concerns about moving to another country was that we wouldn’t get to see friends and family as much as we’d like. But this – THIS is the kind of place that draws people to you, and nothing makes us happier than sharing a slice of our French paradise with those we love!