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T
HE QUAINTLY NAMED
Corgnac-sur-l'Isle is in
an idyllic setting. Not
far from the bustling
market town of Thiviers,
around here is prime foie
gras and truffle territory.
From here the road climbs
gently through wooded and lush
hilly landscape until you reach
Peter Ritmeester's Lacombe de
Laxion - the most beautiful mediaeval
French country house. It
was once apparently the gatehouse for
the original château
- however, with its 15th century origins,
it now pre-dates its
neighbour which was rebuilt in
17th century Renaissance style.
It's also believed to have been
home to the seneschal responsible for
local judicial matters
in the absence of the Marquis.
Later it became a farmhouse or
even two dwellings as one can
still see stone sills dividing the
house between major rooms.
Peter lived a busy corporate
life in Holland before he migrated
here - today he relishes
the peace and tranquillity of
his totally secluded home just
a few minutes from the village.
While Corgnac-sur-l'Isle is small,
it boasts the essentials of daily
life with several shops, the café
des sports and pharmacy.
As you arrive the first thing
you see is the beautiful landscape which surrounds
his
home. Straight ahead is the
main house - its beautiful deep
pitched roof a symphony of the
terracotta tiles so typical of this
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