The Grange itself is situated in around 1,200 sq metres of land on 3 sides. On the 4th side is an orchard and wonderfully tended vegetable plot, which adjourns the Grange and stretches to country lane that runs alongside. We had coverted that piece of land from our first viewing and had it in our mind to offer to buy it from the owner, once we were settled in.
During the visit, Nick was just explaining to me that French Building Regulation meant we could not put any windows overlooking a neighbours land and an archetypical old Frenchman came up and explained he owned the Orchard and thought we should buy it from him.
He had thought through all the reasons and benefits to us of buying the land and wanted a reasonable price for the 400 sq metres that would completely change and improve the options for the renovation and orientation of the property.
This is the story of the Gray Family search for a home in France and the eventual conversion of a Barn in the Creuse that has now been turned into a beautiful home for our family to enjoy in the years ahead. The story of La Grange Grise gives an indication of our experience of doing so between 2006 and 2016. Also added are details and history of the subsequent purchase and work on La Maison Grise from 2013 and the renovation work started in 2016 on the house opposite our the Grange.