ABOUT US

The original estate, comprising around 150 hectares, was purchased during the 100 Years War, by a wealthy family in Picardy, in the then non-unified northern part of France. The land is believed to have been acquired to protect their wealth in the event of an English monarch seizing their possessions. The land was subsequently purchased by Bishop Tabari, whose family lived in Lesterps, and the present house was built around 1475. His story, and his connection with Les Picardies, is detailed in the Maison du Patrimoine situated in a medieval house in Lesterps' main street.

The splendid barn, on the east side of the house, is a more recent addition; probably built around 1840 but, sadly, with little respect for the original architecture. One of the huge supporting beams for the roof rests in the remains of a bricked up window which has all the appearance of a former chapel window which can still be seen in the "atelier", a section of about a quarter of the house which remains uninhabited.....so far!

The gardens were heavily overgrown when we arrived and our quest to regain the land is never ending. We have created a large parking area, using locally sourced gravel, and, incorporating an old calving barn at the eastern end, our heated swimming pool was opened to guests in July 2016 and the surrounding area has been walled and landscaped to provide a haven of peace....and a sun trap. The old calving barn is now a quiet pool-side sitting room for guests using the gite.

We recently completed converting the east end of the barn into a gite. It has four double bedrooms, two en-suite, a family bathroom, a large open plan kitchen, dining and seating area and enjoys sole use of an upper terrace area with lawn, covered outside eating area and a private pool house with wood burning stove.

The heated swimming pool and lower poolside terrace and lawn remains available for the use of both gite guests and chambres d'hôtes guests.