Art de Vivre Photo Gallery by Kees Terberg at pbase.com

Art de Vivre

Buying a house and "the art of living"... The images posted here are of the property that we have purchased in the Gironde in the end of 2006. We have been looking at converting it into a B&B but encountered some issues with regards to the new licensing laws. We then considered running it as an Arts Café with option to stay overnight but as the property is located within 50 meters of a church, the idea of serving alcoholic drinks is pretty much off the table. We are looking into our options and at the moment we are just working on the place to make it a nice livable environment.

The link to the website is posted below:

Or have a look here at Jason's captures:

Work in Progress	The town...	The Church pre renovation	The church, the bakery and our house
Our house, side view	L' Art de Vivre	The bakery side (terrace)	The view from the church side
Back of the house (old)	The terrace view	Turqoise room window	Entrance to the wine cellar
L Art de vivre, tidied up... a bit.	Church view	Church view	Univitis
Church view	Chemin du Stade	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues
From behind the goal post	Garden	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Summer
Summer	Summer	Livingroom door	The back garden
Sad-day	Side road	View from the church roof.	The wood supply
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Town	North view of Les Leves	South view of Les Leves
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Exhibit at Salle Broca	Exhibit at Salle Broca
Bella	Caneles	Tree and Bella	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues 02.jpg	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues 03.jpg	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues 04.jpg
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues 07.jpg	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues 18.jpg	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues 19.jpg	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues 20.jpg
Summer	Wild-flowers	Electric again	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Working on the outside
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues
Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Les Leves et Thoumeyragues	Fog
Art de Vivre	Les-Leves	Les-Leves	mold in the office
Office	Office

post a comment

Chris Sofopoulos		10-Dec-2007 11:57
You have done so good and hard work Kees!! You started from zero or below zero..

Chris & Sue		30-Aug-2007 04:38
Sue & I want to say a big big thank you to you both for a fantastic weeks holiday - we have eaten and drunk far too much. The house is beautiful and we are sure that your dreams will come true. Flo your cooking is supberb and Kees your wine cellar never ending. You are very good friends and we will not forget our first stay in Les Leves. Thank you so much and keep smiling xxx

Marc Demoulin		10-Jul-2006 20:02
Nice opportunity. How's is going the renovation Kees? Marc

Sharif El-Hamalawi		09-Jul-2006 06:05
Lovely Kees, this looks like a gem of a house! Are you planning to move in permanently or just use it as a summer house? I've never been to Southern France but I imagine the Area must be very nice. I know something of "the art of buing property" but must be doing something worse than you as I haven't yet found an appartment in Vienna which meets our budget and our criteria... But searching for and dreaming of something has also it's qualities.... All the best and good luck! Sharif

Francesca		28-Jun-2006 14:33
Kees, congratchamilations to you and your lovely lady on the pad.. looks enchanting and charasmatic, it's so beautiful - and i'm loving the fact you're so close to the bakery - how perfect can one abode be?! :)

Marisa D.L.		23-Jun-2006 19:37
I’m sure that smart hedonistic little fairies live hidden in the stones and wood of your new home, they’ll come silently out at night to take care of both of you and will inspire you sweetly. All best wishes Marisa

coaster		30-May-2006 20:13
Congratulations Kees! The house really does look beautiful and I'm sure you will both enjoy it.

Gil Purcil		29-May-2006 02:04
What a beautiful house. Congrats!

Kees Terberg		25-May-2006 22:11
Hey Vipin, you are correct. We work and live in Jersey (just off the Normandy coast) where the cost of living has slightly exceeded our annual income. Buying in Jersey without the required "residential qualifications" we would be looking at a small studio flat for double the price. This was just not a realistic aim. We have been looking at breaking away from Jersey for a while now and as Flo is French, France whas the primary target. We were quite attracted to the South West which is where we focussed our attention on for the last 3 years. A regional, free standing stone house was what we were aiming for and this place had the space and character that we just could not dream about on the rock. ;¬)

Bob Foisel		24-May-2006 20:46
Congrat's Looks well built, should be fun. Now you'll have lots to decorate and rooms to fill.

philippe carpentier		23-May-2006 18:02
nice town house! a great location too! congrats, philippe

Jac		23-May-2006 16:03
Wallpapered ceilings... hmm interesting decor :-) Wonderful news, Kees. So much to look forward to, so many new places to explore. My first question - how far is it from the sea? J x

Lulu		22-May-2006 11:45
Congratulations Kees & Flo what a beautiful little house. Hopefully we can get together for some more photos soon :) Lu x

Norman Tam		17-May-2006 15:54
what a story, kees, and a long one! :) really glad for you two to have found the dream house. it's just beautiful. and what an appropriate name: the art of living. it is, indeed. from what you are showing us, i think you will appreciate very much. guess, it's a long road before you can settle down with it. all the best. and keep us posted. cheers, norman.

Kees Terberg		15-May-2006 17:48
Thanks Fong and Chris! Hey Chris, even the French have toilets... Taking a dump in our own bog was not really the first thing that sprung to mind when we decided to buy this place... but I'll bear the thought in mind. ;¬)

Chris Thomas		15-May-2006 13:36
Hey you guys, I am delighted for you both - I know how much you have set your hearts on finding a place away from the Rock. Sue & I wish you all the hapiness in the world. There is nothing like taking a Dump in your own Bog !!!!!!!!!1

Fong Lam		12-May-2006 04:06
Interesting commentary on your dream house, Kees. It would certainly be a wonderful home and you certainly know the "Art of Living". Best wishes to you, Fong

Kees Terberg		11-May-2006 21:49
Thank you Sabina, and yeah, I will continue to post images here. My membership to this site will be the last thing that I will cut to save costs. ;¬)

Sabina Salihbasic		11-May-2006 20:51
Sorry that you delete it, but more comments will come Kees! May I start :) First of all let me congratulate you on your new house. It is very charming! We are also looking for a new place now for months, and while reading this I felt almost like you were reading my mind. Ahhhh, this is it,,,,, mmmmm, no it is not,,, and maybe this, hmmm.... You know how lucky you are that you found your dream house, but I have to say once more: Lucky you!!!! I wish you both all the best, long and happy life in there! Don't drink to much of that great wine ;) and please continue to bless us with your photos. Best regards, Sabina

Kees Terberg		09-May-2006 20:18
Thanks for all the well wishing everyone. I moved the folder from the anxiety closet to the main page. By doing so I unfortunately lost all the previous comments. Sorry about that but I do appreciate all that has been said! Kees

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