France: €1.1m An Irish couple are selling their romantic vine-covered mill on 32 acres to take life easy. Kate McMorrow reports

The warm temperate climate, peaceful countryside and friendly locals persuaded former hotelier John Prendergast and his wife Mona to retire from Ireland to the Dordogne region of France. One year on, they are selling their romantic vine-covered mill and downsizing to something smaller in the same locality.

Le Grand Moulin and accompanying 32 acres of forest and parkland is now on the market with Hamilton Osborne King with a price tag of €1.165 million.

John Prendergast had been in the hotel business for 45 years,training in the Hibernian and Russell hotels in Dublin and the Ritz in Paris. He also worked in the Hotel Skellig in Dingle in the 1970s.

The couple had initially planned to convert Le Grand Moulin into a Chambre d'Hote Prestige - something it is uniquely qualified for - but were seduced by the relaxed way of life in the Dordogne.

As the characterful millhouse has all the ingredients for an upmarket guesthouse, including seven bedrooms and five bathrooms, new owners may be tempted to carry this dream through to fruition.

"We had been searching for a house in France for some time," says John Prendergast, explaining how they ended up in the Dordogne. "Provençe was out of our price range - too hot and far too busy. Then we came here and found that Bergerac people were very nice. And the towns and countryside are to die for."

Le Grand Moulin is in a quiet spot, about 13kms south of Bergerac. It's near the village of Sigoules which has a restaurant, medical centre and all the facilities anyone would need.

Regular flights operate from Stansted to Bergerac and the ferry port of Cherbourg is a six-hour drive.

Smothered in Virginia and orange-flowered Campsis, the millhouse has cream shutters and a typical Perigord tower with curved tile roof.

The tower houses the main bedroom, with en suite bathroom, dressingroom and doors to a balcony. Six further bedrooms and four bathrooms are in the main part of the house. Although dating from before the Revolution of 1789, Le Grand Moulin was in excellent condition when the current owners moved in, with just a few minor adjustments to be made. Logs from their own woodlands burn in the fireplace of the beamed sittingroom.

There is an equally large formal diningroom, while a big country kitchen seats eight for breakfast. Everything is cooked on their gas and electric La Canche range.

Apart from the swimming pool, the most used part of the garden in summer is a vine-shaded terrace with a fountain at one end. Rolling lawns edged with lavender beds run down to the mill pond and stream. One hectare of vines with the appellation of Montbazillac and Bergerac are traded with friends for a supply of wine.

As customary in France, the Prendergasts permit a neighbouring farmer to use the grass on the property at no cost, thereby reducing grounds maintenance. The surrounding forest is a source of plentiful firewood and cool summer walks.