The Château de Sothonod, a comfortable and spacious family home, dates back to the 10th century. The views from the parapets are stunning and the surrounding countryside is mountainous and unspoiled, ideal for hikers and bikers, stargazers and photographers, painters and writers, as well as fauna and flora lovers... The property is up at 900m, amidst 12 acres of garden, field and woods, with a 20m heated swimming pool (open May to Oct), swings and trampoline. Fast broadband. Free parking.

I'm a keen cook, gardener, yogi, swimmer, hiker and nature-lover. I also enjoy travelling, music, books and films. I have a pottery studio in one of the old wine-cellars of the chateau, where I make clay animals, which I glaze and then fire in my kiln. I love entertaining, and hosting is a great way of getting to know people. I also enjoy showing visitors around the château and sharing its rich history.

We are surrounded by natural wonders: mountains (the Grand Colombier of Tour-de-France fame is at the back of the house), waterfalls, alpine meadows, rivers, gorges and panoramic viewpoints. Geneva, Lyon and Annecy are each about an hour's drive away, and the Bellegarde-sur-Valserine train station (TGV to Paris in 2h40) is 30 minutes away if you pine after the bright city lights!