Only half an hour from the centre of Lyon, in a village now regarded as a prime residential area, this 19th century estate with its two acres of garden surrounded by high stone walls, is well protected from all encroachments while benefiting from the advantages of being close to France's second city. Once this was a winemaker's house : the old house is still there, and its large adjoining open barn with old stone columns is now transformed into a charming sitting and dining area for summer meals, close by the swimming pool with its paved surrounds and oleanders and palms in pots.

The pretty tower or "pigeonnier" also survives from this earlier period. But in the mid-19th century the park was created and the main house built, with its raised living area approached by a double staircase.

The interior is symmetrical : central entrance hall with tiled floor and at the far end the stone staircase curving upwards with classic wrought-iron handrail. To one side, two reception rooms, each with good marble fireplace and each with windows on two sides - one with a herringbone parquet floor and the other with tiles with a pretty design in the middle.

To the other side, an office with fireplace and terracotta floor-tiles, the kitchen - again with terracotta tiles - with French windows opening onto the terrace, a pantry and circular stairs descending to the wine cellar.

Upstairs four bedrooms and two bathrooms with some good original features on display.

In the attic, two more bedrooms and a bathroom have been created, while the other half remains as a true attic. Oil central heating throughout the house (except in the attic floor).

In all a comfortable family house with pool, large grounds and privacy. Some internal re-decoration now seems appropriate in the kitchen, and the bathrooms could do with re-thinking, but the works to be done are fairly minor. Above all the position of this property will be its chief virtue, and that is the one aspect of a house which can never be changed.