Although this home sits close to the centre of Bourdeaux – France's sixth-most populous city, no less – this home's cute facade would easily slot into a quiet corner of the surrounding wine-producing landscape. The patterned bricks, verandah and alfresco dining table on the decking all bring a taste of country living to this vibrant metropolis. By contrast, the home's interior is a lot more contemporary than you might expect. Aside from the bright red sofa, the colour palette leans heavily on soothingly modern whites and greys. Decoration is sparse, but that's the current vogue for minimalism rather than neglect. We've got particular praise for the kitchen, which has a wealth of sleek surfaces for cooking up local ingredients. The local area has a residential feel, but guests are close to many of Bourdeaux's main attractions. Rue Sainte Catherine – one of the longest pedestrianised streets in Europe – is only 1km away and has a huge range of shops to peruse. There are characteristic cobbled streets and buildings in the historic district, only 1.5km from the front door. Home truths: *The home is spread over two floors, but there's a bedroom and bathroom on the ground level *There's a private parking space available for guests