A cabin and two bunkers on a 2-hectare truffle farm
perched on a wooded Lorraine hillside, thirty minutes from Metz
perched on a wooded Lorraine hillside, thirty minutes from Metz
Metz,
MEURTHE-ET-MOSELLE
lorraine
57000
FR
Location
In the heart of the Lorraine Regional Natural Park and the greater Meurthe et Moselle department, less than 30km from Metz and an hour from Nancy or Luxembourg, the property, overlooking a small village, is the perfect place to admire the International Hot-Air Balloon festival in Chambley, which takes place every two years, when the sky fills with hot-air balloons seeking new horizons during the the largest gathering of ballooning enthusiasts in the world.
In the 18th century, vineyards stretched across the land, but since the wine was of poor quality, in the 19th century, pastures, vegetable gardens and orchards replaced the vines. As for the multi-century forest growing out of this limestone soil, representing a verdant green lung rich with mycorhiza, it creates a fertile ground for the growth of truffles, whereas a German fallback line during the First World War, the property's two bunkers were never the scene of any fighting.
Description
The property is accessible via a driveable lane around two kilometres long, while the village below is also reachable via a slightly sloping and narrow pedestrian path, which is "wide as a donkey".
Completely enclosed by fences, the plot extends over almost two hectares of woodland, planted with a variety of trees, some of which are quite majestic, whereas the initially gently sloping hillside, with a grassy path that winds its way slowly up towards the cabin, the latter of which blends in seamlessly with its environment, becomes much steeper towards the bottom of the property.
Built with a single storey by a group of railway worker friends in the 1970s, the modest dwelling is equipped with running water, but no electricity, although it could be easily connected to the distribution point located on the access road, thanks to an existing underground conduit.
With a Z-shaped layout and nearly 45 m², the cabin is topped with a dual-pitched roof, one slope of which is quite long, clad in corrugated fibrocement sheets, as well as chimney, while the prefab concrete blocks are cadenced by single-glazed, small-paned windows and a glass door, safeguarded by shutters.
As for its interior, there are three rooms (living room with an open kitchen, bedroom and storeroom) as well as a lavatory, whereas the two bunkers, each with approximately 11 m² and located either below the cabin or nearby, are currently used for storing food or equipment. Lastly, a garden shed, slightly smaller in size and quite useful for storing material, can be found in the meadow.
Completely enclosed by fences, the plot extends over almost two hectares of woodland, planted with a variety of trees, some of which are quite majestic, whereas the initially gently sloping hillside, with a grassy path that winds its way slowly up towards the cabin, the latter of which blends in seamlessly with its environment, becomes much steeper towards the bottom of the property.
Built with a single storey by a group of railway worker friends in the 1970s, the modest dwelling is equipped with running water, but no electricity, although it could be easily connected to the distribution point located on the access road, thanks to an existing underground conduit.
With a Z-shaped layout and nearly 45 m², the cabin is topped with a dual-pitched roof, one slope of which is quite long, clad in corrugated fibrocement sheets, as well as chimney, while the prefab concrete blocks are cadenced by single-glazed, small-paned windows and a glass door, safeguarded by shutters.
As for its interior, there are three rooms (living room with an open kitchen, bedroom and storeroom) as well as a lavatory, whereas the two bunkers, each with approximately 11 m² and located either below the cabin or nearby, are currently used for storing food or equipment. Lastly, a garden shed, slightly smaller in size and quite useful for storing material, can be found in the meadow.
The Cabin
The front door opens on to the fitted kitchen with a terracotta tile floor, while simply furnished in a camping style, it gives on to the main living area, also with terracotta floor tiles, as well as an open-hearth masonry fireplace, the only heating system for the cabin. In addition, a lavatory abuts the open kitchen and precedes the bedroom, which communicates with another room used for storage.
The Bunkers and Garden Shed
The first bunker, with a floor area of approximately 11 m², located under the cabin and partially illuminated thanks to a glass ceiling, is currently used as a natural refrigerator, while the second, identical in size, is situated on the lower part of the sloping hillside, a few metres from the dwelling.
The Woodland and Orchard
Counted one by one by the owners, a thousand trees populate this immense verdant space, including oaks, beeches, spruces, hornbeams, Japanese and black pines, sycamore maples and dogwoods, while, within this great diversity, magnificent specimens such as a large oak, two remarkable beeches and a tall pine with a bark similar to elephant skin, stand out as the premises’ most esteemed residents.
In spring, within this picturesque tableau, the meadow is carpeted with flowers, which dialogue perfectly with the flowering fruit trees and create colourful and perfumed strolls thanks to lilies of the valley, seringas, bluebells, wildflowers, sweet peas and wild orchids, creating beautiful and rustic bouquets.
As for the fruit harvests, they are not to be outdone, with wicker baskets filling up each season with cherries, apples, plums, pears, Mirabelle plums and walnuts, as well as a plethora of wild strawberries.
The Meadows with their Prized Black Gold
The ground is rich with a large variety of mushrooms: ceps, delicious milk caps and grey knights, but above all, the prized truffle. First and foremost the rare uncinatum, known as the “Burgundy truffle”, which stands out from the others thanks to its aroma reminiscent of ceps and hazelnuts, butter and spices, while the fact that it is a wild truffle determines its availability and can make its price fluctuate between €500 and €1,000/kg.
Next, there are a few tuber mesentericum, known as “Lorraine truffles”, which exude strong aromas of bitter almond or almond-apricot, perfect for sauces and terrines, whereas, recognisable thanks to its very black colour, its small size and surface that is smoother than the uncimatum, it features a dark brown flesh crisscrossed with a labyrinth of white veins and is valued at around €350/kg.
Lastly, the Melanosporum, the noblest of truffles and recognisable thanks to its black pyramidal scales, releases a subtle and complex perfume combining wooded undergrowth, earth or humus, as well as notes of roasted dried fruit, and is valued at approximately €1,000/kg.
Our opinion
This verdant setting and refuge where one can simply relax, is surrounded by a quiet forest that will be privy to the many peaceful moments where freedom and fresh air are the only items on the schedule for the summer, while as an oasis of serenity, this precious spot, profitable in a variety of respects and not just for the value of the black gold found in the nearby meadows, promises to gently rejuvenate visitors thanks to its unspoilt setting. In short, this property is an invitation to get away from the hubbub of the city and our hectic lives, where the only essential rhythm is dictated by Nature, the mistress of these premises for the better part of eternity.
Reference 284883
| Main building floor area | 44 m² |
| Land registry surface area | 1 ha 95 a 65 ca |
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
