A 19th century manor house in need of restoration, its outbuildings
and 7 ha of wooded parklands in the rolling countryside
of the Landes d'Armagnac in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
and 7 ha of wooded parklands in the rolling countryside
of the Landes d'Armagnac in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
Labastide-d'Armagnac,
LANDES
aquitaine
40240
FR
Location
The Landes d'Armagnac in the New Aquitaine region features a striking variety of landscapes, alternating between vineyards, small valleys, fields and copses. The area enjoys a considerable tourist appeal owing to its rich historical and natural heritage. The renowned thermal spa at Barbotan-les-Thermes, a 10-minute drive from the property, also enhances this attractiveness. Within a 15 km radius, the market towns of Cazaubon and Villeneuve-de-Marsan offer services, shops and schools - primary and secondary. Mont-de-Marsan is 30 minutes away, and the beaches and mountains can be reached in less than 1 hour 30 minutes. The property lies in a peaceful setting on the outskirts of a renowned 13th century medieval fortified town, whose "Place Royale" inspired the architectural style of the Place des Vosges in Paris.
Description
The old 15th century noble residence has been converted into the present-day manor house, which has preserved its treasures. These include the late 19th century sculpted coat of arms of Baron Camont de Talence, the former owner of the property, adorning the mantelpiece of a marble fireplace within the manor house. The 7-hectare estate, which used to be a vineyard, enjoys surroundings protected from visual and noise disturbances. It is a 1-km walk from the village. The entrance to the estate from the main road is marked by a tall wrought iron gate framed by solid dressed stone pillars. The caretaker's lodge is on the left-hand side.
A 600-metre bridle path runs through the grounds dotted with centuries-old oak trees to a lawned platform above the fields. The manor house stands in the centre of this natural setting.
The driveway splits twice: once to go around the western edge of the estate and serve the fields and farm outbuildings built around a square courtyard, and again to reach the tenant farm and its outbuildings.
Opposite the west facade of the manor house, an elongated building houses the stables.
To the north, there is an old swimming pool with an unusual shape awaiting restoration. The bandstand, with its fine, ornate metal structure, adds a refined touch to the park. It forms the starting point for a shady path leading to spinneys crossed by a stream and then a river ensuring the irrigation of the land.
The manor house extends over three storeys with a total floor area of some 650m², each level bathed in light. The functional layout facilitates easy renovation. During the renovation works, the tenant farmhouse, which has already been restored and offers a comfortable surface area, will provide the ideal refuge for future inhabitants, should the need arise.
A 600-metre bridle path runs through the grounds dotted with centuries-old oak trees to a lawned platform above the fields. The manor house stands in the centre of this natural setting.
The driveway splits twice: once to go around the western edge of the estate and serve the fields and farm outbuildings built around a square courtyard, and again to reach the tenant farm and its outbuildings.
Opposite the west facade of the manor house, an elongated building houses the stables.
To the north, there is an old swimming pool with an unusual shape awaiting restoration. The bandstand, with its fine, ornate metal structure, adds a refined touch to the park. It forms the starting point for a shady path leading to spinneys crossed by a stream and then a river ensuring the irrigation of the land.
The manor house extends over three storeys with a total floor area of some 650m², each level bathed in light. The functional layout facilitates easy renovation. During the renovation works, the tenant farmhouse, which has already been restored and offers a comfortable surface area, will provide the ideal refuge for future inhabitants, should the need arise.
The manor house
Dating back to 1820, the square-shaped dwelling with its four corner towers rises to three storeys, one of which is in the roofspace. The vaulted brick cellar takes up part of the basement. The Mansard-style roofs feature four high chimney stacks and several dormers, the two central twin windows sharing a triangular pediment. The facades, adorned with stringcourses, friezes, cornices, mouldings and pilasters, have large-paned windows with shutters. A wide balcony with a wrought iron balustrade tops the wooden double entrance door. The decorative features celebrate botanical themes and are a reminder of the estate's former viticultural vocation.
The ground floor
Arched approach stairs lead up to the perron and the double door opening onto a reception hall, the proportions of which suggest the overall spaciousness of the residence. On the ground floor, the ceiling height of 4m and the numerous windows provide an undeniable sense of comfort to the various rooms. The well-preserved, original painted decorations and mouldings echo the cabochon paving that extends across the floor through to the grand staircase in the centre of the residence.
The living rooms on either side of the entrance offer two distinct atmospheres. A sitting room, which once opened onto a winter garden, is bathed in light. It is adorned with a Versailles-style parquet floor, fine mouldings, matching wood panelling and a fireplace with a delicately sculpted marble surround. Opposite, there is a more sober-looking dining room with a wide, straight strip hardwood floor, panelled walls and a fireplace with a grey marble mantel. A discreet passageway connects the dining room to the kitchen, which was refitted in the 1980s. Featuring a wood-burning stove, a door opening onto the garden and a floor area of some 32 m², it forms a friendly and practical space.
Another door takes you through to a study further down the hall. The walls are still covered with period tapestries depicting rural scenes, a reference to the parkland, which can be made out through the double French windows in the room. Continuing on, a more simply decorated room is located in the north-east corner of the residence. Finally, a last discreet room opposite the staircase features an astonishing marble fireplace carved with the coat of arms of the former owners.
The first floor
Wide wooden steps, a patinated banister and fine, sober wrought iron railings adorn the staircase, which rises up to the second floor of the house. There is a lavatory on the split-level landing. A few steps further up, a wide, bright landing lit by the staircase's skylight leads to the upstairs rooms. In each corner of the manor house, there are four spacious bedrooms of over 35m² with tall windows affording views over the parklands and countryside. Three of these have marble fireplaces. To the south and centre, a smaller room whose French window opens onto a balcony overlooking the perron of the manor house connects to the south-eastern bedroom. On the opposite side is a bathroom. The first floor, laid almost entirely with hardwood flooring, includes a sixth room with a fireplace, accessed from the landing, and another bedroom.
The second floor
Formerly used as servants' and steward's quarters, this floor can be reached via the main staircase. Today, only two small rooms, hidden behind a door and a narrow corridor, still bear witness to this purpose. The other spacious rooms, with their hardwood floors, fireplaces and windows framed in dressed stone, offer the prospect of a comfortable accommodation with a highly unusual decor revealing a structure combining stone, wood and brick.
The tenant farm
Set apart from the manor house, the tenant farm is unexpectedly spacious, offering a floor area of more than 230m². It is of light-coloured rubble masonry, with dressed stone window surrounds and stringcourses. The tiled pavilion roof features a light well at the ridge, lending it a distinctive character. Renovated in the early 2000s, it can be moved into immediately. It comprises a sitting room with a fireplace connected to a wood-burning stove - the centrepiece of the room - and four well appointed, cosy bedrooms. The projecting roof overhang covers a vast terrace that runs along the main facade and protects the entrance. The tenant farmhouse overlooks the centuries-old oak trees and surrounding meadows, as well as the restored outbuildings, with which it forms an architecturally coherent, multi-purpose complex.
The stables
Facing the western side of the manor house, the stables are carefully built in keeping with the architectural style reflecting their specific use. The two-storey building, covering a total floor area of more than 220m², is topped by a gable roof featuring three shed dormers to allow plenty of natural light into the roofspace. There are eight arched openings on either side of the central door topped by a horsehead, designed to allow horses and horse-drawn carriages to enter and exit the building. Some have heavy wooden doors, others are sealed. Wisteria runs along the dressed stone frames.
The outbuildings, previously used for farming
Accessed via the stables or from a path running alongside the property, the three buildings that make up the outhouses testify to the original agricultural vocation of the estate. Built around a square courtyard, their coursed rubble masonry facades feature tall openings with dressed stone surrounds to provide access for machinery, as well as smaller, arched openings with brick frames. These buildings require major renovation work, particularly to their roofs, in order to make them suitable for new uses. Reception rooms, meeting rooms or additional sleeping areas could be created following a complete refurbishment.
The caretaker’s lodge
Situated at the entrance to the estate, next to the gates that separate the property from the main road, this house was inhabited until recently. It has one storey with an upper floor in the roofspace. The gable roof is tiled, and the window surrounds and corner quoins are of small bricks. The facade is lime-rendered and in a good state of repair. The interior requires some refurbishment to turn it into a comfortable gîte.
The parklands, swimming pool and bandstand
The vast parklands, which cover around 7 hectares, are home to centuries-old trees and several endemic species. The old swimming pool, dug in the shade of the trees behind the manor house, requires renovation. The main part of the pool is 13 m long and 6 m wide and includes a small rectangular projection that originally allowed users to enter the water gradually. Nearby is the bandstand, with a roof supported by a light, bucolic metal structure. Blending into the wooded surroundings, it adds a graceful, delicate touch to the estate.
Our opinion
Set in vast, enclosed grounds featuring outbuildings, a bandstand and a pond, at the end of a long bridle path and beneath the foliage of centuries-old trees, the manor house has stood the test of time. The building bears witness to a rare quality of construction and refined craftsmanship, combining finesse and robustness in a singular ensemble.
Steeped in history, this elegant residence is now in need of careful renovation to usher in a new era. The property provides an ideal setting for a large family looking for space, or for developing a bed & breakfast activity in an attractive tourist area, just like the renowned spa nearby.
790 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 215263
| Land registry surface area | 7 ha |
| Main building surface area | 650 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 13 |
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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.
