A chateau, registered as a Historical Monument, and its outbuildings
over 7 hectares of grounds on a hilltop in the Comminges region
over 7 hectares of grounds on a hilltop in the Comminges region
Aurignac,
HAUTE-GARONNE
midi-pyrenees
31420
FR
Location
The property is located in the south-western part of the Occitanie region and the Haute-Garonne department, between the villages of Aulon and Aurignac. Nestled within the ancient region of Comminges, a district of the former Gascony province, which, today, covers part of the Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées and Ariège departments, the property is approximately 65 kilometres south-west of Toulouse. The town in which the chateau is located includes incredible natural heritage and, specifically, a Natural area of ecological, faunal and floristic interest, while the Regional Natural Park of the Ariège Pyrenees borders the region to the south-east as does the Mont-Valier Reserve.
In addition, Toulouse can be reached in a little over an hour by car via the A64 motorway, Tarbes and Pamiers in one hour and 25 minutes and Castelnaudary in one hour and 35 minutes.
Description
A shady drive leads to the chateau, perched on a hilltop and surrounded by verdant grounds, which has unobstructed views of the neighbouring hillsides and the Noue Valley. Having undergone several transformations over the centuries, the building has witnessed many historical events, housed notable figures and played an important role in local life.
Originally a modest fortified manor house located at the top of a hill, the chateau is made up of a medieval core, a tower house from the 14th and 15th centuries, and a two-storey dwelling built in the 17th century. In the 12th and 14th centuries, an initial keep was built with small arrow slit windows similar to the ones that still exist on its southern side. Then, between 1340 and 1390, a square tower, with a circular interior housing the staircase, was constructed in order to access the keep’s third storey, but it was not until 1662 that the chateau would be considerably expanded with the construction of a building abutting the keep.
Reflecting several centuries, the chateau, facing southwest and northeast, is understated in appearance with its plaster-coated stone walls devoid of any ornamental decorations, three-sided or hipped barrel tile roofs and rectilinear windows for the most part. The varied formats of the latter enliven the buildings’ different heights, while ashlar stone is used for the chateau’s window and door surrounds as well as its quoins and red-painted wooden shutters safeguard most of its small or large-paned windows.
Lastly, a verdant courtyard, bordered by walls and traversed by a pathway that is accessible via wrought-iron gates on either side, connects the dwelling with the first outbuilding, used as a garage, while two others – a barn and stable – with pointed stonework exteriors and hipped or half-hipped tile roofs extend on from the chateau itself.
Originally a modest fortified manor house located at the top of a hill, the chateau is made up of a medieval core, a tower house from the 14th and 15th centuries, and a two-storey dwelling built in the 17th century. In the 12th and 14th centuries, an initial keep was built with small arrow slit windows similar to the ones that still exist on its southern side. Then, between 1340 and 1390, a square tower, with a circular interior housing the staircase, was constructed in order to access the keep’s third storey, but it was not until 1662 that the chateau would be considerably expanded with the construction of a building abutting the keep.
Reflecting several centuries, the chateau, facing southwest and northeast, is understated in appearance with its plaster-coated stone walls devoid of any ornamental decorations, three-sided or hipped barrel tile roofs and rectilinear windows for the most part. The varied formats of the latter enliven the buildings’ different heights, while ashlar stone is used for the chateau’s window and door surrounds as well as its quoins and red-painted wooden shutters safeguard most of its small or large-paned windows.
Lastly, a verdant courtyard, bordered by walls and traversed by a pathway that is accessible via wrought-iron gates on either side, connects the dwelling with the first outbuilding, used as a garage, while two others – a barn and stable – with pointed stonework exteriors and hipped or half-hipped tile roofs extend on from the chateau itself.
The Chateau
The ground floor
Once past the massive wooden coffered double doors, topped with a double glazed fanlight and, above that, a wide window, a monumental double quarter-turn wooden staircase with a balustrade highlights the authentic and noble aspect of the premises. The kitchen, with a terracotta tile floor, has a large hearth topped with a wooden mantel and a wide window looking out onto the courtyard, while the two living rooms, located nearby, are comfortable in size and one, adjacent to the kitchen, could be turned into a dining room. In the first, the narrow-plank hardwood floor is original as is the fireplace with its carved wooden mantel and chimneybreast decorated with moulding and a mirror, which reflects the light from the two picture windows. The second stands out from the first thanks to an authentic wide-plank hardwood floor and a fireplace with a more understated, yet moulded, wooden mantel. In addition, a workshop and cellar can also be found on this floor.
The first floor
This floor includes six bedrooms, all with original and varnished wide-plank hardwood floors, as well as, for the most part, large fireplaces with marble or wooden mantels. In addition, there are also four bathrooms on this level and some of the windows have heavy painted wooden interior shutters.
The second floor
This floor is accessible via a rare spiral staircase, which is undoubtedly the chateau’s most remarkable feature. This single, 8.4-metre high, newel-post spiral wooden staircase has adze-cut steps, which are fitted into its mortises as well as embedded within the curved wall of the keep, while the quality of the ashlar stone quoins is also of note. Accessible via this impressive work of craftsmanship, and hidden behind a heavy wooden door, is a great hall, a genuine stateroom, located at the top of the original keep. It was most likely Fortanier de Vize, the lord of the chateau until 1510, who transformed the old dreary keep by embellishing the great hall with an enormous Renaissance-style fireplace and a beautiful cross-window. Its wooden ceiling is also a notable original element thanks to its untreated, solid construction and excellent conservation.
The Outbuildings
The first is located in the chateau’s courtyard, opposite the main dwelling, and may be used as a garage as well as a woodshed. The second, with approximately 244 m² of floor area and abutting the main dwelling, is a former barn, open on its upper floor, which is currently being used as a workshop. The third, with only one storey, located at a right angle from the barn and extending over approximately 110 m², has conserved all of the characteristics of a former stable and, specifically, its wooden hayracks.
The Flat
Easily accessible via a service staircase located at the end of the hallway on the chateau's first floor, this comfortable and functional flat is an integral part of the main dwelling. On the ground floor it includes: a living room with an open kitchen, a bedroom and a shower room, while, upstairs, are two bedrooms and a bathroom.
The Grounds
Extending over 7 hectares of gently rolling countryside, highlighted here and there by stone walls, the grounds are almost entirely covered with grass and include one hectare of rare deciduous and conifer trees, which were planted many centuries ago. The interior courtyard also includes a well made out of local stone as well as several flowering shrubs and plants. In addition, the estate also has two hectares of non-adjacent woods and 4 hectares of rolling pastureland.
Our opinion
This chateau with its chivalric features and history, sheltered from all disturbances, exudes a rustic and yet, lordly, feeling. The large verdant spaces, either wooded or farmed, will provide breath-taking views for its future occupants, who will be dazzled by the variety of landscapes, the quality of the construction as well as the elegance of its interior stone, wood and terracotta details. The chateau’s many buildings and rooms, as well as the array of volumes and décor, seem ideal for creating a business here, while a large family in search of “chateau life” would also be perfectly comfortable within its large and elegant spaces, which, from the Middle Ages to the present day, have showcased this particular style of distinctive, flamboyant and historically-rich architecture.
790 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 308891
| Land registry surface area | 7 ha |
| Main building surface area | 600 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 8 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 300 m2 |
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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.
