A 19th century chateau and its outbuildings in 4 ha of parklands,
40 km to the south of Toulouse
40 km to the south of Toulouse
Toulouse,
HAUTE-GARONNE
midi-pyrenees
31000
FR
Location
This property is set near to a small town, with all shops and amenities, 40 km from Toulouse airport. It is accessed via a driveway that crosses the parklands and leads to the foot of an impressive house, looking down on to the river Ariège.
Description
The “Domaine d’Ampouillac”, composed of land and houses, has been known by this name since the 10th century. Initially annexed to the Cuxa Monastery, in 1209 the estate and the priory became part of the Boulbonne Abbey, created in 1129 near to Mazères. The monks of this Cistercian Abbey farmed Ampouillac’s land and that of some adjoining estates, such as Baissac, Artenac and several others. The remoteness of Mazères meant that the monks had to construct buildings for their accommodation on the land they were farming. Said buildings, known as Cistercian barns, were to remain the property of Boulbonne Abbey until the time of the French Revolution when, as a result of the revolutionary riots, Ampouillac was partially destroyed. All that remained was the basement of the “barn” and the current ground floor as is proved by the architecture and the thickness of the walls. In 1791, Ampouillac, was declared National Property and sold. The buyer reconstructed it from the ruins as is explained on the plaque on the stairway. It was also at this time that the first-floor lounge was created and decorated. Ampouillac was to remain in the hands of the same family until 1879 when it was sold to an industrialist from Toulouse.
The building currently spans three levels over cellars, the latter being the old, 11th century, Cistercian barns.
The building currently spans three levels over cellars, the latter being the old, 11th century, Cistercian barns.
The chateau
All that is currently left of the 11th century building are the Cistercian barns, on which the three levels of the chateau were constructed in the 19th century. Flanked by both a round and a square tower, the main building features a symmetrical and balanced facade. The various buildings surrounding the chateau reveal the full size of the property: an orangery, stables and the old shed where horse-driven carriages were kept.
This estate spans some four hectares of parklands, meadows and gardens bordering the river Ariège.
The ground floor
A vast vestibule, housing a wooden stairway with wrought iron railings, an essential decorative feature, is enhanced with oak wood doors, decorated with superb moulding. On one side, a dining room, with a moulded ceiling and herringbone pattern parquet flooring, provides a view over the river Ariège. A lounge, illuminated via two large openings, looks directly out over the river from a balcony. A large fireplace, oak wood parquet flooring and moulded ceilings are some of the distinctive features. On the other side of the vestibule, a small lounge communicates with a study, the latter enhanced with bookshelf units on each wall.
The first floor
A large, extremely elegant, stately lounge is embellished with a gilded, moulded ceiling. Its numerous openings illuminate this room, richly decorated with original features, from all sides. Adjoining, a lounge-library is made very bright courtesy of its dual aspect. The ceilings are outstandingly high. At the end of the corridor, an unfinished room awaits its new vocation. The corridor also leads to two large bedrooms and a bathroom.
The second floor
Six bedrooms each have a view looking out over the parklands. A bathroom and a shower room complete this level.
The third floor
Once home to the domestic staff, this level has been neglected over the years. It is in need of full renovation works.
The basement
Bearing witness to the 11th century, the basement comprises a reception room, a cellar, a kitchen and a laundry room.
The stables
Considerable renovation work could restore these stables.
Our opinion
The omnipresent river bestows this setting with a certain romantic character. The parklands are predominantly open, whilst the impressive building bears witness to an era when wealth could still be displayed in an ostentatious manner. The new owners will have to carry out a few works to give it back all of its splendour of yesteryear.
1 200 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 157431
| Land registry surface area | 5 ha |
| Main building surface area | 820 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 8 |
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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.
