A large, old country house with gîtes, nestled in around 2.5 hectares of
grounds by the River Gardon at the foot of the Cévennes mountains
grounds by the River Gardon at the foot of the Cévennes mountains
Alès,
GARD
languedoc-roussillon
30100
FR
Location
The property lies on the edge of the Cévennes national park, nestled in a beautiful area of France between the River Rhône and the Mediterranean Sea where many different regional nature parks are not far away. Furthermore, the region is dotted with famous towns, such as Orange, Avignon and Montpellier, which are 1 hour and 40 minutes away by car, Nîmes, an hour away by rail, and, a little further, Arles.
This delightful haven is the perfect starting point for enjoying countless activities, whether nearby, in the Cévennes mountains, or a little further away, in the Ardèche gorges or on the Camargue beaches. You can also easily visit Roman sites such as the Pont du Gard and Nîmes from here.
The surrounding villages offer a range of shops and amenities. And the medieval town of Alès, a 20-minute drive away, completes this range.
Description
Looking down on to the river from predominantly flat land, this property is surrounded by state-owned woods. Tall, old trees, including hundred-year-old sweet-chestnut and plane trees, are dotted throughout the meadows surrounding the house. A few old terraces still remain as well as two large, currently overgrown retention ponds, fed by a spring that has been used for filling the swimming pool and watering the vegetable garden. The estate, which once included the entire valley, was mentioned in 1640 as being a fortified farm, more or less destroyed during the religious unrest that brought bloodshed to the Cévennes region. It was reconstructed and is nowadays laid out in a U-shape, one side of which, standing parallel to the river, forms the main house. The latter, with its beautifully-kept architecture, is a cross between a traditional farmhouse and a large luxurious home. It was rebuilt in the late 19th century by a Consul-General from Constantinople who also landscaped the gardens. The property later became a holiday camp, a school and then a clothing factory. Dilapidated, it was taken over and completely restored by its current owners who have transformed it into gites (holiday accommodation rental units) and a yoga centre.
The large, luxurious home
Built on one of the long sides of the “U”, it can be accessed from the outside via steps, with an intermediate landing. Its facade features five bays, the openings framed with grey stone surrounds. The tile-covered roof is enhanced with an overhanging cornice. This main, two-storey home comprises a wide entrance hall, extended by a stairwell, a lounge, with three openings overlooking the outside, a large, recent kitchen, with a first-floor balcony corridor laid out as a lounge, as well as a wood-burning stove. Upstairs are four bedrooms, a study, a shower room, a bathroom and the mezzanine, looking down into the kitchen.
The guest flat
Spanning approx. 75 m², it comprises a lounge, a fitted kitchen, two bedrooms with toilets and two shower rooms; a view over the river. It adjoins the main home, with which it could communicate.
The first gite
This large, holiday accommodation rental unit, spanning approx. 150 m², can sleep eight people. With a terrace and a view of the river, it comprises a fitted American-style kitchen, a lounge area, with a wood-burning stove, four bedrooms and two shower rooms, with toilets.
It also has wheelchair access.
The second gite
Spanning approx. 50 m², with a terrace, it includes a living room, with a fitted kitchen area, two bedrooms and a shower room, with a toilet.
The third gite
Spanning approx. 60 m², this gite is composed of a living room, with lounge and fitted kitchen areas, two bedrooms and a shower room, with a toilet. It further has access to a covered terrace, with a barbecue, and unobstructed views.
The fourth gite
With a terrace and spanning approx. 75 m², it comprises a living room, a fitted kitchen area, two double bedrooms, a shower room, with a toilet, and a separate toilet. The vaulted bedrooms are on the ground floor.
The fifth gite
This holiday accommodation rental unit comprises a living room, with a fitted kitchen area, vaulted bedrooms, a shower room, with a toilet, and a flower-filled terrace.
The covered terrace
Ideal for all kinds of events, this very large, 350 m², covered terrace has unobstructed views stretching to the river.
The swimming pool
This 1.4 m deep, swimming pool, measuring 11x5 m, is joined by another three, shallower pools for young children. All are filled every year with water coming from the spring and have a UV purification system.
The yoga studio
Overlooking the terrace, it includes a shower and a toilet.
Our opinion
This unique property, lulled by the gentle flow of the River Gardon, has had different purposes over the centuries. Like its multifaceted past, the property offers a abundance of purposes: it is a home, a work facility, a reception venue, a guesthouse and a conference centre, yet it lends itself to an endless range of new projects
This year, in 2023, the ecology centre has organised four successful workshops with teachers and students from the UK. And 10 weeks have been provisionally scheduled for April, May, June and September 2024 – this represents a considerable source of extra revenue. The couple who organise the workshops offer to stay on site, if the future buyer does not wish to live there, and to manage the property on their behalf.
1 495 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 724574
| Land registry surface area | 2 ha 37 a 70 ca |
| Main building surface area | 850 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 19 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 100 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.
