A former chateau complex with its fortified chateau and storied past, a house, barn
and ruins, the renovations of which all need to be completed, as well as a swimming pool in the Quercy Blanc region
and ruins, the renovations of which all need to be completed, as well as a swimming pool in the Quercy Blanc region
Lauzerte,
TARN-ET-GARONNE
midi-pyrenees
82110
FR
Location
The property is located within a town that includes five natural areas of ecological, faunal and floristic interest along the border of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions, in the northwest of the Tarn-et-Garonne department and the portion of the Quercy region known as the “Pays de Serres”, in reference to the hills surrounding its valleys. Not far from the Way of St. James’ network of hiking trails, the property is surrounded by small plots of farmland, which provide, along with the neighbouring forests, a variety of different landscapes and give the region its sought-after southern feel.
In addition, Agen and Montauban are 45 minutes away, the high-speed rail stations of which provide service to Toulouse, Bordeaux and Paris. The property is also located one hour and 15 minutes from Toulouse and its international airport, 45 minutes from Cahors and 15 minutes from Lauzerte.
Description
Perched on a limestone plateau with outcropping rocks and overlooking the slopes that form the valley below, in which the neighbouring village is located, the property is accessible from a local road followed by a drive, the slightly sloping aspect of which conceals the premises from the road. The first building visible from the property’s entrance is a comfortable house, built in the 19th century, surrounded by other buildings that are today partially in ruins as well as a small outbuilding and a former washhouse. Nearby, surrounded by the crystallised ruins of one of these constructions, is the brand new 16 x 4-metre swimming pool, while a barn is located a little further off, in the middle of the property. Still used for storage, it also includes a studio flat and a summer kitchen.
Ensconced within the vestiges of its enclosure wall, dry moats, wells and a former outbuilding in ruins, the chateau’s walls display the scars of its history, which started as of the 12th century. In ruins when the current owners acquired the property, the house, barn and chateau have since benefitted from an attentive and precise restoration, according to standard practices, in order to rebuild their walls, wooden rafters and, finally, their roofs. With an overall architectural cohesiveness, the three buildings have pointed, regularly coursed Quercy white stonework exteriors, which are punctuated by rectilinear windows and doors for the house and cross-windows for the chateau. Each building is topped with barrel tile three-sided or hipped roofs, highlighted by genoise corbels: a single one for the barn and a double one for the dwelling in the process of being rebuilt. The property is now in need of new owners who will take up the torch in order to make these timeless premises both inhabitable and comfortable, by either following the plans already designed by the current occupants’ architect or creating other spaces.
Ensconced within the vestiges of its enclosure wall, dry moats, wells and a former outbuilding in ruins, the chateau’s walls display the scars of its history, which started as of the 12th century. In ruins when the current owners acquired the property, the house, barn and chateau have since benefitted from an attentive and precise restoration, according to standard practices, in order to rebuild their walls, wooden rafters and, finally, their roofs. With an overall architectural cohesiveness, the three buildings have pointed, regularly coursed Quercy white stonework exteriors, which are punctuated by rectilinear windows and doors for the house and cross-windows for the chateau. Each building is topped with barrel tile three-sided or hipped roofs, highlighted by genoise corbels: a single one for the barn and a double one for the dwelling in the process of being rebuilt. The property is now in need of new owners who will take up the torch in order to make these timeless premises both inhabitable and comfortable, by either following the plans already designed by the current occupants’ architect or creating other spaces.
The Chateau Complex's History
The chateau’s origin dates back to the late 12th century when its enclosure wall was constructed. For six centuries, successive members of the same family were the lords of this castle, strategic for many reasons and, specifically, geographic. The history of the premises, in large part documented, follows that of the men who lived here: in 1271, the lord took an oath of loyalty to the King of France, thereby marking the family’s affinity to the Catholic Church; in the middle of the 15th century, people from the Aveyron and Auvergne regions were welcomed here in order to repopulate a region that had become completely decimated after the Hundred Years War; in the middle of the 16th century, during the French Wars of Religion, the lord from this time period decided to get involved in the fighting against the Protestants and ended up dying two years later. The fiefdom was so sought after, that battles for its inheritance would cause, at the beginning of the 17th century, the death of an heir and the exile of another. Despite the fighting that raged in order to remain its owner, the last overlords were stripped of their home during the French Revolution. Thereafter, its history was less documented, but the site was clearly inhabited because a house was (re)constructed here in the 19th century, before becoming abandoned itself.
The Fortified Chateau
Modest in size and surrounded by a fortified enclosure wall partially made up of the outcropping rock as well as stone, it displays the typical characteristics of a medieval fortress: a dominant position on a natural butte, dry moats or ditches that use the terrain’s natural slope, an access road via a narrow bridge, a covered entrance defended by a sliding portcullis that no longer exists today, a protected courtyard and water supplied by a well hollowed out of the rock. Accessible from the village via a sloping path, the village’s inhabitants were able to quickly take refuge inside the chateau’s walls in case of a siege, while the guardroom, partially in ruins today with a semi-circular vaulted ceiling, bears witness to its formerly defensive function during times of war.
According to the blueprints by the architect who worked on the conversion project, it is possible to create at least 250 m² of inhabitable floor area here, including four bedrooms each with their own shower room as well as a kitchen, living room, dining room and another room meant for relaxation or games. Forming an L with the building, the ruins that abut the chateau could also be restored.
The Barn
Located in the middle of the property, between the chateau and the dwelling, the barn is typical of Quercy’s rural heritage with its stone walls, wooden structure and barrel tile hipped roof. Perfectly integrated within the surrounding natural landscape, it provides an unobstructed view of the neighbouring verdant hillsides, while its open façade makes it possible, by offering a covered outdoor space, to house a variety of equipment as well as create an al fresco dining area. In addition, the portion of the barn enclosed by wooden walls has been converted into a comfortable studio flat.
The Dwelling and Outbuilding
Built during the 19th century out of white stone like the barn and chateau, it displays an understated exterior and a barrel tile roof highlighted by a double genoise corbel. Made up of two connected buildings forming an L shape, it has a single-storey construction topped with a three-sided roof on one side as well as a two-storey building under an attic level crowned with a hipped roof.
According to the blueprints by the architect that worked on the conversion project, it is possible to create approximately 300 m² of inhabitable floor area here, including, on the ground floor, a kitchen, living room as well as a dining room and, on the upstairs level, four bedrooms with their own bathrooms. Lastly, near the house, a small single-room building, built out of stone and covered by a tile gable roof, stands next to an empty basin and could have once been used as a washhouse.
Our opinion
Although the visceral attachment of this fiefdom’s bygone lords to this chateau complex – who went so far as to risk their lives to inherit it – may seem abstract or even curious, once on site, it becomes completely understandable. Nestled within a gently rolling, verdant, preserved and appealing landscape, the site itself has everything it needs to dazzle visitors upon arrival. Timeless, the property seems to strike a perfect balance between breath-taking views, the surrounding nature that it humbly overlooks and the immense, changing skies that create its current undeniable character and beauty. Henceforth, and once it has successfully worked its magic, it will be up to its future owners to pick up the torch passed down over the centuries and complete the premises’ renovations in order to return it to the former lustre that it deserves.
Reference 275108
| Land registry surface area | 3 ha 83 a 63 ca |
| Main building surface area | 260 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 1 |
| 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.
