In southern Brittany, nestled in the land of megaliths,
a group of rural dwellings, 5 kilometres from the beach
a group of rural dwellings, 5 kilometres from the beach
Pont-l'Abbé,
FINISTERE
brittany
29120
FR
Location
In the historical Breton region of Cournouaille, at the western tip of the Finistère department, 20 minutes from the high-speed rail station in Quimper, Cape Caval is a land of traditions facing the ocean. While its coastline contains a string of hamlets ideal for seaside pleasures and water sports, inland, the wooded countryside alternates between woods, meadows, embankments and fields for market gardening and growing flowers. The local heritage abounds with chapels, fountains and authentic villages, here and there punctuated by Neolithic vestiges.
Description
The property is located at the end of a country road, which traverses a wood, goes around the basin of a former wash-house, passes low stone walls and flowerbeds at the base of the buildings, before finally arriving at the former “courtyard” farm. The whole was built in successive stages, starting with the building from the first quarter of the 17th century. Today, it presents six edifices organised into a rectangle around an open courtyard and a well. The large wing, located in the middle of the courtyard’s northern edge and facing south, is made up of two adjacent sections aligned with the original dwelling. Opposite is the main dwelling, while the second dwelling forms the eastern border and the outbuilding, used as a barn, is to the west.
The Main Dwelling
Entirely renovated in 2013, its architecture is simple and rustic, without any particular ornamentation. Edified in irregular whitewashed granite rubble stone masonry, it is oriented north to south and has two storeys. Extended to the south by a patio surrounded by a low stone wall, the building is accessible via its northern façade, facing the well, where a straight flight of stone stairs along the façade supplements the interior access. The northern side of the slate roof has two skylights and a hayloft door, opening onto the landing of the exterior staircase while, on the southern side, four large skylights look out over the landscape. The ground floor has three windows to the north, two others to the south, as well as glass doors. The lintels and jambs for all the windows and doors are in ashlar stone and the house’s gable ends are windowless. To the west, the quarter sphere vault of the former bread oven abuts the building.
The ground floor
From the central courtyard, a door opens onto a closed space, which represents the dwelling’s entranceway. This leads to a vast open living room, which extends over the entire length of the house and takes advantage of dual-aspect natural light provided by the six windows. A cosy space was created in its western end, around a fireplace with a closed hearth. To the east, a contemporary fitted kitchen was designed with a central island and a wood-fired cooking range. A lavatory is also available on this level.
The upstairs
This floor is accessible via a straight open-riser staircase and includes three bedrooms, illuminated by skylights, as well as a bathroom with a shower and lavatory. On the landing, the hayloft door provides access to the courtyard via the outside stone staircase.
The Second Dwelling
Oriented east to west, it immediately catches visitors’ attention. Edified as a house at the end of the 19th century, it was renovated in 2004. With two floors and façades composed of even, horizontal courses of rubble stone masonry, the building is cadenced by symmetrical windows with ashlar stone surrounds. On either side of the slate roof, are four large contemporary dormer windows with flat slate roofs and sides. A parking area was created next to its eastern façade, along the country road.
The ground floor
Currently used as professional premises, it was designed to allow access for people with reduced mobility. The public entrance is located on the eastern façade, near the parking area, while a private access is located on the courtyard side. The two independent entranceways open onto a luminous room equipped with a wood stove. Following on from there is a shower room, transformable into a kitchen, a lavatory and a furnace room.
The upstairs
This is accessible from a staircase located in the eastern entranceway, which leads to a landing that provides access to a bedroom and en-suite shower room and, on the other side, an office with triple exposure.
The Large Guesthouse
Adjacent and aligned with the main dwelling to the east, it was originally used, in all likelihood, as a cowshed and a dairy. Renovated in 2013, it has two floors.
The ground floor
Its entrance is located on the southern façade, facing the courtyard. The front door gives onto a living room and open fitted kitchen. This room, illuminated to the south by a window and a glass door, leads to a vast storage area, which opens onto the courtyard via a “garage door”. A shower room and lavatory were also created on this level.
The upstairs
A straight open-riser staircase leads to two bedrooms and an office on the landing. The bedrooms are illuminated by skylights on the roof’s southern slope, facing the courtyard.
The Small Guesthouse
Located in the northwest corner, it is adjacent to the 17th-century dwelling and once housed farm tools. Occupying one of the more intimate spaces on the property, it was renovated in 2019 using eco-sourced materials.
The ground floor
The front door directly opens onto the living space with an open fitted kitchen. A shower room is located on its western end.
The upstairs
A mezzanine with oak beams ad a partially glass-tiled floor, creates a bedroom with a refined atmosphere.
The Large Dwelling to be Renovated
In the centre of the courtyard’s northern wing, facing the well that provides water for the entire property, this simple farm dwelling once abutted two outbuildings used to house animals. What remains is a majestic volume and two imposing fireplaces facing one another. The 2014 renovation of its wooden rafters and roof was completed by the installation of skylights in accordance with the building permit obtained for the creation of a two-storey dwelling. The rest of the renovation waits to be completed.
The ground floor
It has a beaten earth floor and untreated rubble stone walls.
The upstairs
It is to be converted in its entirety.
The Barn
Edified in granite rubble stone, it is located at a perfect right angle to the main wing and encloses the courtyard to the west. Its structural state is in good condition.
The Gardens
Bordered by low stone walls, shrubs, flowerbeds, embankments, hedges and eye-catching objects, the gardens all dissolve into one another. The landscape, from the meadow to the wash-house by way of the country road, is rural and picturesque.
Our opinion
Hidden in the wooded countryside, where Cape Caval’s lands end, a property with great authenticity, renovated with care for a reduced environmental impact. Autonomous in terms of water, the whole is immediately inhabitable and particularly suited for a family in search of calm and space. The premises can also be adjusted to the needs of their future occupants, like, for example, a project in connection with nature or the nearby ocean. Within this labyrinth of old stones and embankments, sheltered by hydrangeas and jasmine, a feeling of holiday relaxation and liberty wafts through the air like a perfume.
Reference 747197
| Land registry surface area | 9924 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 350 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 8 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 200 m2 |
Aucune procédure en cours menée sur le fondement des articles 29-1 A et 29-1 de la loi n°65-557 du 10 juillet 1965 et de l’article L.615-6 du CCH
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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.
