by 16.5 hectares of grounds and woodland to the north of Sarlat in the Périgord Noir
Location
Renowned for its tourist attractions and its rich heritage, instantly recognisable with its bright yellow rubble stone walls and sloping slate or flat tile roofs, the Périgord Noir is a hilly, forested region that has remained unspoilt by modernity. The property is located close to the Vézère valley, which takes its name from the river of the same name and which is marked by a landscape which has experienced severe erosion, resulting in steep cliffs with natural cavities. This was the site of the first known troglodyte dwellings. There are many emblematic natural, prehistoric and historical sites just a few kilometres away. By road, Sarlat is 20 minutes away and Périgueux is 1 hour away. Bergerac and Brive airports can be reached in 1 hour 15 minutes and 40 minutes respectively. The A89 motorway can be reached in less than 30 minutes.
Description
The main house
On the south-facing side, the roof is fitted with solar panels and a bright, heated conservatory provides an additional reception room. All of the windows are double-glazed, with wooden frames on the inside and aluminium on the outside.
The ground floor
The open-plan kitchen features a large fireplace with a wood-burning stove, a staircase leading to the two upper levels and access to the conservatory. During renovation work, the original second room was divided into a lounge, a hallway opening onto the courtyard and a toilet. The stonework of the load-bearing walls is visible throughout the ground floor, as is the joisted ceiling.
The first floor
A long, exposed stone corridor runs along the south wall. It has two windows that, as well as providing plenty of light, offer a remarkable view of the garden and swimming pool. There are two bedrooms with parquet flooring, a wardrobe, a bathroom with a toilet and a rest area with a wooden cupboard. Exposed joists throughout the first floor add a cosy touch.
The attic
There are two adjoining rooms, each with a radiator in the attic, each lit by a window in the gable and a roof window. The eaves are insulated and covered with panelling, leaving the roof structure visible. The floor is straight parquet.
The outbuilding converted into accommodation
Consisting of three semi-detached buildings built in an L-shape, it encloses the courtyard on one side and has a private garden to the rear.
The ground floor
It is divided into several independent areas that all open on to the courtyard: a bedroom - with a shower room, toilet and wood-burning stove, which has its own terrace equipped with an awning -, an area used as a shed, a storeroom and wine cellar, a billiards room, a summer kitchen as well as an independent bedroom converted into the former bakehouse with shower room, toilet and wood-burning stove.
The upstairs
Accessed by an outside staircase from the rear garden, a vast independent flat has been fitted in the attic space. It consists of a living room with an open-plan kitchen, master bedroom, two further bedrooms, a shower room, hallway and separate toilet.
The other outbuildings
They are scattered throughout the grounds and include light structures and shelters of all kinds: a wooden hut and bench, an arbour, a modern greenhouse for seedlings, two tiled wooden sheds fitting two vehicles each, various shelters for farm equipment, a 120 m deep well that has water all year round, a metal shed currently used as a sawmill, and wood sheds for firewood and planks. The former pigsties are now sheds, housing the water softener and the heat pump. A rainwater collection tank is attached to the back.
The agricultural storage building
Formerly used to dry tobacco, it is now used as a garage and storage area, but its vast, glazed first floor would be just as suitable for an artist's studio, a reception or a games room, or for any other project needing space. On each gable of the building there are lean-to buildings used as workshops and sheds.
The grounds
Fully enclosed, the grounds stretch around the buildings and the 8 m x 4 m swimming pool, protected by a forest of oak, chestnut and hornbeam trees. They are dotted with colourful flowers and ornamental shrubs: a tulip tree, liquidambar, gingko biloba, Mexican orange tree, hibiscus, lilac, magnolia, rose, palm, albizia and tamarisk, among others. Beyond a gate, upstream of the meadows and pond, the fruit trees take over: apple trees, cherry trees, serviceberry bushes, nectarine trees, fig trees, pomegranate trees, plum trees, vines, lime trees, hazelnut trees, quince trees, walnut trees and even cloudberries.
Our opinion
Ideally situated north of Sarlat-la-Canéda, close to the Vézère valley and Montignac-Lascaux, this ideal country house, a traditional farmhouse with a tobacco drying shed, surrounded by greenery, exudes an air of privacy and freedom. The annexed accommodation will appeal to large families, the various workshops will attract DIY enthusiasts and artists, and children will be able to feed the donkey that won’t be moving house.
796 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 290608
Land registry surface area | 16 ha 51 a 49 ca |
Main building surface area | 210 m2 |
Number of bedrooms | 8 |
Outbuilding surface area | 495 m2 |
including refurbished area | 181 m2 |
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.