A 19-hectare lake, an inn with sweeping views, and an old watermill,
nestled in countryside between Limoges and Brive-la-Gaillarde
nestled in countryside between Limoges and Brive-la-Gaillarde
Brive-la-Gaillarde,
HAUTE-VIENNE
limousin
19100
FR
Location
The property lies where France’s Périgord and Limousin provinces meet, equidistant from Limoges and Brive-la-Gaillarde and 20 minutes from the prestigious stud farm Haras national de Pompadour. The countryside stretches at the foot of the Limousin hills, near Fayat forest. Hikers in search of a temperate climate and lovers of little-known, unspoilt landscapes appreciate this bucolic corner of France. Remarkable undulating moorland lies just a few kilometres away from the property.
The cities of Bordeaux and Toulouse are 2 hours and 30 minutes away via the motorway. You can reach the Limoges urban area in 30 minutes. And from Brive Vallée de la Dordogne Airport and the train stations in Limoges and Brive-la-Gaillarde, you can easily get to Paris and Toulouse.
Description
From above, the property stands out for its lake, size and preserved natural environment. A dyke hides the watermill, which stands just below the secondary road that runs past it. The watermill is nestled beside an old ironmaster’s house. The dyke separates the watermill from the vast lake. On the other side of the road, opposite the old ironmaster’s house, there is a traditional stone house that was built at the start of the 20th century in the local Périgord style. It is crowned with a roof of flat tiles. This stone house has been turned into a charming inn with a tree-dotted garden. It is still used as an inn and its commercial lease ends in March 2027.
The 19-hectare lake, supplied with water from a river, appears on the Cassini Map – the first detailed map of the entire kingdom of France, produced in the 18th century. The lake stretches from north to south and has kept its original shape. When the ironwork activities here came to an end in the 1960s, a dam was built, creating a reservoir of around 600,000m³. This reservoir was initially used to supply water for the watermill, which lies downstream from the dam. The lake is known as an excellent spot for waterskiing. In fact, its is so famous for this sport that global waterskiing championships have been held here. A waterskiing clubhouse, open during summer months, and different facilities dedicated to waterskiing complete the property. The whole property covers 24 hectares and includes water, buildings and lakeside banks.
The 19-hectare lake, supplied with water from a river, appears on the Cassini Map – the first detailed map of the entire kingdom of France, produced in the 18th century. The lake stretches from north to south and has kept its original shape. When the ironwork activities here came to an end in the 1960s, a dam was built, creating a reservoir of around 600,000m³. This reservoir was initially used to supply water for the watermill, which lies downstream from the dam. The lake is known as an excellent spot for waterskiing. In fact, its is so famous for this sport that global waterskiing championships have been held here. A waterskiing clubhouse, open during summer months, and different facilities dedicated to waterskiing complete the property. The whole property covers 24 hectares and includes water, buildings and lakeside banks.
The lake, dam and watermill
The fishing facilities, the downstream settling basin, and all the structures relating to the lake and its dam – the draining mechanism, the two aqueducts supplying the old mill with water, and the footbridge and grating upstream from the spillway – have been renovated over the past 10 years to comply with current norms. They meet a twofold regulatory obligation: a minimum water-flow rate and a priority cold-water drainage system. The watermill enjoys an exclusive, inalienable right to make use of the water here for energy for an unlimited period.
The stone watermill is a former forge that was founded in 1639. It is crowned with a roof of flat tiles. It has two entrances: one on the dyke side and one on the river side, lower down. Its large windows flood the interior with natural light on both sides. Three levels of 120m² with wooden and concrete floors are supported by evenly positioned beams. The first level has kept certain mechanisms needed for the watermill to function.
The inn and its lakeside area
The inn has three levels. It has a restaurant room with a capacity for 80 place settings, a professional kitchen, an office, four recently renovated bedrooms with bathrooms, and a private apartment with two bedrooms. The view over the lake is remarkable from each of the inn’s two terraces: one terrace lies on the ground floor and the other one lies on the first floor.
A shaded, grassy garden extends beside the house, along the lakeside banks from where you can walk onto a wooden jetty used for the boat club’s activities, mainly mooring. A building with timber cladding serves as a clubhouse. It is used for few months per year. It includes a changing room and a storage space for the club’s equipment.
Lastly, grassy lakeside areas offer spots for bathing and a fishing trail that spans several hundred metres along the lake’s edge.
Our opinion
The beautiful lake here stands out for its extensive span and smoothly curved edges. It appears on the Cassini Map – the first detailed map of the entire kingdom of France, produced in the 18th century – but today it is renowned as an excellent lake for waterskiing. Yet it could easily become a local biodiversity reserve too and a haven for fishing and other leisure activities. The terraces of the traditional Limousin house nestled on the lakeside offer vistas of sunsets with touches of romanticism. The watermill’s three floors could be converted imaginatively. And its old mechanism could be put back into use to produce electricity ecologically.
This charming property at a crossroads is waiting for a new owner to make the most of its abundance of water, its natural surroundings and its restful stone buildings. It represents a golden opportunity: it is a truly unique place full of promise.
640 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 352632
| Land registry surface area | 24 ha 30 a 78 ca |
| Main building surface area | 333 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 6 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 130 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 130 m2 |
Share
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.
