An 18th-century collection of stone dwellings on a walled plot dotted with
trees in the town of La Flotte on Île de Ré island off France’s west coast
trees in the town of La Flotte on Île de Ré island off France’s west coast
La Flotte,
CHARENTE-MARITIME
poitou-charentes
17630
FR
Location
The charming town of La Flotte on the Atlantic island of Île de Ré is well known for its port and medieval marketplace, both of which you can reach on foot from the property. By bicycle, you can also easily get to pleasant beaches, including the idyllic beach Plage de l'Arnérault. The plot lies on a secondary road, set back from bustle but not isolated. It is nestled in a residential area, tucked away among low houses and stone walls. Via the bridge that links the island to mainland France, you can reach the delightful city of La Rochelle in only around 20 minutes.
Description
The property extends back a long way, arranged in a layout that is a token of its agricultural past. The different buildings are all single-storey structures. They are all turned inwards, facing a central garden. Part of the plot is made up of protected areas. More open areas offer clear views among the buildings. This layout ensures privacy yet provides breathing space too. There is a main house and several old stone constructions: a wine storehouse, a grain storeroom, a barn and a sheep shed. They are all converted buildings that have undergone successive developments. Among them, there are three self-contained dwellings. Exposed stonework forms the elevations, though some of these walls are coated with rendering. Roofs of barrel tiles crown the buildings. Wooden window frames and shutters, mostly painted blue, punctuate the elevations. Most of the floors inside are covered with traditional tiles, though some rooms have floors of terracotta tiles.
The main house
The original section is made up of an entrance hall, two bedrooms and a kitchen. Beyond this section, there is a former grain storeroom that has been converted into a reception space with a lounge and dining area. An extension, built in the same old style as the existing structures, houses a shower room and a third bedroom. The layout is clear: each part has kept its identity yet adds to the coherent whole. A south-east-facing terrace edges the house, beside a wooded part of the garden.
The wine storehouse
The former wine storehouse adjoins the main house on the west side. It has a reception room, which you can reach via an entrance door with a stone ramp that once helped store wine barrels here. This building houses two bedrooms, a shower room and a kitchen. It also offers a terrace, much of which is enclosed with walls so you can enjoy privacy in this spot too.
The barn
The former barn lies on the south side of the plot. It is completely separate and self-contained. Inside, a reception space is made up of a lounge and dining area. A kitchen leads out to a shady south-east-facing terrace where you can relax in a spot set back from the rest of the property. There are also two bedrooms and a shower room.
The stone sheep shed
The former sheep shed houses a separate bedroom and an adjoining room that is currently used as a workshop or storeroom. The building does not have a water inlet and its layout is simpler. Yet it could still be used for a range of purposes.
The garden
The garden lies in the middle of the property. The different buildings stand around a vast lawn dotted with shrubs. Several trees, including old holm oaks give this outdoor space structure and provide welcome shade in summer. The vegetation is made up of local varieties of shrubs and ornamental plants. They embellish the edges of the buildings and paths without restricting a free flow of movement around the plot. There are also terraces spread out around the dwellings, giving you the option of relaxing either in the sun or shade, depending on the time of day or season. A large shed offers considerable storage space too.
Our opinion
This unique island property bears traces of its agricultural past. The charming collection of old stone buildings has kept a fine balance between coherent wholeness and self-contained private sections. Indeed, it has been designed for shared life while ensuring cosiness and secrecy in certain spots. The arrangement of buildings around a central garden creates a world set apart where each space naturally has a role to play. Unpretentious yet undeniably characterful, this delightful haven evokes refreshing simplicity. Its lush vegetation and age-old stonework envelop you in an atmosphere that is truly enchanting. The discreet property is only a stone’s throw from the port and beaches of the town of La Flotte. It would suit family life well, yet it would certainly be the ideal holiday home too, tucked away in one of the most highly sought-after corners of Île de Ré island.
2 100 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 883500
| Land registry surface area | 1870 m² |
| Main building floor area | 240 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 7 |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
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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.
