In the Calvados area, near Caen, a 15th century mill and farmhouse
to be renovated, with outbuildings, enclosed courtyard, 4 hectares of meadow and a river
to be renovated, with outbuildings, enclosed courtyard, 4 hectares of meadow and a river
,
CALVADOS
lower-normandy
FR
Location
In Calvados, at the gateway to the Bessin area and near to Caen, between Bayeux and the Côte de Nacre beaches, the Moulin de Vauculey mill is located in a natural zone nestling between the arms of the Mue river, just a stone’s throw from the centre of the village of Rots. The village of the “ros”, which meant reeds in old French, stretches along the valley, which boasts a wealth of architectural heritage and many footpaths. It benefits from both the proximity of school, medical, road and shopping facilities as well as closeness to nature. The train station in Caen is 15 minutes away, Caen Carpiquet airport is 7 minutes away, Paris is 2 hours and 50 minutes away via the A13 motorway, while the beaches at Luc-sur-Mer and Ouistreham Riva-Bella are less than 30 minutes away by car.
Description
From a small road leading from the church of Saint-Ouen de Rots in the old village, a tarmac lane between a grove and pastureland for horses leads to the Moulin de Vauculey, which probably dates back to the 15th century. The building is typical of the style seen in the plains around Caen, renowned for their rivers as well as rich soil, and it was once a wheat mill. The buildings are set out in a square layout, enclosed by four walls. A branch of the Mue river flows past one of the gables. The façade of the main house is now cladded with cement, covering the original stonework. To the left, you can reach the river that once drove the mill’s waterwheel, via a building that was previously a pigsty.
To the right, there are two barns with exposed stonework and roof frame. Opposite the main house, a stone building is in a state of partial collapse. A wooden gate closes the access to these buildings.
The farm is surrounded by woods. The horses’ meadow spreads over 2 hectares. There is also a former bakery, which is now abandoned, on the edge of the woods.
To the right, there are two barns with exposed stonework and roof frame. Opposite the main house, a stone building is in a state of partial collapse. A wooden gate closes the access to these buildings.
The farm is surrounded by woods. The horses’ meadow spreads over 2 hectares. There is also a former bakery, which is now abandoned, on the edge of the woods.
The house
It has two storeys. The upper storey includes the attic space. At the end of the building, the perfectly preserved mill mechanism deserves to be showcased in a much worthier way.
First level
This level is made up of four bedrooms. One of them still boasts original features, with wooden flooring and exposed beams. In the three other bedrooms, the floors are made up of terracotta tiles or wood stripped flooring and the walls are made of local stone from Caen. These original elements, which have been preserved but were hidden during a previous renovation, are just waiting to be rediscovered.
Second level
This level has very high ceilings, providing extensive space that can be converted.
The grounds
The grounds cover an area of approximately 4 hectares, divided into 2 hectares of pastureland and 2 hectares of open vegetation. The far reaches of the grounds disappear into a wooded area, planted mainly with beech, ash and poplar trees. The main branch of the river runs alongside the farm and drops down a waterfall, providing the place’s signature sounds of cascading water.
Our opinion
This is an unspoilt holiday property with many assets. Its location in a peaceful environment but only a stone’s throw from the pretty village of Rots and not far from the city of Caen, combines the silence and authenticity of uninterrupted privacy with a sense of being part of local life, with the services, amenities, attractions and daily activities of a nearby major conurbation. Its centuries old past, the driving force of the water, the unspoilt land and the beautiful stonework are all an invitation to write a new chapter in the history of the Moulin de Vauculey. Living here all year round will require some modernisation work. The attics and outbuildings are waiting to be converted, allowing a new occupant to envisage a wide range of projects.
542 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 263748
| Land registry surface area | 3 ha 91 a 20 ca |
| Main building surface area | 177 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
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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.
