A 16th-century hamlet in need of a renovation, with a swimming pool, 23 hectares of grounds
including 4 hectares of vineyards, overlooking the Garonne valley between Bordeaux and Toulouse
including 4 hectares of vineyards, overlooking the Garonne valley between Bordeaux and Toulouse
Agen,
LOT-ET-GARONNE
aquitaine
47000
FR
Location
The property is located halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse in the Lot-et-Garonne department within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and, more precisely, 10 minutes from downtown Agen and its high-speed rail station, which provides several daily connections to Toulouse, Bordeaux and Paris. It is also within immediate proximity to the new motorway interchange that will provide access to the future southwest high-speed rail train station.
Situated in a small village of more than 700 inhabitants and overlooking the Garonne valley, the property is located on the outskirts of a fortified village, the imposing ramparts of which bear witness to its rich feudal past, in an environment alternating between natural spaces and developed land. Nearby, many renowned historical sites in the Lot-et-Garonne and Gers departments complement the area’s acclaimed gastronomy, while international airports in Toulouse and Bordeaux can each be reached in under 1.5 hours.
Description
On a plateau overlooking the Garonne and Albret valleys, past several villas built on either side of a municipal road, a final property stands at the edge of a village, which can be reached via a driveway bordered by cedar trees. Surveying the surrounding landscape, it seems to be cut off from the outside world, sufficiently distanced from its neighbours to avoid all disturbances, both visual and auditory, while still remaining in proximity to the village.
Nestled within its grounds, which include flower-filled pastures, fields and vineyards draped on the hillsides as well as woods below, only a faint buzzing sound can be heard from the motorway, which traverses the centre of the northern side of the valley. A gravel drive runs alongside a square dovecote and its patio before arriving in front of the U-shaped main building edified in 1536. At that time called “the chateau of Pelon”, at some point between the 17th and 19th centuries it became a noble house owned by the Espalangue family, a member of the court of Henri II, King of Navarre.
Built out of stone over two levels and topped with a barrel tile roof bordered by a triple Genoise corbel, the house is arranged around a gravel courtyard punctuated with an ancient cedar tree. To the south, a square turret abuts the central main building with a floor area of approximately 385 m². The east wing, which houses the former village stove, and most likely flanked by a mill at one point, could easily be connected to the current dwelling. Combined with the 360° panoramic view, the creation of new windows, which are currently small in size and low in number, could provide additional light for the building and make it possible to take advantage of its different perspectives throughout the day.
At a distance from the main dwelling, on the other side of the gravel courtyard, a guesthouse, a former Gascon farmhouse in need of renovation, is located not far from the 6 x 18-metre swimming pool and a vegetable garden with chicken coop, while a second driveway ensures this building’s independence if needed. Scattered throughout the property are three wells, an undeniable asset.
Nestled within its grounds, which include flower-filled pastures, fields and vineyards draped on the hillsides as well as woods below, only a faint buzzing sound can be heard from the motorway, which traverses the centre of the northern side of the valley. A gravel drive runs alongside a square dovecote and its patio before arriving in front of the U-shaped main building edified in 1536. At that time called “the chateau of Pelon”, at some point between the 17th and 19th centuries it became a noble house owned by the Espalangue family, a member of the court of Henri II, King of Navarre.
Built out of stone over two levels and topped with a barrel tile roof bordered by a triple Genoise corbel, the house is arranged around a gravel courtyard punctuated with an ancient cedar tree. To the south, a square turret abuts the central main building with a floor area of approximately 385 m². The east wing, which houses the former village stove, and most likely flanked by a mill at one point, could easily be connected to the current dwelling. Combined with the 360° panoramic view, the creation of new windows, which are currently small in size and low in number, could provide additional light for the building and make it possible to take advantage of its different perspectives throughout the day.
At a distance from the main dwelling, on the other side of the gravel courtyard, a guesthouse, a former Gascon farmhouse in need of renovation, is located not far from the 6 x 18-metre swimming pool and a vegetable garden with chicken coop, while a second driveway ensures this building’s independence if needed. Scattered throughout the property are three wells, an undeniable asset.
The Main Dwelling
The ground floor
Sheltered by a comfortable overhang of 45 m², a heavy wooden door opens onto an entrance hall with generous volumes around which the main living spaces are arranged. A fitted kitchen on the right as well as a dining room and a living room communicating with a large patio facing the Garonne valley extend over the building’s western wing. A hallway with a wardrobe leads to two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms – the second, accessible via a couple of steps, has a dual aspect and a sloping ceiling with exposed beams. The central building includes a bedroom with a shower room and lavatory as well as access to the tower in which the wooden spiral staircase is located.
The upstairs
This floor is divided into two distinct sections. The first covers the building’s west wing under a sloping ceiling and includes a living room with a stone fireplace and two bedrooms, each with their own bathroom and lavatory. The second section, accessible from the central building, has two bedrooms, each with their own shower room and lavatory.
The Former Stables and Bakery
With a total floor area of 170 m² and a floor-to-roof-ridge height of 5.70 metres, they are located in the east wing. Built out of rubble stone using different masonry techniques that display and interlace the successive eras the building has traversed, the edifice’s façades face the courtyard to the west and the wild, bucolic valleys to the east. With ashlar stone quoins, this building only has a few windows, which were created in the 19th and 20th centuries when the premises were used as stables and a bakery, which had previously been located in the wing that currently abuts the main building. The only vestiges that remain from this span of history when the hamlet was once a bustling hub are the mantle of a monumental fireplace and ancient terracotta floor tiles. Comfortable volumes, wood rafters with undeniable character and access to the current dwelling, make it possible to imagine an extension of this building or even the creation of a new layout, which would better correspond to current living and comfort-related standards.
The Guesthouse
Not far from the swimming pool and topped with a hipped roof decorated with a single-row of Genoise corbels, typical of the local architecture, it is built out of stone and faces the dwelling’s west wing. Benefitting from private access as well as a patio to the south, it has two floors with approximately 140 m². Its garden level is arranged around a small kitchen, a living room with fireplace, a bathroom, lavatory, while upstairs is divided into three bedrooms, a bathroom and lavatory. In addition, its attic level could also be converted in order to add more living space. A machine room for the swimming pool and a storage room are located underneath an extension abutting its western façade and the whole building is equipped with central heating supplied by a fuel furnace. It should be noted that some renovations will be required and the roof is in need of repair.
The Swimming Pool, Dovecote and Land
Created 8 years ago on the property’s summit, the 6 x 18-metre swimming pool is surrounded by a travertine tile pool deck. From the sun loungers, one-of-a-kind views unveil perspectives that extend for several dozens of kilometres in all directions. Right nearby, the dovecote and its patio are used as the pool house, and only require a few adjustments to complete their overall comfort. Around the buildings, meticulously mown lawns make them stand out from the neighbouring meadows, thereby marking the divide between the estate’s grounds and the farmland and woods located further below. Growing a variety of crops, including grains, the farmland also consists of oak forests and vineyards planted with cabernet sauvignon grapes. The vineyards' operations are currently entrusted to a winemaker and its production is sold to the local cooperative in Buzet.
Our opinion
Ideally located with significant and perfectly preserved volumes, as well as a varied landscape, the property proposes a rich and multifaceted living environment, thanks specifically to its vineyard and pasturelands. Although the main dwelling is currently inhabitable as is, it will be necessary to freshen up its interior. The premises’ future restoration, taking advantage of the good condition of its structural works and the unquestionable architectural potential of the extraordinary authentic buildings, will undoubtedly highlight this hamlet’s character as well as its many 360° panoramic views.
Reference 343649
| Land registry surface area | 22 ha 83 a 27 ca |
| Main building surface area | 385 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 7 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 440 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 200 m2 |
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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.
