A 16th-century manor house and its heated swimming pool,
in the foothills overlooking the Ardèche River, upstream from the town of Aubenas
in the foothills overlooking the Ardèche River, upstream from the town of Aubenas
Prades,
ARDECHE
rhones-alps
07380
FR
Location
Within the Ardèche River valley, in the west of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the 16th-century manor house is perched in the foothills and enjoys unobstructed views of the lush valley where the department’s main river flows. Straddling two villages and at the crossroads between the Auvergne Mountains and the Rhône River valley, the farmhouse is about ten kilometres away from the town of Aubenas, which contains all shops and services, and 52 kilometres away from Montélimar.
Description
First mentioned as of 1414, the Fabrias fiefdom is part of a long history: built on behalf of the Lord of Chanaleilles, who made it his stronghold until 1735, it was constructed over the vestiges of a ruin, as attested by a construction note from 1610. It was then passed into the hands of Cappendu de Remeuil, architect to the King and a prominent figure in the region, before becoming the residence of Agnès Perrin-Lacroix in 1986, who eventually sold it to its current owners in 2005.
Appearing to have been built mostly over the same time period, the house’s walls, the thickness of which varies between 0.98 and 1.3 metres, bear witness to a solid and long-lasting construction. As for its interior, chestnut ceiling beams cadence the space, while the floors juxtapose hardwood and original terracotta tiles, some of which are hand painted.
In addition, behind the house, an immense cistern hollowed out of the rock, visible in certain areas, collects rainwater, whereas, higher up and sheltered from view, a swimming pool, heated by the sun, is supplied with the white water of the surrounding natural springs. Built into the rock itself, the property, in perfect harmony with its environment, also comes with a former threshing platform located on the other side of the small street and facing the house’s front door, which is now used as a patio overlooking a garden in which a stream snakes its way through olive and fruit trees as well as other vegetation native to the South of France.
Appearing to have been built mostly over the same time period, the house’s walls, the thickness of which varies between 0.98 and 1.3 metres, bear witness to a solid and long-lasting construction. As for its interior, chestnut ceiling beams cadence the space, while the floors juxtapose hardwood and original terracotta tiles, some of which are hand painted.
In addition, behind the house, an immense cistern hollowed out of the rock, visible in certain areas, collects rainwater, whereas, higher up and sheltered from view, a swimming pool, heated by the sun, is supplied with the white water of the surrounding natural springs. Built into the rock itself, the property, in perfect harmony with its environment, also comes with a former threshing platform located on the other side of the small street and facing the house’s front door, which is now used as a patio overlooking a garden in which a stream snakes its way through olive and fruit trees as well as other vegetation native to the South of France.
The Southern Wing
This wing is accessible via two separate entrances: one leads directly from the interior courtyard to an immense dining room; the other, on the garden side and facing full south, provides access to the house’s different living spaces, while a covered balcony seamlessly connects this wing to its northern counterpart.
The basement
Under the southern wing, this level, with ample volumes that make it possible to imagine a number of different possibilities for this space, extends under the entire house.
The ground floor
This floor contains the house’s living areas, whose overall rustic, but sophisticated charm is revealed through its exposed stone vaults and ancient terracotta floor tiles. A foyer, which could also be used as a small dining room with floor tiles that match the colour of its walls, communicates with a large living room, followed by a staircase to the upstairs floor. In addition, an immense open kitchen and large dining room contain a massive wood-fired oven and provide access to the interior courtyard, while, at the back of the latter, is a laundry room, a lavatory and a machine room for the distribution of hot water and heat.
The first floor
At the top of the staircase, a small central corridor provides access to three bedrooms as well as an immense living room of 90 m², the volumes of which are highlighted by two mezzanines on either side, currently used as libraries. From the living room, direct access to the balcony overlooking the interior courtyard is an invitation to take in the breath-taking panorama, while the bedrooms each abut their own bathroom and the floors alternate between tiles for the shower rooms, recent hardwood for the bedrooms and dark green Rajasthan tiles for the living room, which adds an elegant and modern touch.
The Northern Wing
Completely autonomous from the rest of the dwelling, this part of the farmhouse is accessible via several separate entrances: either from the interior courtyard or the dual-aspect balcony on the first floor, which is also accessible from an exterior staircase.
The basement
In the vaulted cellar, a game room was created with table tennis and other equipment for team games.
The ground floor
Once through the inconspicuous front door, a small vaulted entrance hall leads to a bedroom with a separate bathroom, while, to one side a wide doorway reveals an immense vaulted dining room with a massive fireplace, which also opens onto the farmhouse’s courtyard. Lastly, a stone staircase, opposite, provides access to the upstairs floor.
The first floor
The interior staircase leads to a large landing with ancient terracotta floor tiles, which provides access to three bedrooms, all with their own private bathroom, except for one, which uses the bathroom located on the other side of the landing. As for the floors, they alternate between terracotta tiles for the hallways and landing, hardwood for the bedrooms and modern tiling for the bathroom.
The Garden and Swimming Pool
Behind the farmhouse and overlooking the hills, an immense cistern hollowed out of the rock is used to collect rainwater, while, further on and sheltered from view, a beautiful swim deck surrounds the 13-metre long swimming pool. With stone flagstones imported from India, it blends in perfectly with the surrounding mineral landscape under the welcoming shade of the pine trees. As for the swimming pool itself, it is heated by a high-performance and energy-saving device, whereas this area dedicated to relaxation is accessible from both the house as well as the garden, which stretches to the south of the building. Verdant and meticulously cared for, the latter is extended by a patio with unobstructed views of the Ardèche Mountains, while a small path provides access to a parking area large enough for several vehicles.
The Grounds, River and Trees
On the other side of the small street, facing the courtyard’s gate, the former threshing platform extends under the refreshing shade of a large plane tree, while, below, the enclosed gardens are equipped with an irrigation system, the water for which is supplied by a stream. Once enriched by the alluvium of the Ardèche River, the fertile grounds, over nearly 2 hectares, promise ample harvests and are separated into several spaces with complementary uses: an immense field, once used as pastureland for animals, bears witness to the estate’s agricultural past, while, further on, a piece of land enclosed by stone walls is perfect for a vegetable garden. Lastly, an orchard of fruit and olive trees recalls the former olive-growing tradition of the region.
The grounds
The grounds span approximately two hectares in total.
Our opinion
This breath-taking and completely restored farmhouse is nestled within the rolling and verdant landscape of the Ardèche River valley, traversed by the department’s main river, the clear waters of which are an invitation for long summer swims. Charming and historical, this property would be perfect for those who love peace and quiet, wild natural spaces and long hikes in the surrounding mountains, whereas its immense volumes promise an ideal setting for a fulfilling family life or hosting friends and guests. In addition, its layout would also be well suited for a bed and breakfast, not far from Aubenas and its 12th-century chateau.
Reference 667383
| Land registry surface area | 2 ha |
| Main building surface area | 600 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 8 |
Aucune procédure en cours menée sur le fondement des articles 29-1 A et 29-1 de la loi n°65-557 du 10 juillet 1965 et de l’article L.615-6 du CCH
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.
