A renovated flat in a late 18th/early 19th century neo-classical mansion
at the foot of the Cévennes mountains in the Ardèche
at the foot of the Cévennes mountains in the Ardèche
Vans,
ARDECHE
rhones-alps
07140
FR
Location
At the meeting point of the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park and the Cévennes National Park, this flat is located in the old centre of a medieval town surrounded by mountains and rivers.
Served by several bus routes, it is around thirty minutes from the Ardèche gorges, forty from Aubenas, fifty from Alès and sixty from Montélimar. The town offers all the essential amenities such as shops, restaurants, bars, schools from primary to secondary level, health services including a hospital, and more.
The region abounds in cultural and sporting activities, from canoeing to hiking, all year round.
Description
The flat is situated on the first floor of a former townhouse dating from the late 18th to the early 19th century, built in the neo-classical style. Set between the medieval town and the old religious enclosure, in a mainly pedestrianised area, it is surrounded by the residences of illustrious families of merchants, dignitaries, lawyers and doctors, some of whom adopted revolutionary methods. The building can be spotted from the church forecourt and is highlighted by a balcony running along the first floor of its facade, above a modern jewellery shop. The main entrance door with its dressed stone surround is located centrally on the ground floor and opens directly onto the street. It is topped by rectangular French windows with transoms and white-painted shutters opening on to the balcony.
The rendered elevation, which is slightly deteriorated, needs to be renovated, a process that has already been approved and will be carried out at no cost to the new owner. A hallway, part of the shared areas, leads from the entrance to the cellars and on to the central staircase.
The basement cellars consist of two unaltered adjoining rooms. The first houses the old communal heating system and includes access to the shared garden, which has yet to be tamed given the lack of maintenance of its vegetation in recent years. The second room is used for storage. Although there is currently no formal separation between the plots of the various co-owners in the basement, this could be looked into and put in place subject to agreement.
The open newel staircase, of dressed stone with a wrought-iron handrail, terminates on the first floor at a wide landing of sedimentary flagstones bordered by two wide double doors. Today, only the door on the right provides access to the flat, arranged in a U-shape around the main staircase.
The rendered elevation, which is slightly deteriorated, needs to be renovated, a process that has already been approved and will be carried out at no cost to the new owner. A hallway, part of the shared areas, leads from the entrance to the cellars and on to the central staircase.
The basement cellars consist of two unaltered adjoining rooms. The first houses the old communal heating system and includes access to the shared garden, which has yet to be tamed given the lack of maintenance of its vegetation in recent years. The second room is used for storage. Although there is currently no formal separation between the plots of the various co-owners in the basement, this could be looked into and put in place subject to agreement.
The open newel staircase, of dressed stone with a wrought-iron handrail, terminates on the first floor at a wide landing of sedimentary flagstones bordered by two wide double doors. Today, only the door on the right provides access to the flat, arranged in a U-shape around the main staircase.
The flat
Once through the double doors, an entrance area with sedimentary flagstones like those on the landing receives light from the staircase through a window. It leads to the first bedroom overlooking the garden and an open-plan kitchen and dining room. The bedroom has its own en-suite shower room and lavatory. Its black flagstone floor complements the large white-veined marble fireplace of the same tone, with its neoclassical pilaster mantel, foliage capitals and stuccoed cornice.
The open-plan kitchen and dining room are next to the sleeping area, also with a view of the north-facing garden. Fully equipped with all modern fixtures and fittings, the kitchen also features a black stone floor and an ebony marble fireplace topped by white plaster pilasters with acanthus capitals, echoing the cornice and central rose of the chandelier. The fireplace adjoins its more efficient replacement, a pellet stove, which is the current heating system. At right angles to this room and marked by seamless flooring, the library serves as a passageway to the sitting room. Like the entrance hall, the library is lit by a window at floor level opening onto the main staircase. An optical device ensures privacy from prying visitors.
The sitting room features a vast fireplace with the same decorative elements as the dining room, dating from the late 18th or early 19th century. Its surround embellished with pilasters and water-leaf capitals echoes the pearl-grey ceiling rose. The marble cladding is white and yellow, contrasting with the black flooring. Two large French windows open onto the balcony, which overlooks the street and one of the town's many squares. There are also two small rooms used as storage and utility rooms.
Finally, a second bedroom has been created on the street side. Its fireplace, also of red marble, is topped by pilasters and smooth capitals, which contrast with a more elaborate entablature. Its flagstone floor recalls that of the opposite entrance and landing and is also found in the shower room and separate lavatory.
Our opinion
Whether used as a main residence or simply as a pied-à-terre, this flat has all the qualities of an urban dwelling - close to shops, parking, schools and medical services - in the peace and quiet of the countryside, perfect for bucolic outings. The careful and clever refurbishment of this north-south facing, full-width flat has brought comfort and modernity to a place steeped in history. The spacious rooms are all adorned with a wide range of decorative features, lending them an unusual cachet that is rare in a very rural region. Everything is in place: all that remains to do is to move in and enjoy the gentle atmosphere of a comfortable home, where the eye, drawn towards different lines, colours and decorations, will enjoy every detail.
315 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 933926
| Total floor area | 131.94 m2 |
| Number of rooms | 4 |
| Ceiling height | 3.50 |
| Number of bedrooms | 2 |
| Number of lots | 10 |
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
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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.
