Location
The house is ideally situated on the Place des Halles in the centre of the medieval village of Nolay, a typical Burgundy parish. The prominent vineyards are part of the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune appellation. Nolay is renowned for a number of outstanding buildings erected between the 14th and 16th centuries, including the Halles au Grain (covered market), the church of Saint-Martin, the chapel of Saint-Pierre and numerous medieval dwellings - not to mention the Champin dolmen. Apart from the church all are listed historical monuments. The village also offers a wide range of local shops, including bakeries, grocery shops and a pharmacy, as well as a nursery, a primary and a secondary school.
30 minutes from Beaune, 3 hrs 30 mins from Paris by car or 3 hours by train. Lyon airport is less than 2 hours away and Geneva 2 hrs 30 mins.
Description
The house includes a large cellar and an attic. A tower staircase typical of the era in which it was built provides access to the different levels and a north-facing courtyard to the rear of the building. The gable roof is of interlocking tiles.
The house
The ground floor
The entrance to the house is via the former shop, a vast room connecting to the back office and via a trapdoor to the basement with a cellar. On the courtyard side, a small-paned half-glazed wooden door surrounded by fixed windows provides access to the staircase tower and the former kitchen. The floors in all the rooms are laid with square or octagonal terracotta tiles. Finally, to the right at the end of the courtyard is a storeroom next to the tower, where the stone staircase leads to the other floors.
The first floor
The second level is accessed via the door to the tower from the main part of the building, followed by a five-panelled wooden door with an original stone frame. Above the storeroom to the north is a modest-sized room lit by a window opening onto the courtyard. A small corridor provides access to four rooms and a small storeroom, separated by light partition walls. The total floor area is approx. 75 m². One of the rooms features a large, out of use Renaissance-style Burgundy fireplace of carved stone and brick. The rather massive mantelpiece has two side alcoves. This room is lit by a large small-paned window. The ceiling has exposed beams and joists, and the flooring, as in the other rooms on this level, is of terracotta tiles.
The attic
On the top floor, there is a vast attic of almost 75 m², with a generous height under the exposed roof structure. It comprises two sections: a mezzanine level accessed by a stone staircase, and the main level with ceramic tile flooring.
The basement
There is a large vaulted cellar with an earthen floor in the basement of the house, accessed either from the workshop via a trapdoor or from the staircase tower.
Our opinion
Behind the sober facade with its typical early 20th century wooden shop window lies a remarkable 15th century building featuring a staircase tower, a large Burgundy fireplace, an attic with a ceramic floor and a large vaulted cellar. The entire property is in need of complete renovation to bring it back to its former glory. A house full of discreet treasures, ideally situated, a sleeping beauty awaiting a second lease of life in the heart of the village. Whether as a second home steeped in history, as a place to start a business in a small village with numerous craft and art shops, or as a village gîte in the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune region, the possibilities abound for a building with character that will guarantee its charm and longevity.
Reference 399940
Land registry surface area | 156 m2 |
Main building surface area | 160 m2 |
Number of bedrooms | 4 |
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.