An 18th-century stone house, formerly a primary school, converted into bed & breakfast accommodation
in the Ain area, between Lyon and Geneva, in a village full of character
in the Ain area, between Lyon and Geneva, in a village full of character
Bourg-en-Bresse,
AIN
rhones-alps
01000
FR
Location
This property is located in the east of France, at the gateway to the Jura and the Alps, between the Bugey vineyards and the Dombes lakes, in a town full of character renowned for its exceptional heritage, well-preserved historical buildings, narrow medieval streets with half-timbered houses and an abbatial church, which is an architectural gem dating back to the Middle Ages. This former primary school stands opposite a Benedictine abbey which is a listed historical monument. From the railway station 10 minutes away, Lyon can be reached in 20 minutes and Geneva in 1 hour and 30 minutes. From the former Gaulish capital, high-speed TGV trains put Paris and Marseille within 2 hours reach. The village is well connected, situated at the crossroads of a number of routes, with junctions to the A40 and A42 motorways just 5 km away, respectively heading to the north and south of Europe.
Description
The entrance to the house is on a pedestrianised street leading off the square in the centre of the village surrounded by remarkable monuments, including an abbey and the village’s mayoral hall in a castle. The grounds of the former village school include a courtyard, covered playgrounds, a flowery and tree-filled garden, a vegetable garden and parking spaces that can be reached from the street below. This three-storey, rectangular stone house is currently run as Michelin Guide approved bed and breakfast accommodation.
The building
The imposing façade of this east to west oriented building is made of white stone. It has three storeys and total floor-space of 851 m². The village’s former primary school was transformed into delightful bed & breakfast accommodation, in which the spirit of the past has been very carefully preserved.
The ground floor
A long corridor that runs through the building serves as an entrance and boasts a spectacular view over the courtyard with vaulted arches and stone columns. A stone staircase with a wrought-iron balustrade leads to the upper storeys. This level includes a lounge with a fireplace, a practical kitchen, a shop area, a meeting room, a utility room and a laundry room. One bedroom, which can be reached from the courtyard, and another, reached from the street with windows looking into the courtyard, both require renovation.
The intermediate level
This area is an independent apartment with a large living room overlooking the courtyard and boasting a fireplace, a bedroom, an office area and two bathrooms. A wooden staircase leads directly from the hallway to the next floor.
The first floor
This level is made up of four spacious, bright and recently renovated bedrooms with high ceilings. All of them have large windows and en suite shower rooms with private lavatories. Two of them look out towards the abbey, while the other two overlook the courtyard.
The second floor
This storey includes a large volume to be renovated. It is currently split into classrooms, which provides plenty of potential for refurbishment, whether as extra bedrooms, games rooms or an independent apartment. The windows overlook the street with a view of the monument.
The exterior
The courtyard and covered playgrounds amount to a considerable outside surface. Several vehicles can be parked in the large parking area. Nearby, vegetable patches have been created. They are used for growing vegetables and aromatic herbs. In the flowery garden, 200-year-old trees, including two magnificent plane trees and a lime tree, provide shade.
Our opinion
This property is more than just a house, it is a journey back to childhood. The spirit of the former primary school is everywhere, in the carefully preserved details present in each room, in which you can almost hear the children playing in the playground, under the two-hundred-year-old trees that have watched over the place’s lively past. In the part of the building remaining to be renovated, this feeling is heightened tenfold: blackboards, drawings as well as books are still present and it is easy to imagine the pupils sitting at their desks to do a dictation. The vaults and stone columns in the courtyard add another dimension to the premises, combining a sense of travel with a peaceful and relaxing ambiance. The charm and elegance of the region resonates through the entire place, via its exposed beams, period chimneys and terracotta tiled floors. The result is a very special property. It is currently run as bed and breakfast accommodation and is much sought-after by German, Swiss, Belgian and Dutch tourists in love with the surrounding hills, forests and rivers, which provide a natural setting ideal for outdoor pursuits and discovering the archetypal landscapes of the Rhône-Alpes region. Why not take up the baton, take a step back in time and carry on with the premises’ activity?
1 490 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 885997
| Land registry surface area | 1592 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 851 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 7 |
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.
