In Uzerche country, surrounded by woods,
an old hunting lodge, outbuildings and one-hundred-year-old trees in more than 7 ha
an old hunting lodge, outbuildings and one-hundred-year-old trees in more than 7 ha
Uzerche, CORREZE
limousin
19140
FR
Location
Via the A20 and A89 motorways, Paris is some 4½ hours away, Toulouse and Bordeaux 2⅔ hours, whilst Brive-la-Gaillarde and Limoges are just under 45 minutes away (international airports, train stations). On the edge of outstanding natural heritage that is the Millevaches Regional Nature Park and the Monédières mountains. There where the gushing “thousand springs” feed numerous streams and rivers such as the Cher, Vienne, Vézère, Creuse and Corrèze. There where the diversity of the animal and the plant life thrives in the vast heathlands, forests, peat bogs and granite villages. A haven for fishermen as well as hikers and pony trekkers, lovers of wide-open spaces who appreciate the changing pace and colours of the seasons. Some 15 minutes from the town of Uzerche, known as the “Pearl of Limousin”, belonging to the “Plus Beaux Détours de France” (Most Beautiful Detours of France) network as well as that of “Ville-Étape” (Stopover towns) courtesy of the quality and diversity of its shops and amenities.
Description
This property extends over more than seven hectares in the midst of a forest area which, because of its outstanding character, is part of the French Inventory of Natural Areas of Ecological Interest for Flora and Fauna (known as ZNIEFF for Zone Naturelle d’Intérêt Ecologique, Faunistique et Floristique). The various buildings are reached via a lane, protected via wide, remote-controlled gates which are, in turn, watched over by one-hundred-year old sequoia trees. The outbuildings are reached first, such that the residence remains discreet, set back more than 150 m away from the entrance. The following therefore come successively into view: a bread oven behind which stands a farmshed, a dwelling once used as a hunting lodge, a barn-cowshed, a second dwelling for friends or for use as a holiday accommodation rental unit, stables, a cowshed and a carport once used for harnessing purposes. Protected by its woods to the north, very near to a few impressive trees, over a hundred years old, as well as a wonderful rhododendron bush, the main residence has a superb unobstructed view over the surrounding countryside and looks out over a lovely verdant clearing, in the midst of which flows a spring, forming a frog pond. On the east side, the boundaries of the property are delimited by a high wall, the stone of which encourages the fruit of the nearby orchard to ripen. Here, the woods preserve the privacy of the property and the peace and quiet is disturbed but by the rustling of the wild setting.
The manor house
Built in the late 19th century, this residence was a hunting lodge belonging to Baron-Rolland-de-Blomac, then owner of the Château-de-la-Grénerie near to Uzerche. Robustly constructed of partially rendered, regional stone, notably granite, it comprises two buildings set at right angles and spanning two and three levels (excluding cellars and attic space). The residence is topped with a T-shaped, slate roof, with two valleys and two very steep sides. The facades feature numerous, mostly rectangular windows, the astragals and fanlights of which are reminiscent of mullioned windows. Other features include decorated lintels, as well as alternating brick and limestone quoins and jambs. The bright, immaculately kept interiors span approx. 468 m² of living space (excluding 130 m² of cellars and 211 m² of attic space). The decoration bears witness to an elegant past with marble fireplaces, vitrified oak wood parquet flooring laid in a narrow strip pattern, wall alcoves, stained-glass windows, finely decorated, original straight or curved doors as well as wallpaper.
The pleasant, comfortable rooms can be lived in as they are.
Ground floor
Two entrances. The main entrance, on the south-east side, provides access to the entrance hall, a dining room (approx. 35 m²) and a 30 m² kitchen, laid out facing one another, as well as a stairway on the north-west side. The kitchen, big enough to take an eating area, is completed by a 9 m² pantry, reached from the outside via a French window. A few metres away from the latter, a back door provides entrance to a utilitarian vestibule, leading to a shower, the cellars and a laundry room. The latter precedes and communicates with a stairway.
A 42 m² lounge is accessed via the dining room. This dual aspect room faces south-east and south-west. It leads, in turn to a pleasant, 19 m² study, which also has a dual aspect, this time north-west and south-west, as well as to a spare, 15 m² bedroom. Anyone occupying this bedroom can use the shower near the back door.
First floor
A wooden, quarter-turning stairway, on the north-west side of the main entrance hall goes up to the first floor. A gallery, widely illuminated via four windows, provides access to the various rooms, whilst encouraging residents to stop and look out over the immediate surroundings. Four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Two bedrooms, both spanning 24 m², face south-east; a third, 25 m², dual aspect bedroom, facing south-east and south-west, is enhanced with a balcony; the fourth, 29 m², dual aspect bedroom faces north-west and south-west. A separate toilet could easily be converted into a shower room. A last, 30 m² room, once used as a kitchen and reached not only from the gallery but also from one of the bedrooms, could be converted for a multitude of purposes. The layout of this level is such that it could be divided into separate, versatile areas ideal for accommodating guests.
Second floor
A wooden, quarter-turning stairway goes up from the first-floor gallery. An intermediate landing provides access to the vast attics (211 m²) in both buildings. Currently perfectly sound and insulated with a 40 cm thick layer of rockwool, this unused space could be converted if so required. A corridor leads to the three rooms on this floor: two, dual aspect bedrooms (26 m² facing south-east and south-west; 33 m² facing north-west and south-west) as well as a room used for storage purposes.
Basement
Two perfectly sound, dry cellars, spanning 30 and 74 m², can be reached via the utilitarian vestibule. The smaller of the two houses the boiler room as well as the pump used for tapping the spring water that supplies the property.
The bread oven
The bread oven to be found at the entrance to the property is in good working order. The building is constructed from regional stone and topped with an interlocking tile roof. It also houses three small storage areas.
The old hunting lodge
This forms an integral part of a large building that also comprises a barn-cowshed and a guest house. Constructed from stone and topped with a gable, interlocking tile roof, it stands near to the bread oven at the entrance to the property. The old hunting lodge is housed in the west end of the building. The ground floor comprises a 25 m² living room, with a 2.60 m high ceiling, in use as a dining room and kitchen, as well as an adjoining, 15 m² room, with a 2.60 m high ceiling. Upstairs are two rooms with sloping ceilings, spanning the same floor surface areas as the rooms below.
The barn-cowshed
The barn-cowshed forms an integral part of a large building that also comprises an old hunting lodge and a guest house. Constructed from stone and topped with a gable, interlocking tile roof, it stands a few metres away from the bread oven at the entrance to the property. This barn-cowshed takes up the central section of the building and spans a floor surface area of 82 m². The hayloft upstairs spans a floor surface area of 54 m². It has a 7.30 m high ridge.
The guest house
This guest house forms an integral part of a large building that also comprises a barn-cowshed and an old hunting lodge. Constructed from stone and topped with a gable, interlocking tile roof, the building stands near to the bread oven at the entrance to the property. The guest house fills the east end of the building. It includes a 6 m² entrance hall, a 23.60 m² living room in use as a dining room and kitchen, two bedrooms spanning 15 and 8 m² as well as a 2.40 m² shower room. Ceiling heights vary between 2.60 and 3.00 m. There is also an attic spanning approx. 50 m².
The stable
This building stands just a few metres away from the guest house, going towards the main residence, on the north-east side. Constructed from stone and topped with a gable, interlocking tile roof, it spans a floor surface area of 63 m² and has a 7.8 m high ridge.
The cowshed in use as a garage
The cowshed adjoins the north-east side of the stable. Constructed from stone, it is topped with a gable, interlocking tile roof, featuring a shed dormer. This building, currently used as a garage, spans two levels spanning floor surface areas of 53 m². It also houses an electric generator able to provide power for the entire property.
Carport once used for harnessing purposes
This building, standing near to the main residence, is a rather tall, rectangular, stone construction, topped with a gable, interlocking tile roof. It was previously used for parking the car of the baron, who owned the premises. The floor surface area spans 32 m² and the ceiling is 3.70 m high. The upstairs, spanning a floor surface area of 30 m², can only be reached by ladder on the south-west facade. It is currently used for storing all the stained-glass windows removed from the ground floor windows of the main residence.
The farmshed
This farmshed stands near to the entrance to the property, behind the bread oven and the old hunting lodge. It is used for storing all vehicles and equipment essential to the upkeep of the property as well as firewood.
Our opinion
With its plurality of architectural references and styles, this property resembles that of an authentic country squire. Whilst the outbuildings reflect the authentic rurality, typical of the region, the manor house’s architecture is completely different. It features a combination of various styles including rural, because of the use of certain materials (local stone and slate) and stately, because of the reference to aristocratic residences (imitation mullioned windows, quoins, different surrounds framing the openings, stained-glass windows). The overall effect is both surprising and appealing.
The unspoilt natural surroundings therefore constitute the backdrop for a rustic setting exuding a unique, irresistible charm. Such a rare setting can but appeal to potential buyers, convinced that it is an excellent find.
528 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 639296
| Land registry surface area | 7 ha 44 a 76 ca |
| Main building surface area | 468 m2 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 570 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 7 |
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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.
