garden, located along the border of the Aveyron and Hérault departments
Location
The property is located in a typical Aveyron town perched on a rocky peak in the Occitanie region. Since the 13th century, the village has been known as one of the centres of the Knights Hospitaller Order, associated with the Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues Commandery within the Grand Priory of Saint-Gilles. Part of the Larzac Natura 2000 protected area, located between the Aveyron and Hérault departments, the town, overlooking the valley, culminates at 600 metres on a steep promontory that stretches into a long rocky ridge, sheltered by the Larzac plateau.
Near Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, the property is less than 10 kilometres away from the A75 motorway. In addition, both Millau and Saint-Affrique are 20 kilometres away while Montpellier with its high-speed rail station and airport can be reached in one hour.
Description
Built on a parcel of 600 m², the dwelling with more than 300 m² of inhabitable space was made out of local stone covered in lime plaster. Topped with a barrel tile roof, it includes several main buildings, including a tower that is most likely the oldest part of the dwelling.
The house’s different styles merge together seamlessly under vast ceiling heights, some of which are vaulted in the style of the Causse region, or adorned with traditional wooden rafters, while grey Montpellier stones are used for all the flooring. In addition, the house also includes a spacious and convertible attic space, while separate doors provide access to several different cellars.
Accessible via the cellars, the garden below is only a few steps away. Although the property is located in the centre of the village, its high walls and the protective presence of the towering, neighbouring church, turn it into a secret oasis overlooking the valley and far-off horizon.
The Dwelling
The ground floor
From the street, the front door opens onto a spacious entrance hall, which includes a 17th-century staircase with square Pembroke balusters leading to the upper floors. Under a ribbed vaulted ceiling and bathed in light by two windows, the entrance hall also provides access to the living spaces and cellars. The large, voluminous living room, with a floor-to-ceiling height of 3.5 metres and a marble fireplace topped with a mirrored chimneybreast, opens onto an Italianate patio. From the living room, a door leads to a bedroom in the tower and a lavatory, while a second door provides access to a massive dining room and its storeroom, which gives onto the street and kitchen. The latter, rustic in style with its water pump and shallow stone sink, adds a touch of authenticity to the whole as well as provides direct access to the patio facing the garden. A set of stairs in the kitchen leads to another bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, in which the stoves were once located. Lastly, this level, the floor of which is entirely covered in grey Montpellier stone, also includes three bedrooms, an office and a storage area, which also has direct access to the patio.
The upstairs
Accessible from the entrance hall via the enclosed quarter-turn staircase, a large library opens onto a patio and provides access to two bedrooms with shower rooms. With two other bedrooms as well as a vast attic space with views over the valley, this level has vaulted ceilings and pitch-pine hardwood floors throughout.
In addition, the last floor contains an attic crowned with traditional, exposed wooden rafters.
Low level
Immense cellars are located in the house’s two lower floors accessible either from the entrance hall, courtyard or the small street facing the terraced garden. With stone floors, the cellars have vaulted ceilings and have been converted into a wine cellar, workshop and a coal cellar, among other things, while, under the tower, a linen closet with a shower and lavatory have also been renovated. In addition, a second staircase leads to the bottom level, which is mostly covered by a dirt floor and was once probably used as a former sheepfold.
The Garden
Facing south and currently uncultivated, it extends over approximately 500 m² below the house. A few abandoned fruit trees are a reminder of the many possible opportunities this space provides.
Our opinion
A family property for more than two centuries, this enduring house, both in terms of time as well as Man, has been carefully maintained. The ubiquitous stone and vaulted ceilings recall the humble history of this 17th-century dwelling, while the rolling surrounding landscape, which can be seen from the house's patio and garden, provide bewitching views every day according to the changing seasons. Inhabitable as is, with a few home improvements the property could easily become an extremely inviting and pleasurable abode.
329 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 439697
Land registry surface area | 1125 m2 |
Main building surface area | 350 m2 |
Number of bedrooms | 9 |
Outbuilding surface area | 10 m2 |
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.