The west wing of a convent, listed as a historical monument, founded in the 14th century, with a walled garden,
near to Limoges, in a municipality deemed ‘the most beautiful village in France’
near to Limoges, in a municipality deemed ‘the most beautiful village in France’
Limoges,
HAUTE-VIENNE
limousin
87000
FR
Location
The Pays du Haut Limousin area spreads out in the shadow of the Monts de Blond hills, with its legendary stones, large green spaces, ancestral know-how and remarkable heritage. It plays host to one of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’, with its imposing architecture and a glorious past spread over ten centuries of history. The village developed around a castle built in the 10th century and two convents built in the 14th century. The village and its surroundings are brimming with sporting, cultural and tourist activities: an 18-hole golf course 1 kilometre away, hiking trails, producers’ markets, bric-a-brac shops and festive events bring the region to life all year round. All the necessary everyday services and shops can be found in the villages of Bellac, 10 minutes away, and Saint Junien, 20 minutes away. Limoges airport is 30 minutes away, from where flights can be taken to Lyon, Marseille, Marrakech and England.
Description
This former convent, founded in 1329, was built between the 14th and 18th centuries. It used to be square in shape, before a chapel forming one of its sides was partially destroyed during the French Revolution and entirely demolished when a road was built around 1850. There is still a vast edifice, built in a U-shape, made up of three wings and a central courtyard. The property for sale is the west wing of this edifice. A tower stands next to it, while a monumental stone porch, formerly the entrance, can be found in front of it.
The convent, built in granite stone with a roof made up of flat tiles and half-round tiles, has three storeys, of which two have been renovated for use as living space. The garden in front of the façade is today separated from the entrance porch by a wall in which there is a solid wooden gate. This cosy sheltered space is enclosed by a stone wall topped with hedges. To the east, a courtyard leads to a garage and vast workshop, with a slate roof, built at a later date.
The convent, built in granite stone with a roof made up of flat tiles and half-round tiles, has three storeys, of which two have been renovated for use as living space. The garden in front of the façade is today separated from the entrance porch by a wall in which there is a solid wooden gate. This cosy sheltered space is enclosed by a stone wall topped with hedges. To the east, a courtyard leads to a garage and vast workshop, with a slate roof, built at a later date.
The west wing
The convent, which was used in bygone days to welcome pilgrims and care for the poor, is characterised by its pure lines. The building has undergone very few external modifications as the thickness of its walls demonstrates. The interior has been entirely transformed over the centuries to become a comfortable residence. The west wing has three storeys and is divided into living quarters and reception rooms.
The ground floor
A large hall with cement tiled flooring leads to the lounge and dining room with an open-plan kitchen, as well as to the main winding staircase. All the rooms still have vaulted ceilings, paying witness to the monastic purpose of the building’s origins. After the scullery, a large, also vaulted room, with exposed stone walls and pine-wood flooring, is used as a summer lounge and music room. In summer, it keeps very cool.
The upstairs
At the top of the winding staircase, a landing also used as a lounge leads on one side to a bathroom plus a bedroom with en suite shower room, and on the other side to a long corridor, leading in turn to four bedrooms, each of which has an en suite lavatory and shower room. A small lounge with a marble fireplace boasts a recently installed eight-place sauna. Beyond the corridor, a sixth separate bedroom has an en suite shower room and adjacent wardrobe space. The various rooms have oakwood, chestnut wood or laminate flooring.
The tower and historical entrance
The historical entrance to the convent was restored in the 18th century, with the creation of an alcove above the gate housing the Madonna of Mont Carmell. Inside, on the vault of the entrance porch, there is still a decorative feature, protected by listed historical monument status, depicting cartridges with scrolls and floral patterns. The passage-porch can be reached through the reception room and leads, via a hall, into rooms used for various purposes on the ground floor as well as an apartment on the first floor.
The ground floor
This level includes a bedroom with an en suite shower room. The two recently restored rooms can accommodate a person with reduced mobility thanks to a separate exit to the north. A cellar and several storage spaces complete this level.
The upstairs
This level is made up of a summer apartment which includes a kitchen on the landing as well as two large, vaulted bedrooms, whose white-painted, thick walls ensure coolness during the summer.
The attic level
The second floor can be reached via the tower. Its entire surface is awaiting restoration. The exposed roof framework is that of a ‘simple’ traditional truss, with a series of crossbeams forming a perspective that stretches out for approximately 40 metres. The windows, with granite frames and lintels, are currently walled up but can be easily restored.
Our opinion
This convent, located in a village with remarkable architectural heritage and in an area where nature has preserved its rightful place, is currently partially dedicated to a thriving bed, breakfast and full board business that is active throughout the year. Its label as one of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’ brings tourists and history enthusiasts to this unique municipality with a population of 130 who strive to preserve its past and welcome new inhabitants. In short, it is a select address, which could be used for various events-based, hotel or residential projects.
Reference 266381
| Land registry surface area | 1545 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 700 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 8 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 50 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 350 m2 |
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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.
