In 4.5 ha, a 15th century, stronghold house and its old tobacco barn,
both cleverly converted for leisure purposes and looking down on to the Dordogne Valley
both cleverly converted for leisure purposes and looking down on to the Dordogne Valley
Saint-Cyprien, DORDOGNE
aquitaine
24220
FR
Location
In the Black Périgord region, near to the Dordogne Valley and but 30 minutes from Domme or Sarlat-la-Canéda, two villages that visitors just must not miss. The ideal starting point for exploring one of France’s leading tourist regions, with a particularly temperate climate, pleasant to live in all year round. Undulating countryside, dotted with tracts of woods, multiple rivers as well as world renowned chateaux, picturesque villages and prehistoric sites. Bordeaux et Toulouse are about 180 km away by car, whilst Bergerac and Périgueux are some 50 minutes away. Airports, train stations and motorways all provide easy access to this region.
Description
On a plateau dominating the Dordogne Valley, this property is barely a kilometre from the village under whose jurisdiction it falls. This large, pleasant village has all local shops and schools. The property entrance, on its north side, is reached via a little, no-through lane. A vast, limestone-lined courtyard is used for parking cars. It is delimited by a low stone wall, a hedge and a little, wooded garden, abounding in flowers, as well as by outbuildings which, following one on from the other on the east side, include a dovecote, a barn spanning approx. 82 m², and a lean-to set at right angles, spanning approx. 20 m². The main house completes the enclosure of this area. A pedestrian path separates the house from its annexe building, an old tobacco barn now a traditional, long farmhouse, and gives access to the parklands on the south side. This property is surrounded by protective grounds, spanning a little more than 4.5 hectares, thus keeping the neighbours in the adjoining hamlet at a distance and, above all, providing a superb, south-facing panoramic view which cannot be changed since it is protected by a non-aedificandi easement. The landscaped parklands are extended by a meadow, spanning approx. 1.85 ha and dotted in places by trees, many bearing fruit, as well as by a densely wooded hillside. It is also possible to glimpse a pond, where it is pleasant to sit and appreciate the surroundings. A swimming pool is nearby. Set a short distance from the buildings, it is concealed behind a tall yew tree, under which it is possible to enjoy certain meals.
The house
The old, 15th century, stronghold house formed a quadrilateral, spanning two levels, topped with a hip roof. The north and east facades bear witness to later extensions that now give the building an L-shape. The north-east corner is flanked by a round tower. The roofs, all enhanced with an overhanging cornice, were restored with local, flat tiles during the 1990’s, when major improvement works that included the adding of modern-day home comforts, were carried out. The interiors, spanning a surface area of approx. 430 m², are in a very good state of preservation throughout. All the rooms are spacious and rather bright, given the construction era of the house. Great attention was paid to the insulation (attic space, walls and windows). It has a total of six bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom. One of said bedrooms is on the ground floor, together with two lounges, a dining room, a large kitchen as well as a laundry room. Exposed beams, walls that are lime-rendered or painted in pale hues, stone fireplaces, stone, cement or terracotta floor tiles or even parquet flooring are all features that help to make this house welcoming and pleasant to live in.
Ground floor
The main entrance, on the north side, provides access to a large hall, with cement floor tiles laid in a chessboard pattern, leading to the various, soberly decorated rooms on this level. A stairway on the east side goes up to the first floor. Two lounges and a bedroom take up the southern section of the house, whilst a dining room and a kitchen are laid out further to the north. Meals can be taken by the side of an original, monumental stone fireplace. Numerous openings help to maintain permanent contact with the charm of the external surroundings.
First floor
This level is taken up by five comfortable, rather bright and attractively decorated bedrooms, some of which are enhanced with a fireplace, made of stone or featuring a wooden mantel. Three of the bedrooms face south (no.2 23 m², no.3 32 m² and no.4 32 m²), the other two (no.5 16 m² and no.6 22 m²) are illuminated by windows facing west, east and north. Each one has its own bathroom, four of which have both a bath and a shower. Bedroom no.2 also has its own private lounge.
The annexe building with its two flats
The old tobacco barn was ingeniously converted into a traditional, long farmhouse in 2008. It comprises two separate flats. The first, on the north side, is upstairs and opens on to a large terrace. It spans a surface area of approx. 50 m², comprising a living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms and a shower room. The second flat spans approx. 185 m² over two levels. The garden level is taken up by a large, 52 m² lounge, enhanced with a cathedral ceiling and a stone fireplace. It opens, on the south side, on to a terrace, spanning approx. 42 m². Meals can be convivially taken either in a 19.5 m² dining room or in a 17.5 m² kitchen. A bedroom, with a private shower room, completes this floor. The upstairs takes the form of a mezzanine, looking down into the lounge below. It is laid out with a reading area, a study as well as two bedrooms, sharing a shower room. The traditional, long farmhouse is steeped in light and reflects a successful contemporary style that blends perfectly with the warmth of the old building’s yellow stone.
Our opinion
This property is ideally located in one of the most sought-after sectors of the Black Périgord region. A setting where it is pleasant to live in the peace and quiet away from onlookers, even though the neighbours are not far away. The splendid view is one of those of which residents never tire and which will undoubtably be a daily delight to the new owners as well as their guests. It is, in fact, difficult to imagine this place dedicated to leisure without family, friends or several privileged guests to take advantage of its existing facilities. The interiors of both houses are spacious, welcoming and pleasantly open on to the outside and, moreover, can be lived in straightaway.
Reference 498185
| Land registry surface area | 4 ha 74 a 74 ca |
| Main building surface area | 430 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 11 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 330 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 235 m2 |
Share
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.
