A neo-Gothic church converted into a comfortable home in a
commanding position, 40 minutes east of Clermont-Ferrand
Billom, PUY-DE-DOME auvergne 63160 FR

Location

This former church was built in 1884 and it has been deconsecrated for 40 years. It lies in France’s beautiful Puy-de-Dôme department, beside a hamlet and the Livradois-Forez regional nature park. It is five minutes away from a historical town that offers amenities and shops for everyday needs. You can reach the A75 and A89 motorways in 20 minutes and Clermont-Ferrand airport in just 25 minutes. The town of Vichy is one hour away from the property. The surrounding countryside is lush and undulating. It is dotted with old villages and medieval chateaux.

Description

The 19th-century church is crowned with a slate roof. The edifice was built with local stone: arkose for the walls and Volvic volcanic stone for the window and door surrounds. The form of the church follows a basic basilican plan: it has a narthex, three bays without side aisles, a transept and a square chancel at the end. The church’s square bell tower, the bells of which have been removed, rises up above the bucolic backdrop and offers a panoramic view of the spectacular surroundings. The building lies in a calm spot by a hamlet. An 800m² lawn edges it. The place is scarcely overlooked. With its slender buttresses, its tall windows and the four levels of its bell tower, the edifice combines elegance with simplicity. Its architecture pleasantly blends pale arkose with dark volcanic stone.

The neo-Gothic church

A front flight of three steps leads up to the entrance door, which stands in a Gothic arch with two columns. The bell tower that rises straight above the entrance has three floors above the ground floor. The first floor features a rose window of Volvic stone. The second one is the former bell-ringer’s room, filled with natural light from a Gothic double window. And on the top level, which once housed the bells, there are four double openings – one on each side of the bell tower. A spiral staircase leads up to the different floors. The nave’s walls are punctuated with three tall windows and buttresses. The north and south ends of the transept are each filled with natural light from a single large window and the chancel is filled with natural light from two big windows.


The ground floor
The interior stands out for its brightness and for the plainness of its decor. Its cross vaults rest directly upon the walls. These walls are plastered up to points where the vaults rise up. On the south side, the nave windows have been extended down to the ground for extra light. Slabs of Volvic stone cover the floor. The nave’s central section offers an extensive space that forms a dining room worthy of a palace. A fitted kitchen with much work space takes up the chancel. The north end of the transept has been turned into a lounge and library. The south end of the transept forms an entrance hall. In the western section, a raised floor lies level with the bottom of the windows and covers the area of the first two bays. The ground floor includes a vast lounge, a bedroom and a bathroom. Slabs of volcanic stone cover the floor.

The upstairs
A long straight flight of stairs climbs up alongside the northern wall, leading from the centre of the nave up to a raised floor where a pleasant lounge lies and looks down at the nave. A raised floor also lies in the south end of the transept. Up here, a bedroom and a shower room have been created. And there is an office on the first floor of the bell tower. The front rose window fills it with natural light.

The terrace
In the western section, a spiral staircase adjoining the bell tower leads up to the old tribune, which is filled with natural light from a five-foil window, then to the former bell-ringer’s room, and, lastly, to a top-floor terrace with a floor area of 20m² where the bells once were. From this top-floor terrace, you can admire a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside: a sweeping, panoramic vista of France’s beautiful Auvergne region, the Limagne plain, and the Chaîne des Puys volcanic mountain range, which was recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our opinion

This 19th-century neo-Gothic church has been masterfully turned into a unique, original dwelling with surprising charm. Remarkable spaciousness and an abundance of natural light characterise the architecture of this former church, so the home is naturally roomy and bright. The edifice offers extensive spaces that can be freely tailored to your needs. This historical building stands out for its volcanic stone. The property could be the home of a single person or several people. Yet it could also be adapted to an endless range of projects.

380 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense


See the fee rates

Reference 731289

Land registry surface area 1100 m2
Main building surface area 320 m2
Number of bedrooms 4



French Energy Performance Diagnosis

Consultant

Olivier Paradis +33 1 42 84 80 85

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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.

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