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15th century, listed castle in 35 ha (86.45 acres) in the Lot valley
Location
In the heart of the south west, near to the towns of Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Agen, the airport of which, with its 32 flights a week, puts Paris 85 minutes away. Via TGV train Toulouse and Bordeaux are only 1 hour, and Paris 4 hours away. A gently undulating region alternating a coloured mosaic of grasslands, woods and cultivated landscapes where an outstanding architectural heritage is made up of numerous and varied medieval fortified towns, hilltop villages, castles, abbeys and mills. Near to two small towns including a former city, once a powerful fortified town in the Middle Ages, now chosen by artists and art craftsmen, where it is pleasant to take a stroll in the narrow paved streets with their decorated facades, to stop and take advantage of the small local restaurants, or quite simply, to appreciate the view.
Description
The property extends over approx. 35 ha (86.45 acres), almost all of which is rented out on a lease which is due to expire in 2011. The land is cultivated or left as pasture for the cattle to graze. There are several copses, a stream and a lake. A tree-lined driveway, more than 600 m (656 yds) long, provides access to the residence as well as two former tenant farmhouses, including one impressive building flanked by two towers and comprising a 45 m (148 ft) long barrel vault. The castle features beautiful parklands of approx. 2 ha (4.94 acres) scattered with trees of over a hundred years old. There is a wonderful well fitted with a superb bucket carrier, a building resembling a dovecote containing the former latrines as well as two terraces, one of which includes a small, man-made ornamental pool, dominating the private bank which is accessed via the old towpath.
A lack of archives going back beyond the 15th century leaves the construction date of the first castle unknown, but the seven families that have owned it to date are known. Its situation on the edge of the river gave it a role of surveillance, of control over passage ways and of protection of existing dams.
Surrounded by a wide, partly filled-in moat, the main building includes three stories built over a barrel-vaulted room 28 m (92 ft) long by 10 m (33 ft) wide. Its facade was extended in the 18th century. In the north east corner is a keep, the top of which was knocked down during the French revolution and which has since had a two-slope roof: 3 m (10 ft) thick walls, 13 m (43 ft) in diameter, 20 m (48 ft) high, illuminated via Renaissance-style mullioned and transomed windows, and topped with a wall-walk. To the west, a square tower houses an outstanding illustration of gothic art: a twisted spiral stairway, with monolithic stone steps, the top of which forms a palm tree. At the summit, a vaulted room with cross-ribs and wall arches. The castle currently has French MH listing with the exception of two towers which have French MH classification. All the roofs have been redone. Although the rooms on the inside are “in their original condition” and await restoration, they can be lived in.
The surface area of approx. 700 m² (7,535 sq ft) is set out as large luminous rooms, the decoration of which still bears witness to the elegance of a distant past: herringbone parquet flooring, fireplaces with moulded trumeaux, friezes and rosettes, wallpapered walls, wainscoting, indoor shutters, stone flagstones, terracotta& floor tiles, etc.
Our opinion
After having guaranteed the convenience and safety of travelling on the Lot five centuries ago, this outstanding Seigneurial residence gradually lost its defensive role and took on a residential function. Numerous sections have since disappeared (36 m / 118 ft long wing formed by two superimposed galleries, including one that was open by means of arcades, a chapel, an entrance building flanked by a tower) but others have since been added to enhance the property and give it its actual refined, very elegant appearance. A protective surface area of land and wonderful outbuildings complete this unusual, distinctive property. Works to integrate modern day comforts and to renew the decoration will enable full advantage to taken of a site that is easily imagined devoted to leisure activities.
Exclusive sale
Price : Contact us
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 2647IL
| Land registry surface area | 35ha25a74ca / 87 acres |
| Main building surface area | 700 m² / 7534,8 sq ft |
| Outbuilding surface area | 2000 m² / 21528 sq ft |
Regional representative
Ilan LIBERT +33 (0)6 20 69 38 46
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.
