Location

In the land of basalt columns and one hundred year old chestnut trees, at an altitude of 468 m (1,535 ft) in the Ardèche mountain regional nature park. In a small hamlet, 2 km (1.25 miles) from the hilltop village of Antraigues, home to Jean Ferrat, the French singer and poet, who of this mountain sang “où la nature est belle” (where nature is beautiful) and “terre de Félicien” (land of Félicien). 8 km (5 miles) from Vals-les-bains, a spa town renown since the “Belle Epoque” for its waters, not to mention its casino and its musical and theatrical productions. 46 km (29 miles) from Montélimar and the A7 motorway.

Description

In 6,000 m² (1.5 acres) of parklands, this house of approx. 290 m² / 3,121 sq ft (250 m² / 2,691 sq ft under the French Carrez law) is typical of the traditional rural housing of the Boutières region; this area with its steep, heavily terraced, chestnut tree-covered slopes. These stone walls maintained from generation to generation bear witness to Man’s ingenuity and desire to cultivate and live on these slopes.
As is often the case here, the house is built on the southern slope and as elsewhere in the French department of Ardèche, it is adapted to the terrain amongst the chestnut trees. Set out on three levels, the house is not, therefore, symmetrical: on the lower part of the slope the large main facades face south whereas the facade on the upper part of the slope is much reduced.
The courtyard level comprises a small entrance hall leading to a shower room, a toilet, the boiler/storage room and the recently refurbished kitchen (balcony) which communicates with the lounge having access to the courtyard and to a large living room looking out on to the surrounding countryside, bathed in light from its wide, south-facing picture windows. This level is completed by a small bedroom, overlooking the courtyard and communicating with the rest of the house via the boiler room as well as a room opening on to the kitchen that is used as a guest flat (with a lounge, a small bedroom and a shower room and toilet) with direct access to the south garden via a small wrought iron balcony. The floors are covered in flagstones or old terracotta tiles. An old chestnut wood stairway leads up to the first floor which comprises 4 bedrooms (3 of which have sloping ceilings and feature mezzanine floors) 2 bathrooms, 2 toilets, a dressing room, a lounge with a closed hearth fireplace and attic space that could still be converted.
The garden level corresponds to the basement of the house with 3 vaulted wine cellars including one with access to the kitchen via a very old stairway and a trapdoor; a workshop with a water supply point could be turned into a pool house should a swimming pool be planned for the property.

Our opinion

Just as the tourist assets of this attractive area of the Ardèche seduce travellers in search of authenticity and picturesqueness, you will be charmed by everything in this house; there are two words that sum it up, Peaceful and Welcoming. Here, the only noises that will “disturb” you are the sound of birds singing and that of the burbling Volane river as it runs along the bottom of the valley. You will appreciate seeing the changing of the seasons: autumn when the chestnuts are picked and mushrooms are sought, winter spent in the warm by the monumental fireplace, spring when nature awakens and summer spent in the garden and hiking around the surrounding countryside. The nearby town of Vals-les-bains has numerous reasons for you to take a break from the “deafening” peace and quiet.

Price: 530 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.

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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.