Home > SOUTH / WEST > Character houses
19th century dwelling and its dovecotes in the French department of Charente
Location
25 km (16 miles) from Angoulême, the A10 motorway and a French TGV train station (Paris in 2h15).
The beaches along the Atlantic coast are less than 100 km (63 miles away).
Situated in a small village surrounded by undulating grasslands around the Charente river. The region is rich in Romanesque architecture.
Description
In the centre of a small village, typical of the French department of the Charente, the property is protected by a high wall and its wide entrance gates; the latter adjoining a wonderful, tall dovecote.
It was built at the beginning of the 19th century on an earth platform, one side of which looks down on the garden and a small valley.
The building blends architecturally in with all its outbuildings despite the fact that they date from the 18th century.
The land, 3 ha (7.4 acres) of grasslands and 2 ha (4.9 acres) of gardens, is crossed by a rivulet which feeds a pond and its wash-house.
The 370 m² (3,982 sq ft) quadrilateral dwelling features two beautiful, long north and south facades.
A large horseshoe-shaped stairway adorns the north facade.
The solidly built construction with its wonderful white limestone is typical of the French department of the Charente. The building features numerous orderly windows, enhanced by a cornice along the top of the walls. The Romanesque tile roof is in a good state of repair.
The south entrance via a central door opens into a hall with the stairwell on one side. To the left, two communicating reception rooms together span a floor surface area of 70 m² (753 sq ft). To the right are a dining room, a cloakroom, a kitchen and a small lounge, complete with a bedroom and a shower room. Almost all the ground floor rooms have the advantage of a double-aspect, high ceilings and superb luminosity. Some floors have been restored with period terracotta tiles, others with flagstones.
The walnut wood stairway provides access to the large, first floor landing.
A corridor leads to 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the windows of which overlook the garden.
The cellars and storerooms in the basement cover the same floor surface area as the house.
This well insulated dwelling is in pristine condition, as is all the woodwork.
The oil-fired boiler is new and the heating system completely revamped.
The outbuildings
The various outbuildings span a floor surface area of at least 600 m² (6,458 sq ft). They include an 18th century stable in pristine condition, with enough space to accommodate 8 horses; as well as garages, a bakery with its antique bread oven, a long farm shed and a superb kennel.
Two dovecotes demonstrate the noble origin of the property.
Our opinion
This dwelling is in an excellent state of repair, having undergone extensive restoration works. With room to put in a swimming pool, it is a wonderful family residence, or a holiday home requiring very little upkeep.
742 000€
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 3006HL
| Land registry surface area | 3 ha (7.4 acres) of grasslands and 2 ha (4.9 acres) of gardens |
| Main building surface area | 370 m² (3,982 sq ft) |
| Outbuilding surface area | 600 m² (6,458 sq ft) |
Regional representative
Henry Lewis +33 (0)6 98 29 14 57
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.
