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Sale on behalf of the village Aynac: listed castle set in a 18,5 acres park
Location
Approx. 60 minutes from Cahors and Brive-La-Gaillarde; thirty or so km (19 miles) from the magnificent, medieval city of Figeac, and less than 15 minutes from all amenities in Lacapelle-Marival and St Céré. On the edge of the Quercy Causses Regional Nature Park, a region with unspoilt countryside and healthy surroundings. An ideal starting point for exploring not only the “circuit des Merveilles” (route of wonders): Rocamadour, Padirac, Montal, Autoir, Carennac, Bretenoux, Lacave, etc., but also the beautiful Lot, Célé and Dordogne valleys.
Description
With its unusual, distinctive architecture, this property is one of the most elegant castles in the Quercy region. Its parklands are bordered by a stream and enclosed by high protective walls. This castle was the residence of the De Turenne d’Aynac family up until a third of the way through the 20th century. It consists of two buildings joined in the centre by the stairwell for a monumental stairway that forms a tall tower, overlooking a narrow courtyard that is open to the south. The four corners of the building are flanked by wide, circular towers, the summits of which have machicolation and are topped by domed “imperial” roofs, covered with flat Lauze slate tiles. The rest has tent-like roofs featuring dormer windows complete with pediments adorned with stone pinnacles. The rear, north-west tower is bigger and older than the other three, leading to the assumption that there was perhaps an earlier dwelling on this site. Moreover, it is square on the inside. The original mullioned and transomed windows on the facades were replaced in the 19th century by larger ones. Above the entrance gate, in outstanding bas relief by Gustave Deloye, are the coats-of arms for the De Turenne d’Aynac family, the Princess of Wagram and Elizabeth Berthier, together with Marshal Berthier’s crest of bees and a golden eagle posing on a thunderbolt.
Inside the rectangular tower, the halfpace, Renaissance-style, stone stairway climbs six floors. It is covered by matching vaults supported on the landings by doric pilasters. The castle contains about sixty rooms, but only two, the great room and the lounge, still have their original layouts that were designed shortly after 1633. These main rooms of the building feature two French ceilings adorned with sumptuous paintings, and two monumental fireplaces, one of which is sculpted from stone, incrusted with marble and decorated with mermaids, caryatids and dolphins; the other, is of multi-coloured wood highlighted with gold plate. The other rooms in the building were transformed during the 20th century for a hotel and catering activity. With very few authentic features dating from the construction period, they include: bedrooms, dormitories, dining rooms, offices, professional kitchens, storerooms, a cold room, a linen room and communal bathroom and toilet facilities. Worthy of note, nevertheless, is a series of vaulted cellars as well as some wonderful examples of circular ribbed roofing frameworks. At the end of the parklands are the stables, comprising: a reception area, a classroom, bathroom and toilet facilities (two toilets and four showers), an indoor riding arena (20x40 m / 65x131 ft), a sand, outdoor riding arena (30x40m / 98x131 ft), and a grass outdoor riding arena (80x100 m / 262x328 ft).
Our opinion
Situated in the heart of a magnificent region, both environmentally and historically speaking, Aynac is a pleasant, dynamic village with shops and schools and no lack of leisure activities. But its pride and joy is, above all, its amazing heritage. A regional symbol, a piece of France’s history that the municipality wishes to preserve by supporting an ambitious commercial project. A challenge that will surely be as great as the hopes it inspires.
Exclusive sale
Price: Contact us
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 2731IL
| Land registry surface area | 7ha59a95ca / 18,8 acres |
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.
