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Location
38 miles from Montpellier and 10 from a small town with all amenities.
In the heart of the Cévennes mountains, this property, hanging from the rock, overlooks a small village and gives an extensive view over the mountain tops.
Description
The estate extends over approx. 10 acres of grasslands, clearings and scrubland. The castle is set in the middle of the property, surrounded by its outbuildings, the majority of which are restored and converted (pool house, sports room, suite or flat, caretaker’s accommodation, etc).
More a fortress than a leisure property, this IMH listed castle is both massive and elegant; its architecture dating from the 14th century through to the Renaissance period. The main, south-facing facade is patterned with 4 window bays on three visible stories, alternating mullioned windows with arched geminated and ogive windows. It is flanked by two different sized and shaped towers, one appearing to support the building above the valley, the other, with its watch turret base hidden, trying to extricate itself from the building.
The driveway leading to the castle goes through part of the estate. After having gone past certain outbuildings, it leads to a miniature castle crowning the large entrance gates to the closed courtyard. This outer bailey bears witness to the defensive past of this old fortified site. Between archways and stairways, it contains mullioned windows and arched geminated windows. It also gives access to a large vaulted hall (approx. 1,873 sq ft) which opens in turn into a large gallery (approx. 969 sq ft) illuminated via ogive windows. This section is directly connected to the kitchens (industrial kitchen, wine cellar, boiler room, etc.).
A wide stone stairway leads to a monumental door, the decorations of which appear to have been taken from another construction. In fact, the pilasters flanking it have only been added to the upper part of the door which is crowned, in addition to the symbols of the prestigious corporations of the “Ancien Régime”, with a subtly fanciful, scrolled 16th century keystone, featuring the bead and diamond-shaped motifs used in prayer.
The first floor comprises the entrance with its vaulted ceilings opening on to the main stairway as well as the inner bailey (patio), currently covered by an atrium; this remains the centre of castle life just as it was when it was built. Around said patio run galleries leading to the different floors. This floor comprises a small vaulted kitchen, a back kitchen, a vaulted laundry room, a suite and an independent flat, together with a guard room which contains a 17th century monumental fireplace with scrolled motifs crowned with a broken pediment supported by two pilasters, all under a French ceiling.
The second floor comprises seven bedrooms each with its own bathroom and separate toilet. A vaulted chapel (currently used as a storage room) and a lounge called the “blue lounge”, communicating with the small kitchen via a spiral stairway, can be accessed from this floor.
The third floor is laid out as two bedrooms with bathroom and toilet as well as a suite comprising two bedrooms.
Our opinion
The castle gives the impression of hanging from the sheer rocks in the heart of this awe-inspiring scenery. With a good tourist trade, the surroundings are stunning, flanked by the tops of the Cévennes mountains. The property is ready and waiting to be developed and has the advantage of non-negligible tax benefits. It has everything to indicate that it is a highly profitable investment.
Price
Contact us
Our fees are included in the stated sale price. Reference
1997WK
Regional representative
Wilfried Kathemann
Telephone
06 11 13 73 05
contact
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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