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Location
94 miles from Toulouse and 19 from Rodez, this castle is set at the top of a small village, dominating a valley, abounding in rich architectural heritage. Shops and schools are to be found in a town, not 10 miles away.
Concentration of large, local fortunes, this region is forever revealing the treasures that it harbours.
The red stone that characterizes the homogeneous architecture of this area is, in the smallest of houses, finely wrought and worked as an essential symbol characterizing the owner’s wealth.
Description
Central element of the village and built directly on rock, this castle represents a clear example of Rouergue architecture in the 17th and 18th centuries. Built of pink sandstone, a widely used local stone, the facade with its five windows and four visible stories is characteristic of late 18th century architecture. The architectural and decorative principles of this period are cleverly set out by means of inverted corbel roof dormers, topped with triangular pediments, the strict, regular fenestration, and the main door flanked by unobtrusive pilasters, and topped by a circular pediment. The entire building crowned by a Mansard roof, shows a certain classical elegance.
The floor plan is set out, however, around a tall tower obviously dating from the 15th century, having probably been joined to the castle during the 19th century.
The various rooms and reception rooms are set out around a monumental, halfpace stairway, constructed within the carcass, in the centre of the building. On the ground floor, area assigned to the domestic staff, are not only numerous vaulted rooms, including the large kitchen as well as two cellars, but also the former pantry patterned with wainscoting in contrast to the exposed stone walls.
The aristocratic first floor is devoted to a collection of rooms, the decoration of which, reconstituted with period features, is characteristic of the Louis XV style governing the decorative arts in the Rouergue in the middle of the 18th century. Playing with vivid colours, fanciful motifs, rich ornaments and pastoral references, the choices made here prove judicious and what might appear to be a personal design is, in fact, only the exploration of Atticism of an asserted style prevailing in a given region.
The layout on this floor comprises five rooms including a lounge featuring, in addition to its rich decoration of ribbons, fake marble, foliated scrolls and flower motifs, a fireplace above which is a trumeau. Following this room, is a bedroom also with a fireplace, the rich decoration of which is topped by a pier-glass above which hangs a painting representing a scene of rural life, a much appreciated theme in the 18th century for the decoration of large residences. This is followed by a wonderfully reconstituted toilet, which can still be used as it is, and a room containing a 17th century ceiling obviously decorated at the time of the union between two powerful families.
The second floor, not quite so exuberant in its restoration, was handled with a more modern perception of the art of living, without any damage to the authenticity of the premises. It is, in fact, composed of soberly decorated rooms of varying sizes that give a certain comfort. Two of the five rooms feature stone fireplaces from the Louis XIV era. In another room, a flat has been cleverly laid out with a modern kitchen and bathroom.
The attic, divided into four large rooms awaiting conversion, has sloping ceilings containing roof dormers.
Our opinion
In a charming, particularly quiet village, this castle is one of the monuments that best represents the quality of Aveyronnais architecture.
It would be impossible for us to do justice here to the description of the richness and fineness of the decorations (ceilings, above the doors, wainscoting, etc.) Nothing is commonplace, everything is outstanding.
As well as being a conservatory of a style full of light and originality, this residence is perfectly habitable, although it leaves buyers the possibility of taking their turn in indulging in the continuation of a fascinating restoration.
Price
760 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price. Reference
1980WK
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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