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Location
The French department of the Hautes-Pyrénées with its contrasting countryside of high mountains, rolling hills and plains, forms a natural frontier with Spain. The plain in which Tarbes is to be found, to the north west of the department, has a mild, clement climate. The town of Tarbes is the region’s economic centre and is also the “town of the horse” as it is home to the “Haras Nationaux”, National Stud Farm, founded in 1806 by Napoleon (outstanding stables with oak loose boxes and marble manger). The first ski resorts are 32 miles away and Spain 57 miles via the Bielsa tunnel.
5 miles from Tarbes (airport with daily flights to Paris), 32 miles from Pau and 100 miles from Toulouse.
Description
The property was built midway through the 18th century by a member of the local gentry. Its layout is still the same as that shown on the Napoleonic land registry plans. This “Country Residence” has all the features of this type of dwelling in that it is a seigneurial house surrounded by rural buildings including stables, and barns, a hay barn, dairy and caretaker’s cottage, all intended to guarantee the household’s subsistence.
Drinking water supplies came from a well and crops were watered via a clever irrigation system comprising a canal running through the property that was fed by the river running through the village via a system of valves and locks (a system which is still operational today). This configuration has remained unchanged since the 18th century and, together with numerous period features both inside and outside, has led to the classification of this property in its entirety (annexes included) on the French Supplementary Historic Monument List.
The residence (approx. 5,382 sq ft excluding the attic): The classical “symmetrical” appearance is perfectly reflected in the two main facades, almost identical apart from a few differences as regards windows.
The central entrance door is flanked by pilasters topped by a curved pediment, containing, on the north side, a harvest allegory and, on the south side, a grape-picking allegory. The door and window jambs are marble and the façade has beige/ochre rendering. The steep-sided gabled roof has a row of dormer windows with projecting eaves. Both entrance doors on the courtyard and enclosed garden sides have an outstanding wooden tracery with rocaille motifs.
The outbuildings (total floor surface area of approx. 8,503 sq ft): Laid out in a U-shape on either side of the main building, some have kept their original function whilst others have been converted for other purposes.
The caretaker’s cottage (807 sq ft).
The barn on the west side (2,852 sq ft).
The former stables and barns on the east side (floor surface area of approx. 4,090 sq ft)
The former dairy at the east gable (753 sq ft)
Our opinion
The renovations made to the buildings are perfectly sound; the owners have managed to provide modern-day comforts without changing the aspect of the premises, leaving the impression that they “have not been touched”. The result is a residence of reasonable size that is, without doubt, very pleasant to live in. It has been carefully but not ostentatiously decorated, giving pride of place to the past heritage.
The outbuildings are in good repair, and of a significant size, enabling the living space to be extended as necessary.
Horse lovers can indulge their passion and old stone enthusiasts will revel in the numerous period features.
Price
1 400 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price. Reference
1978LA
Representative
Laurence Avizanda
Telephone
06 22 12 25 85
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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