An old water mill surrounded by 2.5 hectares of grounds and meadows
close to a large village in the Lauragais region
close to a large village in the Lauragais region
,
HAUTE-GARONNE
midi-pyrenees
FR
Location
Near to Toulouse, in the north-east of the Haute-Garonne department, the property is located in the "breadbasket of Languedoc" and testifies to the region's centuries-old cereal-growing past. The Lauragais region, nicknamed the "land of plenty" because of the diversity of its agricultural produce, stretches from Toulouse to Carcassonne.
A land of colourful landscapes due to the many crops making up its fertile "thousand hills", it is also an area with a rich history. Catharism had a strong presence in the Lauragais region from the 12th century until the end of the crusade against the Albigensians in 1229. It was even one of the epicentres of this famous medieval episode in religious history. The region is also famous for its rich heritage, including abbeys and churches, châteaux and bastides, dovecotes and windmills, and discoidal stelae.
It is 45 minutes from Toulouse-Blagnac airport and 10 minutes from Villefranche-de-Lauragais station.
Description
As you approach the property, both the outdoor spaces and the buildings are hidden from view by a large hedge, formed from a mixture of different tree species. As soon as you cross the property threshold, you are surrounded by greenery, with the stone façade of the main building, a beautiful sheltered terrace and a weeping willow on the perimeter. The old mill is made up of two rectangular spaces with perpendicular axes, each covered by a gable roof of canal tiles. The roof of the space spanning the river is asymmetrical as its ridge is not aligned with the central arch that forms the main axis of the building on the first floor. To the rear of the building, a timber-framed canopy with a canal tile roof extends the building, which has a recessed facade.
A few steps away there is an outbuilding housing the horse stables and at its eastern end, a small apartment. The stone walls are rendered white and the roofs are covered with canal tiles. An open gallery with a wooden structure runs along two-thirds of the length of the building's main south-facing facade. At its ends, two low projections extend the building, forming the southern part of the apartment to the east and a shed to the west. A garage with a similar structure and roof to that of the main outbuilding is attached to the west facade.
Further on, there is a large shed for tractors and equestrian equipment.
A few steps away there is an outbuilding housing the horse stables and at its eastern end, a small apartment. The stone walls are rendered white and the roofs are covered with canal tiles. An open gallery with a wooden structure runs along two-thirds of the length of the building's main south-facing facade. At its ends, two low projections extend the building, forming the southern part of the apartment to the east and a shed to the west. A garage with a similar structure and roof to that of the main outbuilding is attached to the west facade.
Further on, there is a large shed for tractors and equestrian equipment.
The old water mill
Built in the 18th century and completely restored in the 21st century, the east-west-facing building has a terrace in its south-east corner. The charm of its distinguished, well-balanced architecture is highlighted by an arch which the river used to flow under and drive the mill wheel. There is nothing left of the mechanisms to drive it.
The facade is plain, dotted with small-paned or French windows, all protected by heavy wooden shutters. Its vast terrace is an integral part of the building; tiled and covered by an awning over two-thirds of its surface area, which is particularly popular during the hot Lauragais summer days.
The ground floor
The first floor is accessed via the terrace, through an entrance door protected by a wooden windbreak. It opens onto a vast room which is a dining area and lounge. The beams are imposing, and the floors are set with smooth limestone tiles in light, colourful shades. Openings in the floor forming large skylights covered with glass slabs have been created at various points, to provide a view of the water flowing underneath the house. The dining room is in the part of the living room where the mill wheel once stood. The brick base of the mechanism has been preserved and enhanced by the lighting, as has the hearth of an old fireplace. The intimate dining area is lit by a west-facing window overlooking the grounds. The high-ceilinged living room is covered by a mezzanine/study on one side. Featuring a large masonry fireplace with a wooden lintel, it is spacious enough to accommodate two separate living areas. The light-coloured fitted kitchen is to the left of the front door. Finally, a workshop has been set up in the southern part of the ground floor. Accessed from the terrace and the south-facing facade, it has a large French window that opens onto the grounds. Its floor is stone, like the rest of the floor, and it can easily be converted into a studio.
The first floor
A wooden staircase leads to a hallway leading to the mezzanine, which has been converted into a study and which overlooks the living room with its fireplace. The floor is made of oak parquet, and the beams have been bleached to bring light to the space. Three bedrooms and a bathroom take up most of the first floor. Each room has two windows providing plenty of natural light and views over the grounds, with fine pine parquet flooring and oak beams painted in light grey. The single bathroom, with its large terracotta tiled floor, shower and bathtub, has been adapted for use by the whole family.
The outbuildings
The current owners who are horse lovers have built three stables and an apartment that was originally for the groom. It is currently used as accommodation for visiting guests. Functional and simple, it has a living room, an open-plan kitchen, a bedroom and a shower room.
In addition, at the far end of the meadow, away from the other buildings, a large shed houses farm machinery and equestrian equipment.
The two outbuildings are hidden from view from the mill.
The grounds
A large meadow runs alongside the grounds which are planted with trees. The grounds stretch out under oaks, weeping willows and other large trees that create an intimate atmosphere in various places where you can lie back and contemplate the surroundings.
The swimming pool, measuring 12 x 6 m and located by the south-east corner of the house, blends into this rural panorama and provides the perfect antidote to the summer heat, neither too far nor too close to the house.
Our opinion
The atmosphere here is rustic and warm, the surroundings are bucolic and peaceful, and the property is perfect for family life. The mill stands alone in its island of greenery. It guarantees a gentle way of life that the stream at its foot participates in, when not disturbed by dry weather.
Nothing seems to be able to disturb this retreat, which makes us imagine people lounging by the pool or under the weeping willow, or riding horses. On summer evenings, friends might be invited to enjoy Occitan specialities on the terrace. Nature will help relax and unite families. A place to get back to what really matters.
A promising location, an absolutely calm green oasis in a little world of its own.
795 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 661385
| Land registry surface area | 2 ha 45 a 40 ca |
| Main building surface area | 250 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 3 |
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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.
