On the outskirts of a village south of the river Loire in the Touraine region,
an old tanbark mill with a hectare of parklands
an old tanbark mill with a hectare of parklands
Tours, LOIR-ET-CHER
center-val-de-loire
37000
FR
Location
230 km from Paris and 6 km from a train station with 1¾-hour links to the French capital. 20 km from Amboise. In the very midst of the Loire Valley chateaux. In a market town with 2,600 inhabitants, schools, shops and doctors.
Description
A first set of gates opens on to a driveway leading to a second set of gates. These open into a courtyard, with the mill on one side and the outbuildings on the other. Straight on are a lake and a bridge. The property is delimited to the west by the stream that once powered the mill. This little, 16 km long stream flows into the river Cher. At the southern end of the grounds, a canal diverts some of the stream water towards the mill’s old reservoir. The water then returns to the stream at the northern end of the grounds via a weir. An open, 71 m² barn, facing the mill, is built at right angles to the outbuilding. The mill’s main facade faces south. A garden behind the mill, between the two sets of gates, is planted with several young trees.
The mill
Now fully restored, it is a mill but in name as the wheel and grinding stone are no longer in existence. The roofs are covered with small tiles and feature hip roof dormers.
The facades are rendered such that the stone is exposed and enhanced with freestone quoins and window surrounds. The windows on the south facade of the main section feature semi-circular arches. A pavilion adjoining the facade communicates with the mill. A small outbuilding, in use as a boiler and storage room, is adjoined, in turn, to this pavilion. The oil-fired central heating system provides underfloor heating on the ground floor and heats radiators upstairs.
Ground floor
These extremely bright, through rooms follow one on from the other. The central entrance hall provides access to a lounge and a dining room. It also houses the stairway. Behind the latter is a toilet and a shower. A contemporary, functional kitchen, laid out in the pavilion, can be reached directly via the dining room and from the outside. The floors, other than those in the kitchen and back kitchen, are covered with terracotta tiles. The walls are white or feature exposed freestone. The stairway, with its balusters, dates from the 17th century.
First floor
The landing provides access, on one side, to a bedroom as well as a bathroom, with a shower, and to a second bedroom, with a shower room, on the other side. These through bedrooms are also very bright. Their contemporary bath and shower rooms include toilets.
Second floor
The landing leads to two bedrooms, one of which has its own shower room, a toilet and a series of cupboards. Features include exposed beams, half-timbering and old doors.
The outbuilding
This east-west-facing building is undergoing restoration works. The construction of the outside reflects that of the mill, with small roof tiles and facades rendered such that the stone is exposed. Its main openings face west. The facade rendering is not completely finished.
The vaulted cellar has a separate entrance. The outbuilding comprises three rooms, spanning 14, 17 and 22 m², a 7 m² shower room, a large, 45 m² room with a fireplace and, lastly, a 67 m² room with a cathedral ceiling, reached via a 4-leaf French window.
Our opinion
This bright house is very easy to live in. Restoration works have preserved its authentic features. The resulting effect corresponds to a vision and a contemporary, refined and natural expectation. The completed outbuilding could be used for a variety of accommodation, workshop or other projects. Cool on hot summer days, these premises are peaceful and relaxing. The gentle, tinkling sound of the running water, its energy, is a continual reminder of how life goes on.
617 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 628952
| Land registry surface area | 11050 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 230 m2 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 200 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 4 |
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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.
