A former silk spinning mill with its manor house and 31-hectare grounds,
in the south of the Cévennes National Park, within the Gard department
in the south of the Cévennes National Park, within the Gard department
Ganges,
GARD
languedoc-roussillon
34190
FR
Location
Along the western confines of the Gard department, and enjoying a Mediterranean climate, the property is located near Ganges, in the southern part of the Cévennes National Park. Its wooded parcels, classified as a Natura 2000 zone and a bird conservation region, guarantee an environment untouched by human influence, while, not far away, the gorges of the Hérault and Vis Rivers provide pleasant spots for swimming during the summer months. As for the city of Vigan, the subprefecture for the department, it can be reached in approximately twenty minutes and includes all administrative, commercial and cultural services, whereas the train stations and airports in Nîmes and Montpellier, which provide service to national and international destinations, are accessible in one hour by car.
Description
A private lane lined with tall, bicentenary plane trees, ascends towards the property, nestled within lush vegetation. Accessible via a gate, which opens on to a group of three buildings, an immense ornamental pond welcomes visitors to this property, perched on a hillside and scattered with natural springs, ponds and fountains. At the property’s entrance stands the caretaker’s cottage, while, a little further off, the 19th-century manor house was built over the vestiges of the medieval chateau of Toumeyrolles. Last, but not least, a massive building constructed over a basement level, which was once a silk spinning mill, is set back from the other buildings, ensconced within its verdant setting and waiting to be returned to its former lustre once again.
The Silk Spinning Mill
Surrounded by lush vegetation, it stands in the middle of a property that stimulates both the senses and creativity thanks to its untouched bucolic environment. On the garden level, an immense vaulted cellar has preserved its original character, while, upstairs, more than 500 m² would be the ideal location for a number of exciting potential projects. Featuring a living space with three rooms, a lavatory and a shower room, the roof will require a swift intervention in order to guarantee the building’s sturdiness, while the windows and doors, once restored, will provide this historical building with plenty of allure once again.
The Dwelling
Built in 1760, this former hunting lodge became the manor house for the silk spinning mill in the 19th century. Facing fully south, with unobstructed views over the Cévennes Mountains, it features an inhabitable floor area of approximately 216 m², while renovations to bring it up to code and improve its overall comfort will be necessary in order to further conserve the premises’ charm and authenticity.
The garden-level floor
Behind the building, a patio provides access to a semi-underground kitchen, which abuts a pantry and a furnace room, while, further on, a staircase leads to the ground floor.
The ground floor
Accessible after ascending the house’s three front steps, the glass double door entrance, topped with an arched fanlight, opens on to an immense dining room with soaring floor-to-ceiling heights. Next door, a living room with a fireplace is bathed in light thanks to another pair of glass double doors, which give on to a rear patio and the mountains in the distance. Featuring walls and ceilings that have preserved their initial moulding, albeit in need of a light touch-up, all of the house’s woodwork and cement floor tiles are also original. In addition, the room stands out thanks to its acoustics, ideal for music lovers, while, further on, four bedrooms share a bathroom and lavatory.
The upstairs
This floor is made up of three different landings: one provides access to a bedroom and a bathroom, a second leads to another bedroom and, finally, the third communicates with two other bedrooms, while all the rooms enjoy views of the surrounding environment through their bull’s-eye windows.
The Caretaker's Cottage
Located at the property’s entrance, it is currently inhabited by a caretaker in charge of the property’s maintenance. Built more recently than the other edifices, it does not present any particular historical features, except for its bakehouse, and boasts an inhabitable floor area of approximately 92 m², extensive cellars, a garage and outbuildings of nearly 194 m².
The garden-level floor
A garage, six cellars and outbuildings provide ample room for storage.
The upstairs
The accommodations are located on this floor, accessible via a staircase. The front door opens on to a kitchen-dining room, while a hallway provides access to four bedrooms, a bathroom and a separate lavatory. It should be noted that this building will require some renovation work in order to bring it up to code.
The Ramshackle Building
Next to the access road and below the caretaker’s cottage, stands a dilapidated, several-storey building, which, still appearing on the land register, could be restored.
The Grounds and Gardens
Extending over nearly 30 hectares, it boasts a rich agricultural bounty thanks to a remarkable variety of fruit trees: figs, kiwis, cherries and chestnuts. Featuring a natural spring, providing plenty of water for the property as well as a number of ponds, some of which have been naturally carved out of the rock, ornamental fountains are also scattered throughout the grounds. In addition, a path leads to a natural grotto hollowed out of the rock, while several vestiges of the property’s historic past can still be found here and there around the next bend. Lastly, the property is crisscrossed in several places by multiple streams, which help keep the grounds naturally cool and pleasant all year long.
Our opinion
This medieval dwelling, which then became a witness to the golden age of the Cévennes silkworm trade, now awaits its future calling. Surrounded by peace and quiet, the premises are an invitation to recharge one’s batteries, discover one’s innate creativity, host guests or undertake an agricultural activity in tune with nature, while a variety of amenities are all within close proximity. In addition, the property is not only extremely private, but welcoming as well, whereas the Cévennes National Park and the Natura 2000 zone ensure that the surrounding nature remains intact, the silence of which is only interrupted by birdsong. As for the property’s natural water resources, they not only help the property’s flora flourish, but also create a sort of private botanical garden sheltered from all disturbances.
Reference 297806
| Land registry surface area | 30 ha 11 a 22 ca |
| Main building floor area | 216 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 7 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 828 m² |
| including refurbished area | 92 m² |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
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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.
