A barn, transformed into a dwelling with a swimming pool,
and a Templar building, in the Blond foothills, 40 minutes to the north of Limoges
and a Templar building, in the Blond foothills, 40 minutes to the north of Limoges
Limoges,
HAUTE-VIENNE
limousin
87000
FR
Location
In the Haute-Vienne department, the Upper Limousin region extends as far as the eye can see, while the village, where the property is located, is within immediate proximity to many tourism sites, discovery routes, as well as athletic and cultural activities. In addition, an 18-hole golf course is only 10 kilometres away, as are green markets, flea markets and local festivals, whereas, nearby, the village of Mortemart, recognized as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, shares a border with the town of Rochechouart, known for its contemporary art museum.
As for the towns of Bellac and Saint-Junien, 14 and 30 minutes away, respectively, they include all services and shops for daily life, while Paris is accessible in four hours by the A20 motorway and the Limoges airport, 30 minutes away, ensures regular connections to Lyon, Marseille, Marrakech and several other destinations in England.
Description
Seen from above, the property, with its two edifices, is located in a hamlet populated with granite dwellings. On one side and set back from the road, a barn was transformed into a dwelling in the early 2000s with an extension on its southern end, while a Templar-style building, constructed between the 15th and 17th centuries, stands on the adjacent, and slightly elevated, lot. Built out of light-colour granite, the immense two-storey main dwelling features orderly windows, safeguarded by wooden shutters, as well as seven bedrooms, including two on the ground floor.
As for the integrated garage, wine cellar and boiler room, they provide comfort as well as modernity, whereas a large arched window, and the main façade’s centrepiece, offers glimpses of its large interior dimensions as well as plenty of natural light. Featuring stone window/door surrounds as well as understated lintels, which blend in seamlessly with its traditional windows, the dwelling’s lightly burnished tile roof dialogues with the one atop the adjacent edifice, while low stone walls, iron gates or hedges fully enclose both lots.
As for the integrated garage, wine cellar and boiler room, they provide comfort as well as modernity, whereas a large arched window, and the main façade’s centrepiece, offers glimpses of its large interior dimensions as well as plenty of natural light. Featuring stone window/door surrounds as well as understated lintels, which blend in seamlessly with its traditional windows, the dwelling’s lightly burnished tile roof dialogues with the one atop the adjacent edifice, while low stone walls, iron gates or hedges fully enclose both lots.
The Renovated Barn
The garden-level floor
Accessible from the foyer, a living-dining room, of nearly 100 m², creates a sense of depth and is bathed in dual-aspect light from both the courtyard and garden side of the dwelling, while the edifice’s rational layout is highlighted by its beige and black cabochon tile floor, which can be found throughout this level.
Next to the dining room, a kitchen gives directly on to a patio to the west, whereas two bedrooms share a bathroom, and the garage, accessible from the foyer, communicates with the boiler room and a wine cellar, featuring neatly arranged compartments.
The first floor
A winding staircase with narrow wooden treads leads to an immense mezzanine, featuring a wide-plank parquet floor, which provides access to five carpeted and painted bedrooms, two shower rooms and a study.
The "Templar" Building
Set back from the barn, this three-storey dwelling has preserved its medieval appearance, while its thick walls, remarkably preserved and cadenced by asymmetrical windows and doors, not only allude to its original uses – perhaps a former commandery – but create a completely separate structure.
With a fully renovated roof, inside, its interior granite floors and original fireplaces deserve a similar restoration, whereas a large beam displays a stylised Templar cross, which could allude to either the renowned Catholic military order or, in all likelihood, the mark of a carpenter. As for its main entrance, facing the street, it is separate from the barn, which makes it possible to create self-contained accommodations here for a guesthouse or a holiday cottage.
The Grounds
Skirted by concrete patios on three of its sides, the dwelling is surrounded by the main garden, divided into an L-shaped section to the northwest and an immense rectangle to the south, while the wall separating the patio near the kitchen from the garden to the south is accessible via a sturdy openwork iron door, which helps safeguard the swimming pool.
As for the many flowerbeds, they are planted with vegetation adapted to the Limousin region’s acidic soil, such as wisteria, rosebushes, hydrangeas, box trees and azaleas, whereas a lime tree with a remarkable gnarled trunk stands nearby. Lastly, the garden surrounding the medieval edifice is separated from the main dwelling’s exterior by a low wall placed along the property’s natural slope, which provides privacy despite its proximity.
The Swimming Pool
Built in 2012, the 40-m² saltwater swimming pool comes with a heat pump for additional comfort, while a sliding domed cover provides the requisite safety measures.
Our opinion
In the gently rolling countryside of the Blond foothills, dotted with granite and traversed by trails that seem to lead to secret and secluded places, this property proposes a dialogue between two rural time periods: on one side, a comfortable dwelling and, on the other, a blank canvas for a top-to-bottom remodel, while its location, set back from the major thoroughfares, but not isolated, contributes to the property’s overall balance and harmony. In short, a place that provides the comforts of a modern dwelling with a space to reinvent according to one’s needs, desires and imagination.
Reference 356099
| Land registry surface area | 2542 m² |
| Main building floor area | 360 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 8 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 250 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.
