KEY POINTS

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2

Floors: 2

Exposition: south

Land: 11 ha

Surface: 350m²

Heating: gas c.h.

Drainage: fosse septique

SITUATION

The property lies east of Toulouse, just in the Tarn where it meets the Haute Garonne. It is on the edge of a tiny village, surrounded by its own land and by beautiful countryside; it is approached by a country lane, passing 2 other houses and ending at the property, so privacy and tranquillity are assured. Local shops are in a nearby village. The towns of Albi and Castres are easily accessible, as are a number of smaller market towns. Toulouse centre is 35kms. The international airport is 35 mins.

ACCOMMODATION

The property, formerly a domaine, is a 'lauragaise' - a name from an old occitan word which refers to the particular area east of Toulouse where the property is situated. It comprises the original stone farmhouse and attached outbuildings, now renovated to a high standard to make a spacious and unusual family home, full of character, with over 350m2 habitable space. Over the past few years the property has undergone major renovation - new roof and insulation; new plumbing and sanitation; new electrical installations; gas central heating; cleaning of all stonework; new beams and charpente where necessary, or restoration of original; new modern tiled floors downstairs in traditional terracotta tones; new polished wood floors upstairs; two new staircases. There is some finishing work to do, but nothing major. There is provision for 2 more bedrooms with a shared shower room and WC. The pipework and electrical wiring are in place; the floors need tiling but the tiles are bought and stored; the walls need lining or finishing according to taste. If preferred, these rooms could make an apartment.

On entering the house, one is immediately struck by the unusual style of architecture - large open spaces, tall vaulted ceilings, and rounded arches both at ground level and high up within the wall structure, rather like the style in a romanesque church. The entrance hall 18m2 gives access to the left to the 2 bedrooms to be finished. To the right is an open plan grand salon and formal dining area 70m2 - with open fireplace and sunken seating and an archway to a smaller salon 31m2. This entire space has plenty of light streaming through tall, wide, French windows. Off the salon is an office 30m2. Straight ahead off the entrance hall is the dining kitchen off which is a laundry/freezer room 8.8m2; the dining and working areas, 14.6m2 & 14.5m2, are separated by archways; there is a door to the garden and a door to the grand salon. The kitchen has fitted cupboards, provision for a dishwasher, built-in oven and hob. A staircase from the hall goes to a galleried landing, off which are three double bedrooms each with built-in cupboards - 18m2, 18m2, 25m2; a shower room 9.88m2, and a separate WC with hand basin. An archway goes to a mezzanine 34m2, also reached via a staircase from the grand salon. Off here is the master bedroom 27m2 with en suite bathroom - corner bath with shower attachment, two inset basins, storage cupboards, door to a small vestibule off which is a WC. The bathroom and WC are also accessible from the mezzanine.

GROUNDS & OUTBUILDINGS

The property comes with almost 11 hectares of land (around 27 acres), comprising parkland, woodland, meadows, and orchard, bordered by a stream. Another 14 hectares are available by separate negotiation. There are views of the Pyrénées. The property is entered via electric gates, and a gravelled driveway leads up to a parking area. Formal terraces around the house need to be done. An old hangar (open-sided barn) has been reconstructed as beautifully as the house, to provide covered parking for up to 4 vehicles. Adjoining is the old porcherie (pig stye), and the old stable, both renovated and immaculately presented.