Magnificent 1000 year old natural stone houses with great views in the heart of UNESCO World Heritage Site Cevennes Natural Park

<p>These two natural stone houses date from the 11th century. They are the first houses built in the valley, kept in the same family for 400 years. The renovation of this imposing building started 12

Price
€750,000

Location

These two natural stone houses date from the 11th century. They are the first houses built in the valley, kept in the same family for 400 years. The renovation of this imposing building started 12

Introduction

These two natural stone houses date from the 11th century. They are the first houses built in the valley, kept in the same family for 400 years. The renovation of this imposing building started 12 years ago. It is situated in a highly varied forested area with various pine and deciduous trees, among which chestnut trees. A 3-minute walk will take you to an idyllic little river. This is a tremendously quiet place where no more than 5 cars pass each day. In Ales, the nearest town (25 minutes by car), all amenities can be found, including a brand-new, hyper-modern hospital. The property is highly suited for letting as a family house, and the surroundings invite unforgettable hiking in absolute solitude.

Description

The full building is built on a slate rock underground, the walls are fully done in natural stone and are 80 cm thick in many places. The building is L-shaped and viewed from the public road the façade is 21 metres wide. The other other leg from the L is 16 metres long. In some places the building has 4 floors. The building permit also allows building a 95 sq. metre swimming pool. The 17 x 5 metre foundation for the pool has already been laid.

The building is separated in 3 apartments with each a private kitchen and bathroom with toilet, and an attached house with kitchen, living room, two bathrooms, two toilets and three bedrooms. About 100 metres from the mail building a smaller home with provisional new roof can be found, requiring completion of the renovation. This would be an ideal home for a warden.

Exterior

The domain is 2.5 hectares (6.2 acres) and consists of terraces with many chestnut and pine trees. From the front you can overlook an uninhabited mountain flank at the other side of the valley. There are terraces build in natural stone suitable for fruit trees and the like. A paved road leads from the public road to the house (about 200 metres or 219 yards). There are 3 septic tanks with a capacity of 3000 litres in the garden, while an irrigation filter system for the waste water still needs to be placed. A 100-year old lime tree is in the corner of the L of the house, offering shade in summer.

Other information

During the last 11 years many works have been completed. Roofs have been reinforced, insulated and covered with new corrugated roofing material with the original old roof tiles on top. Electricity, water supply and drainage pipes are completely new. Almost all original floors have been reinforced, levelled out and covered with a composite oak parquet floor. Almost all walls have been newly plastered, all windows and outside doors have been replaced with tropical wooden window panes with high-performance insulating double glazing. All rooms are fitted with central heating. On 2 different places on the roofs solar panels are fitted to produce hot sanitary water with a total capacity of 550 litres water, for free hot water all year round. Five new hearths have been built as facility for fireplaces, of which 2 are currently operational. A lot of work has been performed. The big construction work is done, while some spaces remain to receive a final finish. A detailed logbook with a clear description of the technical installation is available.