Prestige House Of History & Character, Milhars, Tarn (81)
AlbiTarnMidi-Pyrénées

Summary

A prestige house of genuine history & character that has evolved from its medieval beginnings to incorporate contemporary comforts. Castle rampart setting, stone construction, vast volumes, vaulted cellar, archway entrance, outbuilding & bread oven.

Details

The house was built and extended over several periods from medieval times through to the 19c, when it apparently served as a staging post and now incorporates contemporary comforts. An L-shaped construction of imposing character and rich in history, it is set at the foot of castle ramparts commanding local countryside, woods and the adjacent Bonnan valley with its cascade spring, trekking paths and boxwoods, but is not isolated. It is situated on the edge of the dominant vieux village of Milhars and was originally the castle watchtower, housing guardroom and stables, but was subsequently extended into prestige living quarters for the castle's intendant in the 16c, whence its Renaissance stamp.
The vicinity features many examples of Templar history, several attractive walled, bastide villages and the breathtaking Gorges de l'Aveyron. The house is located midway between the medieval village of Cordes-sur-Ciel & St Antonin Noble Val. 30 mins north of Albi, 1 hour east of Toulouse. There is ample art & craft industry of quality.
The building is of rare authenticity, with a strong but genuinely welcoming charm to which the potential purchaser will be sensitive. It has been recently renovated using traditional materials and with a concern for highlighting historical features. The stone and dressed stone construction with 60/80cm thick walls (fully repointed on east & south sides) is built on rock, features triple genoises under the roof overhang and offers 210m2 of living space and exceptional, vast interior volumes that draw the spirit upwards.
There are 6 main rooms.
Ground floor: east-facing, the living-room offers 30m2 with Renaissance feature fireplace and access to rear tarrace and landscaped garden. There is an original callade floor (pebble design) which needs to be fully uncovered. Other features include and original stone sink, potager & alcoves.
The compact kitchen (25m2) is light and warm for morning breakfasts (east and south-facing) with veined-granite work surfaces, cellar & wc. Warm, respectful sandstone colours.
The main room is the house's most imposing, and was formerly the castle guardroom (55m2 x 4m in height). This could be imagined either as a large living area, exhibition space or a room for the occasional chamber concert... It features new solid, 8-m span oak beaming, an original large dressed stone fireplace, a classical mullion window and original medieval stone slab flooring. It breathes history.
The first floor has 3 bedrooms of 30, 25 & 55m2. One with bath area, one with a walk-in shower area and the thrid currently used as an office, featuring a traditional brick fireplace. This room has an opening that could possibly be extended for access from the outside via external rear staircase (to be designed). Bedroom height under roof varies from between 4 to 6 metres (natural insulation and wood panelling). multiple design possibilities (mezzanine for additional space, dressing-room...).
The basement has a vaulted cellar & utility area. Oil central heating & hot water is provided by a new Viessmann large-capacity boiler. The building has been recently insulated using 100% natural products (cellulose wadding & wood panelling). All joinery has been fitted by local professional artisans in solid oak in keeping with period designs (doors, windows & interior shutters as in the past).
Some finishing work is needed for this ensemble which still holds vast potential for your personal projects.
One such project could encompass the outbuilding with a vaulted cellar, featuring the original seigniorial bread oven to be restored and could make a small gîte, apartment or craft exhibition space etc. (approx. 50m2 of floor area).
Finally a rear landscaped, 1500m2 sloping & terraced garden has private access. Front entrance is via archway and small courtyard, to the right of which ruins of former stables & reservoir back onto castle rampart walls. This area could be made into a gîte or artist's studio.
In a word, a property with an historical soul, rare features and plenty of beckoning potential.

Seller