18th Century Catalan farmhouse; 16 ha terraced farm in the heart of the Pyrenees

• Pristine, peaceful view of forests overlooking one of the region's most beautiful valleys
• Sunny year round
• Entirely restored in 1980s using original materials (exposed stone walls, terracotta roof tiles)
• Minutes from the Mediterranean and vibrant hill towns rich with history, art and culture
• 40 km from Perpignan International Airport and future Paris-Barcelona TGV line; 2 hours’ drive from Barcelona

• Bedrooms: 4
• Rural
• Terrace
• Outbuildings
• River
• Wood

• Condition - Restored / Habitable
• Roof - Good Condition
• Drainage - Septic tank
• Heating - Central heating
• Electricity - Mains

The Main House (131 m2, including a 13 m2 terrace), which commands a magnificent view of the Vallespir Valley from its terrace, is built on two levels. The lower level includes:

• a fully equipped kitchen (with stove/oven that uses either electricity or butane gas, sink, refrigerator, sink disposal) and dining room leading to the terrace


• a living area


• a full bathroom with tiled shower, sink and toilet, accessed from the terrace.

The lower level rooms all have terracotta tiled flooring, exposed stone walls and large wooden beams. Meals can be eaten on the terrace during most seasons. The upper level can be accessed either by an interior open wooden staircase leading up from the lower level living area, or from the uphill front entrance. It includes:

• a large family room with original flagstone flooring, exposed stone walls, large wooden beams and high ceilings, an ancient stone and brick oven and terracotta water urn, and a stone staircase leading past an ancient smuggler’s hideout carved in the rock – now used as a cellar – to a large mezzanine with wooden parquet floor used as a sleeping area


• two bedrooms, each with wooden parquet floors, exposed stone walls, ample built in closets, and equipped with a sink and ample closet space (0ne of the bedrooms has a built in bookcase and wooden staircase up to a small mezzanine)


• a small corridor with built in closets, bathroom with tiled bathtub/shower, sink, washing machine, dryer, and separate w.c.

Under the entrance to the upper level is a small cellar. Built against the outside wall of the house is a stone tool shed.

The Guest House (44 m2), located a few meters behind the main house is built on two levels:

• The lower level has a fully equipped kitchen/dining area with sink, electric stove and refrigerator, and a w.c. with sink. The floor is made of tiles, and the walls are whitewashed. An open wooden staircase leads to the upstairs.


• The upper level has a bedroom and full bathroom with shower.

Both the main house and guest house were completely restored in the early 1980s using original materials. A separate garage (20 m2) for one car is located at the end of the driveway, a short distance from the main house. Utilities and Amenities:

• Excellent thermal insulation: stone walls 50 to 60 cm thick; insulated regional red tiled roofing.


• Central heating in the main house by wood stove (SEUNTER brand). Two radiators on ground floor ; four radiators upstairs.


• Water: Spring-supplied water stored in two cisterns; two creeks also available for water supply. Water heated electrically; water boilers in both houses.


• Septic tank.


• Electricity: Electricité de France.


• Telephone: Two lines in the main house.


• Alarm system

Excellent move-in condition. Some appliances and furniture are also available for sale.

The property is located in the heart of French Catalonia, in the department of the “Pyrénées Orientales” in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is in the Tech Valley in the foothills of the Mont Canigou, near the Mediterranean coast and the Spanish border, straddling the municipalities of Montbolo (with its 10th Century romanesque church) and Reynes.

The farmhouse overlooks a meadow with cherry and apricot trees and sits above two creeks with water that flows year round. Surrounding the farmhouse are 16 wooded hectares of ancient terraced farmland, with an old grove of cork trees, chestnut trees and truffles. A spring uphill from the farmhouse supplies the drinking water. A large lime kiln in excellent condition and three farm house ruins are also located in the woods surrounding the house. Ancient paths, until recently kept clear by the neighbor’s sheep, lead from the farmhouse to the ruins. Wild game, including boar, is plentiful in the forests.

Surroundings:  Nearby (10-15 minutes by car):

•  Céret, known as the “cherry capital” of France, and whose “sardane” dances were immortalized in sketches made by Picasso when he lived there in the early 20th Century


• Arles-sur-Tech, with its famous abbey, situated on the mountain road along which refugees streamed into France during the Spanish Civil War, and into Spain during the Second World War. Many of Arles’ inhabitants served as an underground railroad for refugees fleeing the Germans in France


• Amélie-les- Bains, sous-préfecture of the “Pyrénées Orientales”, with its thermal baths


• The picturesque old port of Collioure, with its fortifications built by Vauban

Also nearby are:

• Perpignan, the capital of the Pyrénées Orientales (about 30 minutes by car)


• Barcelona (Spain), Catalonia’s cultural capital (a couple of hours by car currently; an hour by train from Perpignan when the Paris- Barcelona TGV line opens in 2009)


• “Sentier de Grande Randonnée (GR) 10,” a well marked hiking trail which follows the crests of the Pyrennées from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic


• Prades, with its famed Casals Festival


• Font Romeu and Andorra, with their winter skiing

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