Renovated Farmhouse and Barn, Vieillevie, Cantal

Description

Lovers of spectacular vistas will be bowled over by the views from this renovated traditional Auvergnat farmhouse with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in grounds of just under half an acre, surrounded by a landscape of mountains, forests, lakes and rivers, rolling countryside, valleys and steep gorges. It is just a 20 minute walk to an award-winning restaurant in the local medieval riverside village.

Situated in the Valley of the Lot on the border of the Cantal and Aveyron departments, the house enjoys a countryside location with splendid panoramic views of this most beautiful area of France. Its proximity to Aveyron, on the opposite side of the valley, provides easy access to the Occitanie region. The house is reached by a small country lane which ends just beyond the property and so peace reigns.

The property was built from the renovation of an old farmhouse and barn that has maintained a style that is traditional Auvergnat. The house is fully double glazed with the exception of just two bedroom windows. The house is centrally heated by an efficient and modern zoned electric heating system in all rooms. Drainage is to a septic tank which conforms to current regulations. Broadband internet service is available.

The accommodation, measuring 185m² of habitable space, consists of, on the ground floor of the house a large kitchen/dining room, a laundry/utility room and shower room. The ground floor of the barn is made up of a large room that is currently used as a storeroom and workshop.This room could easily be used for additional living accommodation if required.

A wooden staircase leads to the first floor of the house where there is a very large and comfortable sitting/dining room with wooden floors and a wood burner. The first floor of the barn has a large bedroom with a high, vaulted ceiling. The connection between the house and barn provides a large glazed balcony with views to die for, two further double bedrooms and a family bathroom.

A staircase leads from the sitting/dining room to the top floor of the house and the spacious master bedroom with an en suite bathroom.

Between the barn and the house is a large open garage/car port area. In front of the house, there is a small garden with a large wooden terrace, lawn and flower beds with mature plants and shrubs. To the rear and side of the house are areas of natural, deciduous woodland with oak, beech and chestnut trees. Across the small lane is a large area of garden with flowers, shrubs, trees, a vegetable garden and a stand of productive walnut trees. 

The house lies in a region of France known as La Châtaigneraie, a delightful area of outstanding natural beauty; a mixed landscape of mountain ranges, forests, lakes and rivers, rolling countryside, valleys and steep gorges in the South-West of the department of Cantal, close to the valleys of the Rivers Lot and Truyère and the spectacular mountains of the Auvergne and the Aubrac.

La Châtagneraie has, in the distant past, been relatively isolated from much of the rest of France by a lack of modern roads and air transport links. With the extensive upgrading of the road system this wonderful countryside can now be easily accessed in a day’s drive from Britain.

With the availability of inexpensive flights by Ryanair and EasyJet, short breaks of a few days as well as long summer stays or long-term living are feasible with travel time just a few hours from home. The nearest international airport is Rodez-Marcillac, a drive of just 50 minutes. Travel by rail from Britain  is also possible, arriving at Aurillac railway station, just 45 kms away from the house.

Although basic provisions are available from the local village and the nearby small towns of Montsalvy and Entraygues-Sur-Truyère,  the larger towns of Aurillac and Rodez are both less than an hour’s drive.

The countryside surrounding the house is a delightful mix of valley views, undulating fields and forest. Dense ancient forests of chestnut, oak, beech, pine, and precipitous river gorges suddenly give way to soft, rolling pastures to form some of the most beautiful scenery in France. Deer and boar occasionally roam the surrounding fields and woods which are also home to many other smaller animals and birds.

There are many marked footpaths, colour coded according to walking time, which are circular routes. The house is situated close to one of these which goes past farms, up into some dense forest which opens to spectacular views over the beautiful Lot Valley.

Although the countryside is stunning, there is much more to see and do. The pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela passes nearby on its way to Conquès, a medieval pilgrim town and listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France. Similar medieval sites will be found within an easy drive, including Salers, Estaing, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Najac and Belcastel.

The nearby Rivers Lot, Truyère and Doudou provide plenty of opportunities for swimming, fishing, paddle boarding and canoeing. The valley area is also very popular with cyclists. There are beautiful walks in the immediate area but the Monts de Cantal and the upland plateau of the Aubrac are within easy driving distance.


Location: Hamlet
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Receptions: 1
Habitable space: 185m² 
Plot size: 1670m² (0.41 acres)
Heating: Electric
Distance to shops: 1.5 kms (20 minutes on foot)
Distance to airport: 45 kms (Rodez-Marcillac - 50 minutes)
Taxe Foncière: 463 € per annum

(Location shown on property portals is approximate.)

Please note:  All sizes and locations are approximate. La Résidence has made every effort to ensure that the details and photographs of this property are accurate and in no way misleading.  However, this information does not form part of a contract and no warranties are either given or implied.