The Spirit of the Cordeliers in a Renaissance Village

Property Description

HISTORIC FORMER CONVENT IN LES THONS, BETWEEN VITTEL AND LANGRES

EXCLUSIVE. This property is being offered for sale through an interactive auction via The starting price is set at €220,000. The reserve price is set at €275,000. The bidding increment is set at €10,000. The auction will take place on October 18 at 11:00 a.m. Participation is subject to prior approval. Information and terms available upon request.

In the village of Les Thons, this former convent, founded in 1452, stands proudly in the heart of the rolling Vosges countryside. The property offered for sale occupies the central portion of this distinctive complex. Behind its façade, designated a Historic Monument, the spaces unfold amidst ancient stonework, vast vaults, soaring ceilings, carved staircases, and a well-preserved cloister. Imbued with a rustic Renaissance atmosphere, the site now serves as a distinctive residence designed to welcome guests, preserve its heritage, and envision new uses.

THE CENTRAL BUILDING OF A FRANCISCAN COMPLEX
Set apart from major thoroughfares, the Couvent des Cordeliers in Les Thons stands out in the landscape as a monument to history. Founded in the 15th century at the request of Guillaume de Saint-Loup and Jeanne de Choiseul and designated a Historic Monument in 1945, it is now the best-preserved Franciscan complex in northeastern France. The eye is first drawn to the stone facades, the regularity of the ancient openings, and the simple lines of the cloister and its sacred fountain. Then come the details: a door weathered by time, the omnipresence of the vaults, a monumental fireplace, the depth of the walls, the antique woodwork and beams, and the ?cathedral' staircase. Each space seems to have retained the rhythm of the centuries. From the tree-lined garden and the orchard, views open up onto the village's historic center and the surrounding countryside. Further on, the paths lead to the Vosges forests, the spa towns of Vittel and Contrexéville, and the Renaissance gardens of Châtillon-sur-Saône.

SPACES FILLED WITH LIGHT AND NATURAL MATERIALS
The interior spans nearly 400 m² in a warm and deeply authentic design. The main living area, spanning nearly 80 m², harmonizes with the high ceilings, exposed beams, and open-plan layout featuring a mezzanine. Historic hardwood floors, terracotta tiles, moldings, restored doors, and various architectural details come together to create a vibrant space bathed in light. Some rooms still feature decorative paintings and art collections that extend the spirit of the place. The fully equipped professional kitchen is designed to accommodate both a generous daily lifestyle and larger gatherings. The vaulted cellars, the interior patio, and the adjoining spaces reinforce this sense of a lived-in and adaptable whole. Sold furnished and equipped, the property also includes several antique works of art and paintings that contribute to its unique character.

A PROPERTY TO IMAGINE: A BLEND OF HERITAGE AND INSPIRING PROJECTS
The central section of the convent spans over 3,300 m² of land, featuring an orchard, a natural spring, a pond, and open views. At the rear, a vast 2,360 m² plot offers various possibilities for future development while respecting the site's character.
The site has already served as a residence and hosted events, receptions, and dining experiences. Its layout allows for new uses centered on hospitality, vacations, heritage preservation, or a unique second home. Located between Vittel, Épinal, and Langres, this property embodies a rare quality: that of a historic site still very much alive, capable of accommodating ambitious projects without ever losing its original spirit.

THE AGENT'S PERSPECTIVE
?What you feel here goes beyond architecture alone. The Couvent des Cordeliers des Thons possesses that quiet depth unique to carefully preserved historic sites. A property shaped by time, designed for those seeking not only a home but also a story to carry forward.'

Julie Rowlett-Ballon