France house for sale
Friday, June 26th, 2009
Entrance and west-facing terrace
If you are looking for a house for sale France has many hidden treasures. None more than this gem that we couldn’t resist bringing to your attention. Owned by a French friend, this is not just any maison de village, but arguably one of the most charming stone houses in southern France.
Dining out is fun on the secluded south terrace
Buying a home abroad may be the biggest investment risk you ever make and you need to get it right. The issue is far too important to entrust to one or two estate agents who simply want to sell what they have at any one moment. Unless you dedicate half of your time over an eight-month period to the project, speak fluent French and know the region like the back of your hand, you are never going to find anything like this house for sale France.
Enter into the warmth of Le Midi
For obvious reasons, we are not prepared to promote the address of the property on-line. Those serious about purchasing it will understand this and email us with their interest, questions and contact details, which we shall discreetly pass onto the owner in question.
The bathroom is cool
Location
This France house for sale is located in Le Gard, on a hilltop along the Gardon Valley, equidistant between Nimes and Ales, making it extremely convenient for access from Nimes airport (30 mins. drive) or Nimes SNCF (TGV) station. There are daily Ryan Air flights from the UK and Dublin. For those flying from further a field, say Salt Lake City, it’s a direct flight to Paris, plus a 4-hour onward TGV journey to Nimes.
Bedroom One, with vaulted ceiling
With regards to the Region’s heritage, you are 30 mins from Uzes, 40 mins from Le Pont du Gard, 50 mins from Avignon and an hour from Montpellier and the Mediterranean coast. The nearest grocer’s shop is less than 5 minutes’ drive away. Local school options abound depending on age.
Bedroom Two - the return of peaceful nights
The house lies at the very heart of a small, working village, so you are not isolated amongst absentee-landlord, second-home owners. The village has a history that dates back to at least Roman times, lies on an ancient Roman trail , and was the location for a Sarrasin encampment in the 8th Century and The Wehrmacht in 1944-45.
Bedroom Three - fun for the kids
Description of Property
This unique maison de village remained in the same family for over 200 years prior to its first sale in modern times in 2005. It comprises the following features spread over three floors:
Ground Floor: small courtyard; small wine cellar; large arched cellar used for wood storage; three sizeable storage areas, including one containing the gas-fired central heating boiler. All outside areas are enclosed, clean and dry.
South-terrace from Bedroom Two
First floor: bathroom with WC & bath; bedroom; kitchen; hall-cum-dining room; living room with chimney; two terraces – west and south facing, one giving out onto the main square, one secluded.
Living room and fire place
Second floor: two bedrooms; utility area with bathroom, including WC & shower.
The home boasts a modern gas central heating system; electric system set to economize on energy bills; water tank and all running water/sewerage pipes – no septic tank; reversible heaters (air conditioning) in both main bedrooms – one upstairs, one downstairs; a fully-functioning chimney, capable of heating most of the first-floor if required; and electric awnings to protect you from excess sun when dining on either terrace.
The kitchen - the centre of attraction
The property does not come with a ‘view to die for’ - an extreme rarity in maison de villages; nor does it have a garage. However, the owners are a two-car family and park outside the property with no trouble at all. Moreover, other home-owners on the square do have garages and the demand on the available spaces is restricted to just a few residents. The village is not located on a main thoroughfare, so there is no through traffic; nor does it have homes converted into flats, that always leads to a proliferation of vehicles. Ultimately, if required, a wall could be knocked through to enable private parking in the ground-floor courtyard – this option had been explored by the previous owners, merely out of interest, and permission granted, but no work was ever done. Were such work to take place, it would actually reduce the parking options in the whole village by two spaces, so denizens are keen to preserve the status quo.
A work of art
Main Benefits
1. A haven of peace and tranquillity.
2. An abundance of natural light – in contrast to most ‘dark and dingy’ maison de villages. None of these photos were taken with flash photography or electric lights.
3. Modern kitchen.
4. Nothing but the best materials and artisans were employed in the home’s recent restoration.
View up to the south terrace & living room from the cellar
5. Nothing needs doing – just put down your suitcases, or move in and relax: unlike other maison de villages that have ‘potential’ that needs to be realised at great expense and/or over a long period.
6. Potential gite or chambre d’hotes – the village is on a major hiking trail that lacks accommodation options.
7. Secure – lock up in the knowledge that the property will remain undisturbed for however long you are away.
8. Village location in beautiful rolling countryside in ‘La France profonde.’
See the southern light - from inside or out
Running costs per annum – based on a family with two young children
Gas = €1340.00
Water = €200.00
Electricity = €620.00
Waste disposal = €200.00
Property tax = €500.00
Bedroom Two - another angle
Price
€275,000.00 - no offers below this will be accepted, so please do not enquire unless you have this budget.
Step up to the west terrace
Please email your enquiries to: info@walking-languedoc.com