FOR SALE €79000
This house is currently under offer.
Charming 200 year old 3 bedroomed country house with 153m² habitable space and 2300m of land. In need of some renovation work but totally habitable.
The house sits in the famously beautiful landscape of the massif central. From the garden it is possible to see several extinct volcanoes including Puy de Dome, one of the highest. The property is in a small hamlet containing 5 houses in the community of St Etienne des Champs with it’s Marie and Church.
The property was built around 1827 and was originally a small house with barns attached as is so common here in France. One of the barns has since fallen down but the remaining barn which was attached to the main house has been converted into living accommodation with new floors and windows. We think this work was done in the middle of the 1900’s but we cannot be sure exactly when. The large windows were added later.
The roof was completely renewed in the ‘70s and is in excellent condition. We have since completely insulated the roof space. The original house has beautiful exposed oak beams which stretch the entire width of the house and are original. The converted part of the house has wooden ceilings which are painted.
The house itself offers much space. Immediately habitable is 153m but there is also an attic of 63m² and a small cave of 20m². The habitable space comprises the following:
On the ground floor:
Kitchen:
13m² with a very large window with an aspect over the garden and magnificent views beyond.
Living Room:
42m² with an inglenook fireplace housing a 13kw wood stove which is sufficient to heat the entire house. A vent goes up from the fireplace to the 2nd bedroom on the first floor and the convected heat is sufficient to heat this room throughout the winter months.
On the first floor:
Bedroom 1:
10m² – This room sits in the newer part of the property, ie what was a barn before and has much light from the large window openings. The floor is oak parquet. There is an electric convector heater installed.
Bedroom 2:
17m² – This room is in the original house and has lovely big exposed beams. The chimney comes up through this room and there is a vent which convects heat from the inglenook fireplace in the living room downstairs. This is sufficient to heat the room throughout the winter.
Bedroom 3:
8m² – Large enough to be used as a single room with views over the garden. This room also sits over the original house and has the exposed beams. There is also an electric convector heater in this room.
Landing:
12m² – A lovely large landing with doors to bedrooms 2 and 3 and also the bathroom. There is currently a folding staircase that goes into the attic but there is enough space here to install a proper staircase.
Bathroom:
9m² – The bathroom comprises a large shower, toilet, bath and sink. There is also an electric towel radiator which also heats the room during cold winter months.
On the 2nd floor:
63m² – The attic is accessible from the attic with a folding staircase. It has a height of around 4m. The entire roof space has been insulated. The roof beams are in good condition. This space has enormous potential for extra living space if required but is currently being used as storage.
Atelier/Studio:
31m² – Comprises 20m² on one floor (above the cave) and has a mezzanine floor space of 11m². Access is separate from the main house and is from outside the house via a few steps on the terrace. There are 2 large new roof lights which were installed in May 2011. These let in much light and the room is currently being used as an artist’s studio which is open to the public in the summer months. There is also a separate WC and sink. There is also plumbing and space to have a shower installed if someone wanted to change the use to that of a gite or studio apartment for a family member.
Cave:
20m² – This sits immediately under the atelier/studio. It has a mud floor and is being used for storage. This space could also be developed since it is attached to the house and would make a perfect space to store wood for the winter.
The garden:
There is a total of 2300m² of land, the majority of it being to the front of the property. The garden has been landscaped in terraces with rockeries and lawn. Part of the garden is flat with another part on a gentle slope. There is also a small copse containing several very large and old trees, some as old as 50 years old.
There is also a strawberry bed, raspberries, apple tree, plum tree, walnut tree and hazelnut trees. There is also space for growing vegetables.
At the back of the property, there is a 50cm ladder right.
In general:
The property is still in need of renovation works but is completely habitable. It has a septic tank which was installed in 2007 and conforms to the new regulations.
There is an electric meter which was installed in 2007 but the wiring in the house still needs to be done.
There is a hot water tank of 200L which was also installed in 2007. There is hot water in the bathroom but not yet installed in the kitchen although there is cold water. Drainage is in place for a sink and a dishwashing machine.
The windows are old and single glazed and would also need to be replaced in time.
The building is stone and the stonework needs to be repointed. Some rendering was put on top of the stonework many years ago and this would need to be removed. This comes off very easily and is not a big undertaking.
There is adsl connection.
Situation:
It is at 730m altitude and has stunning views, predominantly over to Puy de Dome.
The property faces south east.
The house is situated in the community of St Etienne des Champs which has a church and Marie but no shops. The property sits exactly in the middle of Giat and Pontaumur, both with supermarkets and both journeys are 17kms. Both towns provide us with everything we need from DIY stores, garden centre, bio shop, doctors, dentist, bars, restaurant and hotels.
The immediate area is made up of partly woodland and farm land making for a very peaceful setting. The local farmer and his family live in the same hamlet and they are super friendly and accommodating to anything the neighbours may need.
Lake nearby at Les Ancizes
Currently, the house is lived in by an artist and website developer. The artist’s studio is open to the public in the summer months when tourists come and watch the artist at work. The Tourist Office is instrumental in working with local business people.
The property would also suit someone who wants to run a gite and everything is in place to achieve this in a relatively short amount of time and without major work needing to be done.
Many people in this area have secondary homes here. There are people from Paris, Holland, Belgium and also nearer, Clermont Ferrand. Because of it’s peaceful setting in this beautiful landscape, it makes for a wonderful retreat.
Alternatively this would also make a great family home.
If you have any questions about this property, please do not hesitate to contact us.
