€650k Velay, France. 15th Century Castle for Sale
Historic Castle with 20th Century Additions for sale
In the Velay area of the Auvergne region on the outskirts of a Medieval town surrounded by ramparts where a Romanesque church and its bell-wall date from the 11th century. With a wealth of heritage and history, this market town is also renowned for its master chefs who create local dishes and gastronomic menus. In this respect Auvergne has much to offer: lentils, AOP cheeses, mushrooms, salt meats, cakes and pastries. The region also has a full range of outdoor activities and a high quality of life as it is away from all sources of pollution and the summer migration masses.
Le-Puy-en-Velay, a town of art and history, is but 30 minutes away and Paris can be reached via TGV train in less than 4 hours.
This property has several entrances. The wonderful tree-lined alleyways leading to the castle mean that it can be approached from various angles. This robust-looking edifice comprises a square building, spanning three levels, flanked by a 15th century octagonal tower which is extended by a building of the same height, in turn, adjoining a pavilion with a pyramid roof, added in the 20th century. The property is linked to a farm. It adjoins the most recent section and awaits full restoration works.
This property looks out over approx. 5 hectares of parklands planted with numerous trees over one hundred years old. The superb, oval swimming pool, a short distance away, is surrounded by a terrace.
This castle is represented for sale by Patrice Besse
The three levels of the 15th century building communicate on the inside with the section added in the 20th century.
Ground floor
The entrance door is next to the tower. The vaulted entrance room, with its old stone fireplace, opens via superb partially glazed, wooden doors into a small lounge, richly decorated with panelling and enhanced with a cross rib vault. This is followed by a dining room which is adorned with wall panelling, parquet flooring and a superb fireplace with wooden pillars. This luminous room is illuminated via a wide mullioned window. A wooden door opens into the dining room laid out in the most recent section; other double doors open into the lounge. This latter room, decorated with painted panelling, is set out around a monumental stone fireplace. The exposed beams are painted and the floor covered with parquet flooring.
In the entrance hall, in addition to the stone spiral stairway that leads up in the tower to the floor above, is a door providing access to the stone stairway that leads down to the cellars.
First floor
This level is given over to bedrooms, most of which have their own small separate toilet. A superb stone fireplace takes pride of place in the master bedroom, decorated with painted panelling. Its mullioned windows look out over the village which can be seen through the foliage of the tall trees. A door opens into the corridor which provides access to the mezzanine in the 20th century section.
The rich decor of the bedroom which adjoins the master bedroom comprises panelling, a French ceiling and a wooden fireplace. The room is illuminated via mullioned windows.
Two other adjoining bedrooms, on the parklands side, feature magnificent painted French ceilings and elaborately patterned parquet floors.
Second floor
This level also comprises bedrooms, together with a large bathroom. A stairway leads from this floor up to the attic space.
Attic
The attic space comprises a vast area under a treated roofing framework. This area could be used as an attic despite its low ridge.
Cellar
A stone stairway goes down to the vaulted cellars, one of which includes the well that once provided the castle with water.