An entirely restored 18th-century residence with outbuildings, on 11 hectares of land, like a Provence fortified village, in the Lot-et-Garonne area,
An entirely restored 18th-century residence with outbuildings, on 11 hectares of land, like a Provence fortified village, in the Lot-et-Garonne area, near Agen.
The property's long façade looms into view between woods and meadows off a winding road climbing up from the valley. The residence and its outbuildings are located in the heart of the Lote-et-Garonne area, in the Pays de Serres sector where natural and semi-natural landscapes form a well-preserved mosaic. This fertile land is nourished by the river and shaped by the valley slopes, boasting horizons that combine smooth lines with more precipitous shapes, which are conducive to crop growing and outdoor pursuits, from hiking to bike rides. The essential shops and medical services can be found 3 kilometres away, while 20 minutes away in Agen the railway provides links to Paris via Bordeaux or Toulouse.
A limestone track branches off from a country road and leads on for approximately 150 metres, lined on one side by overhanging crags and on the other by alternating dense foliage as well as meadows below. The narrow, one-way lane splits as it reaches the buildings, with one leading to the residence, while the other curves round to rejoin the road further on. The entrance to the property is marked by a first wrought iron gate, while a second, more imposing, 18th-century one welcomes the visitor opposite the house's enclosed courtyard.
The main façade can be seen behind a small wall topped with wrought iron railings. The two-storey building is made with ashlar and has been rendered with lime on the southern wing. The hipped roof made of Romanesque tiles is underlined by a double or even triple genoise corbel as well as rainwater gutters. The arrangement on each level of an odd number of windows is symmetrical in its positioning: the ground floor is bathed in light through wide, small-paned windows, while the first floor is dotted with half-moon windows. The window frames are underlined in ochre-coloured tones and fitted with painted wooden shutters, providing discrete sophistication to the building as a whole. The main section forms an L-shape with the west wing and boasts a sober and elegant façade at the end of the courtyard. On the ground floor, two windows flank the period, solid wood, 18th-century entrance door.
The outbuildings can be found to the east. Over the last twenty years, the current occupants have graced the estate with abundant vegetation that has shaped its character. Following a southern French spirit, Provence cypress, olive, pittosporum and other evergreen trees seem to have belonged to the landscape since time immemorial. They combine with ponds, fountains, statues, garden ornaments and stone walls. A swimming pool has been harmoniously incorporated into the garden.
The residenceIt was built in 1730 and may even boast even earlier origins: its position overlooking the valley could have been ideal for watchtowers in previous centuries. The central part of the entrance, built on a recessed wall, dates back to the 15th century. The main building overlooks a shaded, enclosed courtyard.
The west wing
From the entrance, a stone switchback staircase with a wrought iron balustrade made by a master metalworker climbs to the rooms on the first floor. The floor is paved with marble tiles, as are some of the other rooms on the level. This space also includes a wardrobe plus a lavatory and is followed by two reception rooms. The first is a lounge with 18th-century wood panelling and terracotta floor tiles, plus a brick fireplace. It opens onto the rear patio. Next to it, a lengthy kitchen includes two exits to the exterior, one via a recently installed door onto the 140-m² terrace and another to the entrance courtyard. Two extra rooms, namely the scullery and boiler room, can be reached from the courtyard via the kitchen. On the ...
