House with poolChirols (07)

Nestling at an altitude of 650 m on a mountainside not far from Aubenas, this former fortified farmhouse with its 15th century foundations has a proud appearance. It was renovated by the current owners using a solid network of local craftsmen.
The verdant terraced exteriors have been rigorously contained to showcase the property to its best advantage. The chestnut tree is king here.
An organic vegetable garden, a small ornamental pond and a heated swimming pool are fed by the precious springs that flow through the heart of the hamlet. The cleverly tiered landscaped garden also provides a number of places to relax and share, such as the spacious terrace topped by a beautiful local timber frame. It sits on the site of an old fortified tower, with an uninterrupted view over the valley and the Ardèche mountains.
The building is now used as a tourist attraction, as are the first two floors, which house five guest rooms inspired by the architecture and décor of the area: the original vaulted ceilings, the local granite with lime pointing, the alternating volumes, the pastel colours and the wood panelling are all inspired by natural materials.
The beautifully appointed bedrooms all have en suite shower rooms and toilets. There is also an additional communal area, under a vaulted ceiling, with a kitchenette and a lovely lounge.
Guests are offered a full range of wellness activities. Nothing has been left to chance: a lava stone sauna discreetly housed in the old fortified tower, an invigorating jacuzzi with a breathtaking view, bubbling whirlpool baths and a massage room all have their place in the building.
The private areas are spread across the upper levels. The top floor, with its well-kept entrance hall, opens onto a beautifully renovated living space that benefits from additional thermal comfort thanks to effective under-roof insulation, solar-powered roller shutters and aluminium picture windows.
A contemporary kitchen opens onto a large dining room with fireplace, leading to a bedroom and a large, cosy lounge with oak parquet flooring, bathed in light from the adjacent outdoor terrace.
A staircase takes you down to the lower floor, where the sleeping area comprises three bedrooms, each with its own shower room and toilet, not forgetting an essential dressing room and a perfectly laid-out utility room.
As you will have gathered, this inspiring setting is fully in keeping with an eco-responsible approach, given the discreet presence of 23 solar panels, the high-performance combined wood and pellet boiler and the spring water supplying the house.
Any project dedicated to a hospitality activity will be sustainable. What's more, the tools are already in place, with the possibility of creating gîtes.
There's also no doubt that a large group of siblings will be able to make this timeless building their own.
ENERGY CLASS: C / CLIMATE CLASS: A.
Estimated average annual energy costs for standard use, based on 2021 energy prices: between euros2,981 and euros4,033.