At the borders of the Occitan and Oïl languages, in the Auvergne and Bourbonnais regions, this "Rivière Sylvestre" valley, mentioned as early as the 5th century by Sidonius Apollinaris, boasts an exceptional historical, architectural, and religious heritage, complemented by rolling landscapes with profound views and the sweetness of life afforded by a temperate climate. There are no nuisances in this site where only water and birds sing, so charming that to live there forever, the castle was reshaped according to the tastes of the centuries, from the 12th to the 17th. And it is no longer a military architecture castle that presents its east and west facades to the sun in the valley, but an unparalleled place of Renaissance pleasure, intertwined between the river and stream that once formed its defensive moats. The honor path descends towards the esplanade bordered by the wide Rivière Sylvestre, where one discovers the east facade of the castle, flanked by round and quadrangular towers. Close to the castle, the current chapel (classified and inscribed as a historical monument), built in the Carolingian era for the dedication to the veneration of the relics of Saint Quintien of Auvergne (according to Saint Gregory of Tours), currently has the Romanesque style brought in the 12th century when it became the village church, and the foundations of the castle were laid. Three eastern absidioles with sculpted modillions remain, preceding the remnants of columns with polychrome capitals. The nave needs reconstruction (grants and tax exemptions possible). This exceptional manor deserves its partial classification as a Historic Monument: it is one of the prototypes of harmonious Bourbonnais architecture, combining medieval and Renaissance Arts periods in family proportions. Numerous original and remarkable elements testify to this. The medieval foundations of this former fortress, over a meter thick around high vaulted cellars (1.2 to 1.4 m visible at the foot of the rounded taluted tower), support a building built of millenary schist, adorned with bright local stone, bisque-rosé, which also constructs the northeast square tower in cut stone. Facades inscribed on the additional list of historical monuments. The elegant west facade, flanked by a hexagonal barbican tower that protected the main doorway, still surmounted by the motto of the local family, eponymous, "by Peace and by Arms", houses the spiral stone staircase, finished with a very beautiful tulip reminiscent of the family coat of arms "gold with a lily of gules." The high mullioned windows illuminate vast rooms, and a pleasant terrace grants access to the receptions of the first level eastward. Rare receptions in this sober region, where this Bourbonnais noble family of "ordinary gentlemen of the King's Chamber, lieutenant-generals, marshals of the camps and armies of the King" established their residence. 1st level (over 200 m²): Vaulted vestibule: (10 m², terracotta) leading to * the vaulted medieval kitchen, 27 m² furnished and equipped, paved with original stones: fireplace with arch lintel occupying the entire north wall; * the straight stone staircase leading to the toilets. Reception rooms with rare and admirable Baroque frescoes depicting biblical and mythological women (see photos for their names): * the current dining room 30 m² (former alcove bedroom): painted Baroque fireplace (Hester) like the doors and ceilings (Selene and Artemis); * the east-west living room (over 70 m², opening onto the terrace): monumental Renaissance fireplace with a stone mantel on columns, French ceilings; * circular boudoir of the turret 5 m²; * office and its boudoir 28 m² (former alcove bedroom): painted Baroque decorations in the fireplace trumeau (Porcia), on the ceiling (Bellona, goddess of War) and in the alcove (cherub resting); * south library, 26 m², all clad in wood, with classic stone fireplace. According to the In Situ Heritage review, it was during a stay in Bourbonnais that the painter Isaac Moillon (from the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture), in his Grand Century period, honored the cathedral of Moulins with his works, as well as various Bourbonnais and Auvergne chateaus. Level 2 (over 200 m²): The wide spiral staircase of the barbican tower, illuminated by period bays, leads to the north pavilion on one side, and to the corridor serving the rooms on the east facade on the other (woodwork, terracotta). Exposed or coffered French ceilings for * 5 vast rooms very bright thanks to the high windows with old blown glass, including the pleasant round room of the tower (lava stone fireplace), and * the lordly room with monumental fireplace on stylized piers; * 2 bathrooms (+ toilets), and 2 shower rooms (+ toilets). Level 3 of the towers (approximately 90 m²): * the room of the large round tower, with magnificent original framing, with a bathroom, * room with a shower room; small spiral stone staircase: room above. Three ATTICS (with original framing): accessible by the large spiral staircase finished with an elegant tulip with coat of arms and lily flower. Central body attic (80 m² on the ground, with diagonal braces forming a farm, double roof with St. Andrew's cross), that of the south pavilion 75 m² on the ground (identical framing); * attic of the northeast square tower, higher, with triple roof (15 m²). Central heating with fuel (Chappée boiler from 2004); sanitation to be rehabilitated; property tax 10,000 €. THE OUTBUILDINGS: forming an enclosure accessible by the west gate, the outbuildings, in a quadrangular courtyard, present a set of fitted buildings. The former farmhouse: 1) superb duplex apartment (230 m²): * garden level with large dining room to the east, fitted kitchen; sanitary facilities (including disabled standards); in the fitted attic: * cathedral living room with fireplace, 4 bedrooms each with shower room and toilets; * 2) at garden level: apartment (65 m²) with a living room, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms; fitted kitchen. The garages: facade side castle featuring turret and exposed stone, the 5 closed garages face the courtyard of the outbuildings, alongside three open garages. Sanitary facilities and storage. The concierge (caretaker's pavilion), just at the entrance of the enclosure and also giving outside: * apartment (4 rooms, 85 m²): south room, kitchen, two bedrooms separated by two bathrooms; courtyard level, "technical" level side outbuildings: garage, cellar, boiler room, storage... Well (source). The Cahute du Roc: built against the slope of the rock, at the bottom of the esplanade, by the river, this tiny house has the charm of letting the raw rock enter into daily use: small room leading into small kitchen and rising by a spiral to small mezzanine. And the technical room of the pool to be renovated. The 14.4 ha land draws around the castle a clearing in esplanade, protected to the south by the natural schist walls of the former gorges of the river, clusters, large trees of various ornamental species, lining the honor path leading down to the captured spring; the esplanade framed on the west by two alleys of chestnut trees, and protected to the north, along its entire length, by the wide river (category 1, gorges in Natura 2000 "birds" and ZNIEFF), itself bordered by woods and owned rocks. No neighbors, no nuisances... especially since the site itself benefits from these natural protections. This jewel of pleasure architecture, formerly military, has been completely respected in the charm and harmony of the original elements undamaged by intensive modern developments. Of family dimension, this manor also possesses an internal layout compatible with modern living. Its external domain, over 14 ha, offers it a perimeter of tranquility complemented by the enjoyment of a calm, very accessible region, and geographically varied. A historical residence, the manor also has the advantages of historical monuments, sought after for their label, their grants, and their "tax exemption". Grants possible for the chapel too. This extraordinary property, hidden in the midst of a smiling valley (ask for the notice of the Lys Bourbonnais on this region), and many charming historical towns, surrounded by forests and rocky knolls (river gorges, ancient Gallo-Roman sites, medieval strongholds, towns and abbeys with melodious names, commanderies of Hospitallers or Templars...), is only: • 5 minutes from the small businesses of a historical town • 15 minutes from all small and large shops in Gannat, the sub-prefecture with a college, and high school. Train station. • 30 minutes from Riom, less than 45 km from Clermont-Ferrand airport (35 km from the motorway) • 15 minutes access to A 71 Paris (4 h) and Clermont-Ferrand (airport). • Less than 20 minutes to A 89 (towards Bordeaux / Thiers) • 30 minutes from the thermal towns of Vichy (classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Saint-Yorre, welcoming walkers and spa-goers attracted to the beneficent waters of the god Borvo (tourist and practical interest sheet from Lys Bourbonnais). Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: www.georisques.gouv.frThis description has been automatically translated from French.
… 
View the 16 photos
match immobilier