luxury property with panoramic view for sale Rocamadour, France

A medieval manor, redesigned in the 18th century, perched upon a plateau in France’s Quercy province with a sweeping view of the River Dordogne. The manor stands where lanes cross paths, upon the Gramat plateau, where it enjoys a commanding position with views of the entire Dordogne valley. Indeed, the panoramic vista stretches to the Auvergne hills and the Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux. Over time, the hamlet provided the manor with outbuildings, before its population dwindled. Today, the hamlet still includes a little farm, which is in business and produces walnuts. This farm lies beside the property. With its elegant dovecote tower, the property brings together, in a harmonious L-shaped arrangement, a main section and a series of little dwellings, once inhabited by the estate’s 40 vineyard workers and artisan coopers. So a self-sufficient life of labour was enjoyed on the site. The protective enclosure formed by the layout of buildings bears witness to the estate’s small, hard-working community of yesteryear, at once focused on its own world and open to the world around it. The hamlet was already indicated on the Cassini Map – the first detailed map of France – so we know it existed before 1789. Yet arrow slits low down in the walls and the remains of a spiral staircase suggest that a fortification stood here before, doubtless during the Hundred Years’ War. The same family inhabited the manor from 1600 to 1785, as dates engraved here and there tell us. The edifice took on its current form at the start of the 18th century, when there was a drive to make fortresses more comfortable and brighter. Later, in the early 20th century, it was modernised with electricity and upper-middle-class comfort. During the Second World War, the manor, with its hamlet, formed an important site for the French Resistance, for which it served as a prime look-out. The manor was then neglected unjustly. But it was restored at the end of the 20th century and the current owners later created the warm, welcoming atmosphere that it offers today. All around the property, there is a natural backdrop with delightful luxuriance in the summer – this lush decor is the centrepiece of the site, which enjoys absolute privacy, nestled in France’s beautiful Quercy province.

A 17th-century manor house with a panoramic view, outbuildings, a swimming pool and helipad, in a 13-hectare estate, in the Limargue sector. The property is located in a farming hamlet that is very typical of the Limargue sector, in a dominant position on a ‘pech’, the name given locally to a hill. The manor house and its large courtyard to the north used for private parking can be found at the highest part of the estate and can be reached directly through a wrought-iron gate that opens off the country road running through the hamlet. There is another entrance via the south, via a long earthen track that winds through the fields, leading to the barn and hangars spread out through the 13-hectare estate. Opposite the splendidly looking manor house, built in 1608, restructured in 1688 and extended in 1823, there is a large building combining garage space and living space. It lines one side of the courtyard and separates the manor building from the other houses in the hamlet. The manor house and barn underwent extensive renovation work between 2002 and 2007. When work began, the manor house was in a state of near ruin and it took two full years of work to make this edifice alone habitable. The totally uninterrupted view takes in a succession of natural meadows bordered by hedges and woods. A long, 12-metres by 3-metres, salt-filtered, heated, granite swimming pool fitted with a waterfall fountain, counter-current swimming system and a security roller shutter that is fully concealed when open, has been installed to the northwest of the house. Alongside the earthen track that leads down to the vegetable garden, another barn has partially been converted into a fitness room. Further to the south, a helipad and its modern facilities have been smartly blended into the wooded countryside, away from view. On the other side of the valley, a third barn still serves its original agricultural purpose. At its southern tip, the property is enclosed by a naturally cultivated vegetable garden, an orchard and a storage hut. Not far from the vegetable garden, there is a 20-metres by 60-metres dressage area, next to which a hangar for the horses has been erected; there is also another shelter to the north, nearer to the residence. In the shade of a small wood, a natural pond into which a spring on the estate flows also stands on the property.

LOCATION Set in the heart of the Montpellier hinterland, this property enjoys an elevated position offering panoramic views. It is situated in a Mediterranean setting that has long been preserved through organic farming, nestled amongst vineyards, garrigue and rolling countryside. Its secluded location ensures absolute tranquillity, with completely private access. Situated near Gignac and Clermont l’Hérault, it combines the tranquillity of a country estate with good transport links. Montpellier and its airport are approximately 35–40 minutes away. The main roads are 5 minutes away and easily accessible. DESCRIPTION The property is set on a single plot of approximately 9 ha. It is a characterful estate centred around a fully restored 435 m² stone farmhouse (Mas), its outbuildings, a large swimming pool area and some land planted with vines. A fitted wine cellar allows the estate’s grapes to be vinified on site. The renovation of this very old farmhouse combines the character of the original architecture with resolutely contemporary fittings. The spacious rooms, stone vaults, materials and large windows lend the house an atmosphere that is at once elegant, light-filled and warm. An added bonus: there is an enclosed area set aside for a small equestrian facility with stables The property has been designed both for comfortable private living and for entertaining family and guests, with beautiful indoor and outdoor living spaces. BUILDINGS The MAIN HOUSE has a floor area of approximately 390 m²; it offers spacious rooms and comprises, in particular, four bedrooms, each with its own shower room or bathroom and toilet, and two large walk-in wardrobes, one of which is an air-conditioned loft-style space. The reception rooms play a prominent role in the house. Several stone-vaulted areas bear witness to the building’s ancient origins, whilst contemporary alterations have created bright and comfortable spaces. The kitchen was completely refurbished in 2021. Heating is provided by an air-to-water heat pump. The roof, which was re-tiled in 2008–2009, was insulated at the same time. A separate 45 m² FLAT, comprising two bedrooms and a shower room, completes the living area, providing accommodation for family and friends or for a caretaker. THE POOL AREA Outside, a spectacular 10 × 16-metre saltwater swimming pool is one of the property’s standout features. It is complemented by a fully equipped, top-of-the-range outdoor kitchen, a pool house and a spacious, furnished area ideal for entertaining. Together, they form a genuine outdoor reception area opening out onto the landscape. The farmhouse and pool area are enclosed, ensuring good security to protect children and pets. OUTBUILDINGS: A separate building of approximately 110 m² comprises a farm shed, storage areas and an air-conditioned office, as well as an underground cellar where the winemaking facilities have been fitted out. LAND The property comprises approximately 8,7 hectares, of which 4.8 ha are planted with IGP and AOP vines. The Mas is situated in the heart of the Languedoc garrigue. The entire estate has been fully organic for 20 years The estate is supplied with water by a productive borehole, and there is a spring that feeds a charming pond NOTE: Cellar and viticultural equipment are not included in this offer An enclosed area with a wooden fence for horses occupies part of the grounds; there are two stalls, each with a door and its own drinking trough, and a locked shed to store hay, straw and equestrian equipment OUR OPINION A unique property, which appeals above all through the combination of its historic architecture, the quality of its renovation and its spacious reception areas. The fact that it is grown using organic farming methods provides a healthy environment, making it a peaceful place for families, children and pets to live. This property is therefore equally suited to a project for a private residence with character or to a venture combining a lifestyle, hospitality and a wine-growing business to be developed, in a sought-after area of the Montpellier hinterland. CONTACT: Hélène DESSORT +33 6 14 60 32 32