Property Ref: 659

Property Name: Stone farmhouse
Town/Village: DARRE CASTEL
Nearest larger town: PENNE D'AGENAIS

Pool: YES

Location:

Exceptional 15 ha property, old stone farmhouse. Sunny orientation. Big swimming pool, garage 80 m2. Outdoor room 100 m2. Modern comfort. Old fireplaces. Well in front of the house and spring.
340 m2 living space. Panoramic view over the river Lot. Within walking distance of village Penne d'Agenais. All facilities nearby.


« Darre Castel » means « Behind the Castle » in middle age French of the region of Aquitaine.

This farmhouse, with its frontal stone dated 1623 (but with a much earlier history) lies indeed behind what was once a castle belonging to Richard Lionheart, who got it from his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of Henri II, king of England.

This property is located in “Penne d’Agenais”, which translates as “Pinnacle of the land of Agen”. Penne d’Agenais sits on top of a hill overlooking the river Lot and its valley as well as the small village of “Port de Penne” (harbour of Penne), at its foot, which was constructed in Roman times. The Romans used this river as a highway.

The village is located halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse, “as the crow flies”.

Penne d’Agenais was a walled-in castle and village. It was also an official pilgrim stop for those who made the pilgrimage on foot from Burgundy to Santiago de Compostelo in Spain. The castle burnt down but the medieval village and its walls are still completely restored (some photos shown). Near the castle, a neo-gothic Roman Catholic Basilica was built about 100 years ago. It is illuminated at night and visible from the residence of “Darre Castel”, above it, which provides a romantic view at night.

During its long history, this 15 hectare property was farmed and the remains of many fruit trees attest to that, as well as plum and walnut orchards which were farmed until 20 years ago.

The 15 hectares lie “drapped” as it were, around the mountain in a pie shape from the village wall down. The old farmhouse is now restored and made into a charming and comfortable house, with landscaping and a swimming pool.

It is situated off the main road to Penne, totally private and quiet with an electric remote controlled gate at the beginning of a (hidden) driveway. Views from the north, east and west are all panoramic and far-reaching over the river and valley toward the next range of hills.

Penne d’Agenais is 30 minutes by car from the old city of “Agen” (even less by train). From there, local trains and the TGV whisk you anywhere you want to go. Also the “autoroutes” (super highways) are accessible from the house in 30 minutes. Paris is about 4 hours from there. From the house, supermarkets, shops and “fresh” bakeries are at walking distance.

At 10 km, is the medieval “Bastide” of “Villeneuve” with many large shopping malls in its surroundings, specialty shops in the centre of the old city and several markets on the charming, historic city square.

Prunes, figs and walnuts (on the property), fruits, vegetables, wine as well as foie-gras are the traditional agricultural products here, and in midsummer large golden fields of sunflowers cover the hills.

Accomodation:

After leaving the car in an out-of-sight parking lot, one enters the house from a large paved, roofed-in, open space (nearly 100 square meters), providing either shelter from rain or shade from the sun, under which there is an outdoor summer sitting area as well as a large dining table with a view of the old plum tree orchard and the Basilica above.

A small hallway leads into the “old house”: a sitting room with original fireplace and old well-head under the staircase to the 2^nd floor. This gives way to a smaller sitting room with a door to the terrace and view of the swimming pool.

This room in turn opens up to the dining room, which also has double doors to the dining table. The kitchen is located behind the dining room and although small has a gorgeous view over the valley.

On this level is a “powder room” (toilet and washbasin). A passage lined with large storage cupboards, leads to the master bedroom, dressing room / study and bathroom (with bath, double washbasins, shower and toilet). Again, these rooms have a splendid view of the river and valley. On this level also, to the right of the entrance hall is the “grange” or “old stable” converted into a large sitting room with fireplace and billiard table. Beyond this is a small self-contained apartment with 2 bedrooms, a small bathroom (shower, washbasin and toilet) and a kitchenette (sink, fridge, laundry etc). Behind this is a covered garage to store two cars, heavy land maintenance equipment (such as a tractor), fuel tank and more storage space.

On the upper level are three bedrooms plus a large bathroom with double washbasins, shower, toilet and laundry / dryer. A skylight gives plenty of light for make-up and shaving.

This house has all the modern-day comforts and is beautifully designed and furnished by the owner, a professional designer Countess Ariane de Saryusz Bielska.

NB.1. For those who are interested in hunting and shooting, the 15 hectares of land offer a mixture of forest, meadow and dense shrubs. Deer and small game as well as wild birds find refuge here. Breeding game is an option.

NB.2. Interior furnishings of excellent quality can be taken over.

Price: €895,000

Contacts:
Owner name: Mrs A. Steger
Tel/fax: 00 31 70 35 42 448 (Holland) or 00 33 553 41 38 57 (France)
Mobile: 00 31 61 33 11 520
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