15th Century Mill, Midi Pyrénées

Price: €375,000 = £256,850

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Fully Restored 15th Century Mill set on 4 acres of Wooded Hills plus Your Own Fishing River and Stream. Near St Gaudens

Floor area (approx m²):  232  Land (approx m²) 14,362

Condition  Habitable  Bedrooms:  4

Bathrooms:  2 

This mill has been beautifully restored and is set in idyllic surroundings, seemingly miles away from anywhere but actually within minutes of a market town and less than an hour to the centre of Toulouse. And at this price, you’d better be quick! It’s the perfect time of year to see it as spring blossoms.

Cross two little bridges that traverse your own river and stream and you are immediately taken by the picture postcard image of the mill. Straddling the stream and framed by lovely trees, you are struck at once by the beauty of this property. Once inside, the sympathetic restoration instantly exudes its charm and warmth. You know right away that this is something special and will be impressed with the country charm.

As in most country properties in France, one normally enters directly into the kitchen. You’d expect nothing less from a country who considers food to be at the heart of most relationships! Although fitted with all modern appliances, including a 7 burner stainless steel Belling Cook Centre and American style double-door fridge, its handmade French oak cupboards, hand-tiled work surface, Canterbury China sink and its beamed ceiling reflect the character and history of the house. This is an eat-in kitchen which currently accommodates a table for 8. However, directly off the kitchen is a large roofed outdoor patio where you will enjoy many an alfresco meal. The current owners eat most of their meals here from April through to November.

Inside, the kitchen leads into the large open plan lounge room, again with beamed ceilings and architectural recesses in the walls. This is a large bright room a wood-burning stove. However, the main interest in this room is the glass-covered sluice gate, with views over stream that runs under the house. There are double French doors also leading to another patio area with views over the fields, woods and river. If you inclined to have a more formal entrance, this could be it. However, when in France…….

On the upper two levels you will find 4 enormous bedrooms, the smallest of which is 25m2. These rooms just ooze charm, with exposed beamed ceiling, fireplaces (in 2), and oak floors (in 2). Each floor hosts two bedrooms. The accommodation is serviced by two bath/shower rooms, one on each floor, both of which are completely new – including plumbing! The beauty of this arrangement is that you can keep the top floor for guests, never having to worry about it until just before and just after your guests arrive! How practical is that?

The house also boasts a separate office space and mezzanine while the outbuildings consist of a large 2 storey stone garage, the upper floor of which can easily be turned into a gite or guest house. The exposed stone walls and beamed ceilings of this space would make a fabulous self-contained flat. The garage itself is currently used as a workshop, fuel store (for central heating) and to park the ride on mower (also for sale!).

This is a perfect setting for that change of lifestyle that you’ve been seeking. It is tranquillity itself yet accessible to so much. Just one hour to the city of Toulouse, an outlet for any cultural, commercial and gastronomic cravings you may get. But stay in the area, and you have everything that you’re likely to want: Market towns with wonderful year-round home-grown produce, specialty cheese, and local crafts; supermarkets that even carry English specialties; gourmet and/or family restaurants and cafes. Some specific examples: Aurignac, a lovely historic town has a museum, swimming pool, a couple of small bars and restaurants, a post office and essential shops and is only 5 minutes away.. St Gaudens is a larger town 25 minutes away with supermarkets, a larger range of shops and restaurants, and a large weekly market.

Considering the surrounding countryside, it’s not surprising that this area is a mecca for walkers and lovers of nature and wildlife. Certainly fishing is a big here, and you’ll especially love the trout from your river! In the winter, there is easy access to the ski resorts of Luchon and St Lary, the former of which is also known for its thermal baths. The big Spanish ski resort at Bequire Berat is less than 90 minutes from the mill. And you have your choice of the Atlantic or Mediterranean coasts to explore as well – you’ll be midway between them – only 2-1/2 hours to either. You will also be only 50 minutes from the Spanish border, where thanks to lower taxes you can pick top up the drinks cupboard with cheap alcohol.

Just 10 minutes away is Aurignac. This really lovely historic town has a museum, swimming pool, a couple of small bars and restaurants, a post office and essential shops. St Gaudens is a larger town 25 minutes away with supermarkets, a larger range of shops, and a large market.
The property is also very accessible. It is only 10 minutes from an autoroute exit, which makes driving from airports an easy option. Within 45 minutes, there is Toulouse International Airport, as well as Pau Airport (1 hour), serviced by Air France and RyanAir.