Description
Converted Apple-press dating from 1801 situated in an unspoilt rural commune. Open views over agricultural land in all directions
The house was created out of a classic, 'L'-shaped, apple press of unusually large proportions (floorplate :- 130m²; height :- ground-to-ridgeplate 7,3m²)
The original timber frame as well as the footings of stone and 'brique St. Jean' have been preserved. Exposed original beams and trusses are to be found throughout the property.
Renovation was carried out between 2005 and 2008 by local artisans, all career-specialists in restoring timber-framed buildings
Location
6 kms from the market town of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, with its restaurants, bars, shops, chemist, bank, doctors' surgery, post office, etc., 18 kms from Lisieux, 45 kms (50 mins) from the coast
Easy road access by motorway from Boulogne (3 hours), and routes nationales from Cherbourg (2 hours) and Ouistreham 1 hour 10 minutes
The local train station at Lisieux serves Paris (1hr 35 mins) and the coast (Trouville, Deauville and Cabourg) as well as Caen and Cherbourg.
Benefits
- All utilities : water, electrical supply and sanitation are new.
- New double glazed timber windows, and internal and external doors. New roof.
- Bedrooms and bathrooms have dormer windows (no Velux)
- South-West facing
- Set in agricultural land under cultivation (wheat, or fallow) or with horses grazing
- Calm but not isolated
- Bright interior
- New sanitation facility (2007) in strict conformity with latest legislation
- Fully insulated double-skin walls. Electric central heating
- VMC (automatic controlled ventilation system) for kitchen and bathrooms
- Certificates of conformity for the private drainage and electrical installation are available, as are 'clean-bill-of-health' surveys re lead, woodworm, asbestos etc.
Opportunity to influence final fit-out :
The house is undergoing final fit-out. A potential buyer may wish to specify :
- kitchen design and layout
- fireplace
- parquet flooring (upstairs)
- colour tint to torchis (entre colombages)
- surface covering for drive and parking areas
The owner will project-manage, if requested, the execution of these and any other specifications.
He can besides assist the buyer in any procedures associated with the purchase of the property. He has lived in France for 18 years, locally for the past 5 years, and is bilingual French-English.
Other Information
The Village
Vieux-Pont-en-Auge is a small commune, (275 inhabitants), located in the the apple growing area of Basse Normandie. A considerable number of old apple-presses are to be seen in this area. This house is a fine example.
Unlike other Communes, the Mairie of Vieux Pont adopts a hard line on planning permission, imposing rigid conditions as to the choice of building material, even to the point of specifying types of hedging allowed. Only a few dwellings are not of the traditional oak-timber-framed construction (maisons en colombages). New-build housing is rare but where it does exist the architecture incorporates the timber-frame hallmark.
Today agriculture is still the principal activity. As a result Vieux-Pont retains an 18th and 19th century aspect, peaceful, unspoilt.
French Administration
- Taxes d'habitation/foncière - not yet rated (new building - 1st occupation). Under review by French Administration
Contact Details
For further information and/or to arrange a visit, please contact the owner:
Paul Keall
Tel: 0033 231 200 878
Mobile: 0033 608 046 958
Email: paul.keall@wanadoo.fr