Spectacular Historic House
For Sale in the Languedoc, South of France

14th Century Fortified House with up to 61 ha. of Pasture & Woodland completely renovated and in excellent condition

344m² Living Accommodation over Three Floors
117m² Garaging & Stores + 250m² Modern Barn
Outstanding Location
No other properties in sight
Minutes from Village and Market Town
Located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, a short drive from Spain, Andorra and Mediterranean beaches
Airports at Carcassonne 50 minutes' drive and Perpignan 70 minutes' drive (both less than two hours' flight from the UK)

Drawing Room 86m²
Living Room 32m²
Dining Room 16m²
Entrée 21m²
Office
Fitted Kitchen
Eight Bedrooms
Five Bathrooms

Fully Fenced Parc Gardens of about 1 ha. with Swimming Pool

The Property may be acquired with as much or as little land as required

LOCATION

The Domaine straddles the confluence of two streams in the foothills of the Pyrénées. Built as a stronghold, it stands in a commanding position with an outlook down three valleys. Now it is a place of tranquility, there is not another house that can see it or can be seen from it. At night the only lights that can be seen are those of a car occasionally traversing a distant hill. Yet, because of the contours of the land, the village of St. Julia de Bec is only 1½ km. away and the town of Quillan is 8 km. or a 15 minute drive.

The Domaine lies in the Haute Vallée de L’Aude which is centred on Quillan, a town of about 3 500 inhabitants. It was formerly renowned for hat making, but now it is a cultural, sporting and recreational centre. The town has benefited from National and E.U. aid in respect of its infrastructure and amenities. Throughout the year there are sporting and cultural events including a motor racing hill climb, boules tournament, international cycling race, canoeing competitions & white water rafting on the fast flowing river Aude, international folk dancing festival and numerous concerts of all genres of music.

There are over ten ski stations within a 45 to 90 min. drive. Mediterranean beaches and Spanish border are also about 90 min. away. Nearer at hand are numerous lakes that offer water sports and swimming. The area is also known as the Pays Cathare and contains a large number of not only stone châteaux perched on rocky peaks but magnificent mediaeval cités including the world famous one at Carcassonne.

ACCESSABILITY

International Airports Carcassonne 50 min. Ryanair

Perpignan 70 min. Ryanair, Flybe, BMIbaby, Air France

Toulouse 105 min. Easyjet, Air France, Flybe + many others

Auto routes & TGV Carcassonne 45 & 55 min. Bordeaux/Montpelier and Paris

Perpignan 60 & 80 min. Spain and the North

THE DOMAINE

In the 14 th Century, the French king, Phillipe le Bel (Philip the Fair) decreed that Sainte Eugénie and four other nearby villages be constructed to defend the land against a possible resurgence of the Cathars.

Each village was to have a château or fortified house in a dominant position and a chapel or church.

The village of Sainte Eugénie fell into disrepair in the 16 th Century and the land was divided between the three adjacent communes, so that all that remains today is the fortified house of The Domaine de Sainte Eugénie.

There are the ruins of a watch tower on the hill behind the house, from which it was possible to see all five villages and signal in the event of an attack.

The land holds an abundance of wild flowers, butterflies, and wildlife as it has been farmed organically for nearly twenty years.

There is about 2 km. of stream passing through the fields.

Y ou can see the property and appreciate its position and view on Google Earth at: 42° 52’ 51.36” N - 2° 14’ 37.33” E

Elevation 1210 feet.

THE HOUSE

The position is dominant, it faces South set into the side of the valley and is built on three levels, each one having its own ground level entrance.

Although many of the walls are insulated, their width of 50 cm. to 90 cm. means that it is hardly needed.

The ground floor is solid concrete and covered with tiles, parquet or carpet. The upper floors are timber boards or parquet and the stairs are a mixture of timber and tiles.

The roofs are tiled in the local style, have non ferrous flashings and are well insulated.

The structure is in a good state of repair, having been progressively refurbished over the last twenty years.

Ground Floor/R. de C. total floor area 78,6m²

Living Room / Sejour

6,5m x 5,0m (32,5m²)
South facing glass doors to terrace
beamed fireplace with wood burning stove
tiled floor
stairs up to first floor

Walk in cupboard to WC with basin, tiled floor, 2,8m x 1,0m (2,8m²)

Kitchen/Cuisine

4,3m x 2,7m (11,6m²)
South window
A range of wall & base units with 1.5 sink unit, gas/elec hob, elec oven, microwave, dish washer, fridge/freezer recess, corner oak benches and table
Tiled floor

Dining Room (Salle à Manger)

5,5m x 3,0m (16,5m²)
South facing window
oak parquet floor
two phone lines

Office / Bureau

4,9m x 3,0m (15,2m²)
(South)
carpeted floor,
two phone lines,
two walk in cupboards, one with fitted shelves & laminate floor and one with tiled floor,

First Floor/R. + 1 total floor area 85,3m²

Doors from parking and garage to

Lobby / Hall

1,9m 1,3m (2,5m²)
West Facing Window
tiled floor,

Hall / Entrée

5,0m x 4,2m (21m²)
South facing window
doors to balcony
phone line
stairs up & down
parquet floor

WC

1,6m x 1,0m(1,6m²)
basin
tiled floor

Bedroom / Chambre

5,5m x 2,8m (15,4m²)
2 South facing windows
varnished boards

En-suite Bathroom

1,9m x 1,5m(2,8m²)
South facing window
shower
basin,
cupboards
tiled floor,

Bedroom/Chambre 8

3,4m x 2,9m (9,8m²)
South facing window
varnished boards,
Potential use as Nursery bedroom having door to Bedroom 1

Bedroom / Chambre 1

7,3m x 3,1m (22,6m²)
2 South facing windows
two built in wardrobes with hanging rails, shelves & drawers
carpeted floor

En-suite Bathroom to Bedroom 1

3,2m x 3,0m (9,6m²)
South facing window + North facing window
bath with shower
double basin
WC
bidet
tiled floor

Second Floor / R. + 2

total floor area 180,0m²

Drawing Room / Salon

9.8m x 8.8m (86.0m²)
3 West windows & 1 North window
double doors to ground level
carved stone fireplace
parquet floor
high beamed ceiling
two phone lines

Landing/Palier

9,6m x 2,0m (19,2m²)
2 Skylights
stairs down
linen cupboard
varnished boards,

WC

1,5m x 1,0m (1,5m²)
WC basin
tiled floor

Bedroom 3 / Chambre 3

3,6m x 3,4m (12,2m²)
South facing window
carpeted floor

En-suite Bathroom

2,1m x 1,8m (3,8m²)
Skylight
shower
basin
cupboards
tiled floor

Bedroom 4 / Chambre 4

3,4m x 3,1m (10,5m²)
South facing window
basin with cupboard under hot water tank cupboard
carpeted floor

Lobby / Hall off Landing with laminate floor 1,9m x 1,3m (5,0m²) to

Bedroom 7 / Chambre 7

3,5m x 3,0m (10,5m²)
Skylight
laminate floor
phone line

Potential use as Nursery bedroom having door to

Bedroom / Chambre 5

3,5m x 3,0m (10,5m²)
North facing window
full length double windows,
laminate floor,

En-suite bathroom to Bedroom 5

3,4m x 1,4m (4,8m²)
Skylight
walk in shower
basin with cupboards under
WC
tiled floor

adjacent to the above but reached by a wrought iron staircase from the parking is

Bedroom/Chambre 6

(West & North)
laminate floor,
phone line,
3,3m x 3,1m (10,2m²)

En-suite to Bedroom 6

3,4m x 1,7m (5,8m²)
Skylight
bath with shower
basin with cupboard under
WC
hanging cupboard
tiled floor

OUTSIDE

total floor area 117,0m²

Store / Locale East

4,7m x 3,1m (14,6m²)
adjacent to the kitchen,
plumbing for washing machine,
points for freezers & fridges,
pool controls,
concrete floor

Store / Locale West

3,3m x 3,1m (10,2m²)
beneath the en-suite bathroom to first floor bedroom 1
basin
WC
concrete floor

Wood Store / Remise

2,6m x 2,3m (6,0m²)
open fronted to South
adjoins Locale West

Garage at first floor level

9,8m x 8,8m (86,2m²)
off parking and beneath the Salon
up and over door
window to East
plumbing for washing machine
electricity fuse boards
water meters
work bench
concrete floor

THE GARDEN

area about 1 ha. or 2½ acres

Parc

The “parc” is fully fenced, the house stands towards its centre and there is vehicular access to all three levels. The grounds include:

mature evergreen and deciduous trees,
shrubs,
flower beds,
a tarmac parking area and pavé
terrace running the length of the house of about 140m² with BBQ & loggia.

Swimming pool

9.0m x 4.7m
roman steps,
terracing
sun bathing lawn

Barn / Hangar

25,0m x 10,0m
concrete floor
mains electricity
water

SERVICES

Mains electricity with 60 amp. earth trip, fuse board zoned with circuit breakers.
Mains water with supply separately metered to ground and upper floors.
Septic tank drainage, latest specification all waters system & filter beds installed in 2005.
Bottle gas to hob in kitchen.
Two telephone lines.
Space heating by electric convectors and two fireplaces.
Hot water by four independent electric tanks.