Auvillar, Midi-Pyrénées 82340

OverviewSet in the heart of the historic village of Auvillar, on the ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella, this property has a fascinating history that has unrolled over centuries.Pilgrims have rested their tired feet in the airy bedrooms on the first and second floors, and local diners have enjoyed excellent meals on the terraces and in the traditional wood-floored dining rooms on the first floor while their children played in the lush green gardens.In recent years, the restaurant has closed, and the pilgrims have been forced to go elsewhere, but their echoes remain in the still halls and tall windows. Today, this property is in a state of waiting, looking for a new owner, a new vision to define its future.The situation of the property is ideal for those looking to develop a project for several reasons, the first of which is the location: we are in the centre of a beautiful and carefully preserved village that dates back at least to the 11th century, although archeologists have found Roman artifacts that presuppose a much earlier settlement.This property has its own, perhaps not as ancient, history, and is ready to move on to the next stage. Due to the number of tourists and pilgrims who visit the town every year, and specifically the historic square where this property is situated, the possibility of attracting clients is far higher than in other more secluded locations.Ground floorThe front door of this property opens onto a large reception hall with black & white chequered flooring and a lovely winding staircase on one side. In front of us is the enclosed courtyard, where a pretty white cat gives us a disdainful look before wandering into the gardens beyond.We can choose to go up or forward, and for now we choose to go forward, across the courtyard into a large studio with impossibly high ceilings, stripped wooden floors and exposed brick & stone walls. This is a beautiful room that is made even more attractive by the gallery that adjoins it and leads from it to the gardens.Originally open to the elements, the gallery has at some point in time been enclosed by large windows to protect the flagstone flooring, the ancient brickwork in shades of faded burnt sienna, and the stone buttressing that holds up the first floor of the house.This is a stunning space that deserves to be highlighted and preserved.1st apartmentBeyond the gallery, a second door leads to a small caretakers apartment comprising a wide hall, a big bedroom with a shower and a sink in one corner, a large laundry room/kitchen space and a separate Wc. This part of the property is in need of some refreshing.There is direct access to the first garage here, and a door leads back to the courtyard, and beyond, to the staircase.First floorThe ancient wooden staircase curves up to the first floor, where the original brickwork has been carefully exposed and cleaned, as have the beautiful old ceramic tiles.Here there are two separate sections that can be kept as two independent apartments or potentially reunited to create a large family home.2nd apartmentA door on the left-hand side of the landing opens to reveal a charming private apartment which comprises a large kitchen, two big, elegant bedrooms, a shower room and a separate Wc. A door in the kitchen opens onto a large private terrace.This space could ideally comprise a one-bedroom apartment with a large living room, and the existing kitchen, but the bathroom here, as elsewhere in the property, will need to be replaced.Restaurant apartmentOn the other side of the landing, a long wide corridor with one wall of windows leads to the former restaurant. Here we find, in addition to the storage areas and Wc, a big sunny kitchen with access to the first-floor terrace. Beyond it are the former dining rooms, which are characterized by high ceilings, wide plank flooring, two elegant fireplaces and glass doors accessing the terrace.This area was probably originally two or even three rooms but now has been opened