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 caretaker's 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 to form what was most certainly a charming and convivial restaurant dining room. Today it has preserved the charm of the original proportions while offering the open plan living space that is so prized in our era.As mentioned, a wide terrace runs the length of the building here and offers views over the gardens, which are accessible by an outside staircase.Behind the dining rooms, there are two bedrooms, one of which has a handbasin in the corner.The entire first floor could easily be reimagined as a large comfortable living space for a family.Second floor apartmentThe staircase continues up to the second floor, where there are a further three bedrooms and a family bathroom, as well as a large open space that seems to have served as a living area. There is no kitchen here, but one could easily be installed. All the windows in this area are double-glazed.A small box room includes a door leading to the huge attic, should a buyer feel the need to expand the living quarters.GardensThere are gardens on three sides of the property, which are accessible both from the house and also by means of two separate gates, one on each side of the property. One of the gates also leads to a separate garden with a second garage at the far end.The gardens feature lawns, mature trees and shrubs, as well as flowers and pretty walkways.Here at BlissWe loved the idea of having such big gardens in the centre of the village, especially such an exceptional village as this. There is the potential for a huge family home, where everyone can have a large bedroom and there is room for lots of different hobbies and communal spaces.On an entirely different note, this property would make an amazing boutique hotel or private club, if planning permission can be granted.The convenience of two closed garages, as well as ample room for more private parking, is an attractive extra for potential investors.This is a property that will require an as yet undetermined amount of renovation, notably in terms of energy efficiency and plumbing, but the results could be spectacular!