Character 50 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Saint Cere, Midi-Pyrenees

692,000 EUR 595,120 GBP 747,360 USD

Reference: 243886

Bedrooms: 50
Bathrooms: 15
Floor Size: 2,200 m2
Plot Size: 1.85 hectares / 4.57 acres

Features

Terrace
Garden
Land
No Pool
Fireplace
Original Features
Possible Extra Dwellings
Outbuildings
Potential for Income
Countryside View
Private
Quiet Area
Parking
Garage
Traditional Style
Good Condition
May Require Improvement

Details

Ideally situated right in the heart of the Dordogne Valley, this historical former convent is ripe for development.

Built entirely of the local light coloured stone, the convent offers approximately 2,200m2 of habitable space which currently comprises of around 50 bedrooms and 25 meeting rooms.

The building presents a fabulous opportunity to create a boutique hotel, wellness space, school or retirement facility (subject to necessary permissions).

The large ground floor rooms, which were formerly offices, classrooms and social spaces, are ideal for meeting or event spaces, treatment rooms, studios, seminar rooms, and restaurant facilities. There are separate apartments ideal for staff accommodation and although no longer equipped, large rooms that previously served as a professional kitchen, cafeteria and cold store room.

The cloisters and very attractive walled gardens, of nearly 2 hectares, offer considerable opportunity for outside dining, event hosting or as a idyllic wedding venue.

The impressive architecture includes a bell tower, with a bell still in place, large chapel with delightful features including the original alter, and a second smaller chapel in the grounds.

A high stone wall encloses the large grounds, offering complete privacy, again ideal for an event venue. Vehicular access is possible and parking adequate for a commercial venue would be possible.

The building has seen relatively recent use and is in comparatively good order.

The large attic space remains untouched and could offer yet more opportunities (subject to necessary permissions).

With 5 million tourist nights spent annually in the Dordogne Valley, the convent is well placed - only 30 minutes from Rocamadour which alone welcomes 1.5 million visitors per year.

The lively town of St Cere, with shops, restaurants and a golf course, is surrounded by the villages and castles that make the Dordogne internationally famous. Transport links are excellent with airports in easy reach, a train station and the Paris to Barcelona Autoroute only 30 minutes away.

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France Property Buying Guide

1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)

On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner.

The next step, once you are in agreement, is to sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente). This is a legal document and after ten days will be binding on both parties. Rules change frequently in France and it is best to consult with your notary about when this period starts. Generally the compris will be signed in France with the Agent.

Variants can be included in the compris, for example an Acte (clause) can be added if the name or names to go on the title deed have not been finalised. If a mortgage will be required to purchase the property, the details for this, including the name of the mortgage company, must be on the compris.

2. Paying the Deposit

Generally the deposit will be 10% of the agreed purchase price. This will normally be paid to the notaire. There are exceptions to this, if the agent holds a carte professionelle, is bonded and fully registered then you may pay them, but do not hand over the deposit to anyone else. If for some reason the purchase does not go through, for example, if you write to the notaire and the agent that you do not wish to go continue with the purchase before the contract is binding (within seven days of signing the compris), then your deposit would be repaid. This would also apply if a condition had not been met, or the mayor or S.A.F.E.R. (a government agency that has the right of first purchase on most rural property that comes onto the market in France) could oblige the purchaser to give way. If you decide after the seven days 'cooling off' period that you do not wish to complete the purchase and pull out of the sale you would lose your deposit. If however the vendor pulls out of the sale then you will receive your deposit back plus the same amount from the vendor.

3. On Completion

Generally it will take around two or three months to complete the purchase.

During this time the balance of the purchase money must be paid into the account of the notaire, this must be done well ahead of the completion date. The notaire will prepare the documents, check that the deed of sale (Acte de Vente) is in order and have the legal title ready to be signed over. It is possible to have someone sign on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. An interpreter may be of use at this point if your French is not very good and many Notaires will suggest (or insist) that an interpreter is with you.