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NEWSLETTER No. 10 - OCTOBER 18th 2005 This newsletter takes a look at the history and make up of the dynamic town of Clermont l'Hérault set beside hills and plain to the west of Montpellier. Top property of the fortnight is a 16th century farmhouse with a one and a quarter acre garden and situated a quarter hour drive from Uzès. Should you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please use the link provided at the bottom of the page. Otherwise, kindly read on. Theme Of The Fortnight: Town Profile - Clermont l'Hérault Clermont l'Hérault is a lively market town of the Languedoc and represents an excellent proposition for those looking to settle in a region with some beautiful countryside and easy access to regional cities. Its year round population is close to 7000. Montpellier to the east can be reached in 35 minutes, as can Béziers to the south-west - The N109 runs between Montpellier and Clermont, and the A75 Millau-Béziers autoroute runs beside the town in a north-south direction.  There was no doubt a Roman settlement in Clermont, but the town saw notable growth from the 12th century, at which point a castle was erected on the Pioch hill and ramparts surrounded a small settlement. >From the 14th century, Clermont started to develop beyond its ramparts. The construction of the gothic Eglise St. Paul, on the site of a Romanesque church began around 1275. The first phase was completed in 1331. Work halted then until the mid 14th century when the town reinforced its defenses of which the church became part. Two towers with arrow slits were built (of the clock tower and of St. Roch) and joined by a an exterior passageway with machicolations. The first draperies and tanneries set up along the banks of the river Rhonel. The manufacturing of drapes was industrialised in the 18th century and the town witnessed a long period of prosperity. Various examples of such factories can be seen in the north-western quarters of the town - the Manufacture Delpon-Brugière is perhaps the most impressive. On Royal appointment, an extensive manufacturing unit (Villeneuvette) with dwellings for workers was set up in the 17th century at 4km from Clermont. This enabled the town to develop its trade for fine drapes with the Middle East. The last surviving factory in Clermont closed in 1932.  The town has a number of 17 and 18th century bourgeois town houses. The 17th century Hotel de Lauzières is a fine example with a classical doorway. Among other places of interest are the 17th century fountain, the doorways in the ramparts (Portes du Bourg, Rougas and Naou), the church and monastery of Notre Dame de Gorjan and the castle itself which belonged to the noble Guilhem family. The architecture of buildings along the rue des calquières - previously the rue des tanneurs - is very revealing of the activities that took place there - the tanneries worked in small production units, with a house giving onto the street, a workshop along the banks of the rhonel, and between them a courtyard and terrace. Local Geography To the east and south of Clermont there are fertile plains rich with vineyards. To the west of Clermont the countryside undulates gently with wide valleys. The limestone plains come to a temporary end around the lac du salagou where the ground becomes red and claylike. Across the area there are picturesque villages with chateaux on hilltops. The north is a mixture of plain, undulating areas and then further on, the vast Larzac plateau.  Sights in the area - Cirque de Mourèze - a fabulous site with intriguing rock formations, beside the pretty village of Mourèze. - Lac du Salagou, a man made lake created primarily for agricultural needs and reduce flooding. Water sports are practised on the lake (sailing, fishing, wind surfing). The lake is bordered by the pretty villages of Octon, Salasc and Mourèze, and the abandoned hamlet of Celles on the shores of the lake, and which was to be flooded on the inauguration of the lake in 1968.  - Lodève, a town with a similar history to Clermont l'Hérault - Pézenas, which was the residence of the governors of the Languedoc region who transformed Pezenas into the royal court (the Versailles) of the Languedoc. The town is abundant with 15th, 16th, 17th century hôtels particuliers (mansions) with decorative doorways and balconies. - Gignac* - Aniane* - St. Guilhem le Désert and Hérault gorges* * Mentioned in a previous newsletter of September 20th (see http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/newsletter_20092005.php)  Local produce - There are various honey producers in the region - Miellerie du Domaine de Villeneuve in Claret, Miel Rouquette and Miellerie des Amandiers in Paulhan and Miel du Roumanissat in La Vacquerie. - Wine - there are endless possibilities, but definite recommendations are the Mas des Chimères in Octon where Guilhem Dardé makes a light and fruity wine from Cinsault grapes, and the Mas de la Seranne in Aniane where Jean-Pierre Venture makes a fine wine primarily from Syrah grapes. - The olive cooperative in Clermont is unique in the Hérault. It was set up in 1920 and has 4000 members. Besides pressing olives and bottling oil, it sells other derivative products. Members can have their own harvest bottled at no cost. - Market day is Wednesday in Clermont. There are a number of other local markets - Gignac and Lodève on a Saturday, Aniane and Montpeyroux on a Thursday etc. Further Information Town web wite: http://www.clermont-herault.com/ Top Property Of The Fortnight: Pleasantly restored 16th century farmhouse situated a 15 minute drive from the beautiful town of Uzès. The property stands on 5182m² of wooded enclosed grounds of which 2225m² are buildable. The property is located on high ground at the edge of a village and within a wood, thus benefiting from an appreciable level of tranquility without being isolated. This 16th century house originally comprised a dwelling and barns for animals. It has been restored with great respect for the authenticity of the building. The interior blends exposed and non-exposed stone in keeping with contemporary renovations. There are many windows and doors, giving thus a bright interior. The surface area of the house is 101m² and outbuildings measure a further 29m². The ground floor comprises a beautiful vaulted room with fireplace, and a kitchen which gives onto a large patio on the south side. On the first floor are three bedrooms, the largest of which has a private terrace with a stone staircase to the garden, a bathroom with shower and bath, and a separate lavatory. A part of the attic has been converted to create a small additional (low ceiling) bedroom. Various outbuildings (cellars, boiler room, wood storage, lavatory etc.) are situated to the side of the house. The property is plumbed into village utilities and has a broadband connection. A fuel fired central heating system has been fitted. A small way beyond the terrace to the south side of the house is a swimming pool (7.50m by 3.70m). The grounds are gently sloped and terraces are bordered by low stone walls. Large oaks, various fruit trees, olive trees and other Mediterranean varieties make this a typically southern haven. Given that 2225m² of grounds are buildable, it would be possible to add a second house or sell this plot separately. Basic groceries can be found in the village, everything else can be found at a ten minute drive. There are schools for younger children in the village, and buses for older children. The property benefits from easy access to Nimes and Uzès and the autoroute. All in all this is an excellent opportunity for these seeking a character house with spatious grounds and tranquility in a region rich with heritage. What makes this a top property: - Age and authenticity of construction, exterior staircases and arch add great character - Spatious grounds (of which part are buildable) with a swimming pool - Proximity to Uzès The asking price is 423,500 Euros. Further photographs can be consulted at the following address and more are available on request: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/viewpropNP.php?id=285         Other news: - Montpellier will be continuing its series of special guided tours till the end of the year. November's theme is the 'hôtel particulier' (the town mansion). Three visits are planned which define the characteristics of three different centuries of construction - the 17th century on Saturday 5th, the 18th century on Saturday 12th and the 19th century on Saturday 16th. The evolution of architectural techniques is traced in these visits, all of which take place at 10:30am. Next newsletter will: - take a look at some landscapes within the Cevennes - showcase a new property on the market  +33 626 581 415 Enquiries can be made through the following page: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/contact.php About James Properties France: Based in Montpellier in the south of France, bringing to you a carefully picked selection of properties within a 70 mile radius - with the occasional more distant exception - that are chosen for their combinations of attributes, most notably: - Setting of outstanding natural beauty - Distinct character or unusual features - Quality of renovation or authenticity - Value for money James Properties France serves primarily an English speaking, though often highly Francophile clientele looking to move or own a second home in the south of France around such places as Uzes, Nimes, Montpellier, Anduze, St. Hippolyte du Fort, the Southern Cevennes, Gignac and Clermont l'Herault and the Hauts Cantons. Besides being a rich source of housing options, James Properties France represents a useful accompaniment during the process of viewing and purchasing a house. If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click on the following link: www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/unsubscribe.php |