|
Dear Readers,
JPF newsletter number 46 takes you to Roquebrun, a charming and rather special village of the Languedoc.
This fortnight's top property is an exceptionally restored village house in Roquebrun, and an ideal pied-à-terre.
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: Roquebrun The medieval village of Roquebrun is in a part of the Mediterranean basin that has been peopled for thousands of years - Roman legions, the noblemen of the Carolingian period and Cathars are among past inhabitants.
Roquebrun comes spectacularly into view when approaching from Béziers. The village, set beneath the ruins of a millennium-old tower, is built onto a hillside at the confluence of the river Orb and a minor stream. It follows the curve of the hill between the river and rocky outcrops high above.
Narrow streets ride upward onto the hillside revealing small squares and ‘suspended’ gardens. A slow stroll is required to appreciate the site to the full, the Orb and right bank coming into view at various places along the way. As is so often the way in Mediterranean villages, the houses lack uniformity - sizes vary, renderings vary, as do the sculpted stone surrounds for windows and doors. However uniformly, houses do not look terribly weather beaten – there is a reason for this.
The village benefits from a micro-climate. Winters are short - frost is virtually unheard of - and spring comes early, when the village is awash with mimosa. The village is sheltered from winds from the north, however there is a second a more predominant reason for the gentle climate. Scrape away the top soil and you will see that the rock below is schist, a mineral with two virtues; it retains water and releases heat accumulated slowly.
The micro-climate is needless to say, put to good use. It makes the cultivation of citrus fruits possible and local winemakers say that grapes mature here even overnight. Botanists have gone one step further and created a Mediterranean garden which now totals approximately four thousand plants comprising a wide range of Mediterranean flora, a collection of cacti, numerous types of mimosa, and a Mediterranean orchard. The garden is towards the top of the village, and therefore commands beautiful views over the Orb. It is therefore understandable that tourists come from far and wide to visit it.
Originally an experiment, designed partly as a site for the preservation of rare plants, and partly as a tourist and cultural site, it has gained a reputation in the scientific world, largely due to the efforts involved. To reach its current state, one thousand tonnes of materials have been hauled upwards largely by men or donkeys. The garden is in a permanent state of flux, the objective being to continually enrich the collection of plants.
Standing above the village is the Roquebrun tower, the only remaining part of a Carolingian castle built to protect from invasions in the year 900. The bridge that crosses the Orb is just as essential to village life, joining Roquebrun and villages to the north around Olargues with the lower lying land and Béziers. It was erected in 1870. Legend has it that the builders danced four days and four nights when the construction was complete. The tradition of street parties lives on among the people of Roquebrun who gather for various fêtes and festivals no less than twenty times per year - in particular for the spring fete du mimosa and to celebrate the arrival of new local wines.
The mills on the banks of the Orb, and Cave Coopérative - where the wines of Roquebrun (under a "Saint Chinian" appellation) can be bought ensure a very satisfying visit.
Fishing, hiking, bathing, climbing, mountain biking, archery, canoeing and tennis are some of the local sports practised locally. Numerous festivals are the opportunity to purchase local produce – in particular pottery and artwork. New wines are celebrated in May and markets are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.
More information: www.jardin-mediterraneen.fr
Top property: Medieval house in the charming Mediterranean village of Roquebrun. Having undergone an extensive and painstaking restoration, with the involvement of a conservation architect and builders, the property respects all norms for an excellent renovation and has a subtle contemporary feel. A blend of exposed stonework and lime rendered walls, parquet and terracotta tiled floors, a spiral staircase, exposed timberwork and the reuse of old doors provide limitless character. The property has a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with wood-burner, two bedrooms, bath and shower rooms and an office - the latter can be used as a child's bedroom. Numerous windows and an excellent exposure to sunlight make the interior very bright and give broad views across the village, river and countryside beyond.
The asking price is 223,000€. Ref. 510.
+33 467 297 068 +33 626 581 415 Contact: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/contact.php www.jamespropertiesfrance.com
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 (JPF) 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, Nîmes, Montpellier, Anduze, St. Hippolyte du Fort, the Southern Cevennes, Gignac and Clermont l'Herault and the Hauts Cantons. The property selection proposed by JPF is targeted to fit buyers from abroad in terms of types of location, accessibility, environment / landscapes, and types and formats of construction. Besides bringing you a wide array of properties, JPF helps by running specific searches in the Gard and Hérault.
JPF acts as an intermediary between you and a number of regional estate agencies, at no extra charge. Selections of properties that meet your criteria can be established prior to your visits, any linguistic issues totally alleviated, questions about French procedures and legislation addressed quickly, and information on prices and property details addressed plainly by all parties.
JPF helps you with your purchase from the beginning to the end of the process, often communicating with the assigned notary to make sure that content and conditions of sale are correctly documented, ensuring all is in order for completion, and keeping you informed of progress. Insurance and utilities can also be arranged.
In addition, should you wish to have assistance in maintaining or making alterations to your house, or any formalities associated with property ownership or financing in France, JPF can give assistance on an hourly basis.
Should you wish to sell your property in the south of France, JPF can also help.
If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click on the following link: www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/unsubscribe.php |
