Country house for sale in Saint Céré, Lot, 46400

Description

In the heart of the Dordogne Valley - a historic convent ripe for development.

Built entirely of the local light coloured stone, the convent offers approx 2200m2 of habitable space currently comprising approx 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; 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 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 opportunity (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.