Languedoc-Roussillon, Aude, Labécède-Lauragais, France

A36020NE11 - The village of Labécède-Lauragais is perched among the hills of the Montagne Noire. Just a short distance from the home of Cassoulet, Castelnaudary and the ever-popular tourist site of Carcassonne. The chateau is at the heart of the village, surrounded by its own terrace, gravel drive and gardens. Huge electronic metal gates open to reveal a gravel drive leading to the main entrance of the chateau. There is an elevated garden area, with fruit trees and flowers, an ideal spot to unwind in the shade on a summer’s day.

A suitably impressive hallway welcomes you into the building with an even more opulent staircase and hallway leading upstairs and into the main living area. A generous living room with three sets of doors onto the terrace would be the perfect spot to wind away the evening with friends. The terrace has space for dining and entertaining or simply enjoying the views. An adjacent living and dining room has a recently installed wood burner, perfect for a cosy evening in winter. A modern kitchen has access to the dining room and onto an additional living space that could be used as a formal dining room, with a colourful stained glass feature window. The ground floor also includes a large office space, an additional room that could serve as an office/library or bedroom, a downstairs toilet and two access points to the lower floors as well as the tower.

Climbing up the impressive staircase with light streaming through the stained-glass window you arrive on the first floor with plenty of space for a large family in 6 generous and bright bedrooms. There is a separate shower room just off the staircase and three further bathrooms with access from both the main corridor and the various bedrooms. Each of the bathrooms has been designed with thought and high-quality finishes which will add a touch of luxury to your shower or evening soak in the bath. The whole property is full of interesting historical features, including the tower which provides supplementary access to all levels of the chateau, and a chapel adjacent to the master bedroom which whilst in need of some renovation, makes a fascinating feature in this beautiful property.

The property has been extensively renovated by the current owners, including the installation of a wood pellet boiler that provides the underfloor heating to the ground floor and radiators on the first floor. Combined with double glazing on a large proportion of the windows and insulation this makes the chateau a rare find, boasting a C energy rating in a 17th century building.

The second floor of the chateau used to house the servants and offers plenty of potential for further development. There are multiple rooms to be renovated and access via a hatch onto the roof of the chateau with incredible views over the village and to the Pyrenees.

From the kitchen and main entrance there is access to the basement/cellar of the chateau which also leads out to the pool and rear of the property. This area houses the recently installed boiler, a large storage space, a wine cellar, a summer kitchen with a door to the terrace and plenty of space for a workshop or studio.

The fenced 12x5m pool with a stone terrace is the perfect spot to relax on a warm afternoon, in a sheltered position and with space to swim, play or simply lie back and take in the sunshine.

A vegetable garden in front of the main property is a great little spot for growing your own produce and easily accessible from the chateau.

Beyond the pool is the garage which has spaces for at least four or five vehicles as well as a wood store and a workshop. From this level you can access the maison du gardien above.

The maison du gardien adjoins the chateau with its own stepped entrance giving a glimpse of the grandeur that once was. The property needs renovation throughout but features large rooms all leading off a central corridor, providing tons of possibilities for any potential owner. There is an attic space that is open with dormer windows overlooking the driveway to the chateau.

One of the highlights of this property is the community in which is sits, the current owners are fully embedded in village life, and you would have the opportunity to become part of this mix of artists, musicians, locals and international residents alike, who regularly come together for events and festivals and all embrace the relaxed and laid back lifestyle that the area has to offer. The village boasts a community bar, post office as well as a school and numerous associations. Whilst the village is in a beautifully tranquil rural setting, it is only 15 minutes' drive from the centre of Castelnaudary, with all necessary amenities, a hospital, train station and access to the motorway. The bustling market town of Revel is 20 minutes to the North. Toulouse and Carcassonne with airports and plenty of cultural and tourist attractions are accessible in under an hour. The area surrounding the village offers plenty of opportunity for hiking, gentle walks, road and gravel bike riding alongside more diverse activities such as the local gliding club just over the hill. This is truly the perfect property to enjoy modern comforts and historic charm in a stunning location with amenities within easy reach. Come and discover it for yourself.

The rooms of the property are laid out as follows:
Ground Floor
Entry hall 10,44 m²
Office 29,39 m²
Dining Room 31,05 m²
Living Room 48,24 m²
Kitchen 18,26 m²
Corridor 11,21 m²
Dining room 2 27,00 m²
Hall 28,26 m²
Bedroom/Playroom 26,38 m²
Corridor 1,36 m²
WC 6,74 m²

First Floor
Bathroom 3,96 m²
Landing 1 2,72 m²
Landing 2 11,20 m²
Corridor 15,60 m²
Bedroom 2 22,60 m²
Bathroom 2 3,89 m²
Bedroom 3 24,38 m²
Bathroom 3 15,90 m²
Bedroom 4 35,81 m²
Bedroom 5 19,35 m²
Bathroom 4 9,62 m²
Bedroom 6 20,25 m²
Bedroom 7 25,86 m²
Chapel 32,50 m²